The aim of this work was to determine the cytogenetic characteristics of Brazilian Lippia alba (Mill) N. E. Brown and Lantana camara Plum. that could be useful for future characterization of these genera. Our analyses revealed that Li. alba has 2n=30 chromosomes consisting of ten metacentric and five submetacentric pairs, while La. camara has 44 metacentric chromosomes. The large blocks of heterochromatin seen in both species suggest an apomorphic condition. Six 45S rDNA sites were detected in both species by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Two and four 5S rDNA sites were observed in Li. alba and La. camara, respectively. Meiotic analysis revealed a normal chromosomal behaviour. The number of chromosomes and the presence of 45S rDNA and 5S rDNA sites do not exclude a possible polyploid origin. The cytogenetic differences between La. camara and Li. alba may be useful markers for differentiating these species.

During seedling establishment, cotyledons of the rain forest tree Hymenaea courbaril mobilize storage cell wall xyloglucan to sustain growth. The polysaccharide is degraded and its products are transported to growing sink tissues. Auxin from the shoot controls the level of xyloglucan hydrolytic enzymes. It is not yet known how important the expression of these genes is for the control of storage xyloglucan degradation. In this work, partial cDNAs of the genes xyloglucan transglycosylase hydrolase (HcXTH1) and β-galactosidase (HcBGAL1), both related to xyloglucan degradation, and two other genes related to sucrose metabolism [alkaline invertase (HcAlkIN1) and sucrose synthase (HcSUS1)], were isolated. The partial sequences were characterized by comparison with sequences available in the literature, and phylogenetic trees were assembled. Gene expression was evaluated at intervals of 6 h during 24 h in cotyledons, hypocotyl, roots, and leaves, using 45-d-old plantlets. HcXTH1 and HcBGAL1 were correlated to xyloglucan degradation and responded to auxin and light, being down-regulated when transport of auxin was prevented by N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA) and stimulated by constant light. Genes related to sucrose metabolism, HcAlkIN1 and HcSUS1, responded to inhibition of auxin transport in consonance with storage mobilization in the cotyledons. A model is proposed suggesting that auxin and light are involved in the control of the expression of genes related to storage xyloglucan mobilization in seedlings of H. courbaril. It is concluded that gene expression plays a role in the control of the intercommunication system of the source–sink relationship during seeding growth, favouring its establishment in the shaded environment of the rain forest understorey.

-(Diurnal variation in the activity of enzymes of sucrose catabolism in Hymenaea courbaril L. plantlets during storage xyloglucan mobilization). Seeds of Hymenaea courbaril L. have a storage polysaccharide that is mobilized after germination, when the first leaf is already photosynthetic. During reserve mobilization, the seedling has to coordinate two carbohydrate sources: photosynthesis and storage mobilisation. Both use sucrose to export carbon. To understand the allocation of carbon resources in the seedling, therefore, it is essential to study the catabolism of sucrose in the organs. In the present work, the low molecular weight carbohydrates were analyzed, as well as the activity of sucrose synthase and of the three isoforms of invertase in organs of Hymenaea courbaril L. seedlings along a day. The analysis was made each 6 hours, with an extra analysis at 2 am. Each enzyme had a characteristic variation pattern along the day, suggesting distinct and independent functions for each organ. The carbohydrate analysis showed higher concentration of sucrose in the sink-organs, while the cotyledons had high concentration of free monosaccharides. The existence of isoforms with distinct properties and cellular distribution varying in independent ways along the day suggests that these isoforms may have distinct physiological functions in the plant.Key words -cotyledons, germination, invertase, sucrose synthase, seed RESUMO -(Variação ao longo do dia da atividade de enzimas do catabolismo de sacarose em plântulas de Hymenaea courbaril L. durante a mobilização do xiloglucano de reserva). Sementes de Hymenaea courbaril L. possuem um polissacarídeo de reserva que é mobilizado após a germinação, quando a primeira folha da planta já é fotossinteticamente ativa. No momento da mobilização das reservas, a plântula precisa coordenar duas fontes de carboidratos: a fotossíntese e a mobilização das reservas. Ambos geram sacarose como forma de exportação de carbono. Para entender a alocação de recursos na plântula, portanto, é necessário avaliar o catabolismo de sacarose nos órgãos. Neste trabalho foram analisados os carboidratos de baixo peso, quantificada a atividade da sacarose sintase e das três isoformas de invertase nos diferentes órgãos de plântulas de H. courbaril ao longo de um dia. As dosagens foram feitas no período de mobilização do xiloglucano, sendo as plântulas coletadas em intervalos de 6 horas, com uma coleta extra às 2 horas da manhã. Cada uma das enzimas apresentou um padrão característico de variação ao longo do dia, sugerindo funções distintas e independentes em cada órgão. A análise dos carboidratos mostrou altas concentrações de sacarose nos órgãos-dreno, enquanto os cotilédones apresentaram altas concentrações de monossacarídeos livres. A existência de isoformas com propriedades e distribuição celular distintas variando de forma independente ao longo do dia sugere que as isoformas podem ter funções fisiológicas distintas dentro da planta.Palavras-chave -cotilédones, germinação, invertase, sacarose s...