Changes of Enzyme Activity During Pollen Germination in Maize, and Possible Evidence of Lignin Synthesis

Abstract

During pollen germination in Zea mays L., the activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and peroxidases increased, accompanied by a decline of phenolic compounds. Levels of IAA decreased dramatically as the pollen germinated, and this decline was correlated with enhanced IAA oxidation activity by IAA oxidase in the germinated pollen. The cationic peroxidase isozymes (pI 9.0) with estimated molecular mass of 45 kDa may be involved in lignin polymerisation in the pollen cell wall.