title: Coumarin inhibition of microfibril formation at the surface of cultured protoplasts.
abstract: The effect of including coumarin in the culture medium of isolated tobacco leaf protoplasts has been studied by scanning microscopy. Fibre formation is completely suppressed for 48 h in concentrations of 200 and 250 mg/l of coumarin. Continuous culture in these concentrations of coumarin does not result in cell division or colony formation, although an atypical wall is visible after 4 days. The effect of coumarin is reversible. Viability of protoplasts exposed for 48 h to 200 mg/l coumarin is unaffected in terms of plating efficiency and infectability with virus. These results are discussed in relation to cell wall synthesis and the possible use of coumarin in prolonging the protoplast state.
authors.affiliation: John Innes Institute, Colney Lane, NR4 7UH, Norwich, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Burgess
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Linstead