RNA Polymerase Activity During Breakage of Seed Dormancy by Low Temperature Treatment of Fruits of Acer platanoides (Norway Maple)

Slater, R. J. and Bryant, J. A. 1987. RNA polymerase activityduring breakage of seed dormancy by low temperature treatmentof fruits of Acer platanoides (Norway maple).—J. exp.Bot. 38:1026–1032. Endogenous RNA polymerase activity has been characterized innuclei isolated from embryo axes of Acer platanoides. Optimalactivity was recorded at 4·0 mol m^–3 MgCl₂ and50 mol m^–3 (NH₄)₂SO₄ and total activity could be inhibitedby up to 30% by -amanitin. Stratification of fruits leads toa stimulation of RNA polymerase activity. A minimum of 3 d coldtreatment is required with at least 3-fold stimulation recordedafter 10 d at 4°C. The increased enzyme activity is resistantto -amanitin suggesting an effect on RNA polymerase I. Key words: Acer platanoides, RNA polymerase, seed dormancy