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Culture senescence and abscisic acid induce saporin production in cultured roots of Saponaria officinalis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 March 1999

ALESSANDRA DI COLA
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Biologia di Base ed Applicata, Università degli Studi dell'Aquila, 67010 Coppito, AQ, Italy
ANNA POMA
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Biologia di Base ed Applicata, Università degli Studi dell'Aquila, 67010 Coppito, AQ, Italy
LAURA SPANÒ
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Biologia di Base ed Applicata, Università degli Studi dell'Aquila, 67010 Coppito, AQ, Italy
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Abstract

The presence and variation of activity of the type 1 ribosome-inactivating protein saporin has been evaluated in cultured roots of the soapwort Saponaria officinalis. Results from western analysis and in vitro protein synthesis inhibition indicate that saporin production is increased in senescing cultures, reaching a maximum value during the late stationary phase. Accordingly, cultures treated with the senescence-related hormone abscisic acid show a significant increase in saporin activity, independently from the culture growth phase. Stress conditions, such as the presence of hydrogen peroxide in the culture medium, had no effect on the modulation of enzymatic activity. The putative regulation of saporin production by abscisic acid and its possible role in accomplishing the ageing programme is discussed.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© Trustees of New Phytologist 1999

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