THIOPHENE BIOCONVERSIONS IN TAGETES PROTOPLASTS

The thiophene content of Tagetes protoplasts isolated from various org ans, and the ability of these protoplasts to convert or synthesize thi ophenes were investigated and compared with the thiophene content and metabolic capacities of intact organs. A substantial fraction of thiop henes is localized intracellularly in hypocotyls, whereas another sign ificant fraction is localized in the extracellular spaces. Protoplasts originating both from hypocotyls and leaf blades can perform the reac tions required for formation of the second thiophene ring and for hydr oxylation and acetylation of thiophenes, although the organs from whic h these protoplasts are isolated differ greatly in thiophene content a nd thiophene synthesizing capacity. All reactions of thiophene synthes is from formation of the first ring onwards can be carried out by hypo cotyl protoplasts.