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Polyamines and somatic embryogenesis in two Vitis vinifera cultivars
Daniela Bertoldi1, Annalisa Tassoni, Lucia Martinelli
1Department of Biology e.s. and Interdepartmental Centre for Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 42, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
Physiologia Plantarum
|March 23, 2004
Summary
This study investigated polyamine biosynthesis during grapevine somatic embryogenesis. Brachetto cultivars showed higher polyamine levels, with ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC) activities correlating with gene expression during plant development.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biotechnology
- Molecular Biology
- Agricultural Science
Background:
- Polyamines are crucial for plant growth and development.
- Somatic embryogenesis is a key process in plant biotechnology for clonal propagation.
- Understanding polyamine metabolism in Vitis vinifera (grapevine) is vital for optimizing propagation techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze polyamine content and biosynthesis enzyme activities during Vitis vinifera somatic embryogenesis.
- To compare these parameters between Chardonnay and Brachetto 'a grappolo lungo' (Brachetto g.l.) cultivars.
- To investigate the correlation between enzyme activity, gene expression, and developmental stages.
Main Methods:
- Assay of polyamine content (free and conjugated forms).
- Enzyme activity measurements for ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), arginine decarboxylase (ADC), and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC).
- Northern blot analysis to detect ODC and SAMDC mRNA expression patterns.
Main Results:
- Brachetto g.l. exhibited higher total polyamine content than Chardonnay, with putrescine being the predominant polyamine.
- ODC and SAMDC activities were consistently higher than ADC activity across all samples and stages, peaking in developing plant roots.
- SAMDC activity was detected in both soluble and particulate fractions, indicating its presence in cellular membranes.
Conclusions:
- Polyamine biosynthesis pathways, particularly involving ODC and SAMDC, play a significant role in Vitis vinifera somatic embryogenesis.
- Differential polyamine accumulation and enzyme activity between cultivars suggest genetic variations influencing embryogenic potential.
- The observed correlation between ODC/SAMDC gene expression and enzymatic activity highlights their regulatory importance during grapevine morphogenesis.