Influence of Kinetin, β-lndoleacetic Acid and Gibberellic Acid on Nuclease Activity of Bean (Phaseolis vulgaris) Hypocotyls

Abstract

RECENTLY Skoog, Miller and co-workers¹ have drawn attention to the role of growth substances in nucleic acid synthesis connected with mitosis and cytokinesis. Silberger and Skoog² reported that treatment of tobacco pith with indoleacetic acid in sterile culture caused an increase in ribo- and deoxyribonucleic acids. Studies of the cytological effects of auxins and kinins in tobacco callus and stem tissue cultured in vitro ³ have shown that a delicate balance between indoleacetic acid and kinins may determine all types of growth from cell enlargement to organ formation. The biochemical nature of this interaction, especially its role in nucleic acid metabolism, remains to be determined. This communication deals with the influence of kinetin, indoleacetic acid and gibberellic acid on the activity of deoxyribonuclease and ribonuclease–enzymes concerned in nucleic acid metabolism.