Abstract:Viable sperm cells and somatic protoplasts (leaf, callus) of Zea mays were successfully isolated and purified. The plasma membrane surface proteins of intact somatic protoplasts and sperm cells were compared after probing with N-hydroxysuccinimido-biotin (NHS-bi-otin). Horseradish peroxidase-labelled avidin (HRP-avidin) was used to detect membrane proteins after separation by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. Four protein bands characteristic of the surface membrane of sperm cells were identified varying from 48 to 78 kD, five bands of leaf protoplasts in the range of 45～78 kD, and two bands of callus protoplasts, 67 and 80 kD were detected. One protein of 48 kD was specific to the surface membrane of sperm cells and might be related to the specific roles of sperm cell physiology.