Aminopeptidase activity had two peaks during development of peanut(Arachis hypogaea L. ) embryos

which coincided with the synthesis of storage pro-teins. A weak activity peak of carboxypeptidase emerged in the late stage of develop-ment of embryo. Aminopeptidase might have an important role in modifying the struc-ture of peptides of storage proteins. Abscisic acid inhibited germination of embryos invitro

decreased activities of endopeptidase and carboxypeptidase

but aminopeptidaseactivitiy was not affected. Degradation of storage proteins in germinating embryos invitro during development was dependent upon carboxypeptidase. Endogenous ABA con-tent declined in germinating embryos. Results from Act-D and CHM treatment showedthat carboxypeptidase existed in cells of matured embryos but its activity was mainly in-hibited.