Prof. RG Ratcliffe
Research Area
Metabolic flux analysis and the organisation of the plant metabolic network
Research Description
Metabolic networks supply the precursors, energy and reducing power required for the synthesis and turnover of cellular components. Moreover the flows of material – the metabolic fluxes – are crucial in determining the performance and productivity of cells and organisms. For example, in an agricultural context, the production of harvestable end-products of plant metabolism is entirely dependent on the flux phenotype of the plant; while in biotechnology, the exploitation of micro-organisms and plants hinges on an ability to reconfigure the metabolic network to favour a flux distribution that leads to the preferential synthesis of particular products. Thus the fluxes supported by the plant metabolic network play a pivotal role in determining both phenotype and productivity.
The main interest of my research group lies in understanding the organisation and regulation of the plant metabolic network. A knowledge of the transcriptome, proteome or metabolome does not lead easily to the metabolic flux phenotype, and internal fluxes within the metabolic network have to be deduced from a suite of computational and experimental tools. The group is strongly involved in the development and application of steady-state metabolic flux analysis (MFA), a technique that allows fluxes to be deduced from a stoichiometric model of the network using stable isotope (13C) labelling data and measurements of biosynthetic outputs. We complement this experimental method with an in silico approach using genome-scale models and constraints-based flux balance analysis. These methods allow us to assess the metabolic phenotypes of wild type, mutant and transgenic plants, and thus the metabolic impact of genetic and environmental perturbations.
MFA depends on stable isotope labelling experiments and we make extensive use of the complementary analytical techniques of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to obtain quantitative information on the ions and metabolites that are present in tissues and tissue extracts. We also use these techniques in targeted investigations of mitochondrial metabolism, including in situ NMR analyses of metabolic events in purified plant mitochondria suspended at densities comparable to those used in classical oxygen electrode studies. These studies have generated novel insights into the function of the plant mitochondrial uncoupling protein, TCA cycle fluxes, substrate channeling through the glycolytic pathway ,and the regulatory role of the mitochondrial cysteine synthase complex in O-acetylserine biosynthesis.
Current projects include:
Engineering plants for over-production of secondary metabolites.
Metabolic analysis of plant pathogenic bacteria.
Genome-scale modelling of the metabolic network in ripening tomato fruit.
Integration of genome scale metabolic models representing different plant tissues.
Measuring cell type specific metabolic activity using a reporter protein.
The role of nitric oxide in survival of low oxygen stress in plants.
Click here for D.Phil. projects.
Ratcliffe Group Members
Publications
Recent publications and papers in press
L.J. Sweetlove, T.C.R. Williams, C.Y.M. Cheung and R.G. Ratcliffe (2013) Modelling metabolic CO2 evolution – a fresh perspective on respiration. Plant, Cell and Environment in press.
S.K. Masakapalli, N.J. Kruger and R.G. Ratcliffe (2013) The metabolic flux phenotype of heterotrophic Arabidopsis cells reveals a complex response to changes in nitrogen supply. The Plant Journal 74, 569-582.
J. Gerendas and R.G. Ratcliffe (2013) Root pH regulation. In Plant Roots: The Hidden Half, 4th edn (eds A. Eshel and T. Beeckman), Chapter 23, pp 1-18; CRC Press, Boca Raton, USA.
M.J. Morgan, S. Osorio, B. Gehl, C.J. Baxter, N.J. Kruger, R.G. Ratcliffe, A.R. Fernie and L.J. Sweetlove (2013) Metabolic engineering of tomato fruit organic acid content guided by biochemical analysis of an introgression line. Plant Physiology 161, 397-407.
Y.Y. Yang, X.H. Li, R.G. Ratcliffe and J.Y. Ruan (2013) Characterization of ammonium and nitrate uptake and assimilation in roots of tea plants. Russian Journal of Plant Physiology 60, 91-99.
M. Wirtz, K.F.M. Beard, C.P. Lee, A. Boltz, M. Schwarzländer, C. Fuchs, A.J. Meyer, C. Heeg, L.J. Sweetlove, R.G. Ratcliffe and R. Hell (2012) Mitochondrial cysteine synthase complex regulates O-acetylserine biosynthesis in plants. Journal of Biological Chemistry 287, 27941-27947.
N.J. Kruger, S.K. Masakapalli and R.G. Ratcliffe (2012) Strategies for investigating the plant metabolic network with steady-state metabolic flux analysis: lessons from an Arabidopsis cell culture and other systems. Journal of Experimental Botany 63, 2309-2323.
N.J. Kruger and R.G. Ratcliffe (2012) Pathways and fluxes: exploring the plant metabolic network. Journal of Experimental Botany 63, 2243-2246.
T.C.R. Williams, L.J. Sweetlove and R.G. Ratcliffe (2011) Capturing metabolite channeling in metabolic flux phenotypes. Plant Physiology 157, 981-984.
L.J. Sweetlove and R.G. Ratcliffe (2011) Flux-balance modelling of plant metabolism. Frontiers in Plant Science 2:38. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2011.00038.
D.J.V. Beste, B. Bonde, N. Hawkins, J.L. Ward, M.H. Beale, S. Noack, K. Nöh, N.J. Kruger, R.G. Ratcliffe and J. McFadden (2011) 13C metabolic flux analysis identifies an unusual route for pyruvate dissimilation in mycobacteria which requires isocitrate lyase and carbon dioxide fixation. PLoS Pathogens 7, e1002091. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1002091
M. Watanabe, O. Yumi, Y. Itoh, K. Yasuda, K. Kamachi and R.G. Ratcliffe (2011) Deamination role of inducible glutamate dehydrogenase isoenzyme 7 in Brassica napus leaf protoplasts. Phytochemistry 72, 587-593.
T.C.R. Williams, M.G. Poolman, A.J.M. Howden, M. Schwarzländer, D.A. Fell, R.G. Ratcliffe and L.J. Sweetlove (2010) A genome-scale metabolic model accurately predicts fluxes in central carbon metabolism under stress conditions. Plant Physiology 154, 311-323.
L.J. Sweetlove, K.F.M. Beard, A. Nunes-Nesi, A.R. Fernie and R.G. Ratcliffe (2010) Not just a circle: flux modes in the plant TCA cycle. Trends in Plant Science 15, 462-470.
S.K. Masakapalli, P. Le Lay, J.E. Huddleston, N.L. Pollock, N.J. Kruger and R.G. Ratcliffe (2010) Subcellular flux analysis of central metabolism in a heterotrophic Arabidopsis thaliana cell suspension using steady-state stable isotope labeling. Plant Physiology 152, 602-619.
R.G. Ratcliffe (2010) Plant science applications of NMR. In Encyclopedia of Spectroscopy and Spectrometry, 2nd edition, Vol. 3 (eds J.C. Lindon, G. Tranter and D. Koppenaal), 2184-2194; Elsevier, Oxford.
M.A. Troncoso-Ponce, N.J. Kruger, R.G. Ratcliffe, R. Garcés and E. Martínez-Force (2009) Characterization of glycolytic initial metabolites and enzyme activities in developing sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seeds. Phytochemistry 70, 1117-1122.
N.J. Kruger and R.G. Ratcliffe (2009) Insights into plant metabolic networks from steady-state metabolic flux analysis. Biochimie 91, 697-702.
D.K. Allen and R.G. Ratcliffe (2009) Quantification of isotope label. In Plant Metabolic Networks (ed J. Schwender), 105-149; Springer, New York.
D.L. Couldwell, R. Dunford, N.J. Kruger, D.C. Lloyd, R.G. Ratcliffe and A.M.O. Smith (2009) Response of cytoplasmic pH to anoxia in plant tissues with altered activities of fermentation enzymes: application of methyl phosphonate as an NMR pH probe. Annals of Botany 103, 249-258.
T.C.R. Williams, L. Miguet, S.K. Masakapalli, N.J. Kruger, L.J. Sweetlove and R.G. Ratcliffe (2008) Metabolic network fluxes in heterotrophic Arabidopsis cells: stability of the flux distribution under different oxygenation conditions. Plant Physiology 148, 714-718.
N.J. Kruger, M.A. Troncoso-Ponce and R.G. Ratcliffe (2008) 1H-NMR metabolite fingerprinting and metabolomic analysis of perchloric acid extracts from plant tissues. Nature Protocols 3, 1001-1012.
M.J. Morgan, M. Lehmann, M. Schwarzländer, C.J. Baxter, A. Sienkiewicz-Porzucek, T.C.R. Williams, N. Schauer, A.R. Fernie, M.D. Fricker, R.G. Ratcliffe, L.J. Sweetlove and I. Finkemeier (2008) Decrease in manganese superoxide dismutase leads to reduced root growth and affects TCA cycle flux and mitochondrial redox homeostasis. Plant Physiology 147, 101-114.
N.J. Kruger and R.G. Ratcliffe (2008) Metabolic organization in plants: a challenge for the metabolic engineer. In Advances in Plant Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Vol. 1, Bioengineering and Molecular Biology of Plant Pathways (eds H.J. Bohnert, H. Nguyen and N.G. Lewis), 1-27; Elsevier, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Full Publication List (while at this department)
Masakapalli, S.K, Kruger, N.J, Ratcliffe, R.G. (2013) The metabolic flux phenotype of heterotrophic Arabidopsis cells reveals a complex response to changes in nitrogen supply Plant Journal..
doi:10.1111/tpj.12142.
Sweetlove, L.J, Williams, T.C.R, Cheung, C.Y.M, Ratcliffe, R.G. (2013) Modelling metabolic CO2 evolution - a fresh perspective on respiration Plant, Cell and Environment..
doi:10.1111/pce.12105.
Yang, Y.Y, Li, X.H, Ratcliffe, R.G, Ruan, J.Y. (2013) Characterization of ammonium and nitrate uptake and assimilation in roots of tea plants Russian Journal of Plant Physiology. 60 (1): pp 91-99.
doi:10.1134/S1021443712060180.
Kruger, N.J, Ratcliffe, R.G. (2012) Pathways and fluxes: Exploring the plant metabolic network Journal of Experimental Botany. 63 (6): pp 2243-2246.
doi:10.1093/jxb/ers073.
Kruger, N.J, Masakapalli, S.K, Ratcliffe, R.G. (2012) Strategies for investigating the plant metabolic network with steady-state metabolic flux analysis: Lessons from an Arabidopsis cell culture and other systems Journal of Experimental Botany. 63 (6): pp 2309-2323.
doi:10.1093/jxb/err382.
Wirtz, M, Beard, K.F.M, Lee, C.P, Boltz, A, Schwarzlander, M, Fuchs, C, Meyer, A.J, Heeg, C, Sweetlove, L.J, Ratcliffe, R.G, Hell, R. (2012) Mitochondrial cysteine synthase complex regulates O-acetylserine biosynthesis in plants Journal of Biological Chemistry. 287 (33): pp 27941-27947.
doi:10.1074/jbc.M112.372656.
Beste, D.J.V, Bonde, B, Hawkins, N, Ward, J.L, Beale, M.H, Noack, S, Noh, K, Kruger, N.J, Ratcliffe, R.G, McFadden, J. (2011) 13c metabolic flux analysis identifies an unusual route for pyruvate dissimilation in mycobacteria which requires isocitrate lyase and carbon dioxide fixation PLoS Pathogens. 7 (7):.
doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1002091.
Watanabe, M, Yumi, O, Itoh, Y, Yasuda, K, Kamachi, K, Ratcliffe, R.G. (2011) Deamination role of inducible glutamate dehydrogenase isoenzyme 7 in Brassica napus leaf protoplasts Phytochemistry..
doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2011.01.031.
Masakapalli, S.K, le, Lay P, Huddleston, J.E, Pollock, N.L, Kruger, N.J, Ratcliffe, R George. (2010) Subcellular flux analysis of central metabolism in a heterotrophic Arabidopsis cell suspension using steady-state stable isotope labeling Plant Physiology. 152 (2): pp 602-619.
doi:10.1104/pp.109.151316.
Sweetlove, L.J, Beard, K.F.M, Nunes-Nesi, A, Fernie, A.R, Ratcliffe, R.G. (2010) Not just a circle: flux modes in the plant TCA cycle Trends in Plant Science..
doi:10.1016/j.tplants.2010.05.006.
Williams, T.C.R, Poolman, M.G, Howden, A.J.M, Schwarzlander, M, Fell, D.A, Ratcliffe, R.G, Sweetlove, L.J. (2010) A Genome-scale metabolic model accurately predicts fluxes in central carbon metabolism under stress conditions Plant Physiology. 154 (1): pp 311-323.
doi:10.1104/pp.110.158535.
Allen, DK, Ratcliffe, RG. (2009) Quantification of Isotope Label. In Plant Metabolic Networks . Eds. J. Schwender. Springer, New York. ISBN: 978-0-387-78744-2 Print 978-0-387-78745-9 Online. pp 105-149.
doi:10.1007/978-0-387-78745-9_5.
Couldwell, D.L, Dunford, R, Kruger, N.J, Lloyd, D.C, Ratcliffe, R.G, Smith, A.M.O. (2009) Response of cytoplasmic pH to anoxia in plant tissues with altered activities of fermentation enzymes: Application of methyl phosphonate as an NMR pH probe Annals of Botany. 103 (2): pp 249-258.
doi:10.1093/aob/mcn174.
Kruger, N.J, Ratcliffe, R.G. (2009) Insights into plant metabolic networks from steady-state metabolic flux analysis Biochimie. 91 (6): pp 697-702.
doi:10.1016/j.biochi.2009.01.004.
Troncoso-Ponce, M.A, Kruger, N.J, Ratcliffe, R.G, Garces, R, Martinez-Force, E. (2009) Characterization of glycolytic initial metabolites and enzyme activities in developing sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seeds. Phytochemistry. 70 (9): pp 1117-1122.
doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2009.07.012.
Kruger, N.J., Ratcliffe, R.G. (2008) Metabolic organization in plants: a challenge for the metabolic engineer. Advances in Plant Biochemistry and Molecular Biology : Bioengineering and Molecular Biology of Plant Pathways. 1: pp 1-27.
doi:10.1016/S1755-0408(07)01001-6.
Kruger, N.J, Troncoso-Ponce, M.A, Ratcliffe, R.G. (2008) 1H NMR metabolite fingerprinting and metabolomic analysis of perchloric acid extracts from plant tissues Nature Protocols. 3 (6): pp 1001-1012.
doi:10.1038/nprot.2008.64.
Morgan, M.J, Lehmann, M, Schwarzlander, M, Baxter, C.J, Sienkiewicz-Porzucek, A, Williams, T.C.R, Schauer, N, Fernie, A.R, Fricker, M.D, Ratcliffe, R.G, Sweetlove, L.J, Finkemeier, I. (2008) Decrease in manganese superoxide dismutase leads to reduced root growth and affects tricarboxylic acid cycle flux and mitochondrial redox homeostasis Plant Physiology. 147 (1): pp 101-114.
doi:10.1104/pp.107.113613.
Williams, T.C.R, Miguet, L, Masakapalli, S.K, Kruger, N.J, Sweetlove, L.J, Ratcliffe, R.G. (2008) Metabolic network fluxes in heterotrophic arabidopsis cells: Stability of the flux distribution under different oxygenation conditions Plant Physiology. 148 (2): pp 704-718.
doi:10.1104/pp.108.125195.
Graham, J.W.A, Williams, T.C.R, Morgan, M, Fernie, A.R, Ratcliffe, R.G, Sweetlove, L.J. (2007) Glycolytic enzymes associate dynamically with mitochondria in response to respiratory demand and support substrate channeling Plant Cell. 19 (11): pp 3723-3738.
doi:10.1105/tpc.107.053371.
Kruger, N.J, Huddleston, J.E, Le, Lay P, Brown, N.D, Ratcliffe, R.G. (2007) Network flux analysis: Impact of 13C-substrates on metabolism in Arabidopsis thaliana cell suspension cultures Phytochemistry. 68: pp 2176-2188.
doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2007.03.033.
Kruger, N.J, Le, Lay P, Ratcliffe, R.G. (2007) Vacuolar compartmentation complicates the steady-state analysis of glucose metabolism and forces reappraisal of sucrose cycling in plants Phytochemistry. 68: pp 2189-2196.
doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2007.04.004.
Nunes-Nesi, A, Carrari, F, Gibon, Y, Sulpice, R, Lytovchenko, A, Fisahn, J, Graham, J, Ratcliffe, R.G, Sweetlove, L.J, Fernie, A.R. (2007) Deficiency of mitochondrial fumarase activity in tomato plants impairs photosynthesis via an effect on stomatal function Plant Journal. 50 (6): pp 1093-1106.
doi:10.1111/j.1365-313X.2007.03115.x.
Dixon, M.H, Hill, S.A, Jackson, M.B, Ratcliffe, R.G, Sweetlove, L.J. (2006) Physiological and metabolic adaptations of Potamogeton pectinatus L. tubers support rapid elongation of stem tissue in the absence of oxygen Plant and Cell Physiology. 47 (1): pp 128-140.
doi:10.1093/pcp/pci229.
Libourel, I.G.L, Van, Bodegom P.M, Fricker, M.D, Ratcliffe, R.G. (2006) Nitrite reduces cytoplasmic acidosis under anoxia Plant Physiology. 142 (4): pp 1710-1717.
doi:10.1104/pp.106.088898.
Malone, J.G, Mittova, V, Ratcliffe, R.G, Kruger, N.J. (2006) The response of carbohydrate metabolism in potato tubers to low temperature Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, Volume 5: Water Pollution. 47 (9): pp 1309-1322.
doi:10.1093/pcp/pcj101.
Krishnan, P, Kruger, N.J, Ratcliffe, R.G. (2005) Metabolite fingerprinting and profiling in plants using NMR Journal of Experimental Botany. 56 (410): pp 255-265.
doi:10.1093/jxb/eri010.
Mesnard, F, Ratcliffe, R.G. (2005) NMR analysis of plant nitrogen metabolism Photosynthesis Research. 83 (2): pp 163-180.
doi:10.1007/s11120-004-2081-8.
Nunes-Nesi, A, Carrari, F, Lytovchenko, A, Smith, A.M.O, Loureiro, M.E, Ratcliffe, R.G, Sweetlove, L.J, Fernie, A.R. (2005) Enhanced photosynthetic performance and growth as a consequence of decreasing mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase activity in transgenic tomato plants Plant Physiology. 137 (2): pp 611-622.
doi:10.1104/pp.104.055566.
Radcliffe, S.A, Miller, A.J, Ratcliffe, R.G. (2005) Microelectrode and 133Cs nuclear magnetic resonance evidence for variable cytosolic and cytoplasmic nitrate pools in maize root tips Plant, Cell and Environment. 28 (11): pp 1379-1387.
doi:10.1111/j.1365-3040.2005.01370.x.
Ratcliffe, R.G, Shachar-Hill, Y. (2005) Revealing metabolic phenotypes in plants: Inputs from NMR analysis Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society. 80 (1): pp 27-43.
doi:10.1017/S1464793104006530.
Smith, A.M.O, Ratcliffe, R.G, Sweetlove, L.J. (2004) Activation and function of mitochondrial uncoupling protein in plants Journal of Biological Chemistry. 279 (50): pp 51944-51952.
doi:10.1074/jbc.M408920200.
Kruger, N.J, Ratcliffe, R.G, Roscher, A. (2003) Quantitative approaches for analysing fluxes through plant metabolic networks using NMR and stable isotope labelling Phytochemistry Reviews. 2: pp 17-30
Stoimenova, M, Libourel, I.G.L, Ratcliffe, R.G, Kaiser, W.M. (2003) The role of nitrate reduction in the anoxic metabolism of roots II. Anoxic metabolism of tobacco roots with or without nitrate reductase activity Plant and Soil. 253 (1): pp 155-167.
doi:10.1023/A:1024591116697.
Fernie, A.R, Roscher, A, Ratcliffe, R.G, Kruger, N.J. (2002) Activation of pyrophosphate:fructose-6-phosphate 1-phosphotransferase by fructose 2,6-bisphosphate stimulates conversion of hexose phosphates to triose phosphates but does not influence accumulation of carbohydrates in phosphate-deficient tobacco cells Physiologia Plantarum. 114 (2): pp 172-181.
doi:10.1034/j.1399-3054.2002.1140203.x.
Gerendás, J, Ratcliffe, RG. (2002) Root pH regulation Plant Roots: The Hidden Half - 3rd edition, revised and expanded. pp 553-570
Hartung, W, Leport, L, Ratcliffe, R.G, Sauter, A, Duda, R, Turner, N.C. (2002) Abscisic acid concentration, root pH and anatomy do not explain growth differences of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) on acid and alkaline soils Plant and Soil. 240 (1): pp 191-199.
doi:10.1023/A:1015831610452.
Hartung, W, Ratcliffe, R.G. (2002) Utilization of glycine and serine as nitrogen sources in the roots of Zea mays and Chamaegigas intrepidus Journal of Experimental Botany. 53 (379): pp 2305-2314
Mesnard, F, Roscher, A, Garlick, A.P, Girard, S, Baguet, E, Arroo, R.R.J, Lebreton, J, Robins, R.J, Ratcliffe, R.G. (2002) Evidence for the involvement of tetrahydrofolate in the demethylation of nicotine by Nicotiana plumbaginifolia cell-suspension cultures Planta. 214 (6): pp 911-919.
doi:10.1007/s00425-001-0702-4.
Aubert, S, Bligny, R, Douce, R, Gout, E, Ratcliffe, R.G, Roberts, J.K.M. (2001) Contribution of glutamate dehydrogenase to mitochondrial glutamate metabolism studied by 13C and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance Journal of Experimental Botany. 52 (354): pp 37-45
Dwek, RA, Wormald, M, Ratcliffe, RG, Price, NC. (2001) Principles and Problems in Physical Chemistry for Biochemists
3rd Edition . Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. ISBN: 0-19-879281-6.
Fernie, A.R, Roscher, A, Ratcliffe, R.G, Kruger, N.J. (2001) Fructose 2,6-bisphosphate activates pyrophosphate: Fructose-6-phosphate 1-phosphotransferase and increases triose phosphate to hexose phosphate cycling heterotrophic cells Planta. 212 (2): pp 250-263.
doi:10.1007/s004250000386.
Ratcliffe, R.G, Roscher, A, Shachar-Hill, Y. (2001) Plant NMR spectroscopy Progress in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. 39 (4): pp 267-300.
doi:10.1016/S0079-6565(01)00035-8.
Ratcliffe, R.G, Shachar-Hill, Y. (2001) Probing plant metabolism with NMR Annual Review of Plant Biology. 52: pp 499-526
Ford, Y.-Y, Ratcliffe, R.G, Robins, R.J. (2000) An in vivo 15N NMR study of agropine synthesis in transformed root cultures of Nicotiana tabacum Physiologia Plantarum. 109 (2): pp 123-128.
doi:10.1034/j.1399-3054.2000.100203.x.
Gerendas, J, Ratcliffe, R.G. (2000) Intracellular pH regulation in maize root tips exposed to ammonium at high external pH Journal of Experimental Botany. 51 (343): pp 207-219
Heilmeier, H, Ratcliffe, RG, Hartung, W. (2000) Urea: A Nitrogen Source for the Aquatic Resurrection Plant Chamaegigas intrepidus Dinter Oecologia. 123 (1): pp 9-14
Rasmussen, N, Lloyd, D.C, Ratcliffe, R.G, Hansen, P.E, Jakobsen, I. (2000) 31P NMR for the study of P metabolism and translocation in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Plant and Soil. 226 (2): pp 245-253.
doi:10.1023/A:1026411801081.
Roscher, A, Kruger, N.J, Ratcliffe, R.G. (2000) Strategies for metabolic flux analysis in plants using isotope labelling Journal of Biotechnology. 77 (1): pp 81-102.
doi:10.1016/S0168-1656(99)00209-6.
Summers, J.E, Ratcliffe, R.G, Jackson, M.B. (2000) Anoxia tolerance in the aquatic monocot Potamogeton pectinatus: Absence of oxygen stimulates elongation in association with an unusually large Pasteur effect Journal of Experimental Botany. 51 (349): pp 1413-1422
Sweetlove, L.J, Dunford, R, Ratcliffe, R.G, Kruger, N.J. (2000) Lactate metabolism in potato tubers deficient in lactate dehydrogenase activity Plant, Cell and Environment. 23 (8): pp 873-881.
doi:10.1046/j.1365-3040.2000.00605.x.
Kruger, NJ, Hill, SA, Ratcliffe, RG. (1999) Regulation of Primary Metabolic Pathways in Plants Proceedings of the Phytochemical Society of Europe (volume 42). Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands. ISBN: 0-7923-5494-X.
Ratcliffe, RG. (1999) Intracellular pH regulation in plants under anoxia Regulation of tissue pH in plants and animals: a reappraisal of current techniques. pp 193-213
Ford, Y.-Y, Ratcliffe, R.G, Robins, R.J. (1998) In vivo nuclear-magnetic-resonance analysis of polyamine and alkaloid metabolism in transformed root cultures of Datura stramonium L.: Evidence for the involvement of putrescine in phytohormone-induced de-differentiation Planta. 205 (2): pp 205-213.
doi:10.1007/s004250050313.
Ratcliffe, R.G, Roscher, A. (1998) Prospects for in vivo NMR methods in xenobiotic research in plants Biodegradation. 9 (6): pp 411-422.
doi:10.1023/A:1008372107739.
Schiller, P, Hartung, W, Ratcliffe, R.G. (1998) Intracellular pH stability in the aquatic resurrection plant Chamaegigas intrepidus in the extreme environmental conditions that characterize its natural habitat New Phytologist. 140 (1): pp 1-7.
doi:10.1046/j.1469-8137.1998.00245.x.
Gambhir, P.N, Pande, P.C, Ratcliffe, R.G. (1997) An in vivo 31P NMR study of the phosphorus metabolites in developing seeds of wheat, soybean and mustard Magnetic Resonance in Chemistry. 35:
Gerendas, J, Heeschen, V, Kahl, S, Ratcliffe, R.G, Rudolph, H. (1997) An investigation of N metabolism and pH regulation in Sphagnum using in vivo nuclear magnetic resonance and stable isotope mass spectrometry Isotopes in Environmental and Health Studies. 33 (1): pp 21-29
Gerendas, J, Zhu, Z, Bendixen, R, Ratcliffe, R.G, Sattelmacher, B. (1997) Physiological and biochemical processes related to ammonium toxicity in higher plants Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science. 160 (3): pp 239-251
Kahl, S, Gerendás, J, Heeschen, V, Ratcliffe, RG, Rudolph, H. (1997) Ammonium assimilation in bryophytes. L-glutamine synthetase from Sphagnum fallax Physiologia Plantarum. 101: pp 86-92
Ratcliffe, R.G. (1997) In vivo nmr studies of the metabolic response of plant tissues to anoxia Annals of Botany. 79: pp 39-48
Shachar-Hill, Y, Befroy, D.E, Pfeffer, P.E, Ratcliffe, R.G. (1997) Using Bulk Magnetic Susceptibility to Resolve Internal and External Signals in the NMR Spectra of Plant Tissues Journal of Magnetic Resonance. 127 (1): pp 17-25
Ford, Y.-Y, Ratcliffe, R.G, Robins, R.J. (1996) In vivo NMR analysis of tropane alkaloid metabolism in transformed root and de-differentiated cultures of Datura stramonium Phytochemistry. 43 (1): pp 115-120.
doi:10.1016/0031-9422(96)00261-0.
Ford, Y.-Y, Ratcliffe, R.G, Robins, R.J. (1996) Phytohormone-induced GABA production in transformed root cultures of Datura stramonium: An in vivo 15N NMR study Journal of Experimental Botany. 47 (299): pp 811-818
Ratcliffe, RG. (1996) In vivo NMR spectroscopy: biochemical and physiological applications to plants Nuclear magnetic resonance in plant biology. pp 1-32
Shachar-Hill, Y, Pfeffer, PE, Ratcliffe, RG. (1996) Measuring nitrate in plant cells by in vivo NMR using Gd3+ as a shift reagent Journal of Magnetic Resonance - Series B. 111 (1): pp 9-14
Fox, G.G, McCallan, N.R, Ratcliffe, R.G. (1995) Manipulating cytoplasmic pH under anoxia: A critical test of the role of pH in the switch from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism Planta. 195 (3): pp 324-330
Fox, G.G, Ratcliffe, R.G, Robinson, S.A, Stewart, G.R. (1995) Evidence for deamination by glutamate dehydrogenase in higher plants: Commentary Canadian Journal of Botany. 73 (7): pp 1112-1115
Gerendás, J, Ratcliffe, RG, Sattelmacher, B. (1995) The influence of nitrogen and potassium supply on the ammonium content of maize (Zea mays L.) leaves including a comparison of measurements made in vivo and in vitro Plant and Soil. 173 (1): pp 11-20
Quiquampoix, H, Abadie, J, Baron, MH, Leprince, F, Matumoto-Pintro, PT, Ratcliffe, RG, Staunton, S. (1995) Mechanisms and consequences of protein adsorption on soil mineral surfaces Proteins at interfaces II: fundamentals and applications (ACS Symposium Series). 602: pp 321-333
Ratcliffe, RG. (1995) Metabolic aspects of the anoxic response in plant tissue Environment and plant metabolism: flexibility and acclimation. pp 111-127
Shachar-Hill, Y, Pfeffer, PE, Douds, D, Osman, SF, Doner, LW, Ratcliffe, RG. (1995) Partitioning of carbohydrate metabolism in vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal leek Plant Physiology. 108 (1): pp 7-15
Carroll, A.D, Fox, G.G, Laurie, S, Phillips, R, Ratcliffe, R.G, Stewart, G.R. (1994) Ammonium assimilation and the role of gamma-aminobutyric acid in pH homeostasis in carrot cell suspensions Plant Physiology. 106 (2): pp 513-520
Ford, Y.Y, Fox, G.G, Ratcliffe, R.G, Robins, R.J. (1994) In vivo 15N NMR studies of secondary metabolism in transformed root cultures of Datura stramonium and Nicotiana tabacum Phytochemistry. 36 (2): pp 333-339.
doi:10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97071-7.
Ratcliffe, R.G. (1994) In vivo NMR studies of higher plants and algae ADV.BOT.RES.. 20: pp 43-123
Sklenar, J, Fox, G.G, Loughman, B.C, Pannifer, A.D.B, Ratcliffe, R.G. (1994) Effects of vanadate on the ATP content, ATPase activity and phosphate absorption capacity of maize roots Plant and Soil. 167 (1): pp 57-62.
doi:10.1007/BF01587598.
Doyle, TC, Spickett, CM, Donaldson, IA, Ratcliffe, RG. (1993) Metabolic studies of a fructose-intolerant yeast by in vivo 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy Yeast. 9 (8): pp 867-873
Gerendas, J, Ratcliffe, R.G, Sattelmacher, B. (1993) Relationship between intracellular pH and N metabolism in maize (Zea mays L.) roots Plant and Soil. (1): pp 167-170.
doi:10.1007/BF00025010.
Lee, R.B, Ratcliffe, R.G. (1993) Nuclear magnetic resonance studies of the location and function of plant nutrients in vivo Plant and Soil. (1): pp 45-55.
doi:10.1007/BF00024983.
Lee, R.B, Ratcliffe, R.G. (1993) Observations on the subcellular distribution of the ammonium ion in maize root tissue using in-vivo 14N-nuclear-magnetic-resonance spectroscopy Planta. 189 (1): pp 156.
doi:10.1007/BF00201356.
Quiquampoix, H, Staunton, S, Baron, M.-H, Ratcliffe, R.G. (1993) Interpretation of the pH dependence of protein adsorption on clay mineral surfaces and its relevance to the understanding of extracellular enzyme activity in soil Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects. 75: pp 85-93
Quiquampoix, H, Loughman, B.C, Ratcliffe, R.G. (1993) A 31P-NMR study of the uptake and compartmentation of manganese by maize roots Journal of Experimental Botany. 44 (269): pp 1819-1827
Quiquampoix, H, Bacic, G, Loughman, B.C, Ratcliffe, R.G. (1993) Quantitative aspects of the 31P-NMR detection of manganese in plant tissues Journal of Experimental Botany. 44 (269): pp 1809-1818
Spickett, C.M, Smirnoff, N, Ratcliffe, R.G. (1993) An in vivo nuclear magnetic resonance investigation of ion transport in maize (Zea mays) and Spartina anglica roots during exposure to high salt concentrations Plant Physiology. 102 (2): pp 629-638
Fox, G.G, Ratcliffe, R.G, Robinson, S.A, Slade, A.P, Stewart, G.R. (1992) Detection of 15N-labeled ammonium. In Vivo, 15N NMR versus mass spectrometry Journal of Magnetic Resonance (1969). 96 (1): pp 146-153
Lee, RB, Purves, JV, Ratcliffe, RG, Saker, LR. (1992) Nitrogen assimilation and the control of ammonium and nitrate absorption by maize roots Journal of Experimental Botany. 43 (11): pp 1385-1396
Obrenović, S, Ratcliffe, RG, Southon, TE. (1992) Direct observation of the effects of 3,5-diisopropylsalicylate and light on maize coleoptiles using 31P NMR Biochemie und Physiologie der Pflanzen. 188 (2): pp 136-143
Quiquampoix, H, Ratcliffe, R.G. (1992) A 31P NMR study of the adsorption of bovine serum albumin on montmorillonite using phosphate and the paramagnetic cation Mn2+: modification of conformation with pH Journal of Colloid And Interface Science. 148 (2): pp 343-352
Rands, ML, Douglas, AE, Loughman, BC, Ratcliffe, RG. (1992) Avoidance of hypoxia in a Cnidarian symbiosis by algal photosynthetic oxygen Biological Bulletin. 182: pp 159-162
Spickett, C.M, Smirnoff, N, Ratcliffe, R.G. (1992) Metabolic response of maize roots to hyperosmotic shock: An in vivo31P nuclear magnetic resonance study Plant Physiology. 99 (3): pp 856-863
Lee, R.B, Ratcliffe, R.G. (1991) Observations on the subcellular distribution of the ammonium ion in maize root tissue using in-vivo 14N-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy Planta. 183 (3): pp 359-367.
doi:10.1007/BF00197734.
Ratcliffe, RG. (1991) Nuclear magnetic resonance in plant science research Botanical Journal of Scotland. 46: pp 107-120
Robinson, S.A, Slade, A.P, Fox, G.G, Phillips, R, Ratcliffe, R.G, Stewart, G.R. (1991) The role of glutamate dehydrogenase in plant nitrogen metabolism Plant Physiology. 95 (2): pp 509-516
Bright, AAS, Ratcliffe, RG. (1990) Application of NMR in the analysis of agrochemicals and pesticides Annual Reports on NMR Spectroscopy. 22: pp 139-203
Fox, G.G, Ratcliffe, R.G. (1990) 31P NMR observations on the effect of the external pH on the intracellular pH values in plant cell suspension cultures Plant Physiology. 93 (2): pp 512-521
Gerendás, J, Ratcliffe, RG, Sattelmacher, B. (1990) 31P nuclear magnetic resonance evidence for differences in intracellular pH in the roots of maize seedlings grown with nitrate or ammonium Journal of Plant Physiology. 137 (1): pp 125-128
Lee, RB, Ratcliffe, RG, Southon, TE. (1990) 31P NMR measurements of the cytoplasmic and vacuolar Pi content of mature maize roots: relationships with phosphorus status and phosphate fluxes Journal of Experimental Botany. 41 (9): pp 1063-1078
Quiquampoix, H, Ratcliffe, RG, Ratković, S, Vučinić, Z. (1990) A 1H and 31P NMR investigation of gadolinium uptake in maize roots Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry. 38 (4): pp 265-275
Ratcliffe, RG, Roberts, JKM. (1990) Recent applications of NMR to higher plants and algae Magnetic Resonance in Medicine and Biology. 4 (1): pp 77-99
Fox, G.G, Ratcliffe, R.G, Southon, T.E. (1989) Airlift systems for in vivo NMR spectroscopy of plant tissues Journal of Magnetic Resonance (1969). 82 (2): pp 360-366
Fox, GG, Loughman, BC, Ratcliffe, RG, Rigden, DJ. (1989) Extending the NMR method to whole plants Plant Membrane Transport. pp 385-386
Lines, CEM, Ratcliffe, RG, Rees, TAV, Southon, TE. (1989) A 13C NMR study of photosynthate transport and metabolism in the lichen Xanthoria calcicola Oxner New Phytologist. 111 (3): pp 447-456
Loughman, B.C, Ratcliffe, R.G, Schwabe, J.W.R. (1989) Galactose metabolism in Zea mays root tissues observed by 31P-NMR spectroscopy Plant Science. 59 (1): pp 11-23
Loughman, B.C, Ratcliffe, R.G, Southon, T.E. (1989) Observations on the cytoplasmic and vacuolar orthophosphate pools in leaf tissues using in vivo 31P-NMR spectroscopy FEBS Letters. 242 (2): pp 279-284
Quiquampoix, H, Chassin, P, Ratcliffe, RG. (1989) Enzyme activity and cation exchange as tools for the study of the conformation of proteins adsorbed on mineral surfaces Progress in Colloid and Polymer Science. 79: pp 59-63
Cairney, JWG, Jennings, DH, Ratcliffe, RG, Southon, TE. (1988) The physiology of basidiomycete linear organs. II. Phosphate uptake by rhizomorphs of Armillaria mellea New Phytologist. 109 (3): pp 327-333
Ginzburg, M, Ratcliffe, R.G, Southon, T.E. (1988) Phosphorus metabolism and intracellular pH in the halotolerant alga Dunaliella parva studied by 31P-NMR BBA - Molecular Cell Research. 969 (3): pp 225-235
Lohman, JAB, Ratcliffe, RG. (1988) Prospects for NMR imaging in the study of biological morphogenesis Experientia. 44 (8): pp 666-672
Connelly, A, Lohman, JAB, Loughman, BC, Quiquampoix, H, Ratcliffe, RG. (1987) High resolution imaging of plant tissues by NMR Journal of Experimental Botany. 38 (10): pp 1713-1723
Ratcliffe, RG. (1987) The application of NMR methods to plant tissues Methods in Enzymology. 148: pp 683-700
Ratcliffe, R.G. (1986) NMR and the inorganic composition of plants Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry. 28: pp 347-354
Belton, PS, Ratcliffe, RG. (1985) NMR and compartmentation in biological tissues Progress in NMR Spectroscopy. 17 (2): pp 241-279
Belton, PS, Lee, RB, Ratcliffe, RG. (1985) A 14N nuclear magnetic resonance study of inorganic nitrogen metabolism in barley, maize and pea roots Journal of Experimental Botany. 36 (163): pp 190-210
Reid, RJ, Loughman, BC, Ratcliffe, RG. (1985) 31P NMR measurements of cytoplasmic pH changes in maize root tips Journal of Experimental Botany. 36 (6): pp 889-897
Thomas, TH, Ratcliffe, RG. (1985) 13C NMR determination of sugar levels in storage roots of carrot (Daucus carota, L.) Physiologia Plantarum. 63 (3): pp 284-286
Loughman, BC, Ratcliffe, RG. (1984) Nuclear magnetic resonance and the study of plants Advances in Plant Nutrition. 1: pp 241-283
Robins, RJ, Ratcliffe, RG. (1984) Intracellular distribution of phosphate in cultured Humulus lupulus cells growing at elevated exogenous phosphate concentrations Plant Cell Reports. 3 (6): pp 234-236
Funding
BBSRC
Collaborators
Professor Yair Shachar-Hill, Michigan State University, USA