Two transcripts (Ole-1 and Ole-2) encoding two oleosin isoforms homologous to the 18 and 16 kDa oleosins of maize, respectively, have been isolated from developing barley embryos and aleurone layers where lipid bodies are highly abundant organelles. For each of the isoforms the aleurone and embryo transcripts are identical, indicating that the same genes are expressed in both tissues. The temporal accumulation of the two transcripts during seed development is similar. At a low frequency, lipid bodies are found also in starchy endosperm cells of barley. Accordingly, a low transcript level is observed for both oleosins during starchy endosperm development.