Cell wall formation by soybean callus protoplasts

Abstract

Protoplasts isolated from soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) callus and cultured for 40 h developed a wall which could be seen on plasmolysis. They changed shape, producing buds, and became osmotically stable. Analysis after feeding radioactive glucose showed that the regenerated wall was devoid of pectin which was in the medium. Budding occurs because of the loss of pectin and the observations assist understanding of wall expansion and growth in normal plant cells. The complete molecule of weakly acidic pectinic acid was secreted, precluding the possibility of its assembly in the wall.