Changes in antioxidant enzyme activities and protein profileduring different stages of somatic embryogenesis in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.)var 93v297

The present study describe about direct somatic embryogenesis and investigations on antioxidant enzyme activities during somatic embryogenesis in sugarcane. Somatic embryos were produced directly from the cut end of spindle leaf explants on MS medium (Murashige and Skoog’s, 1962) containing different concentrations of 2, 4- dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) alone or in combination with Kinetin (Kn). Maximum number (41.07±0.89) of somatic embryos were observed on MS medium augmented with 5.0mg/l 2, 4-D + 0.5mg/l Kn. Activities of antioxidant enzyme viz., Ascorbate peroxidase, Peroxidase, Catalase and Superoxide dismutase wasestimated during developmental stages (10, 20, 40 and 50 days) of somatic embryogenesis. Increased levels of APX and POX activity was observedduring initiation of embryos and small increase in activity till heart shaped and torpedo stage embryo formation, while SOD and CAT activitiesshown low levels of activity at embryo initiation stages andincreased steadily during heart and late heart-shaped embryo formation. This indicates tissue specific activation of these enzymes had occurred at different stages of embryo development. Protein profile shown one specific protein band with molecular weight of 27.4 kD appeared during globular, heart and torpedo stages of embryogenesis. However these bands disappeared during germination of embryos. And protein with molecular weight 36.8 kD was appeared from heart to germination stage of SE. therefore the present study may help in identification of specific proteins and role ofantioxidant enzymes during different stages of somatic embryo induction in sugarcane.