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Effect of low water potential on phytochrome-induced germination, endosperm softening and cell-wall mannan degradation in Datura ferox seeds

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2007

Rodolfo A. Sánchez ,
Lucila de Miguel ,
Carlos Lima  and
Rosa M. de Lederkremer
Rodolfo A. Sánchez*
Affiliation:
IFEVA, Departamento de Biología Aplicada y Alimentos Facultad de Agronomía—CONICET Avda. San martín 4453 Buenos Aires 1417 Argentina
Lucila de Miguel
Affiliation:
IFEVA, Departamento de Biología Aplicada y Alimentos Facultad de Agronomía—CONICET Avda. San martín 4453 Buenos Aires 1417 Argentina
Carlos Lima
Affiliation:
CIHIDECAR Departamento de Química Orgánica Facultad de Ciencias exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires Avda. San martín 4453 Buenos Aires 1417 Argentina
Rosa M. de Lederkremer
Affiliation:
CIHIDECAR Departamento de Química Orgánica Facultad de Ciencias exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires Avda. San martín 4453 Buenos Aires 1417 Argentina
*
*Correspondence Fax: 54–011–4514–8730 Email: sanchez@ifeva.edu.ar
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Abstract

Phytochrome-induced softening of the micropylar endosperm of Datura ferox seeds is followed by radicle protrusion and preceded by a significant increase in the extractable activity of β-mannanase and β-mannosidase (6 and 3 times over the far-red light controls, respectively) and a decrease in the mannan content of the micropylar endosperm cell walls. This relationship between phytochrome-induced germination, endosperm softening and mannan degradation was studied in Datura ferox seeds subjected to a range of water potentials during the presence of Pfr. Low water potential inhibited the decrease in mannose-rich cell-wall insoluble polysaccharides, the increase in activity of β-mannosidase and endosperm softening. A good correlation was found between activity of β-mannosidase measured at 45 h after exposure to a red light pulse and germination counted 24 h later when, with different external water potentials, germination varied between 0 and 90%. In contrast, no inhibitory effect of low water potential on in vitro β-mannanase activity was detected. We suggest that the in vivo action of β-mannanase might be limited by accumulation of manno-oligosaccharides caused by inhibition of β-mannosidase. These data are consistent with the concept of a link between mannan mobilization and endosperm softening. Part of the effect of low water potential on Pfr-induced germination may be mediated by inhibition of β-mannosidase activity, with consequences for mannan hydrolysis and endosperm softening.

Keywords

germinationdormancyphytochromewater potentialendosperm softeningmannan mobilization-mannanase-mannosidase
Type
Research Article
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 12 , Issue 3 , September 2002 , pp. 155 - 163
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2002

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