Amino acid pools and protein synthesis in germinating maize embryos.

Amino acid pools were analyzed in maize (Zea mays L.) axes germinated for 0, 6 and 24 h. Proteins synthesized at early (0-6 h) and late (18-24 h) stages were characterized by gel electrophoresis and fluorography after either (14)C-leucine or (14)C-lysine pulses. An increase of amino acid incorporation after 18-24 h was observed, as well as changes in the protein patterns of the corresponding fluorographs. Analysis of the endogenous amino acid pools showed major changes in contents of proline, alanine, isoleucine, valine, leucine and lysine. A selective increase of lysine incorporation into proteins during the late stage was detected.