A comparative study of embryogenic and non-embryogenic cell cultures in Picea abies (L.) Karst.

Embryogenic cell cultures (or ESMs’,for embryonal-suspensor masses) and non embryogenic cultures (or ‘NEC’ for non embryogenic calli) have been initiated from young cotyledons in Picea abies (L.) Karst and separately multiplied for over two years. In order to better understand their physiological peculiarities, two molecular approaches were followed. First, bidimensional electrophoreses were used for comparing the polypeptide patterns in ESMs and NEC. Multiple extracellular polypeptides appeared specific to the embryogenic cell cultures, while several intracellular polypeptides were only observed in the non embryogenic calli, cultivated in the light or in darkness. Second, a mitochondrial DNA library was constructed in Picea abies and 168plasmid clones were used as RFLP probes for comparing the structure of the mitochondrial genome in the two types of cell material. Two probes detected extensive and qualitative DNA polymorphisms between embryogenic and non embryogenic cell cultures. Interestingly, the mtDNA pattern in ESMs was distinct from that of the corresponding mother plants (as defined in buds and needles), but apparent reversion to the mother plant pattern was observed upon embryo maturation. When comparing ESMs or NEC between genotypes, the two mtDNA probes detected extensive polymorphism, while the protein markers seemed to be genotype-independent

Programme Epicea commun Sylviculture et multiplication des varietes clonales

Available from INIST (FR), Document Supply Service, under shelf-number : RP 14543 / INIST-CNRS - Institut de l'Information Scientifique et TechniqueSIGLEMinistere de l'Agriculture et de la Peche, 75 - Paris (France)FRFranc