ACTIVITY AND COMPONENT COMPOSITION OF DEFENSE PROTEINS IN GRAIN AND SEEDLINGS OF WHEAT, BARLEY AND OATS

Abstract

The aim of the work was a comparative study of the activity level and composition of β-1,3-glucanase, chitinase, peroxidase and protease inhibitors in grains and seedlings of wheat, barley and oats. These proteins play an important physiological role and are also involved in plant defense against pathogens. Experiments on germination, isolation, and analysis of proteins were carried out under the same conditions, which contributed to an objective assessment of the defense potential of the studied cereals. Barley grains and seedlings were characterized by the highest activity and degree of heterogeneity at IEF β-1,3-glucanase, while oats were characterized by a relatively low level of the enzyme. Oat grains and seedlings had high chitinase activity. The activity and isozymic composition of POX varied greatly among the three cereals, both in dormant grains and in the organs of the seedling. Wheat grains had the highest content of protease inhibitors, whereas oats had the lowest content. The studied properties of enzymes and inhibitors in normal conditions as a constitutive can be useful in studying their variability and induction of new isoforms under stressful conditions, including those caused by pathogens. These data can also be used to evaluate some quality characteristics of grain.