Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-q99xh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-28T04:11:06.460Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Benzyladenine-stimulation of nuclear DNA synthesis and cell division in germinating maize

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2008

J. Reyes
Affiliation:
Depto de Bioquímica Vegetal, División de Bioquímica y Farmacia, Facultad de Química
L. F. Jiménez-García
Affiliation:
Lab. Microscopía Electrónica, Facultad de Ciencias, UNAM, MéxicoD.F. 04510
M. A. Gonzalez
Affiliation:
Lab. Microscopía Electrónica, Facultad de Ciencias, UNAM, MéxicoD.F. 04510
J. M. Vázquez-Ramos*
Affiliation:
Depto de Bioquímica Vegetal, División de Bioquímica y Farmacia, Facultad de Química
*
* Correspondence

Abstract

We have studied by means of cytology and autoradiography the effect of benzyladenine (BA, a synthetic cytokinin) on DNA metabolism during early maize germination.The data indicate that BA stimulates nuclear DNA replication. The doubling of the amount of nuclear DNA in BA-treated axes occurs earlier than in nontreated axes, and there is a three-fold increase in the mitotic index at 24 h of germination. These results provide further corroboration for the suggestion that the stimulation of DNA synthesis observed relates to a nuclear replicative type of synthesis. Possible mechanisms of action of BA are discussed.

Type
Research Papers
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1991

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Baíza, A.M., Vázquez-Ramos, J.M. and Sánchez de Jiménez, E., (1989) DNA synthesis and cell division in embryonic maize tissues during germination. Journal of Plant Physiology 135, 416421.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Deltour, R., (1985) Nuclear activation during early germination of the higher plant embryo. Journal of Cell Science 75, 4348.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fletcher, R.A., (1969) Retardation of leaf senescence by BA in intact bean plants. Planta 89, 18.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Galli, G.M., (1984) Synthesis of DNA in excised watermelon cotyledons grown in water and BA. Planta 160, 193199.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Houssa, C., Jacqmard, A. and Bernier, G., (1990) Activation of replicon origins as a possible target for cytokinins in shoot meristems of Sinapis. Planta 181, 324326.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
John, P.C.L., Sek, F.K. and Lee, M.G., (1989) A homolog of cell cycle control protein p34cdc2 participates in the division cycle of Chlamydomonas, and a similar protein is detectable in higher plants and remote taxa. Plant Cell 1, 11851193.Google Scholar
Miller, C.O., Skoog, F., Okomura, F.S., Saltza, M.H. and Strong, F.M., (1956) Isolation, structure and synthesis of kinetin, a substance promoting cell division. Journal of American Chemical Society 78, 13451350.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Naito, K., Tsuji, H. and Hatekeyama, I., (1978) Effect of BA on DNA, RNA, protein, and chlorophyll contents in intact bean leaves: differential responses to BA according to leaf age. Physiologia Plantarum 43, 367371.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pardee, A.B., (1989) G1 events and regulation of cell proliferation. Science 246, 603608.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sharma, J.K. and Sharma, A. (1980) Chromosomes techniques. Theory and practice. pp 107109. Butterworths, London.Google Scholar
Smetana, K., (1967) Basic histochemical and cytochemical methods. pp 364–443 in Busch, H., (Ed.) Methods in cancer research, Vol. II. Academic Press, New York.Google Scholar
Trewavas, A., (1981) How do plant growth substances work? ant Cell and Environment 4, 203228.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Vázquez-Nin, G.H., Echeverría, O.M., Zavala, G., JiménezGarcía, L.F., González, M.A. and Parra, R., (1986) Relations between nucleolar morphometric parameters and pre-rRNA synthesis in animal and plant cells. Acta Anatomica 126, 141146.Google ScholarPubMed
Vázquez-Ramos, J.M. and Reyes, J.J., (1990) Stimulation of DNA synthesis and DNA polymerase activity by benzyl adenine during early germination of maize axes. Canadian Journal of Botany 68, 25902594.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yokoyama, M., Naito, K. and Susuki, H., (1980) Effect of BA on chlorophyll, DNA, RNA and protein content of attached young bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) leaves. Annals of Botany 45, 649653.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yokoyama, M., Naito, K. and Susuki, H., (1981) BA-enhanced cell proliferation and supressed greening in attached young bean leaves. Plant Cell Physiology 22, 623627.Google Scholar
Zarain, M.H., Bernal-Lugo, I. and Vázquez-Ramos, J.M., (1987) Effect of BA on the DNA synthesis during early germination of maize embryo axes. Mutation Research 181, 103110.Google Scholar