Roberts J K, Callis J, Wemmer D, Walbot V, Jardetzky O
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1984 Jun;81(11):3379-83. doi: 10.1073/pnas.81.11.3379.
We show that a transient lactic fermentation provides the signal triggering ethanol production in hypoxic maize root tips. The signal is cytoplasmic pH. This interaction between lactic and ethanolic fermentation permits tight cytoplasmic pH regulation during hypoxia--cytoplasmic pH remaining near neutrality for several hours. Mutant roots unable to synthesize ethanol can neither regulate cytoplasmic pH nor maintain ATP levels during extended periods of hypoxia and, like vertebrate tissues, are less tolerant of hypoxia than normal maize. This indicates that cytoplasmic pH regulation is an important factor in survival under hypoxia.
我们发现,短暂的乳酸发酵会产生信号,触发缺氧状态下玉米根尖中的乙醇生成。该信号是细胞质pH值。乳酸发酵和乙醇发酵之间的这种相互作用使得在缺氧期间能够严格调节细胞质pH值——细胞质pH值在数小时内保持接近中性。无法合成乙醇的突变体根在长时间缺氧期间既不能调节细胞质pH值,也不能维持ATP水平,并且与脊椎动物组织一样,比正常玉米对缺氧的耐受性更低。这表明细胞质pH值调节是缺氧条件下生存的一个重要因素。