Evidence for Light-stimulated Synthesis of Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase in Leaves of Maize

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Abstract
Illumination (22,000 lumens/m2) of etiolated maize plants for 80 h brings about a 5-fold increase in phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase [a major enzyme of the C4 photosynthetic cycle] activity per unit of protein. An increase in carboxylase protein and incorporation of [35]methionine into the protein occurs simultaneously with the activity increase. In green plants, the level of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase protein and enzyme activity is dependent on the intensity of light during growth. Apparently, the activity increase results from light-stimulated de novo synthesis of phosphoenolypyruvate carboxylase protein.