Localization of Arginine-Rich Proteins in Mature Seeds of some Members of the Gramineae

Abstract

Several mature grass seeds (Triticum aestivum L., Avena sativa L., Andropogon sorghum Brot., Echinochloa utilis Ohwi & Yabuno, and Lolium perenne L.) were fixed and embedded in glycol methacrylate. Thin (1-2 p.m) sections were examined by light microscopy after staining specifically for arginine residues or basic proteins. The aleurone protein bodies of all seeds stained intensely by these methods but there was considerable variation in concentration and organization of the arginine-rich basic proteins in endosperm tissue of the various seeds. Amino acid analysis was used to confirm the histochemical differences in basic amino acid concentration between the aleurone layer and endosperm of T. aBstivum.