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Abstract
Protein-storing Cells with a 67 kDa Protein in Regularly
Tapped Hevea Trees and in Trees Affected by Tapping Panel Dryness
Protein-storing cells (PSCs) are found in
secondary phloem of Hevea trees. In this study it was found that
a 67 kDa protein based on SDS-PAGE might be the main component of the vacuole
proteins in PSCs. SDS-PAG analysis indicated that the 67 kDa protein varied
in abundance at different levels of tree trunk in untapped and tapped trees,
and the the protein also changed when tapped trees were affected by tapping
panel disease (TPD). These changes were consistent with that of the amount
of PSC vacuole proteins detectable by microscopy. The indirect immunocytochemistry
in light microscopical level gave a more reliable evidence that the 67 kSa
protein is quantitatively the more important component of the PSC vacuole
inclusion. Latex exploitation caused a marked decrease in relative abundance
of 67 kDa protein in the area under the tapping cut of the tree trunk. In
comparison with healthy tapped trees, the trees which were affected by TPD
and rested from tapping had much more 67 kDa protein in the bark tissues
near the tapping cut. These facts indicate that the 67 kDa protein in the
bark tissues near the tapping cut. These facts indicate that the 67 kDa
protein may be utilised as storage material for latex regeneration in the
tapped trees and that the relatively abundant 67 kDa protein in TPD trees
may be caused by resting the trees from latex exploitation.

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