Aconitase levels in the leaves of iron-deficient mustard plants (Sinapis alba)

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Abstract
Aconitase activity has been measured in extracts of the leaves of mustard plants growing in water culture and receiving 3 concentrations of Fe (0-2, 1 and 5 ppm). The aconitase activity in plants receiving 0-2 ppm, which always show signs of Fe deficiency, was about half that in those receiving 1 ppm. At 5 ppm the activity was variable, but usually greater than at 1 ppm. Simultaneous measurements of malic-dehydrogenase activity showed that it was only slightly depressed by Fe-deficiency; fumarase activity was slightly raised. When Fe-deficient plants or leaves were fed with adequate Fe the aconitase activity was restored to the normal level. The aconitase activity of extracts from deficient plants could not be increased by treatment with ferrous Fe and cysteine, nor by any other means tested. The significance of these results is discussed in relation to the possible connection of Fe with aconitase action, and to possible effects of aconitase deficiency on the metabolism of the leaf.