DEVELOPMENT OF PROTEIN BODIES IN COTYLEDONS OF FAGUS-SYLVATICA

Electron microscopic analysis of cotyledons of beech (Fagus sylvatica) at different stages of seed maturation indicates that protein bodies originate by gradual subdivision of the vacuoles in which reserve prot eins are deposited. The majority of protein bodies show a proteinaceou s matrix and a number of globoid inclusions of different sizes. In a s mall number of cells, druse-like inclusions were observed. Analysis by SDS-PAGE of proteins extracted from isolated protein bodies shows tha t the majority correspond to beech seed storage globulins.