Effect of Sulfur Supply on the Seed Globulin Composition of Various Species of Lupin

Abstract

The protein level in seeds of six species of lupin, grown either under sulfur deficiency or with adequate sulfur fertilization, is marginally affected by sulfur supply. However, the ratio of total sulfur to total nitrogen in the seed is greatly decreased under sulfur deficiency. This large change in sulfur-to-nitrogen ratio is accompanied by suppression of the synthesis of conglutins α and γ, which contain a significant amount of cyst(e)ine and methionine. The level of protein is maintained by increased synthesis of conglutin β, which normally contains no methionine and a low proportion of cyst(e)ine. These changes in the proportions of the proteins are reflected in the amino acid analyses for the globulin extracts.

The changes in protein subunit composition which accompany the differences in the proportions of the proteins have been studied using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The results emphasize the differences in subunit composition between lupin species in terms of the number of components, their molecular weights and the importance of disulfide bonding. Two-dimensional electrophoresis, using cellulose acetate and SDS-polyacrylamide gradient gels, has been used to compare the subunit composition of the individual globulins for Lupinus angustifolius and L. elegans at both sulfur levels.