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W M Dugger

Publications and source records attributed to W M Dugger.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1967

CO(2) Metabolism in Corn Roots. I. Kinetics of Carboxylation and Decarboxylation.

The kinetics of (14)CO(2) carboxylation and decarboxylation in corn root tips were determined to ascertain the sequence of product formation and subsequent utilization, and to obtain further evidence to predict the enzymes mediating the carboxylation and decarboxylations. The carboxylation data indicated that the first product was oxaloacetate followed by malate and aspartate. Malate was the first stable product which could be detected. Decarboxylation data indicated that a large fraction of the (14)CO(2) release and turnover of (14)C was accountable for by a decrease in malate: however, essentially all labeled amino acids turned over rapidly and at a greater rate than organic acids. The data generally support the hypothesis that CO(2) fixation in corn root tips is via P-enolpyruvate carboxylase and malic dehydrogenase and that subsequent malate metabolism is for the most part by direct decarboxylation, possibly by the malic enzyme.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1966

CO(2) Fixation in Opuntia Roots.

Nonautotrophic CO(2) metabolism in Opuntia echinocarpa roots was studied with techniques of manometry and radiometry. The roots were grown in a one-quarter strength nutrient solution for several days; the distal 2 cm was used for physiological studies. The roots assimilated significant quantities of (14)CO(2) and appeared to show a crassulacean-type acid metabolism with respect to quality and quantity. Most of the (14)C activity was associated with the distal portion of the elongating root indicating correlation with metabolic activity. The (14)CO(2) assimilation was comparable to a crassulacean leaf succulent, but 3 times greater than that found for stem tissue of the same Opuntia species.The rates of O(2) and CO(2) exchange and estimated CO(2) fixation were 180, 123, and 57 mul/g per hour. A respiratory quotient of 0.66 was found.The products of (14)CO(2) fixation were similar in most respects to reported experiments with leaf succulents. Equilibration of the predominant malic acid with isocitric, succinic, and fumaric acids was not evident. The latter observation was interpreted as metabolic isolation of the fixation products rather than poor citric acid cycle activity.A rapid turnover of the fixed (14)CO(2) was measured by following decarboxlyation kinetics and by product analysis after a postincubation period. The first order rate constant for the steady state release was 4.4 x 10(-3) min(-1) with a half-time of 157.5 minutes. Amino acids decayed at a more rapid rate than organic acids.

Journal Article↗