STUDY OF SOYBEAN (GLYCINE-MAX L) GERMINATION BY DIFFERENTIAL ADIABATIC SCANNING MICROCALORIMETRY

Proteins isolated from Glycine max L. seeds at various stages of germi nation have been studied by differential adiabatic scanning microcalor imetry (DASM). A unique conformational sate of the 11S storage protein was found in the storage state of the seed; it is distinguished by th ermodynamic parameters from the same protein in the imbibed state of t he seed. The storage state is detected only upon direct extraction of total protein by saline buffer. During seed germination, the storage p rotein undergoes some conformational rearrangements that are well foll owed by DASM. Three consecutive states of the protein were revealed du ring germination, the latter two apparently characterizing the mechani sm of enzymatic mobilization of glycinin.