Biochemical genetics of some seed proteins of Pinus radiata

Langridge, Peter; Moran, G. F.; Brown, A. H. D.

doi:10.1007/bf00484628

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

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“…This cycad, which has been included in the prephanerogams, a relict group of ancient gymnosperms, was found to have a unique 10 this protein is similar to other known globulin proteins in its isoelectric point range (6 to 7.5) and amino acid composition, structurally it is quite different from globulins identified in other gymnosperms (18) or angiosperms (14).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 77%

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Biochemistry of Fern Spore Germination: Globulin Storage Proteins in Matteuccia struthiopteris L.

Templeman

DeMaggio²,

Stetler³

1987

Plant Physiol.

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Two globulin storage proteins have been identified in spores of the ostrich fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris (L.) Todaro. The two proteins comprise a significant amount of the total spore protein, are predominantly salt-soluble, and can be extracted by other solvents to a limited extent. The large 113 Svedberg unit (S) globulin is composed of five polypeptides with molecular weights of 21,000, 22,000, 24,000, 28,000 and 30,000. Each polypeptide has several isoelectric point (pI) variants between pH 5 and 7. The small 2.2S storage protein has a pI > 10.5 and is composed of at least two major polypeptides of 6,000 and 14,000 Mr. Some pertinent information concerning storage proteins in the spores of bacteria and algae is available. Bacteria contain storage proteins that accumulate in large quantities during spore development (26). In Anabaena cylindrica, a cyanobacterium, a storage polypeptide has been identified that is sequestered during spore formation and stationary phase cultures (27,28). In both cases, the function of the storage proteins is similar to that of seeds, providing a readily accessible source of nitrogen upon the resumption of growth.Lower vascular plants also have been shown to contain storage proteins. Reports have described storage protein decline in fern spores during imbibition and germination (22,24). However, since no fern spore storage proteins have been isolated and characterized, the developmental role of these proteins remains unclear.Gymnosperms, a group that contains many higher vascular plants of ancient lineage, contain seed storage proteins within haploid megagametophyte tissue. While investigators have identified storage proteins in various pine species (13, 18), only in the cycad, Macrozamia communis, has gymnosperm storage protein been isolated and partially characterized (1).Clearly more work is required with primitive plant groups in order to determine whether the formation of ancestral storage protein genes occurred before higher vascular plants arose. This paper describes research concerned with the identification, partial characterization, and localization of the principal storage proteins in the spores of the ostrich fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris. The qualitative and quantitative data presented here indicate that fern spores have protein bodies containing globulin storage proteins that are biochemically similar to certain angiosperm seed storage proteins. MATERIALS AND METHODSPlant Material. Mature fertile leaves of Matteuccia struthiopteris (L.) Todaro were collected from several locations in Hanover, NH, in late autumn and spores were released by repeatedly soaking the leaves in water and then drying them at room temperature. Spores were separated from associated organic debris using an Allen Bradley sonic sifter and stored in dark bottles at 4°C. For germination time course studies, 200 mg spores were placed in 100 ml of distilled H20 in a 1-L Erlenmeyer flask and maintained on a 12 h light-dark cycle at 25°C in a growth chamber. Illumination (250 ft-c = 40 AE...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 77%

“…While investigators have identified storage proteins in various pine species (13,18), only in the cycad, Macrozamia communis, has gymnosperm storage protein been isolated and partially characterized (1).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%