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. 1993 May;102(1):195–203. doi: 10.1104/pp.102.1.195

Aleurones from a Barley with Low [alpha]-Amylase Activity Become Highly Responsive to Gibberellin When Detached from the Starchy Endosperm.

R W Skadsen 1
PMCID: PMC158763  PMID: 12231810

Abstract

The physiological and molecular bases for contrasting [alpha]-amylase phenotypes were examined in germinating seeds of two barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars, Morex and Steptoe. Morex is a high-quality malting barley that develops high [alpha]-amylase activity soon after germination. Steptoe is a feed barley that develops only low [alpha]-amylase activity levels during this period. The expression of all high- and low-isoelectric point (pl) [alpha]-amylase isozymes is reduced in Steptoe. The amount of [alpha]-amylase mRNA per gram of seedling tissue is correspondingly lower in Steptoe. Southern blot analysis revealed that the cultivars have the same copy number and organization for most high- and low-pl genes. Steptoe seedlings or embryoless half-seeds produce little [alpha]-amylase in response to exogenous applications of gibberellic acid (GA3) compared with Morex. However, when isolated aleurones of both cultivars are treated with GA3, they produce similar amounts of high- and low-pl [alpha]-amylase RNAs. This suggests that a factor in the starchy endosperm is responsible for lowered [alpha]-amylase response in Steptoe. The factor is probably not abscisic acid (ABA), since the two cultivars have similar concentrations of ABA during germination.

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Selected References

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