Light and Stomatal Metabolism

Abstract

New evidence is provided regarding the direct effect of light on stomatal opening in the epidermis of the pea (Pisum sativum L. var Little Marvel) leaf. Light modulates the activity of a number of key enzymes involved in stomatal metabolism. When isolated epidermal strips are illuminated, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, NADP-malate dehydrogenase, and NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase are activated; and aspartate aminotransferase is inactivated. Sulfhydryl compounds, dithiothreitol and glutathione, enhance stomatal opening in epidermal strips both in light or darkness while the sulfhydryl reagent N-ethylmaleimide inhibits, indicating the possible involvement of sulfhydryl groups in stomatal movements. Further, light treatment increases measureable thiol levels in the epidermis about 3-fold. These results suggest that light modulation of enzymes in the epidermis may play a significant role in the mechanism of stomatal movement.