Effects of osmotic stress on the kinds, forms and levels of polyamines in wheat coleoptiles.

The changes in levels and forms of polyamine (Pa) in the coleoptiles of two wheat (triticum aestivum L.) cultivars differing in drought tolerance were investigated under osmotic stress. The drought-tolerant 'Yumai 18' showed marked increases in free spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm) levels in coleoptiles after being treated with polyethylene glycol (PEG)-6000 for 2 d in the dark, while drought-sensitive 'Yangmai 9' showed a significant increase in free putrescine (Put) content. Treatment of coleoptiles with methylglyoxal-bis (guanylhydrazone) (MGBG), an S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (S-AMDC) inhibitor, resulted in reduction of free Spd and free Spm levels in coleoptiles and aggravation of PEG-induced injury to 'Yumai 18' coleoptile, while exogenous Spd treatment resulted in an increase in free Spd + free Spm content of coleoptiles, and an alleviation of PEG-induced injury to 'Yangmai 9' coleoptile. Osmotic stress induced significant increases in perchloric acid-soluble conjugated PA (PS conjugated PA) and perchloric acid-insoluble conjugated PA (PIS conjugated PA) levels in coleoptiles of 'Yumai 18' whereas osmotic stress affected only slightly the PS-conjugated PA and PIS-conjugated PA levels in 'Yangmai 9' coleoptiles. Treatment of coleoptiles with phenanthroline (o-Phen), an inhibitor of transglutaminase (TGase), also aggravated the PEG-induced injury to 'Yumai 18' coleoptiles, accompanied by the decreases in the level of PIS-conjugated PA. These results suggest that free Spd, free Spm and conjugated PA enhance the osmotic stress tolerance of wheat coleoptiles.