RNA synthesis and the germination of light-sensitive lettuce seeds

The germination of lettuce seeds is inhibited by the nucleotide base analogue 6-methylpurine. RNA synthesis has been measured during imbibition and germination as (32)P-phosphate incorporation into RNA species as fractionated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Seeds were surface sterilized and imbibed in the presence of various antibiotics. RNA preparations from lettuce seeds were coelectrophoresed with (3)H-RNA prepared from bacteria to check for bacterial contamination of the seeds. There is a much higher rate of RNA synthesis in illuminated, germinating seeds as compared to dark, non-germinating seeds. This difference does not develop until after 12 hours of imbibition at 27°, which is the time of onset of germination and radicle growth.