Changes in protein synthesis during the development of Agrostemma githago seeds

The transition from the growth to the maturation phase in developing seeds of Agrostemma githago L. was found to coincide with major changes in the rate of protein synthesis, the kinds of proteins synthesized, and the composition of the non-proteinbound amino acid pool. Coincident changes were observed in viability and the ability to withstand desiccation. Desiccated mature Agrostemma seeds are dormant and need at least three months of after-ripening. In imbibed dormant and after-ripened seeds no synthesis of storage proteins was observed with the exception of one particular set of storage proteins. Dormant and after-ripened seeds synthesized the same kinds of proteins during early imbibition, indicating an almost identical metabolic state which differs considerably from that of developing seeds.