STUDIES ON PLANT-CELL FUSION - EFFECTS OF DEXTRAN AND PRONASE-E ON FUSION

In order to clarify conditions of plant cell fusion, dextrans with various molecules were examined with protoplasts of different developmental stages. Dextrans were not toxic for protoplasts and high molecular dextran is possible to induce both protoplast aggregation and fusion by adding electrolyte such as inorganic salts. Fusion occurred among young leaf protoplasts more frequently than among those of old leaf. Fusion frequncies were enhanced by pronase E treatment of protoplasts, even among old leaf protoplasts. As the times went by after stopping pronase E treatment, fusion frequencies decreased by degrees. These facts appeared that protein accumlated during ageing of cells on plasmamembrane and played a part in preventing plant cells from fusion. © 1979, Japan Mendel Society, International Society of Cytology. All rights reserved.