Inositol phosphates in the duckweed Spirodela polyrhiza L

We have undertaken an analysis of the inositol phosphates of Spirodela polyrhiza at a developmental stage when massive accumulation of InsP(6) indicates that a large net synthesis is occurring. We have identified Ins3P, Ins(1,4)P-2, Ins(3,4)P-2 and possibly Ins(4,6)P-2, Ins(3,4,6)P-3, Ins(3,4,5,6)P-4, Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P-5, D- and/or L-Ins(1,2,4,5,6)P-5 and InsP(6) and revealed the likely presence of a second InsP(3) with chromatographic properties similar to Ins(1,4,5)P-3. The higher inositol phosphates identified show no obvious direct link to pathways of metabolism of second messengers purported to operate in higher plants, nor do they resemble the immediate products of plant phytase action on InsP(6).