Acid phosphatase isoforms in dry seeds and during seedling development in barley (Hordeum vulgare)

Abstract

The acid phosphatase activity in the soluble, membrane, and cell wall fractions from Hordeum vulgare in dry seeds and during seedling development was investigated. The acid phosphatase activities were also assayed in barley roots and coleoptiles at different developmental stages. Electrophoretic patterns of multiple acid phosphatases in seeds, endosperms and embryos, and growing roots and coleoptiles are shown. The enzyme activity shows a rapid decrease in both roots and coleoptiles during growth. Using nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, multiple acid phosphatase forms were found in all the organs examined. However, no qualitative differences in the location of bands were observed between root and coleoptile extract at various stages of development. The coleoptile cell wall fraction showed an acid phosphatase form characterized by a very low electrophoretic mobility that was not found in the soluble fraction. Keywords: barley, Hordeum vulgare L., acid phosphatase, isoforms, seedlings growth.