Effects of picloram on the synthesis of soluble plant proteins as determined by gel electrophoresis

Changes in soluble proteins synthesized in soybean (Glycine max L.), safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.), radish (Raphanus sativus L.), and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) treated with either growth promotive or inhibitory concentrations of picloram (4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid) were determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing. A special gel mixture was developed which provided resolution of protein bands superior to that obtained by standard gel electrophoresis. Growth promotive concentrations of picloram caused both qualitative and quantitative alterations in the band patterns of soluble proteins of safflower, radish, and barley roots and shoots. Isoelectric focusing was applied for the separation and identification of soluble protein fractions from soybean and barley roots and shoots treated primarily with growth inhibitory concentrations of picloram (except for barley shoot tissues). More than 35 clear bands were distinguishable in a typical gel electrophoretogram for either soybean or barley tissue (4-day-old plants). Approximate pI values of the bands from barley root protein were determined from a pH gradient diagram. Protein band patterns of picloram-treated samples were changed qualitatively and quantitatively, in comparison with controls, mostly in the range above pI 6, and predominantly in the neutral and basic protein regions. Band patterns for 96-hr root samples treated with growth inhibitory concentrations of picloram were more similar to those from 48-hr (soybean) or 55-hr (barley) than 96-hr control seedlings. A quantitative decrease in intensity of a band which had the same pI value as that of RNase was noticed in both the treated samples and 2- or 3-day-old control seedlings.