PROTEASES FROM CELL-SUSPENSION CULTURES OF CYNARA-CARDUNCULUS

Cell suspension cultures established from hypocotyl segments of Cynara cardunculus have shown different growth patterns in B5 medium and TNO3- medium. The former medium is adequate for biomass production, while the latter promotes the synthesis of proteases. These proteases have shown different properties from those of flower cynarases. They are inhibited by leupeptin and cystatin at low inhibitor concentrations, and do not react with cynarase 3 antibodies. A high heterogeneity was found in the cell suspension culture proteases. Western blot analysis together with Northern hybridization experiments have shown that the flower-specific cynarases are not expressed in these suspension cultured cells.