Maria de Fátima Pires da Silva Machado

MICROPROPAGATION OF CEREUS PERUVIANUS MILL. (CACTACEAE) BY AREOLE ACTIVATION

SummaryCurrently,Cereus peruvianus plants can be rapidly clonedin vitro via adventitious organogenesis using callus cultures; however, somaclonal variation is a problem. A method is described herein using lateral bud explants to produce multiple shoots for clonal propagation. Apical and lateral explants were cultured on MS (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) media with factorial combinations of the auxins indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), and cytokinins 6-ben-zyladenine (BA) and N-(2-furanyl-methyl)-1-purine-6 amine (kinetin) at the concentrations 0.0, 0.01, 0.1, 1.0 mg“l−1. Positive results were obtained from the lateral explants in all conditions tested, but apical explants did not respond toin vitro multiplication ofC. peruvianus cactus at all growth regulator combinations tested. Formation of axillary shoots inC. peruvianus seems most frequent in medium containing BA at 1.0 mg·l−1 (4.44 μM) and IAA or NAA at 1.0 mg·l−1 (5.71 μM or 5.37 μM respectively), but the frequency of shoot formation in the BA or kinetin and NAA or IAA combinations indicated that any of the combinations tested can be used for multiplication ofC. peruvianus plants regenerated from callus tissue culture. Root formation occurred in all (100%) of the cactus shoots after 9 wk in the same culture medium. All the cacti that developed at the different auxin and cytokin combinations continued growth after transfer to a potting mix of red earth (Paleudult) and ground river sand (1∶1).

Isozyme patterns in callus cultures and in plants regenerated from calli ofCereus peruvianus (Cactaceae)

Electrophoretic patterns for isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH; EC 1.1.1.42), acid phosphatase (ACP; EC 3.1.3.2), peroxidase (PER; EC 1.11.1.7), and esterase (EST; EC 3.1.1.1) isozymes were determined inCereus peruvianus tissues and used as markers of genetic uniformity of calli and of the plants regenerated from callus cultures. One IDH, six ACP, six PER, and six EST isozymes were induced in cultured callus tissues in medium containing three 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and kinetin combinations. Four ACP, two PER, and three EST isozymes were still present in all regenerated plantsin vitro and therefore can be used as markers of theC. peruvianus plants regenerated from callus tissues. The differential patterns of ACP and IDH isozymes and the similar zymograms for PER and EST isozymes presented by callus tissues were used in a comparison of callus tissues cultured for 2 years. The comparative analysis of zymograms within each enzyme system indicated a mean heterogeneity coefficient of 0.33 forC. peruvianus calli cultured for 2 years. Because of the isozyme variations, which developed in culture medium and were transferred to the regenerated plants, the IDH, ACP, PER, and EST enzyme systems can be considered to be good markers for investigating possible genetic variations in plant populations ofC. peruvianus obtainedin vitro from callus culture.

Malate dehydrogenase (MDH; EC 1.1.1.37) isozymes in tissues and callus cultures ofCereus peruvianus (cactaceae)

Malate dehydrogenase (MDH; EC 1.1.1.37) isozymes were investigated in seeds and in seedlings and calli cultures ofC. peruvianus to determine if the changes in MDH isozyme banding patterns could be used as biochemical markers to identify the origin of regenerated plants from callus tissues. Four cytoplasmic MDH isozymes (sMDH), five mitochondrial MDH isozymes (mMDH), and one glyoxysomal MDH isozyme (gMDH) were detected and showed tissue- and stage-specific expression. A relationship of mMDH and gMDH isozyme patterns with callus tissues subcultured in three hormonal combinations and with the plants regenerated from these callus tissues was demonstrated. Furthermore, temperature and mechanical stress were found to be closely related to mMDH-1 activity in callus culture. Therefore, the different patterns of MDH isozymes in the various tissues ofC. peruvianus can be used as biochemical markers for the study of gene expression during development and as powerful tools in monitoring studies on callus cultures.

Functional classification of esterases from leaves of Aspidosperma polyneuron M. Arg. (Apocynaceae)

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis system (PAGE) and inhibition tests for biochemical characterization of a- and b-esterases were used to obtain a functional classification of esterases fromAspidosperma polyneuron. The characterization of a- and b-esterases from young leaves of A. polyneuron by the PAGE system showed fourteen esterase isozymes. The differential staining pattern showed that Est-2 isozyme hydrolyzes b-naphthyl acetate; Est-6, Est-7 and Est-8 isozymes hydrolyze a-naphthyl acetate, and Est-1, Est-3, Est-4, Est-5, Est-9, Est-10, Est-11, Est-12, Est-13, and Est-14 isozymes hydrolyze both a- and b-naphthyl acetate. Inhibition pattern of a- and b-esterases showed that Folidol is a more potent inhibitor that Malathion, while Thiamethoxan (an insecticide with organophosphorus-like action) acts as an Est-4 and Est-6 inhibitor and induces the appearance of Est-5 and Est-7 isozymes as more intensely stained bands. Inhibition tests showed that OPC insecticides inhibit or activate plant esterases. Thus, plant esterases may be used as bioindicators to detect the presence and toxicity of residues of topically applied insecticides in agriculture and may be valuable for monitoring pollutants in the environment.

Isozyme Variability in Plants Regenerated from Calli of Cereus peruvianus (Cactaceae)

Morphological and isozyme variation was observed among plants regenerated from callus cultures of Cereus peruvianus. Different morphological types of shoots (68%) were observed in 4-year-old regenerated plants, while no distinct morphological variants were observed in plants grown from germinated seeds. Isozyme patterns of 633 plants regenerated from calli and of 261 plants grown from germinated seeds showed no variation in isocitrate dehydrogenase isozyme, and the differential sorbitol dehydrogenase, alcohol dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase, and peroxidase isozyme patterns observed in regenerated plants were attributed to nonallelic variation. Allelic variation was detected at three isoesterase loci. The proportion of polymorphic loci for both populations was 13.6% and the deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium for the Est-1 and Est-7 loci observed in somaclones was attributed to the manner in which the regenerant population was established. The high values for genetic identity among regenerant and seed-grown plant populations are in accordance with the low levels of interpopulation genetic divergence. In somaclones of C. peruvianus, morphological divergence was achieved within a short time but was not associated with any isozyme changes and also was not accompanied by biochemical genetic divergence.

In vitro propagation ofCereus peruvianus mill. (cactaceae)

SummaryCereus peruvianus seedlings were used as a source of stem explants to determine the effective conditions for inducing and maintaining callus tissues in a state of rapid growth, as well as to obtain plants regenerated from callus cultures. Factorial combinations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and kinetin in MS medium were tested, and we concluded that the 18.1µM 2,4-D and 18.6 or 27.9µM kinetin combinations were suitable for callus induction. The cactus shoots were produced from the friable callus; root elongation occurred within 2 wk in medium without 2,4-D and with 18.6µM kinetin. This method can be used to rapidly produce manyC. peruvianus plants.Cereus peruvianus seedlings were used as a source of stem explants to determine the effective conditions for inducing and maintaining callus tissues in a state of rapid growth, as well as to obtain plants regenerated from callus cultures. Factorial combinations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and kinetin in MS medium were tested, and we concluded that the 18.1µM 2,4-D and 18.6 or 27.9µM kinetin combinations were suitable for callus induction. The cactus shoots were produced from the friable callus; root elongation occurred within 2 wk in medium without 2,4-D and with 18.6µM kinetin. This method can be used to rapidly produce manyC. peruvianus plants.

Genetic diversity of breeding popcorn lines determined by SSR markers

P1-3 and P8-1 was lowest, while P3-3 and P8-2 were genetically more similar. The cophenetic correlation showed that the Unweighted Pair-Group Method Using Arithmetic Averages (UPGMA) was reliable to discriminate the genotypes in five groups. The clusters were consistent with the estimates of genetic identity. There was a moderate coincidence degree between the groups and genealogy of lines. Higher levels of heterozygosity are expected from crosses between the group containing lines P3-3 and P7-3 with that of P1-3 and P7-4. Crosses between lines P1-3 and P8-1 are also promising.

Differential Esterase Expression in Leaves of Manihot esculenta Crantz Infected with Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis

The polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis system (PAGE) and inhibition tests for biochemical characterization of α- and β-esterases were used to obtain a functional classification of esterases in plants and to show a differential expression of esterases as markers of pathogenesis in cassava plants (Manihot esculenta Crantz). The characterization of α- and β-esterases from leaves of M. esculenta by the PAGE system was possible using an extraction solution containing two phenol-complexing agents (PVP-40 and sodium metabisulfite), three antioxidant agents (EDTA, β-mercaptoethanol, and DTT), and one quinone reducer (ascorbic acid). Fourteen esterase isozymes were detected in young unexpanded leaves of M. esculenta cultivars. The inhibition pattern of α- and β-esterases of M. esculenta showed that Est-9 is an arylesterase, and in the unexpanded leaves of the M. esculenta plants infected with Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis, the Est-7 β-esterase showed the characteristic staining of an α/β-esterase. This differential expression of Est-7 isozyme in young unexpanded leaves of cassava plants can be used as a marker of pathogenesis after infection with X. axonopodis pv. manihotis.

Alkaloid production by callous tissue cultures of Cereus peruvianus (Cactaceae)

The morphologically undifferentiated cells of nonregenerant callous tissue of Cereus peruvianus cultured in the original medium and in medium supplemented with tyrosine were used as an alkaloid source. Comparison of alkaloid production by C. peruvianus plants and by callous tissues indicated that alkaloid levels were almost twice as high in callous tissues as in shoots of C. peruvianus plants. The ratio of alkaloid concentration between mature plant and morphologically und ifferentiated cells of callous tissue was 1∶1.7. A relationship between culture medium containing tyrosine and alkaloid production was also observed in the callous tissues of C. peruvianus. Since increased alkaloid production may be induced by additional factors such as tyrosine, increasing levels of tyrosine or other conditions of the culture medium may be considered factors for inducing higher alkaloid production by C. peruvianus callous tissues.The morphologically undifferentiated cells of nonregenerant callous tissue of Cereus peruvianus cultured in the original medium and in medium supplemented with tyrosine were used as an alkaloid source. Comparison of alkaloid production by C. peruvianus plants and by callous tissues indicated that alkaloid levels were almost twice as high in callous tissues as in shoots of C. peruvianus plants. The ratio of alkaloid concentration between mature plant and morphologically undifferentiated cells of callous tissue was 1:1.7. A relationship between culture medium containing tyrosine and alkaloid production was also observed in the callous tissues of C. peruvianus. Since increased alkaloid production may be induced by additional factors such as tyrosine, increasing levels of tyrosine or other conditions of the culture medium may be considered factors for inducing higher alkaloid production by C. peruvianus callous tissues.

RAPD Markers to Evaluate Callus Tissue of Cereus peruvianus Mill. (Cactaceae) Maintained in Different Growth Regulator Combinations

RAPD markers were used to detect DNA polymorphisms in callus tissues maintained at different auxin and cytokinin combinations. There is a higher level of genetic variablity in callus tissue maintained with the highest kinetin versus2, 4-D concentration. Callus tissues subcultured in a 4.0 mg/L 2,4-D and 4.0 mg/L kinetin combination showed high similarity and can be recommended as more suitable sources for industrial procedures of extraction of natural products such as secondary metabolites since extraction protocols can be easily standardized using genetically uniform materials. The higher genetic diversity in callus tissues of C. peruvianus cultured at 4.0 mg/L 2,4-D and 8.0 mg/L kinetin indicates this tissue as a matrix for in vitro selection of cell lines for higher natural products production. RAPD markers are, therefore, effective tools useful for detecting DNA polymorphism in callus tissue as well as in the DNA identification of callus tissues maintained in different auxin and cytokinin combinations.