WHATS NEW ABOUT LUTOIDS - A VACUOLAR SYSTEM MODEL FROM HEVEA LATEX

Lutoids are lysosomal microvacuoles in Hevea brasiliensis latex that a re easily isolated by differential centrifugation. They form a vacuola r model that has enabled some progress in research. Fresh lutoids or r econstituted tonoplast vesicles have been used to demonstrate ATPase a nd pyrophosphatase influx proton pumps and an NADH-cytochome c oxidase efflux proton pump. Various antiports have been described: H+/citrate , H+/basic amino acids, 2H(+)/Mg2+ and H+/Ca2+. The existence of a 2H( +)/K+ antiport seems probable and the existence of an ATPase Ca2+ pump is suspected. An NAD(P)H-quinone reductase producing O-2 degrees(-) h as also been described on this tonoplast. In addition to the classic r ange of acid hydrolases of lysosomes, lutoids contain acid and basic p eroxidases and acid and basic defence proteins (chitinase/lyzozyme (he vamins) and beta-glucanase). Hevein is a major protein found in the N- terminal position of several plant proteins of the lectin or chitin-bi nding type. It is directly involved in latex agglutination and coagula tion. This is the first time that an agglutination process has been se en to be involved in latex coagulation. Other lutoid proteins may be l inked with storage or stress. The stimulation of industrial-scale late x production by applying Ethrel to rubber trees modifies the quantity or activity of lutoid proteins or enzymes. The specific activities of ATPase, pyrophosphatase and chitinases are enhanced. Ethylene affects the quantity of the corresponding transcripts, at least for chitinase and hevein. Several lutoid proteins, including hevein and hevamin, are allergenic and are therefore of particular importance for certain ite ms manufactured in latex.