Autolysis of protein bodies in germinating lentil seeds

Protein bodies isolated from lentil (Lens culinaris, Medik) cotyledons exhibit autolytic activity which increases during seed germination. Such autolytic capacity is active across a broad pH range and shows a maximum at pH 6.5. Excision of the embryonic axis reduces autolytic capacity and application during incubation of the seeds without axis of both 6-benzylaminopurine and kinetin is able to replace it. On the other hand, the proteolytic activity in the protein body membrane, is located towards the proteinaceous matrix and is obviously partially responsible for this autolytic activity.