Polyamines (PAs), low molecular mass polycations, are ubiquitous cell components that are essential for normal growth of both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. Most of the biological functions of PAs can be explained by their polycationic nature, which facilitates interactions with anionic macromolecules (such as DNA and RNA) and negatively charged groups of membranes.
Higher polyamine levels of fully developed embryos had positive effects on their ability to tolerate UV-B irradiation when compared with induced response s of early embryos. The aim of this work was to test the hypothesis that the higher levels of polyamines (PAs) might be involved in the response of Norway spruce somatic embryos to UV-B irradiation. We compare here the effects of 0.1, 0.6 and 6 W m-2 h-1 UV-B irradiation on polyamine metabolism in early and fully developed Norway spruce somatic embryos.
Key message The results of this study indicate the roles of polyamines and phenylpropanoids in the prevention of oxidative damage provoked by UV-B treatment. Abstract Plants respond to UV-B exposure by synthesizing a broad range of secondary metabolites, including ROSscavenging antioxidants and UV-B screening phenylpropanoids. Our recent results indicated that the accumulation of higher levels of polyamines in fully developed somatic embryos of Norway spruce may be causally linked to better tolerance of UV-B irradiation.
