Changes in polyamine content, arginine and ornithine decarboxylases and transglutaminase activities during light/dark phases (of initial differentiation) in maize calluses and their chloroplasts
E. Bernet et al., Changes in polyamine content, arginine and ornithine decarboxylases and transglutaminase activities during light/dark phases (of initial differentiation) in maize calluses and their chloroplasts, PL PHYS BIO, 37(12), 1999, pp. 899-909
Maize calluses and their isolated chloroplasts were analysed to study the c
hanges in polyamine content, arginine and ornithine decarboxylases and tran
sglutaminase activities during light/dark phases of the first day after sub
culture in maintenance medium (containing 2,4-D) and differentiation medium
(without 2,4-D). Free polyamine content changed significantly in both diff
erentiating calluses and chloroplasts showing a maximum during light phase
and also increasing after mid-dark phase. Acid-insoluble polyamines showed
a similar trend. In whole cells from the callus cultured in maintenance med
ium, the changes were not significant, except for free putrescine which inc
reased in the dark phase. In chloroplasts of both types of calluses, the tr
end was similar. Arginine decarboxylase activity in vitro assayed in optima
l conditions was not affected by hormone deprivation either in whole cells
from the callus or in chloroplasts. The formation of putrescine by arginine
decarboxylase activity gradually increased in the light until 9-12 h after
subculture, whereas at the onset of the dark phase, a significant decrease
was observed. Ornithine decarboxylase activity in vitro always showed slig
ht changes, except in growing callus where putrescine synthesis increased a
bruptly at 8 h and decreased thereafter. Transglutaminase was immunodetecte
d in whole cells from the callus and in isolated chloroplasts by western bl
ot. In the entire cells, protein substrates were found which were not prese
nt in isolated chloroplast. Transglutaminase activity was light sensitive a
nd also affected by hormone deprivation. This enzyme was more active in dif
ferentiation than in maintenance medium, in both callus and chloroplasts, i
n light and dark phases. These data indicate that, the parameters studied h
ere are not only light affected but also regulated by a daily rhythm. (C) 1
999 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.