Spatial and temporal regulation of DNA fragmentation in the aleurone of germinating barley
article
During germination of barley grains, the appearance of DNA fragmentation started in aleurone cells near the embryo and extended to the distal end in a time-dependent manner. DNA fragmentation was demonstrated to occur only after the expression of α-amylase mRNA in the aleurone layer. In addition, cell wall degradation started in cells near the embryo on the sides facing the endosperm. Subsequently cell wall degradation extended to the lateral cell walls and to cells more to the distal end of the grain. A typical alteration of the nucleus was observed by electron microscopy and an almost complete degradation of DNA was found in the nucleus while the nuclear envelope remained intact. The results indicate that programmed cell death occurred in aleurone cells during germination. A model is proposed for the regulation of programmed cell death in aleurone cells during germination involving ABA levels and cell wall degradation.
Topics
TNO Identifier
41216
ISSN
00220957
Source
Journal of Experimental Botany, 49(325), pp. 1293-1301.
Pages
1293-1301
Files
To receive the publication files, please send an e-mail request to TNO Repository.