Nitrate metabolism in relation to the aspartate-type C-4 pathway of photosynthesis in <i>Eleusine coracana</i>

Abstract

The intercellular and intracellular distributions of nitrate assimilating enzymes were studied. Nitrate reductase was found to be localized on the chloroplast envelope membranes. The chloroplastic NADPH – glutamate dehydrogenase was concentrated in the mesophyll cells. The extrachloroplastic NADH – glutamate dehydrogenase was localized in the bundle sheath cells. Glutamate synthesized in the mesophyll chloroplasts was interpreted to be utilized exclusively in the synthesis of aspartate, while in the bundle sheath cells it was thought to be consumed in other cellular metabolic processes. Based on the results, a scheme is proposed to account for the nitrate metabolism in the leaves of Eleusine coracana Gaertn. in relation to its aspartate-type C-4 pathway of photosynthesis.