Specific activity of thymidine nucleotide biosynthetic enzymes in hairy roots extracts of Sesamum indicum L. transformed by two strains of Agrobacteruim rhizogenes

Abstract

The study concluded induction of transformed hairy roots from leaves and decapitated seedlings of Sesamum indicum L. using two strains of Agrobacterium rhizogenes considered as natural vector of transformation. The strain R1601 stimulated roots on leaves and seedlings during 20 days of inoculation placed on solidified Arnon and Hoagland medium. Whereas they involved 12 days when inoculated with the strain R15834. Generally strain R15834 was efficient in inducing these roots and their numbers than strain R1601 which approached 54.4% and 41.6% respectively. The results indicated an increase in the specific activity of enzymes Thymidlate synthase (TS), Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), Serine hydroxy methyl transfrase (SHMT) in extract of transformed hairy roots producing agropine by stain R15834 and approach 4.610, 1.057, 0.480 µmolmin mg of protein respectively compared with the activity of 1.256, 0.097, 0.125µ molmin mg in the control samples. This was coupled with an increase in amount of DNA and RNA that approached 105, 1020 µg per gram respectively compared to 44, 462 µg per gram in control samples. The transformation of these hairy roots was pointed out through the separation of agropine spots from their extracts when electrophoreted in the presence of standared agropine.