Failed expression of an endo-β-1,4-glucanhydrolase (cellulase) in a non-abscinding mutant of Lupinus angustifolius cv Danja

Abstract

Cellulase expressions in a normal shedding wild-type and a non-abscinding single gene mutant of Lupinus angustifolius have been studied during ethylene treatments of leaf abscission zone explants. Of the range of different glycohydrolases investigated only the abscission cell-specific β-1,4-glucanhydrolase (cellulase) was not produced in the non-abscinding mutant. An endo-polygalacturonase was induced equally in both wild-type and mutant and other glycohydrolases were equally up-regulated. The abscission cell-specific cellulase induced at shedding of wild-type is antigenically similar to the Phaseolus vulgaris induced leaf abscission pI 9.5 cellulase but with a higher molecular mass (50 kD compared with 48 kD) and like the bean abscission-specific cellulase that of lupin is not glycosylated. Causes of the loss of function of cellulase expression in the non-shedding mutant are discussed.