Abstract
Pea (Pisum sativum L. cv Alaska) root tips were excised and cultured aseptically in White's medium. Cultures were treated immediately or after a 24 hour equilibration time with 28 nanomolar chlorsulfuron plus isoleucine and valine (each 0.1 millimolar), isoleucine and valine, or untreated. The percentage of mitotic figures in untreated control roots sampled immediately after excision showed a transitory drop and recovery within 24 hours (an excision effect). In chlorsulfuron-treated roots, the percentage of mitotic figures did not recover. In roots treated with chlorsulfuron plus isoleucine and valine, a complete recovery did occur. If roots were treated with chlorsulfuron 24 hours after excision, the percentage of mitotic figures was reduced to near 0 by 8 hours. In roots treated with chlorsulfuron plus isoleucine and valine, no reduction in mitotic figures occurred. The complete reversal of chlorsulfuron-inhibited mitotic entry by isoleucine and valine implicates these amino acids, in some manner, with the control of cell cycles progression.