Soybean Basic 7S Globulin: Subunit Heterogeneity and Molecular Evolution

Abstract

Basic 7S globulin, a cysteine-rich protein from soybean seeds, consists of subunits containing 27 kD and 16 kD chains linked by disulfide bonding. Three differently sized subunits of the basic 7S globulin were detected and partially separated by SP Sepharose chromatography. The basic 7S globulin was characterized as a member of a superfamily of structurally related but functionally distinct proteins descended from a specific group of plant aspartic proteinases.