Application of direct tissue rocket‐line immuno‐electrophoresis to the study of α‐amylase production and its localization in wheat seeds during the early stages of germination

Abstract

AbstractLine immunoelectrophoresis was adapted to the quantitative analysis of antigens directly from tissues without any previous extraction. The technique was used in a study on the production and the distribution of two α‐amylase isozymes (I and II) in tissues of wheat seeds that sprouted (radicle emergence) after different periods of germination. The α‐amylase content was examined in the scutellum and in three tissue fractions dissected from a 0.5 mm slice parallel and next to the scutellum (aleurone layer, outer and inner part of starchy endosperm). At the stages of germination investigated, α‐amylase I was not detected in these tissues. The results indicate that α‐amylase II accumulated in the scutellum and also in the aleurone layer after one day's germination; after about two day's germination, the α‐amylase II content in the aleurone layer was similar to or higher than that in the scutellum. Moreover, the production and distribution of α‐amylase II do not seem to be correlated with the radicle emergence.