The subcellular compartmentation of beta -glucosidase was studied in rye, m
aize and wheat seedlings by immunocytochemical methods. For detection, we u
sed a 10 nm gold-labeled secondary antibody, and results were observed usin
g transmission electron microscopy. In all three species, beta -glucosidase
was found in plastids, cytoplasm and cell walls. In rye, gold particles we
re seen on cell walls and cytoplasm in epidermal cells of the root tip and
shoot, in bundle sheath cells of the shoot and in all cells, except the vas
cular bundle cells of the coleoptile. Gold labeling was also observed in pl
astids of the bundle sheath cells of rye shoot tips and in cortical cells o
f root tips. In wheat, gold labeling was observed on cell walls and cytopla
sm of epidermal cells in the shoot base and coleoptile, and on cell wails a
nd plastids in epidermal cells of the root tip, In maize, gold labeling was
mainly found in plastids or proplastids in vascular bundle cells and bundl
e sheath cells of the shoot, in bundle sheath cells of the coleoptile and i
n epidermal cells of the root. Some gold particles were also found in cell
walls and cytoplasm of stomatal guard cells of the shoot base and vascular
bundle cells of the shoot tip and in the cell walls of bundle sheath cells
of the shoot tip and root tip epidermal cells. Results are discussed in rel
ation to the role of beta -glucosidase in hydroxamic acid release and overa
ll defense mechanism of monocotyledons.