Composition of seed storage proteins changed by glutathione treatment of soybeans

Abstract

The application of glutathione to immature soybean cotyledons reduced the accumulation of the β subunit of β-conglycinin, and increased the accumulation of most glycinins. Both reduced and oxidized forms of glutathione had these effects. The application of an inhibitor of glutathione synthesis, buthionine sulfoximine, increased accumulation of β subunit. These results suggest that glutathione is important in affecting the composition of seed storage proteins. © 2002 by Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry.