Effect of “External” Superoxide Anion on Apoptosis in Coleoptiles of Wheat Seedlings

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A. A. Vorobjev¹, E. G. Smirnova², L. E. Bakeeva¹, and L. S. Yaguzhinsky^1*

¹Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119899 Moscow, Russia; fax: (7-095) 939-3181; E-mail: yag@genebee.msu.ru

²Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Timiryazevskaya ul. 42, 127550 Moscow, Russia

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received August 30, 2004; Revision received November 19, 2004

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A derivative of phthalic acid, dibutylphthalate (DBP), which has gametocidal effect at the concentration of ~10^-4 M, increased apoptosis in coleoptiles of wheat seedlings. This was associated with activation of chromatin margination and generation of mitochondria-containing vesicles. At the same concentration, DBP activated the release by the coleoptiles of superoxide anion into the environment. Lower (10^-5 M) and higher (10^-3 M) concentrations of DBP virtually had no effect on either process. A probable mechanism of effect of the “external” superoxide anion on apoptosis within the plant cell is discussed.

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KEY WORDS: wheat seedlings, apoptosis, superoxide anion, mitochondrial ultrastructure

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