Gibberellin action in germinated cereal grains

Abstract

The cereal aleurone layer is a secretory tissue that surrounds the starchy endosperm and the embryo. The study of the response of cereal aleurone to gibberellin and abscisic acid (GA and ABA, respectively1) has made a significant contribution to our understanding of GA action in plant cells, especially as it relates to the control of gene expression, and also to the function of the endosperm following germination. While much of the work has been carried out using isolated aleurone from barley, it seems that the principles governing this system apply also to other cereal grains.