Polyamines and cytokinins in celery embryogenic cell cultures

M. Danin*, S. J. Upfold, N. Levin, B. L. Nadel, A. Altman, J. van Staden

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

The effect of inhibitors of polyamine biosynthesis on the development of embryogenic cell cultures of celery (Apium graveolus L.) was studied. Several developmental stages of somatic embryos were compared for differences in the content and biosynthesis of free polyamines and for cytokinin content. Cyclohexylamine and particularly methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone), inhibited both cell division and the organization of polar embryos from globular embryos. Difluoromethylornithine slightly promoted embryo development, especially cell division. The free putrescine content of globular embryos was 6-fold that of fully differentiated plantlets, and that of spermidine 2-fold. Only a slight increase in the spermine content was found with embryo development. These differences were confirmed by data from polyamine biosynthesis. Incorporation of 14C-arginine into polyamines was slightly higher than that of 14C-ornithine. Over 96% of this incorporation was detected in the putrescine fraction. Incorporation of 14C into putrescine in globular embryos was 3 to 4-fold that in fully-differentiated plantlets. Incorporation into spermidine and spermine was, however, higher in plantlets than in globular embryos. Cytokinin analysis revealed considerable differences in the biological activity between the developmental stages of embryogenesis. This could be due to endogenous cytokinins and/or BA taken up from the maintenance medium. Cytokinin levels decreased with increased embryo development. Most of the detected cytokinin-like activity co-chromatographed with BA and its metabolites. Some as yet unidentified peaks of activity were recorded in the globular embryos. The results are considered with respect to the possible participation of polyamines and cytokinins in the development of embryogenic cell cultures of celery. It is suggested that the onset of embryogenesis is characterized by a high content of putrescine and cytokinins, while a decrease in putrescine synthesis and cytokinin content, and an increase in spermidine and spermine content, accompany further embryo development and plantlet formation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)245-254
Number of pages10
JournalPlant Growth Regulation
Volume12
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1993

Keywords

  • Apium graveolens
  • benzyladenine
  • celery somatic embryogenesis
  • kinetin
  • polyamine biosynthesis
  • putrescine
  • spermidine
  • spermine

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