Abstract

Seed germination is a highly organized biological process accompanied by many cellular and metabolic changes. The ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene, which forms the nucleolus at interphase and is transcribed for ribosome production and protein synthesis, has an important role during seed germination. In this study, we report that there is a decondensation of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) chromatin during seed germination accompanied with increased rRNA gene expression and overall genomic hyperacetylation. Analysis of the rRNA gene promoter region by using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) shows that there is an increase in acetylation levels at the rRNA gene promoter region. Application of seed germination inhibitor abscisic acid (ABA) suppresses rDNA chromatin decondensation, the expression of rRNA genes and global genomic acetylation. The further ChIP experiments show that ABA treatment hinders the elevation of acetylation levels in the promoter region of the rRNA gene. The data together indicate that ABA treatment inhibits seed germination, which is associated with rDNA chromatin condensation, decreased transcription and rRNA gene hypoacetylation.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Zhang L, Hu Y, Yan S, Li H, He S, Huang M, Li L

Institution

State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China.

Source

Plant molecular biology 79:3 2012 Jun pg 285-93

MeSH

Abscisic Acid
Acetylation
Chromatin
Chromatin Immunoprecipitation
DNA, Ribosomal
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
Germination
Seeds

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22527753