Amyloplast nucleoids in sycamore cells and presence in amyloplast DNA of homologous sequences to chloroplast genes.

Employing specific dye-stain followed by fluorescence microscopy, evidence was obtained for the presence of amyloplast nucleoids in protoplasts as well as in the amyloplasts isolated from the suspension- cultured cells of sycamore (Acer psuedoplatanus L.), which are devoid of chlorophylls and grow heterotrophically. We have isolated and partially characterized amyloplast DNA. The presence of six homologous sequences to chloroplast genes encoding (i) apoprotein of P700, (ii) 32 kDa protein (photogene 32), (iii) alpha subunit of CF1, (iv) large subunit of RuBisCO, (v) beta and epsilon subunits of CF1 and (vi) 16S ribosomal RNA, has been revealed by hybridization experiments, using gene probes from maize chloroplast DNA.