The role of chitinases and glucanases in somatic embryogenesis of black pine and hybrid firs

Glucanase and chitinase enzymes play an important role in different plant processes including defense against pathogens and morphogenesis. Moreover, their role in the processes of somatic embryogenesis has been demonstrated. It has been suggested, that the presence of this type of proteins might be a marker for embryogenic potential of callus cultures. In this work we screened for the presence of glucanases and chitinases in liquid growth media of a set of conifer embryogenic cell lines in order to find correlation with their embryogenic potential. We have found that none of the 12 chitinase isoforms detected in culture media of Pinus nigra Arn. or the nine chitinases detected in media with Abies alba x A. cephalonica and Abies alba x A. numidica embryogenic tissues could be linked to their embryogenic capacity. Similarly, none of the six glucanase isoforms detected in the extracellular fluid of Pinus nigra Arn. cultures can be assigned as a marker of embryogenic potential. Thus, our data indicate the large variability and doubtless importance of glucanases and chitinases for cell growth and development of somatic embryos, however, do not support the premise that they are markers of embryogenesis.