The effect of sugars on the binding of [203Hg]-p-chloromercuribenzenesulfonic acid to leaf tissues

Replacement of mannitol with sucrose decreases the binding of [203Hg]-p-chloromercuribenzenesulphonic acid (PCMBS) to Vicia faba leaf discs without epidermis. This decrease is optimal for 20 minutes on incubation, is concentration-dependent, and is also found with maltose and raffinose. In parallel experiments, the addition of sucrose, maltose, and raffinose during PCMBS pretreatment was shown to increase subsequent uptake of [U-14C]sucrose. In contrast, D- or L-glucose, 3-O-methylglucose, galactose, fructose, palatinose, turanose, or melibiose had no effect either on PCMBS binding or on [14C]sucrose uptake. The sucrose-induced decrease of PCMBS binding is retained after a cold and ionic shock. Measurements of specific activities of membrane fractions prepared from tissues incubated in labeled PCMBS show that the decrease concerns the 120,000 gravity pellet, but that very mild procedures must be chosen to prevent redistribution of label in the supernatant. Altogether, the data provide new support to the hypothesis that the active site of the sucrose carrier contains a group sensitive to PCMBS.