THE INFLUENCE OF GLUTATHIONE AND GLUTATHIONE ANTAGONISTS ON MEIOSIS IN EXCISED ANTHERS OF LILIUM HENRYI¹

Abstract

Young anthers, in early prophase and in the premeiotic mitotic stage, were excised and cultivated under aseptic conditions on media containing glutathione and/or several sulfhydryl antagonists. 1 Meiotic induction in excised anthers, not yet in prophase, is possible and is not dependent on addition of glutathione. 2 The formation of the wall structures of young microspores is dependent on the availability of sulfhydryl groups. Formation is inhibited reversibly by p-chloromercuribenzoic acid and irreversibly by cystine and iodoacetic acid. 3 It is suggested that inhibition of cross wall formation and separation of microspores in cultured anthers may be due to a lack of energy or substrate reserves.