Monitoring of Germin Synthesis by Pre-Absorbed Anti-Germin Serum

Authors: MAHMUT ÇALIŞKAN, ANDREW C. CUMING

Abstract: The transition of a quiescent plant embryo into a vigorously growing embryo revealed some nascent synthesis of gene products, among them germin has been characterized. Germin is a water soluble homopentameric glycoprotein whose synthesis and accumulation appear to be closely related to early wheat embryo development. Germin synthesis was monitored by employing an anti-germin serum which had been pre-adsorbed with wheat extract and optimized in order to decrease nonspecific binding. Germin accumulation was shown to occur in germinating embryos from 16h up to 6 day post-imbibition. Germin as a rare protein in wheat seedlings was detected as a dark band on X-rays in amounts as small as 20 µl protein extracts. Neither germin in mature wheat plant organs nor germinated embryos were detected prior to 16 hours of imbibition.

Keywords: Early Wheat development, Germin, Western blotting.

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