Defence responses induced in embryogenic cultures of Norway spruce by two fractions of Gremmeniella abietina mycelia
Abstract
We have examined defence responses in embryogenic cell suspension cultures of Norway spruce elicited by intracellular protein and wall fractions prepared from mycelia of the fungus Gremmeniella abietina (Lagerberg), focusing on changes in levels of phenolics (soluble and cell wall-bound), polyamines and activities of enzymes that catalyse important steps in their metabolism: phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL, EC 4.3.1.5) and diamine oxidase (DAO, EC 1.4.3.6), respectively. Treatment with both preparations induced increases in the spruce cells total contents of phenolic acids and polyamines but they responded more rapidly to WF than to PF.
Results demonstrate that both intracellular protein and cell wall fractions prepared from A. abietina mycelium elicit changes in the metabolism of phenylpropanoids and polyamines, substances that are known to be heavily involved in the defence responses of plants to pathogens.