Periodical changes in chromatin properties in non-proliferating cells of germinating Pisum sativum L.

Abstract

Within 32 h of germination three stage changes of chromatin properties (DNA availabity to acridine orange, the activity of endogenous RNA polymerases I and II and the rate of RNA synthesis) in cells of pea hypocotyl and cotyledons have been observed. An increase of chromatin activity with maxima at 6—9 h for the first stage, 16–20 h for the second stage and 28 h for the third stage is followed by its decrease at 12, 24 and 32 h of germination. The first and the second stages occur prior whereas the third one—after radicle protrusion. These changes occured simultaneously to those found previously in pea proliferating tissues (V. Troyan et al., Plant Sci. Lett., 33 (1984) 213). It is concluded that the periodicity of changes in chromatin properties in the whole seed cells might be a characteristic feature of the seed germination process of different plant species.