On the Chemical Composition of the Aleurone Grains and the Role of the Nucleus on Their Formation

Abstract

1. The crystals in the aleurone grains are not of pure protein nature; they consist of protein substances and oil, probably forming a kind of symplex. When the oil is separated from the crystal the crystal is denaturated, so that it was considered that the oil must be the mother liquid of the crystal and the oil molecules connect the protein molecules or micelles of the protein and keep their crystal nature.2. The aleurone vacuoles are derived from the nuclear granules. The latter were extruded from the nucleus and developed to be aleurone vacuoles, as they absorb water in the cytoplasm. The vacuoles show the reaction of oil to the osmium vapour as well as Sudan III, and also the reaction of protein substance to Millon's reagent and other protein tests. The concentration of the lipo-protein in the vacuole increases by and by, and then at first small crystals appear in the vacuole, later they aggregate together to form one or a few crystals in a vacuole.3. Some structure of protein nature such as nucleolus are formed in the nucleus and remain in it, but some others such as nuclear granules relating to the aleurone vacuoles are extruded into the cytoplasm and results in the formation of lipo-protein crystals.4. It was discussed that the nucleus is the organ of syntheses.5. Many substances which are recognized as the products in the cytoplasm are considered here as of the nuclear origin.The writer's hearty thanks are due to Prof. FUJII for his kind advice in the course of the investigation. The expence of carryir.g out this study was partly defrayed out of a grant from the Department of Education, to which the writer's best thanks are due.