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Cholinergic constituents in plants: Characterization and distribution of acetylcholine and choline
Author(s) -
Miura George A.,
Shih TsungMing
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
physiologia plantarum
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.351
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1399-3054
pISSN - 0031-9317
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-3054.1984.tb06349.x
Subject(s) - phaseolus , botany , acetylcholine , liquidambar styraciflua , biology , endocrinology
Acetylcholine in plants was identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Acetylcholine was found in the following species from 13 families: Betula pendula, Codiaeum variegatum, Ilex opaca, Liquidambar styraciflua, Lonicera japonica, Phaseolus aureus, Phaseolus vulgaris, Pisum sativum, Plantago rugelli, Populus grandidentata, Prunus serotina, Rhus copallina, Smilax hispida, Viburnum dilatatum , and Zea mays . Levels of acetylcholine in leaves ranged from a low of 0.14 ± 0.05 (mean ± SEM) nmol (g fresh weight) −1 in I. opaca to a high of 53 ± 6.6 nmol (g fresh weight) −1 in P. aureus . Acetylcholine was found in all tissues examined regardless of the organ (leaves, stems, or roots) or developmental stage (seedlings, mature plants, or seeds). For P. aureus , continuous light exposure increased acetylcholine levels of leaves, and decreased levels in stem when compared to dark controls. Levels of choline, a precursor of acetylcholine, found in leaves ranged from a low of 84 ± 7.0 nmol (g fresh weight) −1 in L. styraciflua to a high of 3700 ± 200 nmol (g fresh weight) −1 in P. aureus . With these findings, three out of the four components of the cholinergic system have now been identified in plants.