Pumpkin (Cucurbita sp.) seed globulin VII. Immunofluorescent study on protein bodies in ungerminated and germinating cotyledon cells

Protein bodies of pumpkin cotyledon cells were oval (about 10?7µm), and each was composed of a crystalloid, a globoidand proteinaceous matrix. They started to swell and fuse with1 day of imbibition. The proteinaceous matrix region expandedat the expense of crystalloids, and its electron density decreased.Finally, the protein bodies became central vacuoles includingmany small protein particles in about 8 days of germination. Fluorescent microscopy using antibodies raised against pumpkinseed globulin showed that fluorescence could not be observedin either protein bodies of ungerminated seeds or crystalloidsof germinating cotyledons, and only the proteinaceous matrixof germinating cotyledons became fluorescent. Probable causesof no fluorescence on crystalloids of seed globulin depositionwere considered. (Received November 9, 1979; )