title: Tissue-specific and light-dependent changes of chromatin organization in barley (Hordeum vulgare).
abstract: The DNase I sensitivity of the nuclear genes encoding the NADPH-protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase, the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b protein (LHCP), the hordeins and a 15-kDa protein of unknown function was assayed in chromatin of etiolated and green leaves and endosperm tissue of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). A tissue-specific differentiation of chromatin structure was found for the LHCP, hordein and 15-kDa protein genes. The genes for the LHCP and the 15-kDa protein, which are expressed in leaf tissue, display DNase I sensitivity in leaves but not in endosperm. Hordein genes which are expressed solely in endosperm, were insensitive to low levels of digestion with DNase I in leaves but sensitive in endosperm. The effect of light on chromatin structure was determined by comparing leaves of etiolated plants and plants which had been grown under a day/night cycle. Only in the case of the 15-kDa protein is there a remarkable change from a DNAse-I-sensitive configuration in etiolated leaves to a more resistant one in leaves from illuminated plants. The gene for the NADPH-protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase was found to be equally sensitive to DNase I in leaves and endosperm.
mesh_terms: D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000235:genetics; D002843:Chromatin / Q000032:analysis*; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I / Q000494:pharmacology; D002523:Edible Grain / Q000235:genetics*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005983:Glutens; D001467:Hordeum / Q000235:genetics*; D008027:Light; D045342:Light-Harvesting Protein Complexes; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000235:genetics; D044925:Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group Donors; D045322:Photosynthetic Reaction Center Complex Proteins; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D045342:Light-Harvesting Protein Complexes; D045322:Photosynthetic Reaction Center Complex Proteins; D010940:Plant Proteins; D002734:Chlorophyll; D005983:Glutens; D004247:DNA; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D044925:Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group Donors; C023886:protochlorophyllide reductase; D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I