An attractive hypothesis, which was popular for some time, was that GA3
induces an increase in the overall protein-synthesizing capacity of the aleurone
layer cells, and that a-amylase is made on newly formed membrane-bound
polysomes. Evidence seemed to suggest that GA3 induced an increase in
polysomes during the lag phase, as well as a proliferation of membranes—the
polysomes then associated with the membranes, resulting in an increase in rough
endoplasmic reticulum. It is now evident, however, that GA3 does not enhance
total lipid, total lipid phosphorus, or membrane phospholipid in aleurone layer
cells up to and beyond the time of a-amylase synthesis, nor does it induce an
increase in polysomes. The original claims unfortunately were based on results
obtained using inadequate techniques.