Localization of γ Globulin in Rice Seed and Changes in γ Globulin Content during Seed Development and Germination

Three components of γ globulins, γ₁ γ₂ and γ₃, in rice seed were investigated immunochemically. γ₁ Globulin was found to be immunochemically distinct from γ₃ globulin because the immuno-precipitin arcs crossed, while γ₂ globulin was immunochemically identical with γ₃ globulin as γ₂ globulin reacted with the anti-γ₃ globulin-serum. It was revealed by means of fluorescent-antibody technique that both γ₁ and γ₃ globulins were localized in scutellum and aleurone cells. The content of γ₁ globulin in aleurone cells was higher than that in scutellum, while the relative contents of γ₃ globulin in these tissues were in the reverse relation. During seed development, γ₁ and γ₃ globulins increased almost linearly from the 5th day to the 40th day after flowering. On the other hand, the amounts of γ₁ and γ₃ globulins decreased rapidly in the process of germination. The rate of disappearance of γ₃ globulin was greater than that of γ₁ globulin.