Soybean polyamines: separation and characterization of cadaverine

Changes in free and conjugated polyamines during starvation of sugarcane juices as analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography

Changes of the polyamines (PAs) titer in high- and mid-molecular-mass carbohydrates (HMMCs and MMMCs, respectively) obtained from sugarcane juices stored for 72 h at pH 5.2 or clarified at pH 8.0 have been studied. Cadaverine (CAD) is the most abundant free (S) PA in the MMMC fraction from juices at pH 5.2, whereas putrescine (PUT) was revealed as the main PA at pH 8.0. A slight increase in the free PUT titer can be noted at pH 5.2 for 72 h of juice starvation. PAs from MMMC were mainly conjugated to acid-insoluble (PH) molecules. Accumulation of PH-PAs with the time of starvation was especially significant for PUT and CAD. However, CAD has also been detected in the acid-soluble (SH) fraction and its concentration increases with the time of starvation at pH 5.2. The accumulation pattern of free and conjugated PAs from HMMCs is similar to that found for MMMCs although some differences can be observed. For instance, the increase in free PUT with the time at pH 8.0 was 2.7-times higher in the HMMC fraction than in the MMMC fraction. Conjugated PAs associated to acid-soluble macromolecules (SH fraction) achieved a level in HMMC fractions higher than that observed in the MMMC fraction. Moreover, the reported increase with time that was observed in PH-CAD from the MMMC fraction was not observed in the HMMC fraction, and, finally, the increase in PH-PUT with the time was lower for the HMMC fraction than for the MMMC fraction.

Distribution and Metabolism of sym-Homospermidine and Canavalmine in the Sword Bean Canavalia gladiata cv Shironata

The unusual polyamines, sym-homospermidine (homoSPD) and canavalmine (CAN), were found in the seed of Canavalia species such as C. gladiata, C. ensiformis, and C. brasilensis, but not in those of other leguminous crops. To examine the distribution and metabolism of homoSPD and CAN in sword bean, C. gladiata cv Shironata, polyamine analysis was carried out throughout the life cycle of this plant. During seed germination, putrescine (PUT), spermidine (SPD), and spermine (SPM) were accumulated in the radicle and hypocotyl. HomoSPD and CAN were, however, maintained at very low levels over a 6-day period of germination. In nodulated sword bean plants, a large quantity of homoSPD was found in the root nodule. CAN was detected exclusively in the senescent nodule at very low concentrations. These polyamines were not detected in any other organs including root, stem, leaf, vine, flower, and pod, while PUT, SPD, and SPM were always found in those organs. As plants reached the reproductive stage, homoSPD and CAN appeared in the immature seed and their concentrations increased as seed formation progressed. By contrast, the level of SPM continuously decreased during seed development. In developing seeds, considerable accumulation of canavanine, an analog of arginine, which is a precursor in polyamine biosynthesis, was also observed.

Polyamine Titer in the Embryonic Axis and Cotyledons of Glycine max (L.) during Seed Growth and Maturation

Active polyamine metabolism occurs in Glycine max (L.) seeds during development. Most (>/=97%) of putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd), spermine (Spm), and cadaverine (Cad) are present as free forms in the growing embryo. In the cotyledon or embryonic axis, Put decreases to a nearly undetectable level, while Spd level sharply increases as seed dry weight accumulation progresses. Spm level in the axis also increases along with the Spd level. There is little change in Spm level in the cotyledons. Maturation and dehydration results in a slight reduction of Spd level in the cotyledons. Cad is present in relatively large quantities (5.5-12 micromoles per gram dry weight) in the axes of mature soybean seeds. Only traces of Cad, as expressed on a dry weight basis, are found in the developing or mature cotyledons. The synthesis and accumulation of Cad in the axis begins at the time when the axis or the seed accumulates 30 to 50% of its maximum dry weight. The Cad accumulation (0.8 nanomole per axis per day) proceeds until the later stages of dehydration. When soybean plants are subjected to complete defoliation and shade during the midpoint of seed maturation, Cad accumulation in the axis and seed dry weight accumulation ceased almost immediately. The treatment, however, does not affect the viability of soybean seeds.