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Proteomic analysis was performed on seedlings after different light treatments. A total of (1 350±31) protein spots was separated and visualized on each silver nitrate-stained two-dimensional gel using protein samples prepared from light-grown or etiolated seedlings with or without 6–9 h light treatment. Twenty-five protein spots (encoded by 19 genes) that were significantly accumulated upon light treatment were identified using the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry method. Functional proteomics indicated that these proteins involved mainly in chloroplast development, energy metabolism, cell cycle progression and membrane electron transport. For 18 of the protein-coding genes we identified through an internet search, the transcript levels of 17 genes matched roughly with their protein content in etiolated and green seedlings, suggesting that these genes were regulated by light mainly at the transcriptional level. Despite a very significant increase in the amount of proteins upon light treatment, similar RNA levels were found in dark-grown or green seedlings for the carbonic anhydrase gene At3g05100, indicating a possible post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism. Elucidation of light-induced protein accumulation will undoubtedly enhance our understanding of plant photomorphogenesis. (Managing editor: Ya-Qin Han) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Germination is the first and maybe the foremost growth stage in the life cycle of a plant. Herein, we report that initiation of germination in the Arabidopsis Columbia ecotype was accompanied by a sharp decrease in the amount of extractable total RNA. At the beginning of our germination experiment, we were usually able to obtain 35–40 μg total RNA from 100 mg dry seeds. However, after 3 d of cold stratification, we could only obtain less than 5 μg total RNA from the same amount of starting material. Young seedlings contained approximately 100 μg total RNA per 100 mg fresh tissue. Further studies showed that inhibition of de novo RNA synthesis by actinomycin D prevented the degradation of parental RNA and, in the meantime, significantly delayed the germination process. Several ribonuclease-like genes that were highly expressed in dry seeds, and especially during the cold stratification period, were discovered. We propose that these enzymes are involved in the regulation of parental RNA degradation. These results indicate that parental RNA metabolism may be an important process for Arabidopsis seed germination. (Managing editor: Ya-Qin Han) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]