[Morphogenetic separation of cell division and suberin biosynthesis in potato tuber tissue by...

Differential derepression of the genome of potato tuber cells by slicing of the tuber tissue leads to cell divisions. This mitotic activity is totally suppressed by Tris-(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane (Tris)-buffer widely used in biochemical research. The blockage is reversible if tissue slices are transferred to water in order to wash out the Tris-ions.The actual reason for the inhibition of mitotic activity by Tris is as yet unknown. As a possible mechanism of action an uncoupling of electron transfer from phosphorylation in the mitochondrial respiratory chain is discussed. However, experiments show no difference in O2-absorption between Tris-treated tissue and control in water. Moreover the application of several inhibitors of respiration causes exactly the same effects in both tissues. Amytal (blockage of flavoproteids) has no influence on the respiratory rate at any time. Antimycin A (blockage of electron flow from cytochrome b to cytochrome c) as well as HCN (inhibition of cytochrome-oxidase) inhibit respiration of both tissues during the first 24 hours after derepression. Later on the respiration becomes resistant to both inhibitors. So the quality of respiration is assumed to be the same in mitotic active potato slices as in the Tris-treated tissue.Recent results of biochemical analyses of events in carbohydrate breakdown of the tissues in question point to a differential effect of Tris on several enzymes as possible reason for its inhibitory action.