Effects of NDA, a new plant growth retardant, on cell culture growth ofZea mays L.

Abstract

A new plant growth retardant, the norbornenodiazetine derivative 5-(4-chlorophenyl) - 3,4,5,9,10 - pentaaza - tetracyclo - 5,4,1,0^2.6,0^8.11- dodeca - 3,9 - diene (NDA) was tested for its effects on growth ofZea mays suspension cultures. It was shown that NDA could inhibit cell division almost completely at a concentration of 5× 10⁻⁵ M, while 80% of cells could be considered viable. Tracer experiments revealed that NDA inhibited thymidine, uridine, and leucine uptake into cells after 30 min of application. In contrast, amino acid incorporation into proteins was reduced only after one day of treatment and incorporation of precursors into DNA and RNA still later. Since NDA stimulated DNase, RNase, and protease activity in the cells simultaneously, an enhancement of DNA and RNA in cells possibly was prevented. That NDA affected protein synthesis indirectly seemed to be proved by the late point in time of its action on leucine incorporation and by only slight effects on cell free translation. An explanation of these findings could be an alteration in or inhibition of sterol biosynthesis caused by NDA, because it is known that sterols play an important role in controlling permeability of plant membranes as well as in maintaining normal protein synthesis. Thus we tested NDA for its effects on sterol production in maize cells and demonstrated that the composition of the sterol fraction, mainly stigmasterol and β-sitosterol, was clearly changed qualitatively as well as quantitatively.