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

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.