Biosynthesis of Nucleic Acids and Proteins in Dormant and Light-stimulated Paulownia tomentosa Seeds

Abstract

The biosynthesis of proteins and nucleic acids in dormant and light-stimulated seeds of Paulownia tomentosa , Steud. was studied. Maximal incorporation of specific radioactive precursors either in nucleic acids or in proteins recorded in the first three days after the start of imbibition during incubation in the dark was followed by the decline of the uptake of radioactive labels up to four weeks. The red light treatment of the seeds four weeks after the start of imbibition had a general stimulatory effect on both nucleic acids and proteins biosynthesis. Investigations of the effect of several antibiotics and base analogs on germination of light-stimulated seeds showed that only cycloheximide in concentration of 10 μ g ml − 1 or higher inhibited germination completely.