Developmental regulation in cotton seed germination: polyadenylation of stored messenger RNA

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1978 · Biochemistry; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/bi00609a012· OSTI ID:6328204

Harris, B; Dure, L III

Evidence that RNA preexisting in the cotyledons of mature cotton seed (stored mRNA) is polyadenylated during the first day of germination is presented, based on three different experimental data sets. First, actinomycin D is found to inhibit /sup 32/PO/sub 4/ incorporation into mRNA-poly(A) by 62%, into mRNA by 70%, but into poly(A) only 30%. Second, far more /sup 32/PO/sub 4/ and (2-/sup 3/H)adenosine are incorporated into the poly(A) portion of mRNA-poly(A) than into the mRNA portion as would be expected from their relative sizes and base composition. This underlabeling of the mRNA moiety is enhanced when cotyledons are germinated in actinomycin D. However, an expected distribution of the isotopes between the mRNA and poly(A) moieties is found in cotyledons labeled later in germination. Third, spectral measurements of the absolute amount of mRNA-poly(A) accumulated during the first day of germination in cotyledons germinated in actinomycin D are larger than would be expected from the 70% inhibition of mRNA labeling caused by the drug. The three sets of data suggest that over 50% of the total mass of mRNA polyadenylated during early germination exists in the mature seed. Its complexity, however, has not been measured. These data may explain the sensitivity of much of germination enzyme synthesis to inhibition by 3'dAdo during early germination and its insensitivity to actinomycin D during this period.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Georgia, Athens
• OSTI ID: 6328204
• Journal Information: Biochemistry; (United States), Journal Name: Biochemistry; (United States) Vol. 17:16; ISSN BICHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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553000 -- Agriculture & Food Technology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
ADENOSINE
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BIOSYNTHESIS
COTTON
GERMINATION
HYDROGEN ISOTOPES
INHIBITION
ISOTOPES
LABELLING
LIGHT NUCLEI
MESSENGER-RNA
NUCLEI
NUCLEIC ACIDS
NUCLEOSIDES
NUCLEOTIDES
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHORUS 37
PHOSPHORUS ISOTOPES
RADIOISOTOPES
RIBOSIDES
RNA
SEEDS
SPECTROSCOPY
SYNTHESIS
TRITIUM
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES