Mobilization of albumins and globulins during germination of Indian bean (Dolichos lablab L. var. lignosus) seeds

Albumin and globulin fractions of Indian bean seeds exhibit different mobilization patterns during the 8-day germination period. The albumin degradation was lesser in the early stage and reached a maximum in the later stages of germination. However, the globulins were degraded steadily from the start of imbibition. The influence of the embryonic axis on albumin and globulin degradation was also evaluated by using axis-attached and axis-detached cotyledons. The overall loss of globulins and albumins in axis-detached cotyledons was only 49 % and 60 % of the basal level, while in axis-attached cotyledons it was 81 % and 94 %. These results were confirmed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), and reveal the faster degradation of high molecular weight (HMW) polypeptides of globulins in the early stages of germination with increased utilization of albumins in the later stages. The results obtained showed the role of the embryonic axis in seed storage protein mobilization.