Abstract
Enzymes that catalyse the synthesis (uridine diphosphate glucose-fructose 6-phosphate glucosyltransferase) and breakdown (phosphatases) of sucrose phosphate were isolated from stem and leaf tissue of sugarcane. A compound with the properties of sucrose phosphate was formed from [U-C14]glucose in slices of stem tissue. Studies in which radioactive sugars and sugar phosphates, including [fructosyl-C14]sucrose and [fructosyl-C14]sucrose phosphate, were supplied to storage-tissue slices provided evidence consistent with the proposition that sucrose phosphate is an intermediate in sugar accumulation.