The Role of Threonine Deaminase/Dehydratase in Winter Dormancy in Sweet Cherry Buds

The determination of the endodormancy release and the beginning of ontogenetic development is a challenge, because these are non-observable stages. Changes in protein activity are important aspects of signal transduction. The conversion of threonine to 2-oxobutanoate is the first step towards isoleucine (Ile) biosynthesis, which promote growth and development. The reaction is catalyzed by threonine deaminase/dehydratase (TD). This study on TD activity was conducted at the experimental sweet cherry orchard at Berlin-Dahlem. Fresh (FW), dry weight (DW), water content (WC), and the specific TD activity for the cherry cultivars Summit, Karina and Regina were conducted from flower bud samples between October and April. The content of asparagine (Asn), aspartic acid (Asp), Ile, and valine (Val) were exemplarily shown for Summit. In buds of Summit and Karina, the TD activity was one week after the beginning of the ontogenetic development (t1*), significantly higher compared to samplings during endo- and ecodormancy. Such “peak” activity did not occur in the buds of Regina; TD tended for a longer time (day of year, DOY 6–48) to a higher activity, compared to the time DOY 287–350. For the date “one week after t1*”, the upregulation of TD, the markedly increase of the Ile and Val content, and the increase of the water content in the buds, all this enzymatically confirms the estimated start of the ontogenetic development (t1*) in sweet cherry buds.