Exogenous Putrescine Reduces Sodium and Chloride Accumulation in NaCl-Treated Calli of the Salt-Sensitive Rice Cultivar I Kong Pao

In order to gain information on the putative involvement of polyamines (PAs) in the response of rice cells to salinity, mature embryo-derived calli issued from the salt-sensitive cultivar I Kong Pao were exposed for 3 months to the simultaneous presence of NaCl (0, 150 and 300 mM) and exogenous polyamines (putrescine (Put): 1 and 10 mM; spermidine (Spd): 1 and 10 mM; spermine (Spm): 1 mM). Callus growth, endogenous PAs, Na⁺, K⁺ and Cl⁻ concentrations were quantified and analysed in relation to cell viability based on 2,3,5-triphenytetrazolium chloride (TTC) reduction. All exogenous PAs were efficiently absorbed from the external medium. Exogenous Put 1 mM clearly stimulated growth of salt-stressed calli in relation to a decrease in both Na⁺ and Cl⁻ accumulation. In contrast, Spd 10 mM and Spm 1 mM exacerbated the deleterious impact of NaCl on callus growth and induced a decrease in K⁺ concentration. While Put helped in the maintenance of cell viability, Spd 10 mM and Spm 1 mM decreased cell viability, mainly in relation to an inhibition of the alternative respiratory pathway. It is proposed that Put may assume positive functions in salt stress resistance in rice.     

Do exogenous polyamines have an impact on the response of a salt-sensitive rice cultivar to NaCl?

In order to analyze the putative impact of polyamines (PAs) on the plant response to salt, seedlings from the salt-sensitive rice cultivar I Kong Pao (IKP) were exposed for 5, 12 and 19 days to 0, 50 or 100 mM NaCl in the absence, or in the presence of exogenous PAs (putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd) or spermine (Spm) 1mM) or inhibitors of PA synthesis (methylglyoxalbis-guanyl hydrazone (MGBG) 1mM, cyclohexylammonium (CHA) 5mM and D-arginine (D-Arg) 5mM). The addition of PAs in nutritive solution reduced plant growth in the absence of NaCl and did not afford protection in the presence of salt. PA-treated plants exhibited a higher K+/Na+ ratio in the shoots, suggesting an improved discrimination among monovalent cations at the root level, especially at the sites of xylem loading. The diamine Put induced a decrease in the shoot water content in the presence of NaCl, while Spd and Spm had no effects on the plant water status. In contrast to Spd, Spm was efficiently translocated to the shoots. Both PAs (Spd and Spm) induced a decrease in cell membrane stability as suggested by a strong increase in malondialdehyde content of PA-treated plants exposed to NaCl. These results are discussed in relation to the putative functions of PAs in stressed plant metabolism.     

Polyamines promote root elongation and growth by increasing root cell division in regenerated Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana Mill.) plantlets

Polyamines have been demonstrated to play an important role in adventitious root formation and development in plants. Here, we present a detailed analysis of influence of exogenously added polyamines on adventitious root development and its relationship to cold tolerance in Virginia pine (Pinus virginia Mill.). Our results demonstrated that polyamines putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd), and spermine (Spm) at 0.001 mM improve rooting frequency and promote root elongation. Put, Spd, and Spm at 0.01–1 mM decrease rooting frequency and reduce root elongation root elongation. Measurements of diamine oxidase (DAO, EC 1.4.3.6) and polyamine oxidase (PAO, EC 1.4.3.4) activities showed that higher DAO and PAO enzyme activities were obtained when high concentrations of polyamines were applied and when plantlets were treated for 5–7 week at 4°C and 16°C. Survival rate of plantlets increased with the treatment of polyamines at low temperature. Polyamines increased mitotic index of cells in root tips of regenerated plantlet cultured on medium containing 0.001 μM Put, Spd, or Spm, but did not increase mitotic index in tissues of needle tips of the same plantlets. These results demonstrated that polyamines promote root elongation and growth by increasing root cell division in regenerated Virginia pine plantlets.     

Exogenous polyamines enhance copper tolerance of Nymphoides peltatum

The protective effects of polyamines (PAs) against copper (Cu) toxicity were investigated in the leaves of Nymphoides peltatum. Cu treatment increased the putrescine (Put) level and lowered spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm) levels, thereby reducing the (Spd+Spm)/Put ratio in leaves. Exogenous application of Spd or Spm markedly reversed these Cu-induced effects for all three PAs and partially restored the (Spd+Spm)/Put ratio in leaves. It also significantly enhanced the level of proline, retarded the loss of soluble protein, decreased the rate of O2*- generation and H2O2 content, and prevented Cu-induced lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, exogenous Spd and Spm reduced the accumulation of Cu and effectively maintained the balance of nutrient elements in plant leaves under Cu stress. These results suggest that exogenous application of Spd or Spm can enhance the tolerance of N. peltatum to Cu by increasing the levels of endogenous Spd and Spm as well as the (Spd+Spm)/Put ratio.     

Exogenously added polyamines recover browning tissues into normal callus cultures and improve plant regeneration in pine

Polyamines are known to influence a variety of growth and developmental processes in higher plants. Tissue browning seriously reduces in vitro plant regeneration in pine species by decreasing the levels of antioxidant enzymes and polyamines in tissue cultures. In the present investigation, the effect of exogenously added polyamines on recovering browning tissues into normal callus cultures and on improving plant regeneration was examined in Virginia pine ( Pinus virginiana Mill.). Among the polyamines administered, 1.5 m M putrescine (Put), 1.5 m M spermidine (Spd), or 1.5 m M spermine (Spm) alone resulted in a 19.55%, 18.92%, and 1.45%, respectively, recovering of browning tissues into normal callus cultures in 5 weeks. A combination of Put with Spd or Spm did not result in an increase of recovering rate, compared to the Put or Spd alone. Exogenously added 1.5 m M Put, 1.5 m M Spd, 1.5 m M Put + 1.5 m M Spd, or 1.5 m M Put + 1.5 m M Spm recovers browning tissues into normal callus cultures by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes ascorbate peroxidase (APOX), glutathione reductase (GR) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and by decreasing lipid peroxidation. Exogenously added 1.5 m M Put, 1.5 m M Spd, 1.5 m M Put + 1.5 m M Spd, or 1.5 m M Put + 1.5 m M Spm significantly improve the growth rate of callus cultures, shoot formation, and rooting adventitious shoots. These results demonstrated that exogenously added polyamines recover browning tissues into normal callus cultures by decreasing oxidative damage and improving plant regeneration by acting as plant growth substances.     

Effects of spermidine and spermine levels on salt tolerance associated with tonoplast H+-ATPase and H+-PPase activities in barley roots

The effects of polyamines (Putrescine— Put; Spermidine—Spd; and Spermine—Spm) on␣salt tolerance of seedlings of two barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars (J4, salt-tolerant; KP7, salt-sensitive) were investigated. The results showed that, the salt-tolerant cultivar J4 seedlings accumulated much higher levels of Spd and Spm and lower Put than the salt-sensitive cultivar KP7␣under salt stress. At the same time, the dry weight of KP7 decreased significantly than that of␣J4. After methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) [MGBG, an inhibitor of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC)] treatment, Spd and Spm levels together with the dry weight of both cultivars were reduced, but the salt-caused dry weight reduction in two cultivars could be reversed by the concomitant treatment with Spd. MGBG decreased the activities of tonoplast H⁺-ATPase and H⁺-PPase too, but the experiments in vitro indicated that MGBG was not able to affect the above two enzyme activities. However, the polyamines, especially Spd, promoted their activities obviously. These results suggested that the conversion of Put to Spd and Spm and maintenance of higher levels of Spd and Spm were necessary for plant salt tolerance.     

Involvement of polyamines, abscisic acid and anti-oxidative enzymes in adaptation of Blue Panicgrass (Panicum antidotale Retz.) to saline environments

A hydroponic experiment was conducted to assess the possible involvement of polyamines (PAs), abscisic acid (ABA) and anti-oxidative enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) in adaptation of six populations of Panicum antidotale Retz. to selection pressure (soil salinity) of a wide range of habitats. Plants of six populations were collected from six different habitats with ECe ranging from 3.39 to 19.23 dS m⁻¹ and pH from 7.65 to 5.86. Young tillers from 6-month-old plants were transplanted in plastic containers each containing 10 l of half strength Hoagland's nutrient solution alone or with 150 mol m⁻³ NaCl. After 42 days growth, contents of polyamines (Put, Spd and Spm) and ABA, and the activities of anti-oxidative enzymes (SOD, POD and CAT) of all populations generally increased under salt stress. The populations collected from highly saline habitats showed a greater accumulation of polyamines and ABA and the activities of anti-oxidative enzymes as compared to those from mild or non-saline habitats. Moreover, Spm/Spd and Put/(Spd + Spm) ratios generally increased under salt stress. However, the populations from highly saline environments had significantly higher Spm/Spd and Put/(Spd + Spm) ratios as compared to those from mild or non-saline environments. Similarly, the populations adapted to high salinity accumulated less Na⁺ and Cl⁻ in culm and leaves, and showed less decrease in leaf K⁺ and Ca²⁺ under salinity stress. Higher activities of anti-oxidative enzymes and accumulation of polyamines and ABA, and increased Spm/Spd and Put/(Spm + Spd) ratios were found to be highly correlated with the degree of adaptability of Panicum to saline environment.     

External spermine prevents UVA-induced damage of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Synechocystis</Emphasis> sp. PCC 6803 via increased catalase activity and decreased H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> and malonaldehyde levels

Common polyamines, putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd), and spermine (Spm), are cationic compounds known as beneficial factors for many cellular processes including cell division, proliferation, differentiation, and stress response in all living organisms. Effects of exogenous Spm on the protective responses of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 exposed to UVA were investigated. The presence of 0.5 mM Spm in the culture medium significantly reduced cell growth after 60 min under white light condition but protected the cells after growing for 60 min under UVA. The stress-tolerant response of Synechocystis cells represented by the ratio of putrescine/spermidine (Put/Spd) showed about a 6-fold increase after 60 min UVA in the presence of Spm. In addition, those levels of chlorophyll a, carotenoids, and photosynthetic oxygen evolution were increased by Spm supplementation in UVA-treated cells. Exogenous Spm induced the activity of catalase but not superoxide dismutase in cells under UVA treatment. On the other hand, Spm treatment enabled cells to apparently decrease the intracellular free radical H₂O₂ and malonaldehyde (MDA) levels. Overall results suggested that Spm supplementation could protect Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 cells via the increase of Put/Spd ratio and the reduction of both H₂O₂ and MDA levels in conjunction with the induction of catalase activity. Interestingly, UVA-treated cells as compared to non-treated cells with exogenous Spm showed a decrease of Spm with an increase of Put and no change in Spd. This suggested the back conversion of Spm to Spd and finally to Put as cellular mechanism in response to UVA.     

Nitric oxide enhances salt tolerance in cucumber seedlings by regulating free polyamine content

Nitric oxide (NO), an endogenous signaling molecule in plants and animals, mediates responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. This study was conducted in nutrient solution to investigate the effects of exogenous sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an NO donor, on plant growth and free polyamine content in cucumber leaves and roots under NaCl stress. The results showed that 100 μM SNP in solution significantly improved the growth of cucumber seedlings under NaCl stress for 8 days, as indicated by increased, plant height, stem thickness, fresh weight and increased dry matter accumulation. Further analysis demonstrated that the content of free polyamines and the activity of polyamine oxidase (PAO) in cucumber seedling leaves and roots initially increased dramatically under NaCl stress, although they decreased over a longer period of stress. Throughout the treatment period, the value of (spermine + spermidine)/putrescine [(Spd + Spm)/Put] also decreased under NaCl stress compared to the control. In contrast, the application of 100 μM SNP in the nutrient solution decreased the content of free Put, Spd, total free polyamines and PAO activity under NaCl stress. It also caused an increase in the content of Spm and the value of (Spd + Spm)/Put, adjusted the ratio of three kinds of free polyamines (Put, Spd, Spm) in cucumber seedlings. The high (Spd + Spm)/Put value and the accumulation of Spm were beneficial to improving the salt tolerance of plants. Therefore, NO alleviated the damage to cucumber seedlings caused by salt stress. NO enhanced the tolerance of cucumber seedlings to NaCl stress by regulating the content and proportions of the different types of free polyamines.     

NaCl胁迫对菜用大豆种子多胺代谢的影响

采用蛭石栽培,在100 mmol·L-1NaCl胁迫下,对耐盐性不同的两个品种菜用大豆种子的丙二醛(MDA)含量和多胺(PAs)代谢进行了研究.结果表明:NaCl胁迫显著增加了菜用大豆种子的MDA含量,但耐盐品种‘绿领特早’(LL)的增幅低于盐敏感品种‘理想高产95-1’(LX).与LX相比,LL种子在整个NaCl胁迫期间均维持了相对较高的游离态精胺(Spm)、结合态Spm、结合态亚精胺(Spd)、束缚态Spd和束缚态腐胺(Put)含量,较高的(Spd +Spm )/Put 和(cPAs+bPAs)/fPAs值及较低的Put/PAs值,在胁迫中、后期(9～15 d)维持了相对较高的游离态Spd含量;胁迫期间,LL的精胺酸脱羧酶(ADC)长时期(6～15 d)保持相对较高的活性,而多胺氧化酶(PAO)则长时期(6～15 d)维持相对较低的活性.综上,LL具有较强的多胺合成能力及较强的Put向Spd和Spm以及游离态多胺向结合态和束缚态多胺转化的能力,进而有效抑制了细胞的膜脂过氧化,这可能是其耐盐性较强的重要原因之一.     

Putrescine overproduction does not affect the catabolism of spermidine and spermine in poplar and Arabidopsis

The effect of up-regulation of putrescine (Put) production by genetic manipulation on the turnover of spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm) was investigated in transgenic cells of poplar (Populus nigra × maximowiczii) and seedlings of Arabidopsis thaliana. Several-fold increase in Put production was achieved by expressing a mouse ornithine decarboxylase cDNA either under the control of a constitutive (in poplar) or an inducible (in Arabidopsis) promoter. The transgenic poplar cells produced and accumulated 8–10 times higher amounts of Put than the non-transgenic cells, whereas the Arabidopsis seedlings accumulated up to 40-fold higher amounts of Put; however, in neither case the cellular Spd or Spm increased consistently. The rate of Spd and Spm catabolism and the half-life of cellular Spd and Spm were measured by pulse-chase experiments using [¹⁴C]Spd or [¹⁴C]Spm. Spermidine half-life was calculated to be about 22–32 h in poplar and 52–56 h in Arabidopsis. The half-life of cellular Spm was calculated to be approximately 24 h in Arabidopsis and 36–48 h in poplar. Both species were able to convert Spd to Spm and Put, and Spm to Spd and Put. The rates of Spd and Spm catabolism in both species were several-fold slower than those of Put, and the overproduction of Put had only a small effect on the overall rates of turnover of Spd or Spm. There was little effect on the rates of Spd to Spm conversion as well as the conversion of Spm into lower polyamines. While Spm was mainly converted back to Spd and not terminally degraded, Spd was removed from the cells largely through terminal catabolism in both species.     

外源多胺对铜胁迫下水鳖叶片多胺代谢、抗氧化系统和矿质营养元素的影响

采用营养液水培的方法,研究了外源亚精胺(Spd)和精胺(Spm)对Cu胁迫下水鳖叶片3种形态多胺(PAs)、抗氧化系统及营养元素的影响。结果表明:(1)Cu胁迫使水鳖叶片腐胺(Put)急剧积累,Spd和Spm明显下降,从而使(Spd+Spm)/Put比值也随之下降。外源Spd和Spm显著或极显著逆转Cu诱导的PAs变化,抑制Put的积累,缓解Spd和Spm的下降,从而提高了(Spd+Spm)/Put比值。(2)外源Spd和Spm抑制了Cu胁迫诱导的多胺氧化酶(PAO)的增加,缓解了二胺氧化酶(DAO)的下降。(3)与单一Cu胁迫相比,Spd和Spm显著或极显著提高了超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性和抗坏血酸(AsA)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)、游离脯氨酸(Pro)含量,从而降低了超氧阴离子(O2.-)产生速率和过氧化氢(H2O2)含量,极显著降低了丙二醛(MDA)含量,缓解了Cu诱导的氧化胁迫。(4)外源Spd和Spm显著或极显著缓解了Cu胁迫下矿质营养元素吸收平衡的紊乱。以上结果均说明了外施Spd和Spm可增加水鳖对Cu胁迫的耐受性。     

Changes in free polyamine titers and expression of polyamine biosynthetic genes during growth of peach <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> callus

In the present paper, correlation between free polyamines and growth of peach (Prunus persica cv. Yuzora) in vitro callus was investigated. Growth of the callus was divided into three phases based on measurement of fresh weight. Free polyamines, putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd), and spermine (Spm), could be detected during peach callus growth. Changes in free Put titers followed the callus growth rate, as shown by low and stable levels in the first stage, quick increase at the beginning of the second phase, and slow increase in the last phase, whereas fluctuations of Spd and Spm titers were aberrant from that of Put at early stage. Expressions of five key genes involved in polyamine biosynthesis were characterized, in which only the genes leading to Put synthesis, ADC (arginine decarboxylase) and ODC (ornithine decarboxylase), agreed with callus growth and fluctuation of Put titers. Treatment of the callus with D-arginine, an inhibitor of ADC, led to significant growth inhibition and enormous reduction of endogenous Put, coupled with obvious decrease of mRNA levels of ADC and ODC. Exogenous application of Put partially restored the callus growth, along with resumption of endogenous Put and expression levels of ADC and ODC. Spd and Spm titers experienced minor change in comparison to Put. The data presented here suggested that free Put played an important part in peach callus growth. Putative mechanisms or mode of action underlying the role of Put in peach callus growth and different expression patterns of the genes responsible for polyamine biosynthesis are also discussed.     

氯化钠胁迫对南瓜根系游离态多胺含量和活性氧水平的影响

以中国南瓜杂交种‘360.3×112.2’和黑籽南瓜为试验材料,在营养液栽培条件下研究了NaCl胁迫对两种南瓜植株生长、根系活性氧水平和游离态多胺含量的影响.结果表明,NaCl胁迫10 d后,与对照相比,两种南瓜植株生长都受到明显抑制,但中国南瓜杂交种比黑籽南瓜植株的耐盐性强.NaCl胁迫使南瓜根系O₂^-·产生速率和H₂O₂含量提高,且黑籽南瓜的O₂^-·产生速率和H₂O₂含量高于中国南瓜杂交种.两种南瓜根系中腐胺(Put)、亚精胺(Spd)、精胺(Spm)和多胺(PAs)含量及Put/PAs高于对照,并呈现先升后降的趋势;根系中（Spd+Spm）/Put低于对照,呈现先降后升的趋势.中国南瓜杂交种根系中Put含量和Put/PAs低于黑籽南瓜,而Spd、Spm含量和（Spd+Spm）/Put高于黑籽南瓜.表明两种南瓜根系中多胺含量的升高对减少或清除组织中的活性氧有积极作用,Put向Spd、Spm的转化有利于增强植株的耐盐性;中国南瓜杂交种‘360.3×112.2’的耐盐性高于黑籽南瓜与其根系中Put/PAs较低、（Spd+Spm）/Put和PAs含量较高,使其清除活性氧能力较强有关.     

Protective role of exogenous polyamines on salinity-stressed rice (Oryza sativa) plants

Salt-tolerant Pokkali rice plants accumulate higher polyamines (PAs) such as spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm) in response to salinity stress, while the sensitive cultivar M -1–48 is unable to maintain high titres of these PAs under similar conditions. The effects of the triamine Spd and the tetramine Spm on physiological and biochemical changes in 12-day-old rice seedlings were investigated during salinity stress to determine whether they could protect the sensitive plants from stress effects. At physiological concentrations Spd and Spm significantly prevented the leakage of electrolytes and amino acids from roots and shoots induced by salinity stress. To different degrees they also prevented chlorophyll loss, inhibition of photochemical reactions of photosynthesis as well as downregulation of chloroplast-encoded genes like psbA , psbB , psbE and rbcL , indicating a positive correlation between salt tolerance and accumulation of higher PAs in rice. The inhibitory effect of salinity stress and its reversal by exogenous PAs were more pronounced in the salt-sensitive M -1–48 plants than in the tolerant Pokkali plants.     

氯化钠胁迫对嫁接黄瓜叶片多胺含量的影响

以日本耐盐品种‘帝王新土佐’南瓜为砧木,以’新泰密刺’黄瓜为接穗,在100 mmol·L^-1 NaCl胁迫下,对黄瓜嫁接和自根植株不同时期叶片中不同形态多胺含量的变化进行了研究.结果表明：NaCl胁迫下黄瓜嫁接植株游离态腐胺（Put）含量在胁迫2 d时与自根植株无显著差异,其余时间均显著高于自根植株;游离态亚精胺（Spd）和游离态精胺（Spm）含量在整个胁迫期间均显著高于自根植株;游离态多胺总量（PAs）在胁迫第4天出现峰值;嫁接植株游离态Put/PAs值在胁迫4 d时与自根植株无显著差异,其余胁迫时间均显著低于自根植株,而(Spd+Spm)/Put值在整个胁迫期间均显著高于自根植株;嫁接植株结合态和束缚态Put、Spd和Spm含量在整个胁迫期间均显著高于自根植株,结合态和束缚态PAs在胁迫第6天出现峰值;结合态多胺的Put/PAs值和(Spd+Spm)/Put值变化趋势与游离态多胺一致;嫁接植株束缚态Put/PAs值在胁迫6 d时与自根植株无显著差异,其余时间均显著低于自根植株,而(Spd+Spm)/Put值在整个胁迫期间均显著高于自根植株.表明黄瓜嫁接植株表现出较强的耐盐特征.     

Effect of exogenous spermidine on polyamine metabolism in water hyacinth leaves under mercury stress

The influence of exogenous spermidine (Spd) on arginine decarboxylase (ADC), ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), polyamine oxidase (PAO) activities and polyamines (PAs), proline contents in water hyacinth leaves under Mercury (Hg) stress was investigated after 6 days treatment. The results showed that free putrescine (Put) content increased, the contents of free spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm) and the (Spd + Spm)/Put ratio in water hyacinth leaves decreased significantly with the increase of the Hg concentrations. Hg stress also disturbed the activities of ADC, ODC and PAO and caused changes on proline content. Compared to the Hg-treatment only, exogenous Spd (0.1 mM) significantly reduced the accumulation of free Put, increased the contents of free Spd and Spm and the ratio of (Spd + Spm)/Put in water hyacinth leaves. Furthermore, exogenous Spd enhanced the activities of ADC, ODC and PAO and significantly increased proline content. The PS-conjugated PAs and PIS-bound PAs changed in the same trend as free PAs. These results suggest that exogenous Spd can alleviate the metabolic disturbance of polyamines caused by Hg in water hyacinth leaves.     

Involvement of polyamines,abscisic acid and anti-oxidative enzymes in adaptation of Blue Panicgrass (Panicum antidotale Retz.) to saline environments

A hydroponic experiment was conducted to assess the possible involvement of polyamines (PAs), abscisic acid (ABA) and anti-oxidative enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) in adaptation of six populations of Panicum antidotale Retz. to selection pressure (soil salinity) of a wide range of habitats. Plants of six populations were collected from six different habitats with ECe ranging from 3.39 to 19.23 dS m⁻¹ and pH from 7.65 to 5.86. Young tillers from 6-month-old plants were transplanted in plastic containers each containing 10 l of half strength Hoagland's nutrient solution alone or with 150 mol m⁻³ NaCl. After 42 days growth, contents of polyamines (Put, Spd and Spm) and ABA, and the activities of anti-oxidative enzymes (SOD, POD and CAT) of all populations generally increased under salt stress. The populations collected from highly saline habitats showed a greater accumulation of polyamines and ABA and the activities of anti-oxidative enzymes as compared to those from mild or non-saline habitats. Moreover, Spm/Spd and Put/(Spd + Spm) ratios generally increased under salt stress. However, the populations from highly saline environments had significantly higher Spm/Spd and Put/(Spd + Spm) ratios as compared to those from mild or non-saline environments. Similarly, the populations adapted to high salinity accumulated less Na⁺ and Cl⁻ in culm and leaves, and showed less decrease in leaf K⁺ and Ca²⁺ under salinity stress. Higher activities of anti-oxidative enzymes and accumulation of polyamines and ABA, and increased Spm/Spd and Put/(Spm + Spd) ratios were found to be highly correlated with the degree of adaptability of Panicum to saline environment.     

Role of polyamines in adventitious shoot morphogenesis from cotyledons of cucumber <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis>

The relationship between polyamines (PAs) metabolism and adventitious shoot morphogenesis from cotyledons of cucumber was investigated in vitro. The endogenous levels of free putrescine (Put) and spermidine (Spd) in the explants decreased sharply, whereas endogenous spermine (Spm) increased during adventitious shoot morphogenesis. The presence of 1–15 mM Put, 1–2 mM Spd, 0.05–1 mM Spm, 5–10 M aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) or 5 M AVG together with 50 M 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) in the regeneration medium could promote adventitious shoot formation. Conversely, 1–5 mM D-arginine (D-Arg) or 0.01–0.1 mM methylglyoxal bis-guganylhydrazone (MGBG) inhibited regeneration; and 0.005–0.05 mM ACC displayed little or no evident effects. The explants growing on medium containing 5 M AVG produced higher levels of free Put and Spm, and on medium containing 5 mM Put the explants responded similarly to the AVG-treated explants. However, the exogenous use of 1 mM D-Arg reduced the levels of Put, Spd and Spm, and 0.1 mM MGBG reduced the levels of free Spd and Spm. Moreover, although the explants cultured on medium containing Put and MGBG enhanced ethylene production, AVG and D-Arg inhibited ethylene biosynthesis. This study shows the PAs requirement for the formation of adventitious shoot from cotyledons of cucumber in vitro and the enhanced adventitious shoot morphogenesis may be associated with the elevated level of endogenous free Spm, albeit the promotive effect of PAs on adventitious shoot morphogenesis may not be related to ethylene metabolism.