To ensure you have all the information you need, we've compiled a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions about the essential amino acid, L-Proline. If you can't find the answer you're looking for, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.
A: L-Proline is used to enhance plant stress tolerance, improve water retention, and aid in protein synthesis.
A: L-Proline helps plants manage osmotic stress, detoxifies reactive oxygen species, and stabilizes proteins and membranes.
A: Yes, L-Proline improves water retention and osmotic balance, which enhances a plant's ability to withstand drought conditions.
A: Yes, L-Proline is beneficial for a wide variety of plants including crops, vegetables, and ornamental plants.
A: L-Proline can be applied through foliar sprays, soil drenches, or as a component of hydroponic nutrient solutions.
A: Signs of deficiency may include poor growth, reduced stress tolerance, and lower resistance to drought and salinity.
A: The frequency of application depends on the crop type and environmental conditions, but generally, it can be applied every 2-4 weeks during the growing season.
A: Yes, L-Proline is a natural amino acid and can be used in organic farming practices.
A: L-Proline can be synergistic with other nutrients, enhancing their uptake and effectiveness.
A: When used within the recommended guidelines, L-Proline is generally considered safe and non-toxic for plants. However, as with any plant nutrient, it is important to follow the recommended application rates to avoid potential imbalances or adverse effects.
Proline is an amino acid involved in protein synthesis, characterized by an α-amino group containing a secondary amine and an unusual cyclic structure that imparts rigidity to the protein's secondary structure. Beyond its role in protein composition, free proline is considered to have unique functions in plant cells, particularly under abiotic stress conditions. Proline not only appears as a product of protein hydrolysis but can also be de novo synthesized in plant cells via the glutamate (Glu) pathway or the ornithine (Orn) pathway (as illustrated below).
L-proline is primarily synthesized from glutamate in the cytoplasm and/or chloroplasts through the activities of two enzymes: Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase (P5CS, EC 2.7.2.11; EC 1.2.1.41) and Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase (P5CR; EC 1.5.1.2). The first enzyme catalyzes the conversion of Glu to glutamate-5-semialdehyde (GSA), which then spontaneously cyclizes to form Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate (P5C). P5CS is encoded by two genes whose expressions are differentially regulated, producing two isoforms that generally exhibit non-redundant activities, different subcellular localizations, and have been reported to be subfunctionalized for stress responses (P5CS1) and housekeeping functions (P5CS2). In the second enzymatic step of this biosynthetic pathway, P5CR reduces P5C to proline, preferentially using NADPH as the electron donor. In the alternative pathway, the first step involves the reversible transamination of Orn to GSA, catalyzed by the mitochondrial enzyme ornithine δ-aminotransferase (OAT; EC 2.6.1.13). Similar to the Glu pathway, GSA subsequently cyclizes spontaneously to P5C, which is then converted to proline by P5CR.
The catabolism of proline occurs in mitochondria via the activity of proline dehydrogenase (ProDH; EC 1.5.5.2), which converts proline back to P5C. This common intermediate P5C is then oxidized by P5C dehydrogenase (P5CDH; EC 1.2.1.88) to generate Glu. ProDH enzymes also exist in two isoforms, expressed under different conditions. Although the exact mechanisms of intracellular transport are not well described, the compartmentalized metabolism of proline involves the active transport of proline, P5C, GSA, and Glu among the cytoplasm, chloroplasts, and mitochondria.
Overview of the main metabolic pathways responsible for proline biosynthesis in the cytoplasm and/or chloroplast and for proline catabolism in the mitochondria (Sofia Spormann, et al., 2023)