Genetic variability of leaf esterases in Triticum aestivum L. 2n=6x=42

Starch gel electrophoresis with two different buffer systems and several substrates and inhibitors have been used to study the electrophoretic variability of esterases in leaves of cultivars of Triticum aestivum. Each one of the buffer systems showed different levels of variability, according to the electrophoretic patterns. At the same time green and etiolated leaves showed different patterns in each buffer system. The variability was dependent upon the developmental stage of the leaves. According to the results from chromosomal location, the genes controlling esterases in green leaves were located in homoeology group 3, while the genes controlling esterases in etiolated leaves were in homoeology group 6. But both esterase isozymes showed a similar electrophoretic migration and a similar reponse to substrates and inhibitors. The possible origin of both sets of genes due to an interchromosomal duplication is discussed.