The influence of glutamine on growth and viability of cell suspension cultures of Douglas-fir after exposure to polyethylene glycol.

The response of cell cultures of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) to osmotic stress was studied by measuring cell growth and viability after exposure to polyethylene glycol (PEG) (M(r) 6000-8000). Growth of cells inoculated in a medium containing 10% PEG was slightly inhibited, whereas growth in a medium containing 15% PEG was severely inhibited. Cells grown for 6 days in nutrient medium and then subcultured in a medium containing 15% PEG to induce water stress showed high viabilities, whereas cells grown for longer than 6 days before exposure to PEG showed decreased viabilities after subculture. Cells grown in medium containing 30 mM glutamine were significantly more resistant to PEG-induced water stress, as measured by viability, than cells grown in medium without glutamine.