Proteome analysis was carried out to identify the young panicle proteins during different developmental stages under sterile and fertile conditions. Based on spot quantity and quality, 50 protein spots were analyzed by matrix associated laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) and 20 spots were identified. Most of these proteins are closely associated with energy metabolism, protein biosynthesis, cell wall formation and stress responses, which are essential cell activities to the pollen development. Gene expression analysis of three different proteins by semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that the mRNA level was not correlated exactly with the protein level.