Induction of deoxyribonucleic Acid synthesis in potato tuber tissue by cutting

Incorporation of (32)P-orthophosphate was found in the DNA fraction of aerobically incubated potato discs when examined by methylated albumin kieselguhr column chromatography. The estimation of DNA content of the discs was by a method developed for starchy tissues and showed that the incorporation of (32)P was due to net synthesis of DNA. The DNA content of a disc rapidly increased after a lag period of about 12 hours. The increase continued during the entire test period although at a lower rate during the later period of aging. DNA synthesis was further examined by measuring the rate of incorporation of (3)H-thymidine. The striking similarity which was found between changes in the rate of DNA accumulation and in the rate of (3)H-thymidine incorporation indicates that the incorporation of (3)H-thymidine actually represents the net synthesis of DNA. Although the experiments with microautoradiography revealed that DNA synthesis occurred exclusively in nuclei, no signs of cell division were detected by microscopic observation. DNA synthesis in potato discs was further examined by using inhibitors of protein and RNA synthesis and was sensitive to those inhibitors. The significance of the present results is discussed in relation to the role of wounding in the induction of DNA synthesis.