TREHALASE ACTIVITY IN PLANT-TISSUE CULTURES

Trehalose degradation was examined in homogenates of callus and cell suspension cultures. Stable, high trehalase activity was found in three wheat lines, jack pine, and Selaginella lepidophylla. Stable, low trehalase activity was found in alfalfa, black Mexican sweet corn, sunflower, and white spruce. Labile, moderate activities were found in two different suspensions of canola. No trehalase activity was found in barley, bromegrass, soybean and black spruce. Trehalose degrading activities (except in canola) were inhibited by using validamycin as a specific trehalase inhibition. These results demonstrate that trehalase activity is not confined to seed or pollen in higher plants nor is it due to fungal contamination. © 1990.