Analytical procedures for cyclic nucleotides and their associated enzymes in plant tissues

A substantial body of published information has accrued indicating the presence in higher plants of all the components needed for functional cyclic nucleotide‐regulated control systems. In order to consolidate this and to stimulate further research, the methodology currently available for the analysis of cyclic nucleotides in plants and for assaying their associated enzymes is critically reviewed. The extraction of cyclic nucleotides, their separation by high performance liquid chromatography and identification using the latest techniques in mass spectrometry is described, and the determination of these compounds by radioimmunoassay and by saturation binding assay is examined. Assays for the cyclase, cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases and protein kinases are critically appraised. Other cyclic nucleotide‐binding proteins are considered. The validity and accuracy of the various methods in connection with plant analysis are evaluated.