76 RESEARCH REPORTS
PNL Volume 12 1980
ELECTRQPHORETICAL INVESTIGATIONS ON SEED ALBUMINS OP Pisum sativum:
IDENTIFICATION OF SEVERAL ENZYMES
Wolff, G. Institute of Genetics, University of Bonn, West Germany
Seed albumins, the water soluble fraction of pea seeds, are composed
predominantly of enzymes. There is comparatively little enzyme activity
in dormant seed because, in this status, metabolism is reduced. Nevertheless,
enzymes must be available as soon as germination begins to enhance respiration
and to initiate glycolysis. This is why several enzymes should be detectable
already in dry seeds.
Total seed protein was extracted from dry seeds by a 0.2 M salt solution.
A globulin-free albumin solution was obtained after dialysing this extract
against running tap water. Separation of albumins was carried out by flat-gel
electrophoresis. Five identical assays were separated on the same gel.
Each time 50 ul of the albumin solution (1 mg/ml) was placed on the gel's
surface and each time one of the 5 assays was stained with Coomassie Blue.
As Fig. 1 (first column) shows, 33 bands can be detected in the pherogram.
The two distinct bands at position Rp 0.28 and Rp 0.35 are characteristic
for the Pisum-albumin pattern. A group of distinct slow running bands is
also evident (upper third of pherogram) as well as a number of fast running
bands which are not so pronounced (lower part).
Fig. 1. Gel-electrophoretic distribution pattern of seed albumins of
Pisum sativum and of several enzymes.
