Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide metabolism in plants. I. Intermediates of biosynthesis in wheat leaves and the effect of benzimidazole

Abstract

Leaves of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. var. Selkirk) were incubated with nicotinic acid-7-14C and nicotinamide-7-14C for varying time periods from 5 min to 12 h. Aliquots of alcoholic extracts of leaves were subjected to paper chromatography and radioautography to isolate the intermediates of the synthesis and breakdown of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. Nine compounds were isolated quantitatively and identified as intermediates in the pathway of NAD metabolism. All the intermediates were labeled rapidly and the rapidity of labeling became a problem in rigorously proving the sequential operation of the pathway. The results indicate that the Preiss-Handler pathway: nicotinic acid→nicotinic acid mononucleotide→nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide→NAD operates in wheat leaves. The degradation of NAD proceeded from NAD→nicotinamide mononucleotide→nicotinamide riboside→nicotinamide. Deamidation of the nicotinamide to nicotinic acid initiated a fresh cycle of biosynthesis. The total radioactivity recovered in the intermediates indicates that no measurable amount was lost to other metabolic pathways. Nicotinamide is recovered without significant loss and recycled. The rapid appearance of labeled nicotinamide indicates a possible interconversion of nicotinic acid and nicotinamide. About 80% of the radioactivity accumulated was present in trigonelline which is considered, on the basis of other evidence, to be a non-toxic form of nicotinic acid. Benzimidazole treatment of the leaves increased the incorporation of 14C into NADP.