Vacuolar Processing Enzyme of Soybean That Converts Proproteins to the Corresponding Mature Forms

Abstract

A vacuolar processing enzyme was detected in soybean protein bodies. A 39-kDa immunoreactive polypeptide obtained by chromatography on a hydroxyapatite column processed both a decapeptide substrate and proproteins. A cDNA was isolated for a 55-kDa protein with 71% identity to the castor bean vacuolar processing enzyme.