title: Development of nuclease activity in cotyledons of Pisum sativum L.
abstract: The RNA content of pea cotyledons shows little change during the first five days of germination at 22°C. From day five onwards there is a rapid net degradation of RNA, which continues until day thirteen. The DNA content of the cotyledons increases slightly during the first nine days of germination, after which there is a net decrease. Acid and alkaline ribonuclease activities increase markedly between day one and day five, and then decline between day five and day nine. There is a second increase in the activities of both enzymes from day nine onwards. Soluble deoxyribonuclease activity exhibits a single peak, seven days after the onset of germination. The first increase in acid ribonuclease activity is only partially inhibited by cycloheximide at concentrations which severely inhibit protein synthesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, University College, CF1 1XL, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bryant
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Greenway
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: West