EFFECT OF WHEAT LECTIN ON THE METABOLISM OF AZOSPIRILLUM-BRASILENSE -INDUCTION OF PROTEIN-SYNTHESIS

Wheat lectin (wheat germ agglutinin, WGA) induces protein synthesis in Azospirillum brasilense cultures: the total content of protein increa sed threefold after a 1-h incubation with WGA. After the incubation of azospirilla with lectin, their protein profile was enriched with 38 n ovel proteins. By the methods of electrophoresis and rocket immunoelec trophoresis, WGA was shown to induce synthesis of nitrogenase and glut amine synthetase in azospirilla. Enhanced protein synthesis was accomp anied by enlargement of cells rather than by an increase in the rate o f cell division.