Detection of de novo β-glucosidase (ec 3.2.1.21)‎ enzyme activity in tomato (solanum lycopersicum L.)‎ in 4-methylumbelliferyl ß-d-glucoside zymograms

Abstract EN

This study was conducted to detect β-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.21) enzymes in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.).

While no previous reports are available to describe β-glucosidases in tomato, maize (Zea mays L.) was used as a reference.

Total plant proteins were isolated from different tomato organs (young seedlings, young leaves, old leaves, roots, green immature fruits, red mature fruits) and from maize etiolated seedlings.

Furthermore, maize recombinant β-glucosidase 1 (rGlu1) was used.

Soluble protein fractions were subjected to subsequent 35 % and 65 % ammonium sulfate precipitation.

To detect potential enzymatic activities, gels (native and denaturing) were incubated with 4-methylumbelliferyl ß-D-glucoside (4-MUGlc).

Only tomato young leaf zymogram showed positive 4-MUGlc hydrolysis as compared to maize native and rGlu1.

The herein described results suggest, for the first time, the presence of at least one β-glucosidase in tomato.

Although no signs of 4-MUGlc hydrolysis could be resolved for other tomato tissues, further β-glucosidases are presumably present, however, they may utilize different untested substrates.