title: Characterization of a new lectin of soybean vegetative tissues.
abstract: Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins that occur widely among plants. Lectins of plant vegetative tissues are less well characterized than those of seeds. Previously, a protein of soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) leaves was shown to possess properties similar to the seed lectin. Here we show that the N-terminal amino acid sequence of this protein shares 63% identity with the seed lectin. Immunoblot analysis indicated that the protein occurs in leaves, petioles, stems, and cotyledons of seedlings but not in seeds. These observations prompted designation of the protein as a soybean vegetative lectin (SVL). Immunohistochemical localization in leaves indicated that SVL was localized to the vacuoles of bundle-sheath and paraveinal mesophyll cells. Removal of sink tissues or exposure to atmospheric methyl jasmonate caused increased levels of SVL in leaves and cotyledons. Co-precipitation of SVL and the soybean vegetative storage protein (VSP) during purification suggested an interaction between these proteins. SVL-horseradish peroxidase conjugate bound to dot blots of VSP or SVL, and binding was inhibited by porcine stomach mucin and heparin but not simple carbohydrates. Binding between SVL and VSP and similarities in localization and regulation support a possible in vivo interaction between these proteins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Marietta College, Ohio 45750-4016, USA. spilatrs@mcnet.marietta.edu
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Spilatro
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Cochran
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Cablish
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Bittner
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000494:pharmacology; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D003517:Cyclopentanes / Q000494:pharmacology; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D037102:Lectins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D054883:Oxylipins; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators / Q000494:pharmacology; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D037121:Plant Lectins; D011485:Protein Binding; D017421:Sequence Analysis; D013025:Glycine max / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D003517:Cyclopentanes; D037102:Lectins; D054883:Oxylipins; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators; D037121:Plant Lectins; C072239:methyl jasmonate