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1: J Cell Biol. 2001 Dec 10;155(6):991-1002. Epub 2001 Dec 10.
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The protein storage vacuole: a unique compound organelle.

Jiang L, Phillips TE, Hamm CA, Drozdowicz YM, Rea PA, Maeshima M, Rogers SW, Rogers JC.

Department of Biology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China.

Storage proteins are deposited into protein storage vacuoles (PSVs) during plant seed development and maturation and stably accumulate to high levels; subsequently, during germination the storage proteins are rapidly degraded to provide nutrients for use by the embryo. Here, we show that a PSV has within it a membrane-bound compartment containing crystals of phytic acid and proteins that are characteristic of a lytic vacuole. This compound organization, a vacuole within a vacuole whereby storage functions are separated from lytic functions, has not been described previously for organelles within the secretory pathway of eukaryotic cells. The partitioning of storage and lytic functions within the same vacuole may reflect the need to keep the functions separate during seed development and maturation and yet provide a ready source of digestive enzymes to initiate degradative processes early in germination.

Publication Types:
PMID: 11739409 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PMCID: PMC2150895