Relations between DNA, RNA and Protein Synthesis, and the Cellular Basis of the Growth Response in Gibberellic acid-Treated Pea Internodes

1. A study was made of the influence of gibberellic acid (GA₂)on nucleic acid, protein, and cell-wall synthesis in pea internodesin vivo. 2. GA₃-treated fifth internodes finally contained more thantwice as much total RNA and protein as comparable untreatedones, and the contents of RNA and protein were closely relatedto the length of internode cortical cells. 3. Cell elongation, RNA, protein, and cell-wall synthesis werestimulated 24–48 h before there was any demonstrable GA₃effect on DNA synthesis and cell division. 4. Treated fifth internodes finally contained twice as manycortical cells as control internodes, a response that was matchedby a proportionate increase in the amount of DNA. 5. Internodes treated with actinomycin D or cycloheximide failedto elongate in response to GA₃ treatment, indicating that bothRNA and protein synthesis are essential for gibberellin-stimulatedcell elongation to occur in this tissue. 6. 5-fluorodeoxyuridine at concentrations which completely blockcell division did not prevent cells from elongating in the presenceof GA₃. 7. With the possible exception of pectic substances there wasno change in the relative proportions of each of the major cell-wallconstituents in treated, as compared to control internodes.