On the Role of Stored mRNA in Protein Synthesis in Embryonic Axes of Germinating Vigna unguiculata Seeds

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Abstract
Polyadenylated (poly A+) RNAs were prepared from both dry and incubated embryonic axes of Vigna unguiculata seeds and were translated by a wheat germ translation system. Analysis with gel electrophoresis and fluorography showed that translation products of poly A+ RNA from dry embryonic axes were nearly the same as those from 2-hour incubated axes but somewhat different from those of 4- to 24-hour incubated axes, and that translation products remained almost unchanged between the 4- and 24-hour stages of postimbibition. The results indicate the possibility that the stored mRNA (poly A+ RNA from dry embryonic axes) directs the protein synthesis required for early stages of germination. This is supported by comparison of the in vitro translation products of poly A+ RNAs with those of polysomal RNAs. Experiments with .alpha.-amanitin, a specific inhibitor of RNA polymerase II (J. Jendrisak 1980 J Biol Chem 255:8529-8533), suggested that the synthesis of some of the stored mRNA species is resumed as early as 4 hours after the onset of imbibition.