The role of malate in nitrate reduction in spinach leaves

Abstract

In spinach leaf discs the accumulation of nitrite from nitrate reduction under anaerobic conditions in the light in the presence of 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU) was inhibited by air. The inhibition of nitrate reduction by air was reversed by antimycin A but not by rotenone or amytal. The nitrate-reducing system of DCMU-inhibited leaf discs in the light appeared similar to noninhibited leaf discs in the dark. In aerobic conditions, the addition of malate stimulated nitrite accumulation. This stimulation was unaffected by malonate. Under anaerobic conditions, malate reversed the inhibition of nitrate reduction caused by either iodoacetate or arsenite to rates similar to those observed in the dark and in the light with DCMU. Malate can apparently provide a direct source of cytosolic NADH for nitrate reduction.