The Relation between Cell-wall and Protein Synthesis in Dwarf Pea Plants treated with Gibberellic Acid

Abstract

The amount of protein and soluble nitrogen present in expanding internodes of intact dwarf pea seedlings, was investigated at different times after treatment of plants with gibberellic acid (GA). There was a marked increase in rate of protein synthesis following GA treatment, but the rate of synthesis did not keep pace with internode expansion, so that the amount of protein per unit length fell. The rate of cell-wall synthesis was also increased, and, in contrast to protein, the amount of cell wall per unit length remained approximately constant during internode expansion. It is suggested that the increased rate of cell-wall synthesis which follows GA treatment is mediated by a change in protein metabolism. The amount of soluble nitrogen present in expanding internodes was also increased. There was little effect of GA upon the protein content of internodes which were almost fully expanded at the time of treatment.