Regulation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase in PVYNTN-infected tobacco plants

The effect of viral infection on the regulation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC, EC 4.1.1.31) in Nicotiana tabacum L. leaves was studied. PEPC activity was 3 times higher in infected plant leaves compared to healthy plants. Activity of plant PEPC can be regulated, e. g., by de novo synthesis or reversible phosphorylation. The reason for the increase of PEPC activity as a consequence of PVYNTN infection was studied. The amount of PEPC determined by Western blot analysis or by relative estimation of PEPC mRNA by real-time PCR did not differ in control and PVYNTN-infected plants. Changes in post-translational modification of PEPC by phosphorylation were evaluated by comparing activity of the native and the dephosphorylated enzyme. The infected plants were characterized by a higher decrease of the enzyme activity after its dephosphorylation, which indicated a higher phosphorylation level. Immunochemical detection of phosphoproteins by Western blot analysis showed a more intensive band corresponding to PEPC from the infected material. This strengthens the hypothesis of an infection-related phosphorylation, which could be part of the plant's response to pathogen attack. The physiological implications of the increase in PEPC activity during PVYNTN infection are discussed.