Superoxide dismutase polymorphisms in wild populations of herb Paris (Paris quadrifolia L., Trilliaceae)

Abstract

Polymorphism of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was investigated in leaves of herb Paris (Paris quadrifolia L., Trilliaceae). The plants were collected during the summer and autumn of 2001 from different natural locations in Lithuania and Norway. Crude extracts from leaves were analyzed using electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel for SOD polymorphism detection. By means of analysis of plants from different locations, some differences in the electrophoretic mobility and the phenotypes of SOD bands were detected. Differences appeared between the Lithuanian and Norwegian samples and among the Lithuanian samples from different locations as well as inside them. These findings indicate a polymorphism in plants from Lithuania and Norway. Analysis of the results revealed five types of SOD isozyme spectra in both countries. SOD isozyme spectra also differed in leaves, seeds, roots and rootlets.