1;Contents;8 2;Contributors;10 3;Chapter 1: Introduction;14 3.1;1.1 Dormancy ;14 3.2;References;17 4;Chapter 2: Akinetes: Dormant Cells of Cyanobacteria;18 4.1;2.1 Introduction;14 4.2;2.2 Structure, Composition, and Metabolism of Akinetes;20 4.3;2.3 Factors that Influence Akinete Differentiation;22 4.4;2.4 Factors Influencing Akinete Germination;25 4.5;2.5 The Germination Process;27 4.6;2.6 Ecological Functions of Akinetes;28 4.7;2.7 Genes Involved in Akinete Differentiation;29 4.8;2.8 Similarity of Akinetes to Dormant Forms of Other Prokaryotes;32 4.9;2.9 Conclusions and Future Prospects;34 4.10;References;35 5;Chapter 3: Saccharomyces cerevisiae Spore Germination;41 5.1;3.1 Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a Model Organism for Dormancy;42 5.2;3.2 Yeast Sporulation;42 5.3;3.3 The Dormant Spore;43 5.4;3.4 Germination;44 5.4.1;3.4.1 Nutritional Requirements for Germination;44 5.4.2;3.4.2 Germination: The Process;45 5.4.3;3.4.3 Macromolecular Synthesis and Degradation;46 5.4.4;3.4.4 Trehalose Breakdown;46 5.4.5;3.4.5 Global Changes in Gene Expression During Germination;47 5.4.5.1;3.4.5.1 Two Stages of Germination Prior to the First Mitotic Cell Cycle;47 5.4.5.2;3.4.5.2 Germination and the General Response of Yeast Cells to Glucose;49 5.4.6;3.4.6 Conjugation Between Germinating Spores of Opposite Mating Type;49 5.4.7;3.4.7 Specific Proteins Required for Germination;50 5.4.8;3.4.8 Future Challenges;51 5.5;References;51 6;Chapter 4: Dormancy in Plant Seeds;54 6.1;4.1 Introduction;55 6.1.1;4.1.1 Embryo-Endosperm Interaction as a Mechanistic Model for Germination;56 6.2;4.2 Seed Dormancy Research: An Update;57 6.2.1;4.2.1 Global Analysis;57 6.2.1.1;4.2.1.1 Similarities and Differences between Physiological States;58 6.2.1.2;4.2.1.2 Genes Associated with Different States;59 6.2.1.3;4.2.1.3 The Hormone Balance and Regulation of Dormancy;60 6.2.1.4;4.2.1.4 Exposure to Dormancy Releasing Environmental Factors;61 6.2.1.5;4.2.1.5 Different Seed Tissues and Sensitivities;62 6.2.2;4.2.2 Specific Analyses: Key Genes and Processes Related to the Hormonal Regulation of Dormancy, After-Ripening and Germination;63 6.2.2.1;4.2.2.1 ABA: A Positive Regulator of Dormancy Induction and Maintenance, and a Negative Regulator of Germination;63 6.2.2.2;4.2.2.2 Gibberellins Release Coat Dormancy, Promote Germination and Counteract ABA Effects;64 6.2.2.3;4.2.2.3 Identification of Dormancy-Specific Genes and Other Key Genes that Control Germination Timing;66 6.2.2.4;4.2.2.4 Control of Germination by the Seed Coat: Testa Mutant Studies;67 6.2.2.5;4.2.2.5 Control of Germination by the Endosperm: Endosperm Dormancy and Endosperm Weakening;68 6.3;4.3 Dormancy and Harsh Environments;70 6.3.1;4.3.1 Seed Dormancy and Tolerance in the Dry State;70 6.3.2;4.3.2 Stress Tolerance of Dormant Seeds in the Hydrated State;71 6.4;4.4 Future Prospects;73 6.5;References;73 7;Chapter 5: Bud Dormancy in Perennial Plants: A Mechanism for Survival;79 7.1;5.1 Introduction;79 7.1.1;5.1.1 Bud Phenology in Model Perennials;81 7.1.1.1;5.1.1.1 Woody Perennials;81 7.1.1.2;5.1.1.2 Herbaceous Perennials;83 7.2;5.2 Environmental Regulation;84 7.2.1;5.2.1 Light;84 7.2.2;5.2.2 Temperature;88 7.2.2.1;5.2.2.1 Cold-Hardening/Cold-Acclimation;88 7.2.2.2;5.2.2.2 Vernalization;89 7.3;5.3 Genetic/Physiological Model(s) for Regulation of Dormancy Transitions;90 7.3.1;5.3.1 Hormones;92 7.3.2;5.3.2 Sugar;93 7.4;5.4 Conclusions;94 7.5;References;95 8;Chapter 6: LEA Proteins: Versatility of Form and Function;101 8.1;6.1 Introduction;101 8.1.1;6.1.1 Anhydrobiosis and Desiccation Tolerance;101 8.1.2;6.1.2 Mechanisms of Desiccation Tolerance;102 8.1.3;6.1.3 Unstructured, Highly Hydrophilic Proteins;103 8.2;6.2 LEA Protein Function;105 8.2.1;6.2.1 Protein Protection;105 8.2.2;6.2.2 Membrane Protection;109 8.2.3;6.2.3 The Glassy State;111 8.3;6.3 The Versatility of LEA Proteins;112 8.4;References;114 9;Chapter 7: A Role for Molecular Studies in Unveiling the Pathways for Formation of Rotifer Resting Eggs and Their