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VOL. 11, ISSUE 1 (2026)
Stage-dependent variation in protease and α-amylase activities in Rumex maritimus L. infected by Ustilago parletoreii F.A. Waldheim
Authors
O Noyon Singh, A Kikim, Ch Niranjan
Abstract
Fungal pathogens frequently reconfigure host primary metabolism, yet
biochemical responses in many wild plant–smut systems remain uncharacterized.
This study investigates stage-specific changes in protease and α-amylase
activities in leaf and shoot tissues of Rumex maritimus naturally
infected by Ustilago parletoreii. Protease activity in leaves increased
from 0.038 µg/mg crude enzyme protein/min in controls to a peak of 0.049 µg/mg
crude enzyme protein/min at pre-sporulation, while shoots rose from 0.013 to
0.028 µg/mg crude enzyme protein/min during sporulation, indicating intensified
protein turnover associated with defense activation. Α-Amylase activity
displayed contrasting tissue dynamics: leaves increased from 0.162 to 0.185 mg
glucose/mg protein/hr during early infection but sharply declined to 0.10 mg
glucose/mg crude enzyme protein/hr at mature sporulation, whereas shoots
exhibited a sustained rise from 0.310 to 0.405 mg glucose/mg crude enzyme
protein/hr. These patterns reveal coordinated nitrogen and carbon
remobilization, accompanied by tissue-specific metabolic exhaustion during
advanced infection. Collectively, the findings provide the first biochemical evidence
of enzymatic reprogramming in the R. maritimus–U. parletoreii
interaction and highlight protease and α-amylase activities as sensitive
indicators of infection progression.
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Pages:93-96
How to cite this article:
O Noyon Singh, A Kikim, Ch Niranjan "Stage-dependent variation in protease and α-amylase activities in <i>Rumex maritimus</i> L. infected by <i>Ustilago parletoreii </i>F.A. Waldheim". International Journal of Botany Studies, Vol 11, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 93-96
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