LOCATION OF ALPHA-AMYLASE SUBTILISIN INHIBITOR DURING KERNEL DEVELOPMENT AND GERMINATION/

The location of an endogenous alpha-amylase/subtilisin inhibitor in de veloping and germinating barley (Hordeum vulgare, cv. Bonanza) was det ermined using immunohistochemical techniques. The inhibitor was found within protein bodies of cells containing starch granules in the starc hy endosperm and embryo of developing caryopses. It could be detected as early as 2 weeks postanthesis in both organs. Upon germination, inh ibitor was released from protein bodies, resulting in increased detect ion of the protein in regions of the starchy endosperm in which storag e mobilization was occurring. Antibodies to alpha-amylase revealed lar ge quantities of this protein in the same regions.