Phytochrome Control of the Development of Ascorbate Oxidase Activity in Mustard (Sinapis alba L.) Cotyledons

The activity of ascorbate oxidase (AOX) in mustard (Sinapis alba L.) cotyledons was markedly increased by irradiation with continuous far-red light. The involvement of phytochrome in this light-mediated response was demonstrated by red/far-red reversibility experiments. To determine immunochemically the contents of AOX in cotyledons, the antibody against the enzyme was raised in a rabbit. However, the antiserum was not monospecific to AOX; it also recognized glycoproteins. To remove antibodies that are specific to a carbohydrate moiety of glycoproteins, the anti-AOX antiserum was applied to a horseradish peroxidase-conjugated Sepharose column. By using the antibodies that were not retained in the column, the changes in the content of AOX were followed. Western immunoblot profiles revealed that the content of AOX protein in cotyledons notably increased after continuous far-red light treatment. Pulse-labeling experiments indicated that the synthesis of AOX protein occurred in the cotyledons. These results are in good agreement with the hypothesis that phytochrome-mediated increase in AOX activity is accompanied by the synthesis of the enzyme.