Skip to main content
Log in

In-vitro transcription in tobacco chromatin

  • Published:
Planta Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A method is described to isolate transcriptionally active Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Xanthi chromatin from suspension-cultured cells. Enzymatic preparation of protoplasts with solubilization of the plasma membrane, Triton X-100 and homogenization resulted in chromatin free from cellular debris. Incroporation of [3H]uridine triphosphate into RNA increased for more than 30 min at 30° C. Transcriptional activity was maximally stimulated at 10 mM MgCl2, 200 mM (NH4)2SO4 and 150 mM KCl. The in-vitro synthesized RNA was found to contain 3.8% polyadenylated RNA. The results of digestion studies with ribonuclease, heat and detergent inactivation studies, α-amanitin and actinomycin D inhibitor effects, as well as dependency on ribonucleotide triphosphates, showed that the activity recorded in the tobacco chromatin was bona-fide enzymatic RNA transcription. There also was marked stimulation of transcriptional activity when exogenous DNA was added to the assay mixture.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

SCV:

sedimented cell volume

TCA:

trichloroacetic acid

UTP:

uridine-5′-triphosphate

References

  • Aviv, H., Leder, P. (1972) Purification of biologically active globin messenger RNA by chromatography on oligothymidylic acid-cellulose. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 69, 1408–1412

    Google Scholar 

  • Beebee, T.J.C., Butterworth, P.H.W. (1977) Eukaryotic deoxyribonucleic acid-dependent ribonucleic acid polymerases: a critical assessment of current ideas concerning their multiplicity, specificity and function and their role in the regulation of gene expression. Biochem. Soc. Symp. 42, 75–98

    Google Scholar 

  • Blaschek, W., Hess, D. (1977) Transcription of bacterial DNA by isolated plant nuclei. Experientia 33, 1594–1595

    Google Scholar 

  • Bouman, H., Mennes, A.M., Libbenga, K.R. (1979) Transcription in nuclei isolated from tobacco tissue. FEBS Lett. 101, 369–372

    Google Scholar 

  • Bouman, H., Paridon, H.V., Vogelaar, A., Mennes, A.M., Libbenga, K.R. (1981) Size analysis of RNA synthesized in isolated tobacco-callus nuclei. Plant Sci. Lett. 22, 361–367

    Google Scholar 

  • Calza, R.E., Oelke, S.M., Lurquin, P.F. (1982) Transcription in nuclei isolated from carrot protoplasts: effects of exogenous DNA. FEBS Lett. 143, 109–114

    Google Scholar 

  • Gigot, C., Philipps, G., Nicolaieff, A., Hirth, L. (1976) Some properties of tobacco protoplast chromatin. Nucleic Acids Res. 3, 2315–2329

    Google Scholar 

  • Grobman, K., Seitz, U., Seitz, H.U. (1979) Transcription and release of RNA in isolated nuclei form parsley cells. Z. Naturforsch. Teil B 34, 431–435

    Google Scholar 

  • Guilfoyle, T. (1980) Transcription of the cauliflower mosaic virus genome in isolated nuclei from turnip leaves. Virology 107, 71–80

    Google Scholar 

  • Johri, M.M., Varner, J. (1967) Enhancement of RNA synthesis in isolated pea nuclei by gibberellic acid. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 59, 269–276

    Google Scholar 

  • Leber, B., Hemleben, V. (1979) Structure of plant nuclear and ribosomal DNA containing chromatin. Nucleic Acids Res. 7, 1263–1281

    Google Scholar 

  • Luthe, D.S., Quatrano, R.S. (1980a) Transcription in isolated wheat nuclei. II. Characterization of RNA synthesis in vitro. Plant Physiol. 65, 309–313

    Google Scholar 

  • Luthe, D.S., Quatrano, R.S. (1980b) Transcription in isolated wheat nuclei. I. Isolation of nuclei and elimination of endogenous ribonuclease activity. Plant Physiol. 65, 305–308

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, R.G., Ames, B.N. (1961) A method for determining the sedimentation behaviour of enzymes: applications to protein mixture. J. Biol. Chem. 236, 1372–1379

    Google Scholar 

  • Murashige, T., Skoog, F. (1962) A revised medium for rapid growth and bioassays with tobacco tissue cultures. Physiol. Plant. 15, 473–497

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, G., Gigot, C. (1977) DNA associated with nucleosomes in plants. Nucleic Acids Res. 4, 3617–3626

    Google Scholar 

  • Richards, G.M. (1974) Modification of the diphenylamine reaction giving increased sensitivity and simplicity in the estimation of DNA. Anal. Biochem. 57, 369–376

    Google Scholar 

  • Slater, R.J., Grierson, D. (1977) Ribonucleic acid synthesis by chromatin isolated form Phaseolus aureus. Planta 137, 153–157

    Google Scholar 

  • Slater, R.J., Venis, M.A., Frierson, D. (1978) Characterization of ribonucleic acid synthesis by nuclei isolated from Zea mays. Planta 144, 89–93

    Google Scholar 

  • Slater, R.J., Bryant, J.A. (1982) RNA metabolism during breakage of seed dormancy by low temperature treatment of fruits of Acer platanoides (Norway maple). Ann. Bot. (London) 50, 141–149

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomaszewski, M., Buchowicz, J. (1981) Rapid appearance of newly-synthesized poly(A) containing RNA in the cytoplasm of germinating wheat embryos. Plant Sci. Lett. 23, 89–93

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, P.S., Bennett, J. (1976) Transcription in nuclei isolated from a higher plant. Biochem. Soc. Trans. 4, 812–813

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Calza, R.E., Lurquin, P.F. In-vitro transcription in tobacco chromatin. Planta 159, 172–177 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00392989

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00392989

Key words

Navigation