LOCALIZATION AND TRANSPORT OF ALPHA-AMYLASE DURING GERMINATION AND EARLY SEEDLING GROWTH OF HORDEUM-VULGARE

A procedure for the isolation of a germination-specific α-amylase isoenzyme from Hordeum vulgare (cv. Nordal) is described. The pure α-amylase isoenzyme was used to obtain a monospecific anti-α-amylase antibody. The antibody was subsequently used to localise α-amylase in sections of germinating barley seeds (cv. Nordal). Immunohistochemical determination of the pattern of enzyme movement during germination and early seedling growth revealed that at the commencement of germination the α-amylase protein moiety moves away from the entire face of the scutellum and intermediate crushed cell layer. As early seedling growth continues, the protein begins to be synthesised in the aleurone layer and transported away from this layer into the endosperm. © 1979 Carlsberg Laboratory.