Vicilin-type globulins follow distinct patterns of degradation in different species of germinating legume seeds

Abstract The pattern of degradation of the vicilin-type globulin was followed during germination and seedling growth of a number of legume species, namely Lupinus albus , Lupinus angustifolius , Lupinus luteus , Lupinus mutabilis , Glycine max , Pisum sativum , Vicia faba , Vicia sativa , Lathyrus cicera , Lathyrus sativus and Arachis hypogaea . Catabolism was fast for some species (ex: L. albus , P. sativum and V. sativa ) and particularly slow for others (ex: L. sativus and A. hypogaea ). The pattern of degradation was also species-specific and independent of the rate of proteolysis. In some cases, a transient accumulation of stable intermediates of vicilin catabolism was detected. As a whole, the data indicate that each species evolved a particular mode of vicilin proteolysis that best suited its development under the conditions to which it was most favourably adapted.