Changes in the Nucleus during Cellular Development in the Pea Seedling

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Abstract
Nuclei were isolated from three regions of the root and from the epicotyls of growing pea seedlings. As the dry mass of the nuclei was the same before and after isolation, and as the DNA content of the nuclei accounted for the DNA of the cells, the isolated nuclei are assumed to be a random sample of the nuclei in the intact tissues. The DNA, RNA, and protein contents per cell were much greater in the epicotyl than in the root, but the RNA and protein contents of the nucleus were similar in both epicotyl and root. Although the amounts of DNA, RNA, and protein per cell increased with increasing distance from the root tip, increase in the protein content of the nucleus occurred mainly between the meristematic and expanding regions, and at this same point nuclear RNA decreased. Nuclear volume increased with increasing distance from the root tip, whereas nuclear dry mass remained virtually unchanged. The nucleus therefore becomes increasingly hydrated as the cells mature. The data suggest a changing interaction between the nucleus and the cytoplasm during cellular development.

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