Patterns of starchy endosperm acidification and protease gene expression in wheat grains following germination

Cereal aleurone responses to gibberellic acid (GA(3)) include activation of synthesis of hydrolytic enzymes and acidification of the external medium. We have studied the effect of the pH of the incubation medium on the response of wheat (Triticum aestivum) aleurone cells to GA(3). De-embryonated half grains show the capacity for GA(3)-activated medium acidification when incubation is carried out at pH 6.0 to 7.0 but not at lower pHs. In addition, the activating effect of GA(3) on the expression of carboxypeptidase III and thiol protease genes is more efficient when the hormone treatment is carried out at neutral pH. In situ pH staining showed that starchy endosperm acidification takes place upon imbibition and advances from the embryo to the distal part of the grain. In situ hybridization experiments showed a similar pattern of expression of a carboxypeptidase III gene, which is up-regulated by GA(3) in aleurone cells. However, aleurone gene expression precedes starchy endosperm acidification. These findings imply that in vivo GA perception by the aleurone layer takes place at neutral pH and suggest that the acidification of the starchy endosperm is regulated by GA(3) in germinated wheat grains.