Development of mitochondria in horse gram cotyledons during germination

Time-course of changes in activities of mitochondrial enzymes in cotyledons of germinating horse gram seeds showed an upward trend during the initial stages and a decline during the later stages of germination. While succinate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase activities enhanced upto day 1, activities of cytochrome-c oxidase, 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase and glutamate dehydrogenase increased upto day 3. Treatment with cycloheximide or chloramphenicol had no inhibitory effect on appearance of the enzyme activity. Mitochondrial maturation in horse gram is probably mediated by activation of pre-existing enzymes rather than by their de novo synthesis. Influence of axis was indicated by the restricted development of enzyme activity in the absence of axis.