COMPARISON OF THE EXPRESSION PATTERNS OF GENES-CODING FOR WHEAT GLUTEN PROTEINS AND PROTEINS INVOLVED IN THE SECRETORY PATHWAY IN DEVELOPING CARYOPSES OF WHEAT

The synthesis of gluten proteins in the developing caryopsis of wheat is highly coordinated, with mRNAs for the various groups being detecte d from 11 days after anthesis, and the proteins from about 14 days. In contrast, the levels of transcripts for BiP, PDI and PPI are highest at earlier stages of development. The levels of transcripts for two sm all GTP binding proteins involved in the secretory pathway (Rab1 and R ab5) are also highest early in development, which is consistent with t he retention of most of the gluten proteins within the ER to form prot ein bodies.