Biochemical comparisons of habituated and non-habituated callus lines of Glycine max (L.) cv. Acme

A cytokinin habituated non-organogenic callus line of Glycine max L. cv. Acme, was isolated. Cytokinins were detected in both non- and habituated calli. HPLC analysis indicated that the highest biological activity was associated with compounds that cochromatographed with zeatin and derivatives thereof. Cytokinin-like activity in the habituated callus was higher than in the non-habituated callus. No difference was observed in the ability of the two callus types to metabolise trans-zeatin. The habituated callus however, metabolised N⁶(²-isopentenyl)adenine (iP)at a slower rate than the non-habituated line. The regulation of proline and putrescine levels during the growth cycle was similar in both callus types, although less proline was present in the habituated than the non-habituated callus. In both callus types a decrease in putrescine levels was accompanied by an increase in the proline levels on day 21 of the growth cycle. Neither spermine nor spermidine were detected in either the habituated or non-habituated lines. A comparison of the total RNA levels of the habituated and non-habituated material revealed higher RNA levels in the non-habituated than the habituated line. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis indicated the presence of 3 polypeptides in the habituated callus on day 13 of the growth cycle. These were not detected in the non-habituated callus, of similar age.Abbreviations Ade Adenine - DTT 1,4-dithiothreitol - IEF isoelectrofocussing - iP N⁶(²-isopentenyl)adenine - NAA -Naphthaleneacetic acid - SDS Sodium dodecyl sulphate