The effect of lead on cyclin expression in lupine roots

The expression of cell cycle gene, cyclin, was analyzed in lupine roots exposed to lead. The level of cyclin mRNA and coding protein were examined by Northern and Western blot techniques and by using lupine cDNA (CycB1;1) and animal-derived antibody, respectively. The cyclin mRNA level was either unchanged or slightly increased after lead treatment and it was concomitant with decrease of RNase activity. The lead ions caused the decrease of cyclin protein accumulation and this effect may be responsible for previously described reduction of mitotic activity caused by this heavy metal (Przymusiński and Woźny 1985).