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.