Hypochlorite Disinfection Influences the GA3-Induced Synthesis of α-Amylase Isozymes by Isolated Barley Aleurone Layers

Abstract
Aleurone layers isolated from half-seeds of Himalaya barley (Hordeum vulgare cv Himalaya) disinfected in hypochlorite solutions containing 1.0% available chlorine synthesized significantly less .alpha.-amylase in response to gibberellic acid than layers derived from half-seeds disinfected in 0.1% hypochlorite. This effect of hypochlorite involved neither a differential decrease in the synthesis of group A or B .alpha.-amylase isozymes nor a general decrease in .alpha.-amylase synthesis attributable to fewer viable aleurone cells in layers from half-seeds disinfected with 1% hypochlorite. Our results emphasize the need to evaluate the potential effects of routine disinfection procedures used in physiological and biochemical studies.