H. Burghardt et al., NATURAL INHIBITORS OF GERMINATION AND GROWTH, VII-SYNTHESIS OF RIBULOSEBISPHOSPHATE CARBOXYLASE IN DARKNESS AND ITS INHIBITION BY COUMARIN, Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, A journal of biosciences, 49(5-6), 1994, pp. 321-326
Cress (Lepidium sativum) seeds were germinated in darkness. Seedlings
were investigated for soluble proteins by SDS-PAGE. Two proteins were
identified by microsequencing: the small subunit of ribulosebisphospha
te carboxylase (SSU) and the alpha subunit of the storage protein cruc
iferin. Net synthesis of small and large subunits of ribulosebisphosph
ate carboxylase (SSU and LSU) was investigated by Western blot. Net sy
nthesis of both subunits was inhibited by coumarin. To the contrary, n
et synthesis of cruciferin was increased by coumarin. With specific cD
NA probes, we determined steady state levels of the corresponding mRNA
s (rbcS mRNA for SSU, rbcL mRNA for LSU). Both mRNAs can be detected i
n dry seeds; their amount increases during germination in the dark. In
cubation with coumarin inhibits this increase. Inhibition of developme
nt by coumarin on the level of transcription is discussed.