Quantitative Aspects of Nuclear Nucleoproteins

CONTROL OF NUCLEAR PROCESSES BY AUXIN IN AXILLARY BUDS OF TRADESCANTIA PALUDOSA

Regulatory effects of auxin on mitosis and DNA synthesis were studied in lateral bud apices of Tradescnntia paludosa. In axillary buds inhibited by the terminal bud, mitoses were absent in a group of cells constituting the initials of tunica and corpus within the apex. The DNA (Feulgen) content of inter-phasic nuclei in this "zone of inhibition" was uniform and no greater than that characteristic of diploid telophase (2C), despite differences in nuclear volume. In subapical bud tissues, mitoses occurred at a low rate. Upon removal of the vegetative shoot tip, this mitotic rate was increased and the previously inhibited nuclei within the apes underwent DNA doubling to 4C, then entered prophase. These results indicate that the interphase synthesis of at least one chromosomal substance (DNA) is under auxin control. Evidence is presented that mitosis is not directly inhibited by this hormone. Naphthalene acetic acid was found to substitute for natural auxin in the inhibition of DNA synthesis.