Abstract Detail
Growth and Vegetative Development Ihonor, Pamela [1], Gana, Joyce Ache [2]. Beta amylase localization in bark tissues of alfalfa taproots. Alfalfa accumulates large quantities of starch in its taproots, which is degraded upon exposure to defoliation stress. Starch degradation pathways in alfalfa taproots are not well characterized. Starch is degraded to maltose moieties by beta amylase. The involvement of beta amylase in starch breakdown in alfalfa roots is still uncertain because of its usual pattern of accumulation and disappearance after defoliation. Cellular localization of beta amylase may shed light of its function in alfalfa roots. Our objective was to determine the cellular localization of beta amylase in cells of the bark tissues in alfalfa roots during periods of starch decline. Alfalfa cv 5454 was grown to flowering; one half of the plants was defoliated and compared to the control undefoliated plants. Root sections were obtained from both defoliated and control plants 12 days after defoliation. Sections were cross-reacted with polyclonal antibody to sweet potato beta amylase and 10nm gold conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG secondary antibody. Gold particles were detected by transmission electron microscopy. Gold particles were localized to the cytoplasm in cells derived from both defoliated and undefoliated plants. We have previously demonstrated alteration of amyloplast in cells of defoliated plants. Our results reveal that in the course of starch degradation, amyloplast is degraded exposing starch to the isoform of beta amylase we have localized to the cytoplasm.
Log in to add this item to your schedule
1 - Chicago state university, Biological sciences, Sci 310, Chicago, Illinois, 60628, United states of america
2 - Chicago state university, Biological sciences
Keywords:
beta-amylase
defoliation.
Presentation Type: Plant Biology Abstract
Session: P
Location: Exhibit Hall (Northeast, Southwest & Southeast)/Hilton
Date: Sunday, July 8th, 2007
Time: 8:00 AM
Number: P26059
Abstract ID:1996 | 