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Effect of cytokinins on ribosomal RNA gene expression in excised cotyledons of Cucurbita pepo L.

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Abstract

Excised pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) cotyledons were used to investigate the effects of two different types of cytokinins: N6-benzyladenine and N1-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N2-phenylurea on RNA synthesis in isolated nuclei. Treatment of cotyledons with both cytokinins resulted in a rapid enhancement of nuclear RNA-polymerase-I activity (EC 2.7.7.6). Maximum stimulation of RNA polymerase I, responsible for rRNA synthesis, was observed 4–6 h after the start of cytokinin action. The activity of RNA polymerase II was stimulated much more slowly and to a lesser extent. Uridine 5′-monophosphate-uridine analysis of the alkalidigested nascent pre-rRNA chains showed that the stimulation of RNA-polymerase-I activity was the consequence of an increase of the polyribonucleotide-clongation rate. No significant change in the number of transcribing enzyme molecules was defected after hormone treatment (86·103 RNA-polymerase-I molecules per diploid genome).

Indications that de-novo protein synthesis is necessary for cytokinin-mediated RNA-polymerase stimulation were derived from experiments showing inhibition by cycloheximide.

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Abbreviations

BA:

N6-benzyladenine

[PU]-30:

N1-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N2-phenylurea

UMP:

undine 5′-monophosphate

UTP:

udine 5′-triphosphate

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. M. Popov Institute of Plant Physiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria

    E. D. Ananiev & E. N. Karanov

  2. Institute of Molecular Biology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria

    L. K. Karagyozov

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  1. E. D. Ananiev
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  2. L. K. Karagyozov
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  3. E. N. Karanov
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Ananiev, E.D., Karagyozov, L.K. & Karanov, E.N. Effect of cytokinins on ribosomal RNA gene expression in excised cotyledons of Cucurbita pepo L.. Planta 170, 370–378 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00395029

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