木薯MeHDS2基因的克隆与分析

采用RT-PCR技术,从木薯SC124 cDNA中克隆得到一个具有完整阅读框的基因,命名为MeHDS2,该基因全长2 529 bp,编码842个氨基酸。蛋白质保守结构域分析结果表明,MeHDS2蛋白含有保守的1个HD结构域、1个b-zip结构域、1个START结构域和1个MEKHLA结构域;蛋白质空间结构预测显示其具有3个典型的α螺旋结构;亚细胞定位结果表明,MeHDS2蛋白在植物细胞核中特异表达,因此,推测其为HD-ZIP转录因子家族中的一员。基因表达分析结果表明,MeHDS2基因在木薯根、茎、叶中都有表达,但表达丰度不同。木薯干旱处理14 d后,自形态学顶端往下数第三、四片叶片的MeHDS2表达量显著高于根、茎及其他位置叶片组织。本研究为木薯抗旱分子育种提供了理论基础。     

香蕉后熟与多胺的关系

香蕉果实采收后果肉中腐胺(PUT)含量随贮放时间的延长而逐渐下降,在果实出现乙烯高峰后又明显增加。果实采后初期亚精胺(SPD)、精胺(SPM)含量逐渐增加,果实出现乙烯高峰后,精胺明显积累,但亚精胺的变化较小。果皮中精胺的变化与果肉中的相似,但腐胺、亚精胺的变化则不同。精氨酸脱羧酶(ADC)和鸟氨酸脱羧酶(ODC)在果实采后初期活性较高,果实明显衰老时活性迅速降低。果肉中S—腺苷甲硫氨酸脱羧酶(SAMDC)活性先有增加,然后下降;而果皮中SAMDC则呈下降趋势。1——氨基环丙烷—1—羧酸合成酶(ACCS)变化与SAMDC不同,酶活性最高值较乙烯高峰提前二天到达。S—腺苷甲硫氨酸(SAM)在乙烯高峰出现时含量明显下降。结果认为,多胺对果实后熟、衰老的调节机理不但与竞争SAM有关,还与代谢平衡有关。     

水稻花期特异表达基因的cDNA和RNA阵列检测

用水稻孕穗期、开花期总mRNA为探针与含有2200个独立基因的cDNA阵列杂交,以检测开花期群体基因的表达谱。结果发现,在所获得的1720个有效克隆当中,有472条基因表达下调（占27.44％）,892条为持家基因（占51.86％）,356条基因表达上调（占20.70％）。表达上调的基因中有250个功能已知（占14.53％）,106个是功能未知的新基因（占6.16％）。其中S 腺苷甲硫氨酸还原酶、查尔酮合酶、酰基载体蛋白Ⅱ基因、过敏反应蛋白、醇溶蛋白、3-酮脂酰载体蛋白合酶Ⅲ和β-D-(1→3)-葡聚糖外水解酶等基因参与水稻开花和胚胎发育过程。为了进一步验证它们与开花过程的相关性,选取查尔酮合酶、酰基载体蛋白Ⅱ、醇溶蛋白、S-腺苷基甲硫氨酸还原酶和过敏反应蛋白等5个基因为探针,与755个水稻RNA斑点阵列进行杂交。结果证实醇溶蛋白和过敏反应蛋白基因受发育调节在乳熟成穗中高表达,查尔酮合酶和S-腺苷基甲硫氨酸还原酶基因在叶片中受光诱导、在根中受缺氮胁迫时高表达。在所有表型中,查尔酮合酶、S-腺苷基甲硫氨酸还原酶和酰基载体蛋白Ⅱ基因有相近的表达趋势,过敏反应蛋白和醇溶蛋白基因的表达趋势也相近。     

蝴蝶兰蔗糖合成酶基因的cDNA克隆及其表达分析

利用低夜温诱导的蝴蝶兰花芽的抑制消减杂交文库中分离的蔗糖合成酶基因的ESTs片段,采用RT-PCR和RACE技术,从蝴蝶兰花芽中克隆得到蔗糖合成酶基因的全长cDNA,命名为PhSUS,GenBank登录号JX162557.该基因全长2 816 bp,包含147 bp的5’非编码区、218 bp的3 '非编码区和一个长度为2 451 bp编码816个氨基酸的开放阅读框.PhSUS预测的分子量为93.30 ku,等电点为5.95.蛋白同源性分析结果表明,PhSUS与兰科植物的文心兰、石斛兰和莫氏兰(Mokara)等的蔗糖合成酶有很高同源性.保守结构域分析结果表明,PhSUS含有蔗糖合成酶和葡糖基转移酶两个保守功能域及4个ADP结合位点.表达分析结果表明,PhSUS在检测的组织中都有表达,但表达丰度不同.PhSUS在花蕾发育中后期、成熟花和花器官的表达量都较营养阶段根和叶中的表达量高.PhSUS的克隆为研究其参与花芽分化和发育的表达调控奠定了重要基础.     

S-腺苷甲硫氨酸在茶树生理代谢中的研究现状

S-腺苷甲硫氨酸(SAM)是生化反应中重要的甲基供体，它有三个重要代谢途径：转甲基作用、转巯基化作用、参与多胺合成。SAM及SAM合成酶基因在茶树中可以参与咖啡因生物合成，并能对逆境中的茶树起保护作用。     

大豆耐胁迫相关蛋白编码基因GmSAMDC1的克隆及表达分析

S-腺苷甲硫氨酸脱羧酶(S-adenosine methionine decarboxylase,SAMDC)是亚精胺和精胺合成的关键酶,更是多胺生物合成的限速酶之一,在植物耐胁迫反应中发挥重要调控作用。为研究大豆SAMDC编码基因的结构和表达特性,本研究从抗病大豆品种科丰1号中克隆了位于大豆基因组2号染色体上的GmSAMDC1(Glyma. 02G128000)基因,分析结果表明:其完整ORF长度为1 068 bp,编码一个由355个氨基酸组成的包含1个SAM_decarbox结构域的蛋白; GmSAMDC1基因所编码蛋白的理论等电点为4. 86,相对分子质量为38 987. 13 Da,为亲水性蛋白,不含跨膜区;大豆中共有8个GmSAMDC1的同源基因,GmSAMDC1与红车轴草(PNY09439. 1,82. 64%)和拟南芥(At SAMDC3,67. 22%)中的SAMDC蛋白编码基因亲缘关系最近; GmSAMDC1启动子序列包含防卫和胁迫响应元件、植物激素应答元件、光应答元件等许多顺式作用元件; GmSAMDC1在花中的表达量最高,与其大豆同源基因Glyma. 01G071300(序列相似性为94. 6%)、Glyma. 18G278800(66. 8%)和Glyma. 08G25580(66. 5%)的组织特异性表达模式比较相似; Glyma. 02G128000-GFP融合蛋白在细胞膜和细胞质上表达。本研究结果为进一步阐明大豆GmSAMDC1基因在大豆耐胁迫过程中的作用提供了理论依据。     

橡胶树HbWRKY3的克隆及其响应逆境胁迫的表达分析

通过RACE技术扩增获得橡胶树HbWRKY3基因,并对该基因及其所编码氨基酸序列进行生物信息学分析和响应逆境胁迫的表达分析,结果表明：该基因含有2个WRKYGQK结构域和2个C2H2锌指结构,属于WRKY基因家族第Ⅰ类;由4个外显子和3个内含子组成,DNA序列全长3 780 bp;开放阅读框长度为2 211 bp,编码由737个氨基酸组成的多肽。该基因定位于细胞核中,在橡胶树叶片、树皮、花、胶乳等不同组织中都有表达,以花中的表达水平最高。盐、PEG、茉莉酸、水杨酸等非生物胁迫均可诱导HbWRKY3的表达,但干旱、ABA、乙烯和低温胁迫的诱导较为明显。     

玉米ZmSAMS1基因在盐、干旱等逆境胁迫下的表达分析

采用Northern杂交对玉米S-腺苷甲硫氨酸合成酶基因ZmSAMS1在玉米幼苗期根、茎、叶中的表达及盐胁迫下外施不同甲基供体试剂处理下的表达进行分析。结果表明,ZmSAMS1在根、茎中均有表达,叶中信号较弱;盐胁迫外施甜菜碱、氯化胆碱、叶酸条件下该基因表达量不同,推测ZmSAMS1可能参与盐胁迫下玉米根茎木质化和栓质化过程。荧光实时定量PCR分析表明,ZmSAMS1在干旱和高温胁迫下表达量上调幅度较大,在盐、低温和ABA胁迫下表达量上调或下调幅度较小,揭示ZmSAMS1可能参与干旱、高温等逆境胁迫应答。     

燕麦AsSnRK2.7编码蛋白的分子特征及基因表达特异性研究

蔗糖非发酵相关的蛋白激酶2（SnRK2）通过磷酸化在植物胁迫信号转导途径中起关键作用。为发掘并利用燕麦中的 SnRK2基因，本研究基于燕麦转录组数据的注释信息，利用RT-PCR技术从燕麦品种美达中克隆了 AsSnRK2.7基因，借助生物信息学、瞬时表达及实时荧光定量RT-PCR（qRT-PCR）技术分别对该基因或其编码蛋白进行分子特征分析、亚细胞定位和表达特异性研究。结果表明， AsSnRK2.7基因包含一个1 074 bp的开放阅读框，编码357个氨基酸，预测其编码蛋白含有一个STKc_SnRK2结构域和一个PKc_like superfamily结构域，属于SnRK2蛋白激酶家族成员。AsSnRK2.7蛋白一级序列中包含多个SnRK2家族特有的重要功能区。AsSnRK2.7蛋白与水稻的SnRK2蛋白激酶相似性最高，属于Group Ⅰ（SnRK2b）亚家族。亚细胞定位结果显示，AsSnRK2.7蛋白主要定位在细胞核中。qRT-PCR结果显示， AsSnRK2.7基因为组成型表达，在根、茎、叶和穗中的最大表达量分别出现在苗期、分蘖期、抽穗期和灌浆期；此外， AsSnRK2.7基因的表达不被ABA激活，但可以积极应答PEG、盐和低温胁迫。以上结果说明， AsSnRK2.7基因可能作为一个调节因子，通过非依赖ABA途径来调节干旱、盐和低温所引发的信号传导。     

大豆GmLecRlk基因耐盐功能分析

凝集素类受体蛋白激酶属于类受体蛋白激酶（RLKs）家族,在植物的抗病防御反应、生长发育、胞内信号传导以及非生物胁迫反应过程中发挥重要作用。实验室前期对过表达抗逆转录因子GmNFYB1大豆进行转录组测序,获得了差异表达基因GmLecRlk（Glyma.07G005700）,其开放阅读框长度为546 bp,编码181个氨基酸,蛋白结构域分析显示其含有两个丝氨酸/苏氨酸激酶结构域,属于一种G型凝集素类受体蛋白激酶。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,GmLecRlk基因在大豆的根、茎、叶、荚中均有不同程度的表达,在根中表达量最高;200 mmol/LNaCl处理下,GmLecRlk 的mRNA丰度先降低后升高,在12 h时达到最高值,表明该基因参与大豆对盐胁迫的响应。利用发根农杆菌K599获得GmLecRlk过表达转基因发状根复合植株,在盐胁迫处理下,其存活率高于对照;在拟南芥中异源表达GmLecRlk基因,转基因拟南芥在盐胁迫处理下的萌发率、绿化率和根长均高于野生型拟南芥。综上所述,GmLecRlk参与大豆对盐胁迫的反应,过量表达基因能提高大豆和拟南芥的耐盐性,为培育和改良抗盐大豆新品种提供新的途径和理论指导。     

Pharmacokinetics of Marine-Derived Drugs

Marine organisms represent an excellent source of innovative compounds that have the potential for the development of new drugs. The pharmacokinetics of marine drugs has attracted increasing interest in recent decades due to its effective and potential contribution to the selection of rational dosage recommendations and the optimal use of the therapeutic arsenal. In general, pharmacokinetics studies how drugs change after administration via the processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME). This review provides a summary of the pharmacokinetics studies of marine-derived active compounds, with a particular focus on their ADME. The pharmacokinetics of compounds derived from algae, crustaceans, sea cucumber, fungus, sea urchins, sponges, mollusks, tunicate, and bryozoan is discussed, and the pharmacokinetics data in human experiments are analyzed. In-depth characterization using pharmacokinetics is useful for obtaining information for understanding the molecular basis of pharmacological activity, for correct doses and treatment schemes selection, and for more effective drug application. Thus, an increase in pharmacokinetic research on marine-derived compounds is expected in the near future.     

La pourriture fongique des tubercules de pomme de terre en atmosphère contrôlée

Résumé Fusarium culmorum et, dans une moindre mesure,F. avenaceum, F. sambucinum, Colletotrichum coccodes etCylindrocarpon sp. ont été isolés de tubercules entreposés en atmosphère contr?lée (AC) et atteints de pourriture grave. Des expériences d'inoculation de tubercules avec 10 espèces ou variétés fongiques et conservation en AC à 8 et 10°C ont montré que: 1) les champignons non pathogènes en atmosphère normale (ex.:Cylindrocarpon sp.) le devenaient en AC, 2) ceux qui étaient faiblement pathogènes en atmosphère normale étaient nettement plus virulents en AC (ex.:F. culmorum), 3) les espèces ou variétés virulentes en conditions d'air normales (Fusarium sulphureum etPhoma exigua var.foveata) ne provoquaient pas de pourriture plus grave en AC et leur activité pouvait même être légérement freinée.

---

Summary The extensive rotting of tubers which occurred during storage trials in controlled atmospheres has led to a mycological and pathological study of the rots. The most frequently isolated species wasFusarium culmorum althoughF. avenaceum, F. Sambucinum, Coletotrichum coccodes and aCylindrocarpon sp. were also present. Tubers of cvs Bintje and Ulla were inoculated with 19 isolates of 10 fungal species or varieties associated with rotting of stored tubers (Table 1). The tubers were incubated at 8 or 10°C in normal or controlled (2% O₂:1% CO₂, 2% O₂:6% CO₂, 2% O₂:12% CO₂, 6% O₂:6% CO₂) atmospheres and the extent of rotting was determined a month later (Tables 2 and 3 and Fig. 2). Species which were weakly virulent in a normal atmosphere (variousFusarium spp. andPhoma exigua var.exigua) were clearly more aggressive in the controlled atmosphere and this was especially evident in the case ofF. culmorum. Species ot pathogenic in a normal atmosphere under experimental conditions (Colletotrichum coccodes, Cylindrocarpon sp.,Phoma eupyrena) caused rotting in the controlled atmosphere. The two species which were virulent in a normal atmosphere (F. sulphureum andP. exigua var.foveata) were also virulent in the controlled atmosphere and in some cases the extent of rotting was even less. As a general rule, rotting caused by weakly virulent fungi was greater in both cultivars in the controlled than in a normal atmosphere.

---

Zusammenfassung Eine starke F?ulnis von in Kontrotrollierter Atmosph?re gelagerten Kartoffelknollen veranlasste eine mykologische und pathologische Untersuchung. Der am h?ufigsten isolierte Pilz warFusarium culmorum. F. avenaceum, F. sambucinum, Colletotrichum coccodes undCylindrocarpon sp. wurden ebenfalls bestimmt. Neunzehn St?mme von 10 Pilzsorten oder-Arten welche bei Lagerf?ulnis vorkommen (Tab. 1) wurden auf Knollen der Sorten Bintje und Ulla inokuliert. Die Lagerung wurde bei 8 oder 10°C under Normalbedingungen oder kontrollierter Atmosph?re durchgeführt (2% O₂:1% CO₂, 2% O₂:6% CO₂, 2% O₂:12% CO₂, 6% O₂:6% CO₂). Der F?ulnisgrad (Abb. 1) wurde nach einem Monat bonitiert. Die Ergebnisse sind in den Tabellen 2 und 3 dargestellt und in der Abb. 2 illustriert. Unter in Normalbedingungen nur schwach virulente Arten (verschiedeneFusarien undPhoma exigua var. exigua) waren deutlich aktiver in kontrollierter Atmosph?re. Dies was besonders der Fall fürF. culmorum. Pilze, die im Versuch unter Normalbedingungen nicht pathogen waren (Colletotrichum coccodes, Cylindrocarpon sp., Phoma eupyrena), haben unter kontrollierter Atmosph?re Sch?den verursacht. Hingegen werden die beiden unter Normalbedingungen sehr pathogenen Arten (F. sulphureum undP., exigua var.foveata), durch kontrollierte Atmosph?re wenig beeinflusst. Es wurde sogar in einigen F?llen eine gewisse Verringerung des F?ulnisbefalls beobachtet. Ganz allgemein haben die getesteten kontrollierten Bedingungen die Entwicklung der Pilzf?ulnis an beiden Kartoffelsorten gef?rdert, speziell durch Pilzarten, welche unter Normal-bedingungen wenig Sch?den verursachen.

     

Marine Pharmacology in 2016–2017: Marine Compounds with Antibacterial,Antidiabetic, Antifungal,Anti-Inflammatory,Antiprotozoal, Antituberculosis and Antiviral Activities; Affecting the Immune and Nervous Systems,and Other Miscellaneous Mechanisms of Action

The review of the 2016–2017 marine pharmacology literature was prepared in a manner similar as the 10 prior reviews of this series. Preclinical marine pharmacology research during 2016–2017 assessed 313 marine compounds with novel pharmacology reported by a growing number of investigators from 54 countries. The peer-reviewed literature reported antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antituberculosis, and antiviral activities for 123 marine natural products, 111 marine compounds with antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activities as well as affecting the immune and nervous system, while in contrast 79 marine compounds displayed miscellaneous mechanisms of action which upon further investigation may contribute to several pharmacological classes. Therefore, in 2016–2017, the preclinical marine natural product pharmacology pipeline generated both novel pharmacology as well as potentially new lead compounds for the growing clinical marine pharmaceutical pipeline, and thus sustained with its contributions the global research for novel and effective therapeutic strategies for multiple disease categories.     

Effects of Micronutrient Deficiencies on Human Health: Its Status in South Asia

SUMMARY

Vitamin A, iodine, and iron deficiencies affect large numbers of people worldwide. A deficiency of one or more of these micronutrients adversely affects the physical and mental abilities of humans. South Asia contains a high percentage of these individuals, not just because of its large population, but also the prevalence of deficiency is higher there than in many other parts of the world. The reasons for the high rates of deficiency in South Asia are many, but they include inadequate availability of micronutrient-rich foods, sub-optimal dietary habits, and high rates of infection. Across the region, national plans vary from (a) increasing availability of appropriate foods, (b) introducing new dietary behaviors, (c) improving health status, and (d) directly addressing deficiency through intervention programs. The extent to which each of the countries is making progress toward the goals of these plans can help in understanding the priorities for future efforts to address micronutrient malnutrition. This article discusses the adverse effects of micronutrient deficiencies in humans with special reference to South Asia.     

In vitro reproduction in the annual pasture legumes subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) and French serradella (Ornithopus sativus Brot.)

Pasture legumes are important components of both mixed farming rotations and permanent pastures in temperate climates. Breeding of two widely sown pasture legumes, subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) and French serradella (Ornithopus sativus Brot.), is constrained by the long generation cycle, typically enabling only one generation per year. We hypothesized manipulation of culture medium and conditions would enable the development of a laboratory‐based protocol for in vitro reproduction in subterranean clover and French serradella. In vitro flowering and viable seed set was induced from both species. For subterranean clover, the most effective treatment was culturing on modified MS medium with 1 μm kinetin and 0·1 m sucrose under a 100 μmol m^?2 s^?1 light intensity and continuous photoperiod. For French serradella, culture on a hormone‐free B5 medium with 5 mm NH₄Cl and 0·1 m sucrose under a 100 μmol m^?2 s^?1 light intensity and 20 h photoperiod was optimum. It is expected this technique will have application in accelerating generation turnover within breeding programs, for the study of factors influencing flowering in pasture legumes, and for the propagation of valuable yet enfeebled plants such as embryo‐rescued hybrids.     

Management of Soil Micronutrient Deficiencies in the Rice-Wheat Cropping System

Summary

Within the last three decades, the rice-wheat cropping system has triggered, and with time, aggravated soil micronutrient deficiencies in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP). This has largely been due to the shift from an earlier rice and wheat monoculture with low yielding, long duration indigenous varieties, to an intensive rice-wheat rotation cropping system with short duration modern high yielding varieties on the same piece of land. The problems related to micronutrient deficiency in the IGP are more due to the size of its available pools in the soil rather than its total contents and are greatly influenced by crop management, or rather its mismanagement. Deficiency of zinc is widespread in the IGP, but with the extensive use of zinc sulfate, zinc deficiency has reduced in some areas of the region. Meanwhile, the deficiency of Fe, Mn and B has increased in the IGP. Deficiency of Cu and Mo is location specific and can limit rice and wheat yields. The adoption and spread of the rice-wheat system in permeable coarse textured soils, particularly in the western IGP, not only caused iron deficiency in rice but also resulted in the emergence of manganese deficiency in wheat. In highly calcareous and acidic soils, boron is the next limiting micronutrient in crop production after zinc. Bumper rice and wheat harvests in the past decade, the declining use of organic manures in the region and except for the widespread use of zinc sulfate, a general lack of awareness amongst farmers on micronutrient deficiency problems has contributed to micronutrients limiting rice and wheat yields in the IGP. Approaches to alleviating micronutrient deficiencies include matching the crop removals of the micronutrients with its replenishments through their respective external carriers, supplementation through organic sources and mobilization/utilization through cultivation of micronutrient efficient crop cultivars. Identification of efficient micronutrient carriers and finding the optimum rate, mode and time of its application is important in ameliorating the micronutrient deficiencies. This article reviews the extent of micronutrient deficiency and discusses various management options available to reduce micronutrient deficiency induced crop yield reduction for rice and wheat in the Indo-Gangetic Plains.     

Irrigation but not N fertilization enhances seedhead density in plains rough fescue ( F estuca hallii)

Plains rough fescue ( F estuca hallii) is an important forage grass species in western Canada. Seed for use in pastures and ecological restoration is in high demand but supply is limited because F. hallii is an erratic seed producer. Seed producers require an understanding of the factors that influence flowering and seed set in this species. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of irrigation and nitrogen fertilization on the flowering and growth of F. hallii in a native rough fescue prairie in Alberta, Canada. Irrigation had a strong positive effect on seedhead density, whereas fertilization had limited effects on growth and reproduction of F. hallii. These results demonstrate that under field conditions, available moisture is likely to be a key factor driving flowering and seed production in F. hallii.     

Marine Drugs Regulating Apoptosis Induced by Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand (TRAIL)

Marine biomass diversity is a tremendous source of potential anticancer compounds. Several natural marine products have been described to restore tumor cell sensitivity to TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced cell death. TRAIL is involved during tumor immune surveillance. Its selectivity for cancer cells has attracted much attention in oncology. This review aims at discussing the main mechanisms by which TRAIL signaling is regulated and presenting how marine bioactive compounds have been found, so far, to overcome TRAIL resistance in tumor cells.     

Estimation of lucerne yield stability for enabling effective cultivar selection under rainfed conditions

Evaluation of crop and forage yield stability is of increasing relevance in the context of current and recent environmental changes but, in contrast to other field crops, there are no published systematic analyses among forage crops in Europe. A study of stability performance was conducted with 13 Czech cultivars of lucerne at four locations over a 2‐year period with the following aims: (a) to evaluate yield stability of varieties across different environments and (b) to calculate measurable benefits of variety selection in relation to the specific environment. The cultivar Vlasta was identified as the highest yielding cultivar (annual yield 16.0 t DM/ha), whereas the lowest yielding cv. Magda, Tereza and Oslava averaged around 14.9 t DM/ha. Effect of genotype × environment interaction (G × E) was two times higher than for genotype alone. Additive main effects and the multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model showed that the highest yielding cultivars may not be stable across environments. This study demonstrated further that significant yield improvement could be detected, even among a relatively homogenous group of domestic cultivars, and this was driven mainly by site productivity: the improvement was +10% in low‐yielding sites, compared with +3% in high‐yielding sites. Results highlight that advanced agronomy should also consider stability parameters such as AMMI stability value or superiority measures for forage crops in response to the challenges associated with climate change.     

Biochemical and morphological characterization of potato clones differing in their resistance to late blight

Summary Morphological and biochemical parameters that could be involved in resistance to late blight were studied in non-infected and in infected potato hybrids resulting from a cross betweenSolanum phureja, resistant toPhytophthora infestans, and a susceptibleSolanum tuberosum. Some morphological differences between resistant and susceptible hybrids, indicating a positive correlation between stem diameter and phloem thickness in the stem and resistance toP. infestans, were observed. The lignin content in the leaves of the resistant hybrid rose upon infection byP. infestans. In the leaves of the susceptible hybrid, a diminution of the lignin content could be observed upon infection byP. infestans. In the same context, peroxidasic activity raised upon infection byP. infestans in both resistant and susceptible hybrids. Further characterization of the hybrid clones based on the polymorphism of peroxidases was attempted using isoelectric focusing.