Activation of plasma membrane NADH oxidase activity by products of phospholipase A

An auxin-stimulated NADH oxidase activity (NADH oxidase I) of plasma membrane vesicles, highly purified by aqueous two-phase partition from soybean Glycine max Merr.) hypocotyls was activated by lysophospholipids and fatty acids, both products of phospholipase A action. The activation of NADH oxidase activity occurred slowly, suggesting a mechanism whereby the lipids acted to stabilize the enzyme in a more active configuration. In contrast to activation by lipids, the activation by auxin was rapid. The average Km of the NADH oxidase after activation by lipids was four- to fivefold less than the Km before activation. The Vmax was unchanged by activation. The increases occurred in the presence of detergent and thus were not a result of exposure of latent active sites. Also; the activation did not result from activation of a peroxidase or lipoxygenase. Fatty acid esters, where growth promoting effects have been reported, also activated the auxin-stimulated oxidase. However, the auxin stimulation of NADH oxidase I did not appear to be obligatorily mediated by phospholipase A, nor did inhibitors of phospholipase A2 block stimulation of the oxidase by auxins.