Lack of β-subunit of β-conglycinin in non-nodulating isolines of soybean

Abstract

Abstract Soybean seed storage protein is a very important protein source for human and livestock, and its amino acid composition is well-balanced except for the low level of sulfur amino acids, methionine, and cysteine. β-Conglycinin (7S globulin) and glycinin (11S globulin) are the major storage proteins in soybean seeds, and β-conglycinin consists mainly of α′, α, and β-subunits and glycinin consists of acidic and basic subunits. It is generally recognized that the sulfur amino acid content is higher in the following sequence: acidic subunit >; basic subunit> α′-subunit >; α-subunit >; β-subunit (Wilson 1987).