Partial Characterization of a Vicilin-Like Glycoprotein from Seeds of Flowering Tobacco (Nicotiana sylvestris)

A vicilin-like glycoprotein from the seeds of Nicotiana sylvestris , flowering tobacco, has been identified using nanoLC/ESI-MS/MS. Sequences from a fragment of protein demonstrated homology with vicilins from other members of the Solanaceae family, notably potato ( Solanum demissum ). Reducing and nonreducing SDS-PAGE analyses of the identified protein indicated that fragments resulting from in situ proteolytic processing are joined by intra chain disulphide bonds. Staining with Con A lectin was specifically inhibited by mannose suggested the presence of -linked glycosylation which was confirmed by carbohydrate compositional analysis of PVDF-bound protein subunits. HPAEC-PAD analysis of the monosaccharides released from the glycoprotein by acid hydrolysis revealed glucosamine and mannose. -acetylglucosamine termination of attached oligosaccharides was further verified by inhibitable WGA lectin staining. Immunostaining of PVDF-bound N. sylvestris proteins with antibodies against G. max total protein demonstrated cross-staining at masses corresponding to fragments from the proteolytically processed protein subunits.