Wheat proteins. II.—changes in the protein composition of Triticum vulgare during the life cycle of the plant

Changes in the wheat protein system, particularly endosperm proteins, during the life cycle of the plant have been followed using a starch gel electrophoresis technique. Fractions of low electrophoretic mobility were progressively degraded during germination and progressively synthesised towards the end of the ripening period, indicating their probable role as storage proteins of the endosperm. In contrast, fractions of higher mobility were less affected during germination and were utilised at a later stage. Similarly, these components were synthesised first during ripening and remained at a relatively constant level during the build‐up of apparently high molecular weight material. On the information available it was not possible to determine whether the fast‐moving fractions represented the enzymes of the system or were precursors of the larger components.