Experimente zur Wirkung von Actinomycin D auf die durch Phytochrom bewirkte Anthocyansynthese

Abstract

Phytochrome-mediated anthocyanin synthesis of the mustard seedling can be blocked by moderate concentrations of Actinomycin D (10 μg/ml in the solution around the seedling) if the substance is applied before the onset of far-red light (Fig. 1). If, however, the seedlings are irradiated with far-red for 6 hours, transferred to the dark for one hour, incubated with Act. D for 3 hours (in the dark) and then re-irradiated with continuous far-red, anthocyanin synthesis can only partially be inhibited (Fig. 2). — There are good arguments that the physiological action of the small stationary concentration of P₇₃₀ which is left in the plant after we turn off the far-red light will virtually stop at the moment when the light is turned off (Wagner and Mohr, 1966a). Furthermore the P₇₃₀-dependent mRNAs which are involved in anthocyanin synthesis seem to be shortlived (Lange and Mohr, 1965; Mohr and Senf, 1966; Durst and Mohr, 1966). Considering these arguments and the results of the present paper we cannot but conclude that genes which have once been activated by P₇₃₀ will not return to the original state—at least with respect to Act. D sensitivity—even when the activating (or de-repressing) agent (P₇₃₀ in our case) has disappeared.