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Title: PLANT SEEDS: AN EXCITING MODEL SYSTEM FOR DISSECTING MOLECULAR AND CELLULARREGULATION OF METABOLIC PROCESSES.

Author
item GALILI, GAD - WEIZMANN INST., ISRAEL
item TANG, GUILIANG - WEIZMANN INST., ISRAEL
item ZHU, XIAAOHONG - WEIZMANN INST., ISRAEL
item AMIR, R - WEIZMANN INST., ISRAEL
item LEVANONY, HANNA - WEIZMANN INST., ISRAEL
item SHY, GALIA - WEIZMANN INST., ISRAEL
item HERMAN, ELIOT

Submitted to: Israel Journal of Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/20/2000
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Seed storage proteins are a primary product of all seed and grain crops. The production of storage proteins is a central goal of much of agriculture world-wide. Understanding the biological processes involved in the production of seed storage proteins yields critical information useful either to select for improved varieties or to intervene with biotechnology to alter crops to enhance productivity and composition. Recent advances hold the promise for near-term developments that will revolutionize agricultural productivity. This paper summarizes the results from an invited talk and outlines the biological mechanisms of storage protein synthesis and accumulation in both dicotyledeonous and cereal crops. The information contained in this review will be of use to scientists in both industry and academic laboratories.

Technical Abstract: Seed proteins are stored in specialized intracellular compartments that are formed during seed maturation as a result of de novo synthesis from amino acid pool originating in vegetative cells. There are two distinct types of protein storage organelles termed protein bodies and protein storage vacuoles. Protein bodies are formed directly from the endoplasmic reticulum as complete mature organelles sequestering dense deposits of storage proteins. Protein storage vacuoles are formed by a more complex process where empty vacuoles are formed from Golgi apparatus derived vesicles and storage proteins are gradually deposited within these vacuoles to produce the mature protein storage vacuole. The process of the synthesis and processing of storage proteins and mechanisms of the formation of the two types of protein storage organelles is reviewed.