Inhibition of Metabolism in Avena Coleoptile Tissue by Fluoride

Following treatment of Avena coleoptile sections with 0.01 N NaF for 6 hours, an 80% inhibition of growth in the presence of 0.05 M glucose and 2.9 X 10/sup -5/ M indoleacetic acid ensued, followed by partial recovery in fluoride-free solutions. Studies of glucose utilization in the absence of indoleacetic acid showed that absorption of uniformly labeled C/sup 14/ glucose was barley affected but inhibition of incorporation of C/sup 14/ into cellulose and the glucose components of the aqueous and acid-soluble wall fractions was particularly notable. Possible causes of an apparent effect of 0.01 N NaF pretreatment for 6.5 to 7 hours on respiratory pathways, detected by the use of specifically labeled glucose, are discussed. At lower levels of inhibition of growth, the effect on catabolism disappeared but certain effects on the cell wall were still apparent. Interference with metabolism of specific components of the wall including cellulose is considered to be a factor in fluoride inhibition of growth. 20 references, 2 figures.