Wounding Induces One of Two Isoenzymes of 3-Deoxy-d-arabino-Heptulosonate 7-Phosphate Synthase in Solanum tuberosum L.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers contain two isoenzymes of 3-deoxy-d-arabino-heptulosonate 7-phosphate synthase (EC 4.1.2.15), the enzyme that catalyzes the first step of aromatic amino acid biosynthesis. One of the isoenzymes is specifically activated by Mn(2+), and the other requires Co(2+), Mg(2+), or another divalent cation for activity. Monospecific polyclonal antibodies against the Mn(2+)-activated isoenzyme do not cross-react with the other isoenzyme. Wounding of potato tubers induces the Mn(2+)-activated form but not the other. We conclude that two different genes encode two different isoenzymes that catalyze the first step in the shikimate pathway.