The Effect of Dormancy on the Heat Shock Response in Gladiolus Cormels

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Abstract
Cormeals of Gladiolus .times. gandavensis Van Houtte response to heat shock by an induced synthesis of heat shock proteins. Synthesis of some of the non-heat shock proteins is concomitantly reduced. The ability of dormant cormels to synthesize heat shock proteins (hsps) and to repress the synthesis of non-hsps is greater than that of nondormant cones. A hsp of apparent molecular weight 68 kilodaltons is synthesized only in dormant cormels or in cormels that lost their dormancy after long storage at 25.degree. C. The synthesis of hsps at 40.degree. C, but not at 25.degree. C is promoted by abscisic acid in nondormant cormels. Methionine incorporation into hsps declines after a 4-hour incubation period at 40.degree. C. Induction of hsps is stronger if exposure to extreme temperature is done gradually.