Increase of the content of QP47 (a desiccation-associated nuclear protein) in embryo cells during maturation of pea seeds

Abstract

AbstractA nuclear protein (QP47) is synthesized during the last stage of seed maturation when the embryo cells start to dehydrate and enter a condition of metabolic quiescence. This protein is localized in the nucleoplasm surrounding the chromosomes. The correlation existing between the synthesis of QP47 and arrest of cell proliferation, suggests that the presence of this protein in the nucleus could influence its metabolic activities. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that degradation of this protein precedes resumption of cell proliferation during the early stage of radicle elongation.