INTERACTION OF PEA (PISUM-SATIVUM L) LECTIN WITH PEA STORAGE PROTEINS

The study of interactions between plant lectins and endogenous binding partners could assist in understanding the biological role of these p roteins. From the pea storage proteins, a small but defined portion of the vicilins specifically binds to the pea lectin via its sugar bindi ng site. This interaction is superimposed by an ionic strength-depende nt interaction at low pH values, similar to those occurring in vivo. A lso, unglycosylated vicilins and legumins bind to the lectin but do so only by ionic interaction, in particular at low pH values.