Abstract

MENENDEZ-YUFFA, A  and  RIOS-BOLIVAR, L. Stability of protein patterns in coffee seedlings regenerated by somatic embryogenesis. Phyton (B. Aires) [online]. 2008, vol.77, pp.49-64. ISSN 1851-5657.

Regeneration and multiplication of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) through somatic embryogenesis can be efficiently achieved through different methods. However, it is very important to analyze the progenies obtained by these methods in order to establish their genetic stability. The objectives of this research were (1) to determine the protein electrophoretic patterns in leaves of coffee vitroplants which were regenerated through somatic embryogenesis, and (2) to compare these patterns with those of the explant donor plants. The protein patterns of some coffee genotypes were initially determined to detect possible differences among them. Each analyzed genotype showed a characteristic set of protein bands. The protein electrophoretic separation in vitroplants did not show significant differences neither among vitroplants nor between them and the mother plants. According to the protein electrophoretic patterns, the Catimor coffee plants regenerated through somatic embryogenesis have very low levels of variation. These results support evidence of genetic stability in plants of coffee cv. Catimor regenerated by somatic embryogenesis. Additionally, it was shown that the method of onedimensional electrophoresis of proteins can be useful in the characterization of coffee genotypes.

Keywords : Somatic embryogenesis; Somaclonal variation; Protein electrophoresis; Genetic stability; In vitro culture.

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