[Gibberellic acid stimulated gene activity in the endosperm of Phaseolus]

Gibberellic acid, injected into maturing ovules of Phaseolus vulgaris, induces 3.2-fold enhancement of the number of additional nucleoli within the endopolyploid endosperm nuclei. The additional nucleoli originate at different sites of polytene chromosome-like chromosome bundles. They contain RNA and are sensitive to actinomycin D. Similar nucleolar bodies are extruded by the main nucleolus. It is assumed that gibberellic acid stimulates the chromosomal and nucleolar RNA synthesis, i.e., the gene activity, in the endosperm nuclei.RNA synthesis was tested by (3)H-thymidine it could be seen that gibberellin-treated and gibberellin-treated endosperms were labeled, but those of actinomycin-treated endosperms were not. Using (3)H-thymidine it could be seen that gibberellin-treated endosperm nuclei continue to replicate their DNA for a longer period than untreated nuclei. Hence it follows that the treated nuclei become more highly endopolyploid and are capable of functioning longer than the untreated ones.