Abstract
Cell Cultures initiated from the stem and roots of chick pea (Cicer arietinum L.) seedlings consistently developed a ß-glycosidase pattern which was totally different
from that of either plant organ. After approximately one year of cultivation in suspension
an invariable ß-glycosidase pattern was achieved by the cell cultures; this pattern
was identical to that of an already eight years old culture.
The isoflavone 7-glucoside specific ß-lucosidase, which is present in large amounts
in the differentiated plant organs, is only a minor component in the cell cultures.
The isoflavone 7-apiosylglucoside specific ß-glycosidase, which is present in stem
and leaves of chick pea, is entirely absent from the cultures. On the other hand,
several other ß-glycosidases are accumulated in the cell cultures in large amounts,
whereas they are only detected with great difficulty in whole plants. The physiological
roles of most of these ß-glycosidases are as yet unknown. However, one of these was
demonstrated to possess specificity for coniferin, which suggests its involvement
in lignification.
The isoenzyme pattern of the isoflavone 7-glucoside specific ß-glucosidase of chick
pea cell cultures is quantitatively different from that of leaves, stem and roots.
Key Word Index
Cicer arietinum - Leguminosae - Cell Cultures - ß-Glycosidases - Substrate Specificity
- Isoenzyme Pattern.
