The Role of Arabinogalactan Proteins in Morphogenesis of Centaurium erythraea Rafn In Vitro

Abstract

Histochemical localization using the β-Glc Yariv reagent and immuno-localization with arabinogalactan protein (AGP) reactive antibodies (LM2, JIM13, JIM15, JIM16, MAC207) were performed during morphogenic induction in root cultures of Centaurium erythraea Rafn cultured on half-strength MS medium without plant growth regulators. The observations revealed that β-Glc Yariv reagent specifically bound to AGPs in cells of the root epidermis and central cylinder. Monoclonal antibodies recognizing AGPs were localized in epidermal cells and cells of the central cylinder (LM2, JIM16), vascular tissue (JIM15), globular somatic embryos (LM2, MAC207), and de novo-formed meristematic centers in the root cortex (JIM16). The effect of β-Glc Yariv reagent was investigated after supplementation (0-75 µM) in the culture medium. The morphogenetic potential was increased at lower concentrations (15-25 µM) of treatment with β-Glc Yariv reagent but inhibited (40%) at the highest concentration. These results implicate that AGPs play a significant role during the development of somatic embryos and adventitious shoots in root cultures of C. erythraea.