Abstract: Modified IEF-SDS-PAGE technique was applied in comparing and analyzing the
changes of the protein components during the differentiation and development of litchi embryos. The results showed that while most of the proteins in different stages shared similar gel maps , which indicated
the stability of embryo protein components , some were found changing. This experiment discovered 6 new specific proteins in different stages of the embryo development . They were 43. 7 kD pI 3. 5 , 55. 0
kD pI 9. 4 in early torpedo-stages ; 23. 4 kD pI 6. 6 , 25. 1 kD pI 6. 8 in late torpedo2stage ; 25. 1 kD pI 9. 3 , 64. 6 kD pI 5. 9 in early cotyledon2stage. The number of the protein points was the highest in late heart2stage gel map , which indicated that gene expression was most active at the heart embryo stage. The number of protein spots visualized with silver staining is about 300. This result coincided with the one of the protein content determination. These specific proteins showed good repeatability in
the repeated experiments. It is therefore suggested that these specific proteins might play an important role in litchi embryo differentiation and development .

Key words: Litchi, Embryo, Specific protein, Embryo development