Effects of amino and sulfhydryl reactive agents on respiration and ethylene production in tomato and apple fruit discs

We have examined the effects of the enzyme inhibitors 2,4,6‐trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) and 5,5′‐dithiobis‐2‐nitrobenzoic acid (DTNB) on ethylene and CO₂ production in apple and tomato fruit discs. In the past these inhibitors have been used to inhibit membrane bound enzyme systems in various animal tissues. The amino reactive inhibitor TNBS was shown to decrease ethylene production in tomato discs without affecting rates of respiration; similar results were obtained with apple. The effects of the sulfhydryl reactive inhibitor DTNB were not as clearcut as TNBS. There was little effect of DTNB on ethylene production in tomato discs, however, in apple discs ethylene production was significantly reduced. DTNB also reduced the respiration rate in apple discs, although not to the same extent as ethylene production. The inhibition of DTNB was reversed by a brief treatment with dithioerythritol. The results indicate that ethylene production takes place at the cell surface.