Protein Body Inclusions in Developing Wheat Endosperm

Endosperm tissue of two wheat cultivars, Maris Freeman and Mardlerwas examined by light and electron microscopy from early stagesof development until maturity. Spherical electron-dense inclusionswere first seen embedded in the periphery of endosperm proteinbodies of both cultivars 11 days after anthesis. The inclusions,which gave a positive histochemical reaction for both proteinand lipid, persisted throughout endosperm development and werepresent in the protein matrix of mature grain. Two types ofmembranous inclusions were found. In Maris Freeman and Mardler,vesicles and myelin whorls were associated with the surfaceof the protein mass during development and maturation. In MarisFreeman, membrane lattices of branched tubules with a basiccubic repeat unit of 44.8 nm were found in close contact withthe protein mass, but these were not present in mature grain. Triticum aestivum L., wheat, endosperm, protein body inclusions, ultrastructure