Summary
Protease formation in Phaseolus vulgaris L. cotyledons during seed germination was studied histochemically using a gelatin-film-substrate method. Protease activity can be detected by this method on the 5th day of germination, at approximately the same time that a rapid increase of activity was observed by a test-tube assay with casein as a substrate. At the early stage of germination, protease activity was observed throughout the cotyledon except in two or three cell layers below the cotyledon surface and in several cell layers around the vascular bundles. A highly active cell layer surrounding the protease-inactive cells near the vascular bundles is suggested to be a source of the protease.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adams, C. W. M., Tuqan, N. A.: The histochemical demonstration of protease by a gelatin-silver film substrate. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 9, 469–472 (1961).
Bagley, B. W., Cherry, J. H., Rallins, M. L., Altshul, A. M.: A study of protein bodies during germination of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) seed. Amer. J. Bot. 50, 523–532 (1963).
Briarty, L. G., Coult, D. A., Boulter, D.: Protein bodies of germinating seeds of Vicia faba. J. exp. Bot. 21, 513–524 (1970).
Danjo, T., Shida, S.: On the changes of cotyledons in seeds of leguminous crop plants during germination. I. Plant development and the constitution of cotyledonary stored foods in kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) at the early stage of growth. Bull. Fac. Agr., Univ. of Miyazaki 17, 209–220 (1970).
Daoust, R.: Localization of deoxyribonuclease in tissue sections. Exp. Cell Res. 12, 203–211 (1957).
Daoust, R.: Histochemical localization of enzyme activities by substrate film methods: ribonuclease, protease, amylase, and hyaluronidase. Int. Rev. Cytol. 18, 191–221 (1965).
Daoust, R.: The localization of enzyme activities by substrate film methods-evaluation and perspectives. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 16, 540–545 (1968).
Doutt, M. T.: Anatomy of Phaseolus vulgaris L. Black Valentine. Tech. Bull. No 128, Michigan State Coll. Exp. Sta. (1932).
Flinn, A. M., Smith, D. L.: The localization of enzymes in cotyledons of Pisum sativum L. during germination. Planta (Berl.) 75, 10–22 (1967).
Gaddum, P., Blandau, R. J.: Proteolytic reaction of mammalian spermatozoa on gelatin membrane. Science 170, 749–751 (1970).
Öpik, H.: Changes in cell fine structure in cotyledons of Phaseolus vulgaris L. during germination. J. exp. Bot. 17, 427–439 (1966).
Pusztai, A., Duncan, I.: Changes in proteolytic activities and transformation of nitrogenous compounds in germinating seeds of kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). Planta (Berl.) 96, 317–325 (1971).
Yarbrough, J. A.: Arachis hypogaea. The seedlings, its cotyledons, hypocotyl and roots. Amer. J. Bot. 36, 758–772 (1949).
Yemm, E. W., Cocking, E. C.: The determination of amino-acids with ninhydrin. Analyst 80, 209–213 (1955).
Yomo, H., Srinivasan, K.: Protease activity in vitro and in vivo in relation to growth regulators. (Abstr.) Plant Physiol. 49, Suppl. 47 (1972).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Brooklyn Botanic Garden Contribution No. 202.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Yomo, H., Taylor, M.P. Histochemical studies on protease formation in the cotyledons of germinating bean seeds. Planta 112, 35–43 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00386029
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00386029