Polypeptides of cultured melon cotyledons serve as markers of root and shoot organogenesis

Abstract

Summary We employed one dimensional SDS-PAGE to analyse changes in the protein profiles of melon ( Cucumis melo L.) seedlings or of detached cotyledons cultured on media that induced the formation of either roots or shoots in order to identify any biochemical events that could serve as markers for organ regeneration. We found that a group of polypeptides having molecular weights of 20-25 kDa correlated well with organogenesis. When these polypeptides were expressed for more than 3 days and cotyledons were cultured on an auxin containing medium, roots were regenerated. When the polypeptides were present for 3 days only or less and cotyledons were cultured on a cytokinin containing medium, shoots were regenerated.