INCREASED ACCUMULATION OF THE 16X10(3) M(1) POLYPEPTIDE IN LUPIN ROOTS EXPOSED TO LEAD, COPPER AND NITRITE IONS

The effects of lead, copper, sodium nitrite and indolo 3-acetic acid ( IAA) on growth and protein patterns of roots of Lupinus luteus were in vestigated. Ail tested compounds affected root development inhibiting growth and causing thickening. Analysis of polypeptide patterns by SDS -polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that in the presence of h eavy metal ions and NaNO2, an increased accumulation of a 16x10(3) M(r ) polypeptide occurred. However, the increased quantity of this compon ent cannot be directly connected with root growth limiting factors as it has not been found among polypeptides from IAA-treated roots. We po stulate that the 16 x 10(3) M(r) polypeptide belongs to a group of non -specific stress proteins, which accumulate in the presence of toxic s ubstances.