Effect of temperature shock on the dynamics of abscisic acid and wheat germ agglutinin accumulation in wheat cell culture

Abscisic acid (ABA) and lectin content was immunoassayed in wheat cell cultures affected by temperature stress. The elevated temperature (40 degrees C) resulted in a 7-fold increase in the level of ABA and a 10-fold increase in that of lectin. The increase in the lectin content in cells was preceded by ABA accumulation. It is suggested that this ABA increase induces the synthesis of lectin, which in addition to stress proteins, play an important role in controlling mechanisms of plant adaptation to unfavourable environments.