Differential effects of actinomycin D and cordycepin in lettuce seed germination and RNA synthesis

Intact lettuce seed germination was inhibited by cordycepin but not by actinomycin D; however, when seeds were clipped at the cotyledonary end, actinomycin D partially inhibited germination. Uptake studies with intact seeds using 3H-actinomycin D showed that it was unable to reach the embryo prior t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Plant physiology (Bethesda) 1976-12, Vol.58 (6), p.769-772
Main Authors: Kar-Ling Tao, Khan, Anwar A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Actinomycin
DNA
Embryos
Endosperm
Germination
Messenger RNA
Pericarp
Radioactive decay
RNA
Seed germination
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Summary:Intact lettuce seed germination was inhibited by cordycepin but not by actinomycin D; however, when seeds were clipped at the cotyledonary end, actinomycin D partially inhibited germination. Uptake studies with intact seeds using 3H-actinomycin D showed that it was unable to reach the embryo prior to radical protrusion. 3H-Cordycepin uptake studies using intact seeds showed that cordycepin was able to reach the embryo during the first 3 hours of incubation and at subsequent times. The pericarp and endosperm offered resistance to penetration of cordycepin into the embryo. In contrast to actinomycin D, cordycepin markedly inhibited 3H-uridine incorporation into RNA of intact seeds during the first 10 and 12 hours of incubation. About 60% of 3H-adenosine incorporation into poly A-RNA was inhibited by cordycepin during 12 hours of incubation, whereas actinomycin D had little effect. RNA synthesis appears to be essential for seed germination.
ISSN:0032-0889
1532-2548
DOI:10.1104/pp.58.6.769