Assay and Biochemical Properties of the Proteinase Inhibitor-inducing Factor, a Wound Hormone

An assay has been developed for the proteinase inhibitor-inducing factor (PIIF), a wound hormone. PIIF is present in tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum var. Bonnie Best) leaf extracts and induces accumulation of proteinase Inhibitor I when the extracts are supplied briefly to excised leaves that are subsequently incubated in water under constant light. An active water-soluble crude PIIF solution was conveniently prepared from autoclaved and lyophilized tomato leaves. Accumulation of Inhibitor I, induced by crude PIIF, is linear, commencing at about 8 to 10 hours after feeding and continues for several hours. Evidence is presented that the PIIF-induced accumulation of Inhibitor I, determined immunologically, is accompanied by the accumulation of other trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitors, determined enzymatically. The accumulation of Inhibitor I is inhibited by actinomycin D and cycloheximide but not by chloramphenicol or rifampin. PIIF cannot be replaced by traumatin, indoleacetic acid, gibberellic acid, kinetin, ethylene, or abscisic acid. PIIF activity was not destroyed by incubation with a number of proteolytic, carbohydrase, phosphatase, or pyrophosphatase enzymes. The active substance is insoluble in lipid solvents.