Changes in DNA, dry mass and protein content of leaf epidermis nuclei during aging of perennial monocotyledonous plants

• Main Author: Hanna Kuran
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Polish Botanical Society 2014-01-01
• Series: Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae
• Subjects: leaf epidermis; senescence; perennial monocotyledons; DNA content; dry mass; protein content; Clivia; Rhoeo
• Online Access: https://pbsociety.org.pl/journals/index.php/asbp/article/view/1143

DNA, NYS and DNFB protein contents were measured cytophotometrically using the Feulgen method in the nuclei of the epidermis from. the basal zone of young leaves and from the basal and apical zones of old leaves in two perennial monocotyledonous species, Clivia miniata and Rhoeo discolor. Dry mass was determined interferometrically. It was shown that nuclei with a 2C DNA content dominated in both zones of old leaves, and that a significant percentage of cells with a DNA content below 2C were present. The ratio between euchromatin DNA and heterochromatin DNA indicates a greater decrease in euchromatin during aging. Changes in DNA due to real DNA loss are accompanied by decreases in NYS and DNFB stained proteins and a decrease in dry mass content correlated mainly with the decrease in the amount of NYS proteins.