Developmental Expression of a Catalase Inhibitor in Maize

The expression of an endogenous catalase inhibitor has been studied during development of Zea mays. In the 3-day seedling, the inhibitor is expressed primarily in the scutellum and in the aleurone layer of the endosperm. These tissues also show the highest catalase activity at this stage. Inhibitor expression has also been studied temporally in the scutellum, roots, and shoot over the first 12 days of germination. Inhibitor expression shows an inverse relationship with catalase activity in the scutellum and in the shoot. The relationship is less rigid in the root, due probably to the low levels of inhibitor found in that tissue. The role of the inhibitor in catalase regulation is discussed.