Expression of invertases in Lilium longiflorum flower buds

Invertase is an important enzyme involved in the sucrose breakdown in plant tissues. The expression of invertase activity in flower organs during Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum) flower development was investigated. All the flower organs expressed soluble invertase activity as well as cell wall associated invertase activity that is released with 1 M NaCl. However, soluble invertase accounted for most of the total invertase activity in all flower organs except stigma. Both soluble and cell wall invertase activities positively correlated with the growth rate of flower organs. Soluble invertase was composed of three isoforms that had different enzymological properties. The distribution of these isoforms are different between flower organs.