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Plant Physiol, September 2000, Vol. 124, pp. 231-242
An Increase in Pectin Methyl Esterase Activity Accompanies
Dormancy Breakage and Germination of Yellow Cedar
Seeds1
Chengwei
Ren and
Allison R.
Kermode*
Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5A 1S6
Pectin methyl esterase (PME) (EC 3.1.1.11) catalyzes the hydrolysis
of methylester groups of cell wall pectins. We investigated the role of
this enzyme in dormancy termination and germination of yellow cedar
(Chamaecyparis nootkatensis [D. Don] Spach)
seeds. PME activity was not detected in dormant seeds of yellow cedar but was induced and gradually increased during moist chilling; high
activity coincided with dormancy breakage and germination. PME activity
was positively correlated to the degree of dormancy breakage of yellow
cedar seeds. The enzyme produced in different seed parts and in seeds
at different times during moist chilling, germination, and early
post-germinative growth consisted of two isoforms, both basic with
isoelectric points of 8.7 and 8.9 and the same molecular mass of 62 kD.
The pH optimum for the enzyme was between 7.4 and 8.4. In intact yellow
cedar seeds, activities of the two basic isoforms of PME that were
induced in embryos and in megagametophytes following dormancy breakage
were significantly suppressed by abscisic acid. Gibberellic acid had a
stimulatory effect on the activities of these isoforms in embryos and
megagametophytes of intact seeds at the germinative stage. We
hypothesize that PME plays a role in weakening of the megagametophyte,
allowing radicle emergence and the completion of germination.
1
This work was supported by the Forest Renewal
B.C. (grant no. HQ96232-RE to A.R.K.).
*
Corresponding author; e-mail kermode{at}sfu.ca; fax 604-291-3496.
© 2000 American Society of Plant Physiologists
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