α-Amylase production is induced by sulfuric acid in rice aleurone cells

The hydrolytic enzyme α-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) is produced mainly in aleurone cells of germinating cereals, and the phytohormone gibberellin (GA) is essential for its induction. However, in rice (Oryza sativa L.), sulfuric acid (H2SO4) induces α-amylase production in aleurone tissue even in the absence of GA. Here, the pre-treatment of rice aleurone cells with H2SO4 and incubation in water induced α-amylase activity, as if the cells had been incubated in GA solution.