Effect of acetolactate synthase inhibitor on mitotic index, free amino acids profile and differential protein expression of Vicia faba plants

Abstract

Effect of ALS inhibitor on the profile of free amino acids, soluble proteins and mitosis of Vicia faba plants Noha S. Khalifa Ain shams University, Faculty of Science, Botany Department, Cell and Genetics Unit, Cairo, Egypt. Nohakhalifa@hotmail.com English Abstract Abstract The enzyme Acetolactate synthase (ALS) is responsible for the first step in the synthesis of the branched chain amino acids: leucine, isoleucine and valine. ALS inhibitors can slowly starve affected plants of these amino acids and eventually lead to their death. Therefore, ALS inhibitors can be used as safe herbicides due to the absence of ALS pathway in animals and humans. Methyl 2-(((((4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl) methylamino) carbonyl) amino) sulfonyl) benzoate, or so called commercially granstar 75, is a chemical belongs to this group of herbicides. In this study, the root cells of Vicia faba L. var. Giza blanca were used as a reference tool to determine the short term effect of granstar 75 on treated cells. Five days old seedlings were treated with 0, 0.5 R, 1 R, 1.5 R, 3 R and 6 R concentrations of this chemical for 24 & 36 h. It is note worthy to mention that plants treated with 6R and 3R doses died 3 weeks to a month after the treatment while the effect was reversible at lower concentrations when plants were recovered. The mitotic index and chromosomal abnormalities were determined in treated roots using Fuelgen squash technique. On the other hand, seeds of treated plants were subjected to analysis for measuring the level of free amino acids using amino acid analyzer. In addition, the profile of protein banding patterns was compared using SDS-PAGE protein electrophoresis. The results of these analyses will be further discussed