Multistage disruption of protoplasts by dikegulac

Dikegulac (2,3:4,6 di-o-isopropylidine-2-keto-I-gulonate) is a growth regulator used to differentially kill terminal apices, and it analogously inhibits basic metabolic functions in dividing cells, but not stationary cells, in suspension culture. This report demonstrates an analogous situation in isolated tobacco protoplasts. At the lowest concentrations, dikegulac partially suppresses division of the protoplasts. Higher concentrations are required to produce visual cytoplasmic damage to the protoplasts, which probably first occurs at the level of the plasmalemma, as the vacuoles can be released intact. Later, tonoplast disruption occurs.