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IAA, ABA, polyamines and free amino acids associated with zygotic embryo development of Ocotea catharinensis

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Abstract

The aim of this work was to study morphological and biochemical aspects during zygotic embryogenesis in O. catharinensis, by measuring changes in the endogenous concentrations of proteins, amino acids, polyamines (PAs), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and abscisic acid (ABA). Buffer-soluble and insoluble protein contents were determined by spectrometry, and amino acids, PAs, IAA and ABA concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Total amino acid accumulation, predominantly asparagine, occurred when the embryo showed completely developed cotyledons, with posterior reduction in the mature embryo. This decrease in total amino acid concentration in the mature embryo may result from their use in storage␣as well as for LEA protein synthesis. Free putrescine (Put) concentration decreased, while free spermine (Spm) increased during embryo development. This suggest a role for Put in the initial phases of embryogenesis when high rates of cell division occur, while elevated concentration of Spm are essential from the middle to the end of embryo development, when growth is mainly due to cell elongation. An IAA peak in zygotic embryos occurred during initial development, suggesting a link between growth and cellular division as well as with the establishment of bilateral symmetry. ABA concentration declined during initial stages of development then increased at the mature embryo stage, suggesting a possible relationship with dormancy and recalcitrance characteristics. Our results show that changes in the phytohormones (IAA, ABA and PAs) concentrations in combination with amino acids are likely important factors determining the developmental stages of O.␣catharinensis zygotic embryos.

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Abbreviations

IAA:

Indole-3-acetic acid

ABA:

Abscisic acid

CV:

Coefficient of variation

FM:

Fresh matter

Gaba:

γ-Aminobutyric acid

HPLC:

High performance liquid chromatography

PAs:

Polyamines

Put:

Putrescine

Spd:

Spermidine

Spm:

Spermine

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Acknowledgements

This research was carried out with financial support from the State of São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). The authors thank M.Sc. Antônio da Silva and Instituto Florestal of São Paulo for providing O. catharinensis fruits.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Plant Cell Biology Laboratory, Department of Botany, IB-University of São Paulo, CP 11461, CEP: 05422-970, São Paulo, Brazil

    Claudete Santa-Catarina, Vanildo Silveira, Tiago S. Balbuena, Walter Handro & Eny I. S. Floh

  2. Laboratory of Plant Physiology, Department of Botany, CCB-University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil

    Ana Maria Viana

  3. Laboratory of Plant Anatomy, Department of Botany, IB-University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Maria Emilia M. Estelita

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  1. Claudete Santa-Catarina
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  2. Vanildo Silveira
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  3. Tiago S. Balbuena
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  4. Ana Maria Viana
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  5. Maria Emilia M. Estelita
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  6. Walter Handro
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  7. Eny I. S. Floh
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Correspondence to Eny I. S. Floh.

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Santa-Catarina, C., Silveira, V., Balbuena, T.S. et al. IAA, ABA, polyamines and free amino acids associated with zygotic embryo development of Ocotea catharinensis . Plant Growth Regul 49, 237–247 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10725-006-9129-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10725-006-9129-z

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