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Effect of X-Irradiation on Nucleic Acids in Zea mays: II. On the Level of Ribonuclease Activity in Growing Seedlings

Journal Article · · Radiation Research
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3571222· OSTI ID:4766584
X irradiation of dry Zea mays seeds greatly enhanced the activity of RNase in growing seedlings, especially in the meristematic tissue (root tip and mesocotyl). Meristematic cells normally have a low level of RNase activity, but the activity increases with cell growth and maturation. The RNase activity of root tips grown from x-irradiated seeds was enhanced as much as fivefold. The distribution of RNase among the subcellular components of root tissue was not affected by x irradiation. X irradiation reduced the RNase activity in the scutellum, a storage tissue, which was consistent with the reduced uttlization of scutellar RNA. Studies on the incorporation of P/sup 32/ into the nucleotides by in vitro degradation of endogenous root tip RNA showed that incorporation was primarily into the pyrimidine nucleoside di- and triphosphates. EDTA stimulated RNase activity in root tip and mesocotyl homogenates but had little effect on scutellum homogenates.
Research Organization:
Univ. of Illinois, Urbana
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
NSA Number:
NSA-17-001323
OSTI ID:
4766584
Journal Information:
Radiation Research, Journal Name: Radiation Research Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 17; ISSN 0033-7587
Publisher:
Radiation Research Society
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English