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RNA, Proteins and Polyamines During Tube Growth in Germinating Apple Pollen ¹

Victor R. Villanueva

Istituto di Botanica, Università di Bologna, Via Irnerio 42, 40126 Bologna, Italia, Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles, CNRS, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France

Variations of RNA, protein, and free- and trichloroacetic acid-soluble bound polyamine levels were determined during tube growth in germinating Malus domestica Borkh. cv. Starkrimson pollen.

During rehydration of pollen no marked differences were observed, whereas, during germination, RNA, proteins, and polyamines showed parallel decreases. At the same time, there was synthesis of RNA and polyamines as indicated by use of labeled precursors. The data indicate that during germination: (a) the genes for rRNA, tRNA, and probably mRNA are active; (b) the enzymes involved in polyamine biosynthesis are very active. High levels of free arginine during the first 15 minutes were observed, probably in response to a demand for this precursor in polyamine biosynthesis. Moreover, profiles of the variations in the specific activities of RNA and polyamines showed similar patterns. The results indicate that biosynthesis of RNA and polyamines precedes tube emergence. The possible role of these compounds, which are known to be released into the medium in the progamic phase of the fertilization processes, is considered.

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				J. Song and S. Tachibana Loss of viability of tomato pollen during long-term dry storage is associated with reduced capacity for translating polyamine biosynthetic enzyme genes after rehydration J. Exp. Bot., December 7, 2007; (2007) erm280v1. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]