[Uptake of (14C) leucine and protein synthesis in potato tuber buds and effect of abscisic acid on these processes]

Abstract

The uptake of [14C] leucine and its incorporation into proteins of dormant and growing potato tuber buds were studied. It was found that the label uptake was increased at the beginning of the growth period, whereas the dynamics of this process were not changed in comparison with the dormant buds samples. The rate of [14C] leucine incorporation into proteins was increased in the growing buds; this increase was not, however, due to the increase in the uptake of the labelled precursor and was probably caused by activation of the protein synthesis. In contrast, the activation of protein synthesis was accompanied by changses is the dynamic incorporation of [14C] leucine into the protein at the end of dormancy. The effect of abscisic acid (10(-7) M) on the protein synthesis was not connected with its action of the uptake of labelled precursor and depended on the physiological state of buds and incubation time. A possible mechanism of regulatory effect of abscisic acid on protein synthesis in potato tuber buds is discussed.