Esterase isoenzymes from legume root nodules

Abstract

Multiple forms of esterases were separated by starch gel electrophoresis from root nodules of eight different legume species. Although nodules from each legume species had characteristic esterase-zymogram patterns, the reactivity of the various esterases with different substrates and inhibitors was quite similar. Most of the esterase activity was present in the supernatant fraction of the nodule extract. Zymogram patterns from young nodules were similar to those prepared from roots of the same plant but changes occurred in the nodule zymograms during the growth of the plant. Zymograms of esterases, proteases and dehydrogenases from the same nodule extract were also compared.