Identical embryonal proteins in intact and isolated tissues of maize (Zea mays L.).

Minor antigens characteristic of developing and mature embryos were not found in the shoot and root meristems of the seedlings. Some of these embryonal antigens (EA) were present, however, in callus and cell-suspension cultures, irrespective of their tissue origin, and were maintained throughout repeated subcultures, in some cases for more than 2 years. These EA were distinct both from the meristematic antigens found in the intact seedlings and in callus cultures, and from organ-specific antigens found only in intact plants. The EA of callus tissues derived from several maize genotypes were serologically identical. We therefore assume that these EA are "proliferation proteins" or "early proteins" expressed by cells that have not undergone any determination and lack any tissue or organ specificity.