Abstract
Normal, habituated and transformed in vitro tissue lines of sugar beet (Beta 6ulgaris L.),
horseradish (Armoracia lapathifolia Gilib.) and potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) were studied
with regard to isoesterase patterns. Isoenzymes were separated in gradient gels (5–12%) of
polyacrylamide and by isoelectric focussing in pH range 4–9. 1- and 2-naphtylacetate were
used as substrates of broad spectrum which cover also esterases (arylesterases and carboxylesterases)
reacting with organophosphorous compounds. Distinct isoesterase patterns
were noticed in sugar beet normal, habituated and crown gall tumour tissues. Horseradish
tumour and teratoma, on the contrary, differed only in one anodic isoenzyme. Even the
malformed shoots and unorganised tissue of teratoma had the same patterns. In potato tuber
tissue, change in isoesterase pattern, characterised by disappearance of a dominant dark
area, was observed during tumour development. The gradient gels gave more stable and
reproducible isoenzyme patterns than isoelectric focussing. © 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland
Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Isoesterases; Plant development; Tissue cultur