Protein changes in the developing seed of the lima bean Phaseolus lunatus var. thaxter

The lima bean seed was studied during development in order to correlate protein changes with morphogenesis. Patterns of the general protein complement were obtained with starch gel electropherograms. Specific seed components, an enzyme and a phytohemagglutinin were also studied to obtain a more definitive view of molecular variation as a function of differentiation. The electropherograms revealed a changing pattern as development proceeded. Some components disappeared, new bands appeared, some increased, while other components remained relatively unchanged. Zymograms of <-1, 4-glucan: orthophosphate glucosyl transferase established that this constituent remained relatively unchanged within the limits of sensitivity of the assay, and Indicated that its electrophoretic mobility was identical to one of the electropherogram components. Hemagglutination assays of the saline extracts of the developing lima bean seed demonstrated an abrupt appearance and differential synthesis of a phytohemagglutinin (lectin) during a part of the maturation period. The lectin was shown to migrate as a basic protein when subjected to starch gel electrophoresis. Compilation of these investiations provides conclusive evidence that development of the lima bean seed can be characterized by the differential behavior of the protein constituents.Biology and Biochemistry, Department o