LOCATION AND ACTIVITY OF PROTEOLYTIC ENZYMES IN DEVELOPING WHEAT KERNELS
The activities of proteolytic enzymes hydrolyzing hemoglobin and azocasein were followed during the development of a hard red spring wheat cultivar. Hemoglobin and azocasein degrading activity in the outer kernel layers (pericarp, green layer and aleurone) increased until approximately 24 days after anthesis and then declined rapidly. In contrast, hemoglobin degrading activity in the endosperm increased to a maximum level at maturity. Carboxymethyl cellulose chromatography, of whole and dissected kernel extracts at various stages of development, separated the hemoglobin-degrading enzymes into two "acidic" and two "neutral" components. The acidic proteases were found mainly in the outer kernel layers, while the neutral proteases were endosperm specific. Results also indicated the presence of low and possibly high molecular weight endogenous protease inhibitors.