Localization of beta-glucan synthases on the membranes of cultured Lolium multiflorum (ryegrass) endosperm cells.

The distribution of beta-glucan synthases between plasma membranes and intracellular membranes of suspension-cultured Italian-ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) endosperm cells was examined. Highly purified plasma membranes prepared from protoplasts were only slightly enriched in beta-glucan synthases assayed at 10 microM- and 1 mM-UDP-glucose. Most beta-glucan synthase was associated with intracellular membranes. These membranes were fractionated on a linear sucrose density gradient and were resolved into different membrane fractions containing beta-glucan synthases. Beta-Glucan synthases assayed at 10 microM-UDP-glucose were found in a fraction banding at a density of 1.11 g . cm-3, but most of the beta-glucan synthase assayed at 1 mM-DDP-glucose was at a density of 1.04 g . cm-3.