Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-tf8b9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-22T06:10:07.886Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

DNA ligase activity in deteriorated maize embryo axes during germination: a model relating defects in DNA metabolism in seeds to loss of germinability

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2008

Edgar Vázquez
Affiliation:
Depto. de Bioquímica Vegetal, División de Bioquímica y Farmacia, Facultad de Química, UNAM. Avenida Universidad y Copilco. México 04510, D.F.México
Fernando Montiel
Affiliation:
Depto. de Bioquímica Vegetal, División de Bioquímica y Farmacia, Facultad de Química, UNAM. Avenida Universidad y Copilco. México 04510, D.F.México
Jorge M. Vázquez-Ramos*
Affiliation:
Depto. de Bioquímica Vegetal, División de Bioquímica y Farmacia, Facultad de Química, UNAM. Avenida Universidad y Copilco. México 04510, D.F.México
*
* Correspondence

Abstract

Chromosome integrity and DNA polymerase activity are negatively affected by improper storage of maize seeds. We have extended our studies on the effect of improper storage on DNA metabolism by analysing the effect of hot–dry and hot–humid conditions on DNA ligase activity. An assay to measure ligase activity was established by using linearized plasmid DNA as substrate and protein extracts from maize axes. Optimal conditions were established for the in vitro assay. Enzyme activity was importantly reduced under both storage conditions. Activity recovered 6–9 h after imbibition. A model for loss of viability and vigour due to damage of DNA metabolism is proposed.

Type
Research Papers
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1991

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Arrand, E.J., Willis, A.E., Goldsmith, I. and Lindahl, T. (1986) Different substrate specificities of the two DNA ligases of mammalian cells. Journal of Biological Chemistry 261, 90799082.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bray, C.M. and Dasgupta, J. (1976) Ribonucleic acid synthesis and loss of viability in pea seed. Planta 132, 103108.Google Scholar
Cheah, K.S.E. and Osborne, D.J. (1978) DNA lesions occur with loss of viability in embryos of ageing rye seeds. Nature (London) 272, 593599.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Daniel, P.P. and Bryant, J.A. (1988) DNA ligase in pea (Pisum sativum L.) seedlings: changes in activity during germination and effects of deoxyribonucleotides. Journal of Experimental Botany 39, 481486.Google Scholar
Elder, R.H., Dell'Aquila, A., Mezzina, M., Sarasin, A. and Osborne, D.J. (1987) DNA ligase in repair and replication in the embryos of rye,Secale cereale. Mutation Research 181, 6171.Google Scholar
Kornberg, A. (1980) DNA replication. WH Freeman, San Francisco, CA, USA.Google Scholar
Maniatis, T., Fritsch, E.F. and Sambrook, J. (1982) Molecular cloning: a laboratory manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA.Google Scholar
Meléndez, S. and Vázquez-Ramos, J.M. (1990) Estudios sobre la naturaleza y localización de la síntesis de ADN durante las etapas iniciales de la germinación de maíz. Revista de la Sociedad Quimica de México 14, 354359.Google Scholar
Mezzina, M., Rossignol, J.M., Izzo, M., Bertazzoni, U. and Sarasin, A. (1987) Mammalian DNA ligases structure and function in rat-liver tissues. European Journal of Biochemistry 162, 325332.Google Scholar
Montecucco, A., Pedrali-Noy, G., Spadari, S. and Ciarrocchi, G. (1988) Multiple roles of DNA ligase at the replication fork. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 951, 330334.Google Scholar
Osborne, D.J. (1983) Biochemical control systems operating in the early hours of germination. Canadian Journal of Botany 61, 35683577.Google Scholar
Osborne, D.J., Dell'Aquila, A. and Elder, R. (1984) DNA repair in plant cells. An essential event of early germination in seeds. Folia Biological Chemistry 261, 1063710645.Google Scholar
Peterson, G.L. (1977) A simplification of the protein assay method of Lowry et al. which is more generally applicable. Analytical Biochemistry 83, 346356.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Prignet, C., Maniey, D., Lefresne, J., Epel, D., Signoret, J. and David, J.C. (1987) Changes in the catalytic properties of DNA ligases during early sea urchin development. Developmental Biology 124, 281286.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rabin, B.A. and Chase, J.M. (1987) DNA ligase from Drosophila melanogaster embryos: substrate specificity and mechanism of action. Journal of Biological Chemistry 262, 1410514111.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sen, S. and Osborne, D.J. (1977) Decline in ribonucleic acid and protein synthesis with loss of viability during the early hours of imbibition of rye (Secale cereale L.) embryos. Biochemical Journal 166, 3338CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sen, S., Payne, P.I. and Osborne, D.J. (1975) Early ribonucleic acid synthesis during the germination of rye (Secale cereale) embryos and the relationship to early protein synthesis. Biochemical Journal 148, 381387.Google Scholar
Söderhall, S. and Lindahl, T. (1975) Mammalian DNA ligases. Journal of Biological Chemistry 250, 84388444.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Vázquez-Ramos, J.M., López, S., Vázquez, E. and Murillo, E. (1988) DNA integrity and DNA polymerase activity in deteriorated maize embryo axes. Journal of Plant Physiology 133, 600604.CrossRefGoogle Scholar