The humidity level matters during the desiccation of Norway spruce somatic embryos

In Norway spruce, as in many other conifers, the germination capacity of somatic embryos is strongly influenced by the desiccation phase inserted after maturation. The intensity of drying during desiccation eminently affected the formation of emblings (i.e., seedlings developed from somatic embryos). Compared to non-desiccated embryos, the germination capacity of embryos desiccated at 100% relative humidity was about three times higher, but the reduction of relative humidity to 95 and 90% had a negative effect on the subsequent embryo development. The water loss observed in these embryos did not lead to an increase in lipid peroxidation, as shown by malondialdehyde levels. Another metabolic pathway in plants that mediates a response to abiotic stresses is directed toward the biosynthesis of polyamines (PAs). The activities of PA biosynthetic enzymes increased steadily in embryos during desiccation at 100% relative humidity, whereas they decreased at lower humidity. The total content of free PAs in the embryos gradually decreased throughout desiccation. The increase in free putrescine (Put) and perchloric acid-insoluble Put conjugates was observed in embryos desiccated at lower humidity. These changes were accompanied to some extent by the transcription of the genes for the PA biosynthesis enzymes. Desiccation at 100% relative humidity increased the activity of the cell wall-modifying enzymes β-1,3-glucanases and chitinases; the activities of these enzymes were also significantly suppressed at reduced humidity. The same pattern was observed in the transcription of some β-1,3-glucanase and chitinase genes. Desiccation treatments triggered metabolic processes that responded to water availability, suggesting an active response of the embryo to the reduction in humidity. A positive effect was demonstrated only for desiccation at high relative humidity. Some of the physiological characteristics described can be used as markers of inappropriate relative humidity during somatic embryo desiccation.

The Response of Picea abies Somatic Embryos to UV-B Radiation Depends on the Phase of Maturation

Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation is a key environmental signal which initiates diverse responses that affect the metabolism, development, and viability of plants. In keeping with our previous studies, we concentrated primarily on how UV-B radiation affects Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] somatic embryo maturation and how phenolics and polyamines (PAs) are linked to the defense response invoked by UV-B irradiation. We treated clusters of Norway spruce embryogenic culture (EC) with UV-B during the five stages of embryo maturation (early, cylindrical, precotyledonary, cotyledonary, and mature embryos). For the first time, we take an advantage of the unique environmental scanning electron microscope AQUASEM II to characterize somatic embryos in their native state. The severity of the irradiation effect on embryonal cell viability was shown to be dependent on the intensity of radiation as well as the stage of embryo development, and might be related to the formation of protoderm. The response of early embryos was characterized by an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA), a marked decrease in PA contents and a decline in phenolics. The reduced ability to activate the defense system seems to be responsible not only for the severe cell damage and decrease in viability but also for the inhibition of embryo development. The significant reduction in spermidine (Spd), which has been reported to be crucial for the somatic embryo development of several coniferous species, may be causally linked to the limited development of embryos. The pronounced decrease in cell wall-bound ferulic acid might correspond to failure of somatic embryos to reach more advanced stages of development. Embryos at later stages of development showed stress defense responses that were more efficient against UV-B exposure.

Tobacco susceptibility to Potato virus Y(NTN) infection is affected by grafting and endogenous cytokinin content

Faster or stronger response to pathogen occurs if plants undergo prior priming. Cytokinins seem to be also involved in plant priming and in response to pathogens. Susceptibility to Potato virus Y(NTN) (PVY(NTN)) was studied in transgenic cytokinin overproducing (Pssu-ipt) tobacco and compared with nontransgenic plants. Since cytokinin overproduction inhibits development of plant roots and grafting overcomes this limitation, both types were grown as rooted and/or grafted plants to check also the effect of grafting. Control rooted tobacco (C), the most susceptible to PVY(NTN), showed always symptoms during the infection together with the rising virus content and a systemic response, such as accumulation of H2O2, salicylic acid (SA) and other phenolic acids, and stress-induced enzyme activities. In transgenic and grafted plants, the response to PVY(NTN) was dependent on protective mechanisms activated prior to the inoculation. In Pssu-ipt tobacco, cytokinin active forms and SA contents exceeded manifold their content in C. Grafting promoted the accumulation of phenolics, but SA, and stimulated peroxidase activities. Thus, the pre-infection barrier established in both transgenic and grafted plants helped to suppress partly the virus multiplication and resulted in milder symptom development. However, only the synergic effect of both grafting and the high cytokinins led to PVY(NTN) tolerance in transgenic grafts. Possible mechanisms were discussed.

In vitro antioxidative and binding properties of phenolics in traditional, citrus and exotic fruits

Many polyphenols bind proteins, therefore our research was focused on the potential of protein binding to polyphenols of investigated fruits and their health-related effects. The contents of polyphenols and related antioxidant activities of traditional, citrus and exotic fruits were compared. The presence of polyphenols (flavonoids and phenolic acids) in the investigated samples and their interaction with human serum albumin (HSA) was studied by HPLC, Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) and three dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy (3D-FL). The highest levels of polyphenols, antioxidant and binding capacities were found in red and blond grapefruits (citrus group), followed by strawberries and apples (traditional group) and mangosteen and kiwi fruit (exotic fruit), which also contained the highest levels of protocatechuic, p-coumaric, ferulic acids and quercetin. In conclusion, for the first time, the interaction of the polyphenols with human serum albumin was evaluated by fluorometry/FTIR. The obtained binding profiles allowed the comparison of three different groups of fruits. A mixture of these fruits can be recommended for consumption.

Effect of drought and combined drought and heat stress on polyamine metabolism in proline-over-producing tobacco plants

The roles of proline and polyamines (PAs) in the drought stress responses of tobacco plants were investigated by comparing the responses to drought alone and drought in combination with heat in the upper and lower leaves and roots of wild-type tobacco plants and transformants that constitutively over-express a modified gene for the proline biosynthetic enzyme Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase (P5CSF129A; EC 2.7.2.11/1.2.1.41). In both genotypes, drought stress coincided with a decrease in relative water content (RWC) that was much less severe in the upper leaves than elsewhere in the plant. The drought also increased proline levels in both genotypes. A brief period of heat stress (2 h at 40 °C) at the end of the drought period did not significantly influence the proline levels in the upper leaves and roots but caused a further increase in the lower leaves of both genotypes. The rate at which these elevated proline levels returned to normal during the post-stress recovery period was slower in the transformants and plants that had been subjected to the combined stress. In both genotypes, drought stress significantly reduced the levels of spermidine (Spd) and putrescine (Put) in the leaves and roots relative to those for controls, and increased the levels of spermine (Spm) and diaminopropane (Dap, formed by the oxidative deamination of Spd and Spm). Spd levels may have declined due to its consumption in Spm biosynthesis and/or oxidation by polyamine oxidase (PAO; EC 1.5.3.11) to form Dap, which became more abundant during drought stress. During the rewatering period, the plants' Put and Spd levels recovered quickly and the activity of the PA biosynthesis enzymes in their leaves and roots increased substantially; this increase was more pronounced in transformants than WT plants. The high levels of Spm observed in drought stressed plants persisted even after the 24 h recovery and rewatering phase. The malondialdehyde (MDA) contents of the lower leaves of WTs increased substantially during the drought stress period; a less pronounced increase occurred in the transformants and after the application of the combined stress. After the post-stress recovery period, the MDA contents in the leaves of both genotypes were higher than those in the corresponding controls. The MDA contents of the upper leaves in plants of both genotypes remained relatively constant throughout, indicating that these leaves are preferentially protected against the adverse effects of oxidative stress and demonstrating the efficiency of the plants' induced antioxidative defense mechanisms.

The impact of long-term CO2 enrichment on sun and shade needles of Norway spruce (Picea abies): photosynthetic performance, needle anatomy and phenolics accumulation

Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst) grown under ambient (365-377 μmol(CO(2)) mol(-1); AC) and elevated (700 μmol(CO(2)) mol(-1); EC) CO(2) concentrations within glass domes with automatically adjustable windows and on an open-air control site were studied after 8 years of treatment. The effect of EC on photosynthesis, mesophyll structure and phenolics accumulation in sun and shade needles was examined. Photosynthetic assimilation and dark respiration rates were measured gasometrically; the structural parameters of mesophyll were determined using confocal microscopy and stereological methods. The contents of total soluble phenolics and lignin were assessed spectrophotometrically, and localizations of different phenolic groups were detected histochemically on needle cross-sections. EC enhanced the light-saturated CO(2) assimilation rate and reduced dark respiration in the current-year needles. No effects of CO(2) enrichment on mesophyll structural parameters were observed. Similarly, the accumulation and localization of phenolics and lignin remained unaffected by EC treatment. Needles differentiated into sun and shade ecotypes in the same manner and to the same extent irrespective of CO(2) treatment. Based on these results, it is apparent that the EC-induced enhancement of photosynthesis is not related to changes in the examined structural parameters of mesophyll and accumulation of phenolic compounds.

Effect of heat stress on polyamine metabolism in proline-over-producing tobacco plants

The effect of heat stress on the accumulation of proline and on the level of polyamines (PAs) in tobacco plants was investigated. Responses to heat stress were compared in the upper and lower leaves and roots of tobacco plants that constitutively over-express a modified gene for the proline biosynthetic enzyme Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase (P5CSF129A) and in the corresponding wild-type. In the initial phases of heat stress (after 2h at 40°C), the accumulation of proline increased in the wild type but slightly decreased in the transformants. The response to heat stress in proline-over-producing tobacco plants involved a transient increase in the levels of free and conjugated putrescine (Put) and in the levels of free spermidine (Spd), norspermidine (N-Spd) and spermine (Spm) after a 2-h lag phase, which correlated with stimulation of the activity of the corresponding biosynthetic enzymes. Diamine oxidase (DAO) activity increased in both plant genotypes, most significantly in the leaves of WT plants. Polyamine oxidase (PAO) activity increased in the roots of WT plants and decreased in the leaves and roots of the transformants. After 6h of heat stress, proline accumulation was observed in the transformants, especially in the lower leaves; much more modest increase was observed in the WT plants. A decrease in the levels of free and conjugated Put coincided with down-regulation of the activity of ornithine decarboxylase and marked stimulation of DAO activity in the leaves and roots of the transformants. PAO activity increased in the roots of the transformants but decreased in the leaves. Conversely, in WT tobacco subjected to 6h of heat stress, slight increases in free and conjugated PA levels were observed and the activity of DAO only increased in the roots; PAO activity did not change from the value observed during the initial phase of heat stress. 6 Hours' heat stress had no effect on the level of malondialdehyde (MDA; a product of lipid peroxidation), in the upper leaves of either genotype. After a recovery period (2h at 25°C), most of the studied parameters exhibited values comparable to those observed in untreated plants. The coordination of the proline and polyamine biosynthetic pathways during heat stress conditions is discussed.

Cryotolerance in Norway spruce and its association with growth rates, anatomical features and polyamines of embryogenic cultures

Our study focused on the possible association between the cryotolerance of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) embryogenic cultures and the anatomical structures of their embryogenic suspensor mass (ESM), their growth rate and their content of endogenous polyamines (PAs). The anatomical characteristics and PA content during cryopreservation and regrowth were studied in the ESMs of AFO 541 and C110 cultures, which have comparable ESM anatomy but diverse growth rates, PA content and regeneration abilities after cryopreservation. Different levels of tolerance to exogenous treatment were already apparent after transfer of the ESMs to liquid media. The endogenous free PAs were maintained at high levels, with spermidine being the predominant PA in the ESM of AFO 541, while in the ESM of C110 the content of putrescine and spermidine was almost identical and rather low, the content of spermidine being approximately one-third that in the ESM of AFO 541. Osmotic pretreatment, using a double application of sorbitol followed by an application of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) resulted in the continual disintegration of polyembryogenic centers and suspensors in both cell lines. A continual decrease in the level of PAs was observed during the cell osmotic pretreatment. The cells that retained their viability and regrowth ability after cryopreservation were the meristematic cells inside the embryonal heads and the cells in the intermediate area between suspensor and meristems. Restoration of AFO 541 growth after cryopreservation was almost immediate; however, the C110 ESM culture regrew with difficulty, often exhibiting callogenesis. High levels of PA-soluble conjugates and an increase in the amount of PAs bound to high-molecular-mass substances was observed in cells of AFO 541 on Day 6 after thawing and also to some extent on Day 11. On Day 21 after thawing, the amount of free putrescine and spermidine in the AFO 541 cells reached the level observed in the suspension culture before the cryotreatment. The extremely low level of PAs determined in the ESM of C110 3 weeks after thawing agreed with the cell viability and rate of regrowth observed in this culture. The possible role of PAs in the process of cryopreservation of Norway spruce cultures is discussed.

Polyamine profiles and biosynthesis in somatic embryo development and comparison of germinating somatic and zygotic embryos of Norway spruce

The polyamine (PA) contents and activities of PA biosynthetic enzymes in Norway spruce somatic embryos [Picea abies L. (Karst.), genotype AFO 541] were studied in relation to anatomical changes during their development, from proliferation to germination, and changes in these variables associated with the germination of mature somatic and zygotic embryos were compared. Activities of PA biosynthetic enzymes steadily increased during the development of somatic embryos, from embryogenic suspensor mass until early cotyledonary stages. In these stages, the spermidine (Spd) level was significantly higher than the putrescine (Put) level, and the increases coincided with the sharp increases in S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase activity in the embryos. The biosynthetic enzyme activity subsequently declined in mature cotyledonary embryos, accompanied by sharp reductions in PA contents, especially in cellular Put contents in embryos from 6 weeks old through the desiccation phase (although the spermine level significantly increased during the desiccation phase), resulting in a shift in the Spd/Put ratio from ca. 2 in early cotyledonary embryos to around 10 after 3 weeks of desiccation. In mature zygotic embryos, Spd contents were twofold lower, but Put levels were higher, than in mature somatic embryos, hence their Spd/Put ratio was substantially lower (ca. 2, in both embryos and megagametophytes). In addition, the PA synthesis activity profiles in the embryos differed (ornithine decarboxylase and arginine decarboxylase activities predominating in mature somatic and zygotic embryos, respectively). The start of germination was associated with a rise in PA biosynthetic activity in the embryos of both origins, which was accompanied by a marked increase in Put contents in somatic embryos, resulting in the decline of Spd/Put ratio to about 2, similar to the ratio in mature and germinating zygotic embryos. The accumulation of high levels of PAs in somatic embryos may be causally linked to their lower germinability than in zygotic embryos.

Horseweed with reduced susceptibility to glyphosate found in the czech republic

The physiological and molecular basis of apparent resistance to glyphosate in horseweed (Conyza canadensis L. Cronq.) plants that had survived being sprayed with the herbicide at Prague-Bubny railway station in the Czech Republic was investigated. For the sake of comparison, plants expected to be susceptible were collected in areas where no herbicides had been used. Plants of both sets were treated, at the rosette stage (10-25 leaves, diameter of 3-5 cm), with herbicide at the rate recommended for use in the Czech Republic to control horseweed (960 g of glyphosate-IPA/ha; Roundup Klasik, Monsanto, 480 g of glyphosate-IPA ae L(-1)). Phytotoxic symptoms of the treated plants varied substantially, both between and within these sets of plants. Leaves of susceptible (S) plants wilted and turned yellow, and the plants subsequently died; leaves of plants with reduced susceptibility (RS) remained green, or new leaves were created in the center of their rosettes a few weeks after glyphosate application. There were no significant differences in the accumulation of shikimate between S and RS plants 3 days after treatment (DAT). However, the time course of changes in shikimic acid contents differed between the two biotypes; from 3 to 10 DAT, they decreased more than 4-fold in RS plants, while in S plants, they increased (3-fold, on average) from 3 to 7 DAT. A conserved region of the epsps gene, in which mutations are known to confer resistance in several plant species, was amplified from samples of both S and RS plants and sequenced, but no changes in the encoded amino acid sequence were found, indicating that mutations at another epsps site were responsible for the observed resistance, or that the mechanism may be at least partially non-target-based. Our results suggest that the reduced susceptibility to glyphosate may be due to impaired herbicide translocation, as previously found in studies of horseweed in the United States.

Polyamine metabolism during the cell cycle of synchronized tobacco BY-2 cell line

The time courses of the contents of free, soluble and insoluble polyamine (PA) conjugates, PA biosynthetic and catabolic enzyme activities and mRNA levels of PA biosynthetic genes were monitored during the cell cycle of synchronized tobacco BY-2 cell line (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Bright Yellow 2). Progression through the cell cycle was characterized by specific biphasic changes of PA levels. The first, moderate peak in the amount of free PAs coincided with the S-phase. After a transient decline in G2 phase the contents of free PAs increased rapidly and peaked again during G2/M interface. Then sharply decreased with the minimum at the end of mitosis and during M/G1 transition and started to rise again with the next replication phase. Levels of PA soluble conjugates paralleled those of the free forms. Biosynthetic enzyme activities followed the biphasic manner analogous to the levels of free PAs and seemed to be regulated on both transcriptional and (post)translational level. PA cellular levels were further controlled by both catabolic degradation and conjugation of PAs. PA catabolism played an important role in the PA down-regulation during G2 phase and late mitosis, while the decline in free PAs in G2/M interface and during the whole mitosis resulted mainly from PA conjugation. This study's results demonstrate that during the cell cycle of tobacco BY-2 cells endogenous PA levels are intricately controlled, involving regulation of activities of biosynthetic, catabolic and conjugation enzymes.

Excretion of polyamines in alfalfa and tobacco suspension-cultured cells and its possible role in maintenance of intracellular polyamine contents

Changes in polyamines (PAs) in cells and cultivation media of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and tobacco bright yellow 2 (BY-2) (Nicotiana tabacum L.) cell suspension cultures were studied over their growth cycles. The total content of PAs (both free and conjugated forms) was nearly 10 times higher in alfalfa, with high level of free putrescine (Put) (in exponential growth phase it represented about 65-73% of the intracellular Put pool). In contrast, the high content of soluble Put conjugates was found in tobacco cells (in exponential phase about 70% of the intracellular Put). Marked differences occurred in the amount of PAs excreted into the cultivation medium: alfalfa cells excreted at the first day after inoculation 2117.0, 230.5, 29.0 and 88.0 nmol g(-1) of cell fresh weight (FW) of Put, spermidine (Spd), spermine (Spm) and cadaverine (Cad), respectively, while at the same time tobacco cells excreted only small amount of Put and Spd (12.7 and 2.4 nmol g(-1) FW, respectively). On day 1 the amounts of Put, Spd, Spm and Cad excreted by alfalfa cells represented 21, 38, 12 and 15% of the total pool (intra- plus extra-cellular contents) of Put, Spd, Spm and Cad, respectively. In the course of lag-phase and the beginning of exponential phase the relative contents of extracellular PAs continually decreased (with the exception of Cad). On day 10, the extracellular Put, Spd, Spm and Cad still represented 11.3, 10.9, 2.1 and 27% of their total pools. The extracellular PAs in tobacco cells represented from day 3 only 0.1% from their total pools. The possible role of PA excretion into the cultivation medium in maintenance of intracellular PA contents in the cells of the two cell culture systems, differing markedly in growth rate and PA metabolism is discussed.

Comparison of the main bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities in garlic and white and red onions after treatment protocols

Polish garlic and white and red onions were subjected to blanching, boiling, frying, and microwaving for different periods of time, and then their bioactive compounds (polyphenols, flavonoids, flavanols, anthocyanins, tannins, and ascorbic acid) and antioxidant activities were determined. It was found that blanching and frying and then microwaving of garlic and onions did not decrease significantly the amounts of their bioactive compounds and the level of antioxidant activities ( P > 0.05). The HPLC profiles of free and soluble ester- and glycoside-bound phenolic acids showed that trans-hydroxycinnamic acids (caffeic, p-coumaric, ferulic, and sinapic) were as much as twice higher in garlic than in onions. Quercetin quantity was the highest in red onion among the studied vegetables. The electrophoretic separation of nonreduced garlic and onion proteins after boiling demonstrated their degradation in the range from 50 to 112 kDa.

The impact of Cu treatment on phenolic and polyamine levels in plant material regenerated from embryos obtained in anther culture of carrot

The influence of copper sulphate on the regeneration of carrot (Daucus carota L.) androgenic embryos and changes in the levels of phenolic substances and polyamines that might be indicative of the response to oxidative stress were investigated. The cultivation on the regeneration medium supplemented with Cu(2+) at the concentrations 1 and 10 microM for 15 weeks resulted in significant dose-dependent inhibition of the growth and organogenic ability of carrot embryos. The total content of phenolic acids (represented by the sum of all soluble and insoluble fractions) in the Cu(2+)-treated carrot cultures did not change in comparison with the control (0.1 microM Cu(2+)). However, the levels of phenolic acids in the individual fractions showed significant differences. The cultivation in the presence of increased Cu(2+) evoked first of all the rise of free chlorogenic and caffeic acids, and the increase in soluble ester-bound ferulic acid. Marked dose-dependent decline in the amount of ferulic acid incorporated into the cell walls of the Cu(2+)-treated carrot cultures was partly compensated by the increase in the content of p-hydroxybenzoic acid. Decline in the total polyamine contents in the carrot tissues cultivated in the presence of increased Cu(2+) concentrations was observed. The most abundant polyamine, both in a free and PCA-soluble conjugated forms, was putrescine, the least abundant was spermine, which occurred in free form only. While the levels of free polyamines slightly decreased in a dose-dependent manner in the Cu(2+)-treated cultures, those of PCA-soluble conjugates markedly rose (enhancement to 135 and 170% in 1 and 10 microM Cu(2+), respectively, compared with the control). The decline in the total polyamine contents was caused mainly by the decline in the levels of PCA-insoluble conjugates. The decrease observed in this fraction was approximately to 70 and 50% in 1 and 10 microM Cu(2+)-treated cultures, respectively, when compared with the control. The role of phenolic acids and polyamines in preventing Cu(2+)stress in the carrot tissues is discussed.

Transgenic ipt tobacco overproducing cytokinins overaccumulates phenolic compounds during in vitro growth

We present evidence that overproduction of endogenous cytokinins (CK) caused stress response in non-rooting Pssu-ipt transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) grown in vitro. It was demonstrated by overaccumulation of phenolic compounds, synthesis of pathogenesis related proteins (PR proteins), and increase in peroxidase (POD) activities. Immunolocalization of zeatin and also PR-1b protein on leaf cryo-sections proved their accumulation in all mesophyll cells of transgenic tobacco contrary to control non-transgenic plants. Intensive blue autofluorescence of phenolic compounds induced by UV in cross-sections of leaf midrib showed enhanced contents of phenolics in transgenic tobacco compared with controls, nevertheless, no significant difference between both plant types was found in leaf total lignin content. Transgenic plantlets exhibited higher peroxidase activities of both soluble and ionically bound fractions compared with controls. HPLC analysis of phenolic acids confirmed the increase in all phenolic acids in transgenic tobacco except for salicylic acid (SA). The effect of high phenolic content on rooting of transgenic tobacco is discussed.

Diurnal changes in polyamine content, arginine and ornithine decarboxylase, and diamine oxidase in tobacco leaves

Changes in the contents of polyamines (PAs) in tobacco leaves (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Wisconsin 38) grown under 16 h photoperiod were correlated with arginine and ornithine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.19 and EC 4.1.1.17) and diamine oxidase (EC 1.4.3.6) activities. The maximum of free and soluble conjugated forms of PAs occurred 1-2 h after the middle of the light period and was followed by two distinct peaks at the end of the light and at the beginning of the dark phase. Putrescine was the most abundant and cadaverine the least abundant PA in both free and PCA-soluble forms. However, cadaverine was predominant in PCA-insoluble conjugates, followed by putrescine, spermidine, and spermine. Both arginine and ornithine decarboxylases are involved in putrescine biosynthesis in tobacco leaves. Light dramatically stimulated the activity of ornithine decarboxylase, while no photoinduction of arginine decarboxylase activity was observed. Ornithine decarboxylase was found mainly in the particulate fraction. Only one peak, just after light induction, occurred in the cytosolic fraction, with 35% of the total ornithine decarboxylase activity. By contrast, the total arginine decarboxylase activity was equally divided between the soluble and pellet fractions. A sharp increase in diamine oxidase activity occurred 1 h after exposure to light, concomitant with the light-induced increase in ornithine decarboxylase activity. After a decline, diamine oxidase activity increased again, together with the rise in the amount of free Put. The roles of both conjugation of PAs with hydroxycinnamic acids and oxidative degradation of putrescine in maintaining free PA levels during the 24 h light/dark cycle are discussed. The presented results have shown that the parameters studied here followed rhythmical changes and were not only affected by light.

Polyamine metabolism during the growth cycle of tobacco BY-2 cells

We studied polyamine (PA) biosynthesis, oxidation and conjugation in asynchronously dividing cells of tobacco BY-2 cell suspension culture (Nicotiana tabacum L.) during 7-day growth cycle. We analyzed the levels of free and conjugated PAs and the activities of biosynthetic and catabolic enzymes during the subculture interval. The contents of free spermidine and spermine started to increase after the inoculation into the fresh medium, positively correlated with the mitotic activity of BY-2 cells and reached their maxima at the beginning of exponential phase on day 3. On the contrary, the endogenous level of free Put showed a transient decline in the lag-phase, and then increased till the end of exponential phase (day 5). The time-course of the content of PCA-soluble conjugates showed a trend similar to that of the free PAs. The inoculation of BY-2 cells into the fresh medium resulted in a sharp increase in the activities of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC, EC 4.1.1.17) and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC; EC 4.1.1.50). Arginine decarboxylase (ADC; EC 4.1.1.19) activity remained low during the whole subculture interval. The rise of diamine oxidase (DAO; EC 1.4.3.6) in the first day after subculture coincided with the decrease in free Put level. De novo synthesis of PAs in BY-2 cells after inoculation into the fresh medium and the participation of both PA conjugation with hydroxycinnamic acids and Put oxidative degradation in maintaining of free PA levels during the growth cycle are discussed.

Cytological changes and alterations in polyamine contents induced by cadmium in tobacco BY-2 cells

Changes in cell viability, proliferation, cell and nuclear morphology including nuclear and DNA fragmentation induced by 0.05 and 1 mM CdSO4 (Cd2+) in tobacco BY-2 cell line (Nicotiana tabacum L.) were studied in the course of 7 days. Simultaneously changes in endogenous contents of both free and conjugated forms of polyamines (PAs) were investigated for 3 days. The application of 0.05 mM Cd2+ evoked decline of cell viability to approximately 60% during the first 24 h of treatment. Later on degradation of cytoplasmic strands, formation of the stress granules and vesicles, modifications in size and shape of the nuclei, including their fragmentation, were observed in the surviving cells. Their proliferation was blocked and cells elongated. Beginning the first day of treatment TUNEL-positive nuclei were detected in cells cultivated in medium containing 0.05 mM Cd2+. Treatment with highly toxic 1 mM Cd2+ induced fast decrease of cell viability (no viable cells remained after 6-h treatment) and cell death occurred before DNA cleavage might be initiated. The exposure of tobacco BY-2 cells to 0.05 mM Cd2+ resulted in a marked accumulation of total PAs (represented by the sum of free PAs and their perchloric acid (PCA)-soluble and PCA-insoluble conjugates) during 3-day treatment. The increase in total PA contents was primarily caused by the increase in putrescine (Put) concentration. The accumulation of free spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm) at 12 and 24 h in 0.05 mM Cd2+ treated BY-2 cells and high contents of Spd and especially Spm determined in dead cells after I mM Cd2+ application was observed. The participation of PA conjugation with hydroxycinnamic acids and PA oxidative deamination in maintaining of free PA levels in BY-2 cells under Cd2+-induced oxidative stress is discussed.

Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, phenolic acids and ethylene in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cell cultures in relation to their embryogenic ability

Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity, contents of phenolic acids and ethylene production during the lag-phase, and contents of phenolic acids at the late exponential phase, showed significant differences in embryogenic (EC) and non-embryogenic (NEC) suspension cultures of Medicago sativa L. Maximum PAL activity at 6 h after inoculation was followed by an increase in the level of phenolic acids from 9.6 μg g(-1) fresh mass to 21 μg g(-1) fresh mass in NEC at 12 h. Thereafter the level of phenolic acids decreased to 5.2 μg g(-1) fresh mass at 72 h. The decline was caused predominantly by the decrease of ester-bound cinnamic acid derivatives, the decrease ranging from 83 to 20% of total phenolics. Two maxima of ethylene production were observed in NEC: the first one immediately after inoculation and the second at 6 h, coinciding with the peak of PAL activity. In NEC, most of the phenolic acids occurred in esterified form. Ability to form somatic embryos (EC) was associated with the absence of the second peak of ethylene production as well as of the peak of PAL activity at 6 h. The level of phenolic acids during the lag-phase remained low (7.2 μg g(-1) FM) and did not change. The proportion of cinnamic acid derivatives was very low (18% of total phenolics), mostly due to the extremely low level of ferulic acid. In EC, phenolic acids bound to methanol insoluble material formed the major fraction. Loss of embryogenic potential of the embryogenic culture (ECL) was associated with qualitative and quantitative changes in the contents of phenolic acids insignificantly increased PAL activity after inoculation was followed by a moderate increase in the contents of phenolic acids from 9.35 μg g(-1) fresh mass to 12.42 μg g fresh mass. A high rate of ethylene production was observed only immediately after the transfer of the culture to fresh medium. The loss of embryogenicity correlated also with changes in the relative amounts of the investigated fractions of phenolic acids. A distinct increase in the level of methoxy-substituted phenolic acids is a characteristic feature of the ECL culture.