BLUE-LIGHT STIMULATION OF CELL-PROLIFERATION AND GLYOXALASE-I ACTIVITY IN CALLUS-CULTURES OF AMARANTHUS-PANICULATUS

Light grown callus cultures of Amaranthus paniculatus showed faster ce ll proliferation compared to those grown in darkness. When these callu s cultures were transferred from light to darkness, the rate of cell p roliferation decreased. However, during the dark period if a short irr adiation (5 min) of blue light was given once everyday, the rate of ce ll proliferation was similar or even higher to light grown cultures. T his effect was noticed both on fresh weight and on cell number basis. Blue light also increased the activity of glyoxalase-I, an enzyme corr elated with cell proliferation. The requirement of light was overcome if the dark grown callus was incubated in the presence of A23187, sugg esting a role of calcium in cell proliferation and glyoxalase-I activa tion. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.