Use of dextran gradient for the study of the development of mitochondria and glyoxysomes during the germination of pine seeds

Abstract

An isotonic gradient of dextran-sucrose was used for the separation of glyoxysomes and mitochondria.By this method, these organelles were easily separated from pine seeds on the first day of germination, with densities of 1.110 and 1.175 g/ml for mitochondria and glyoxysomes, respectively.Nevertheless, these sedimented closely at a density of 1.075 g/ml when coming from 30-day stratified seeds; and both organelles highly increased their densities as germination proceeded.A mild treatment of the organelles from 30 days stratified seeds with SDS modified their sedimentation pattern, being similar after this treatment to that of the particles from the seeds on the first day of germination.