Lectin‐like proteins accumulate as fragmentation products in bean seed protein bodies

The gene sequence of the Phaseolus vulgaris L. seed lectin‐like protein (LLP) and its precursor (∼ 40 kDa) which is associated with the endoplasmic reticulum has been described, while the molecular characteristics of the mature protein and its cellular localization are still unknown. Our data, obtained using antibodies raised against a fusion protein, which was produced in Escherichia coli and contained most of the LLP sequence, indicate that mature LLP accumulates in the protein bodies of cotyledon cells. LLP consists of several polypeptides in the M r range 15 000 to 20 000, which are a result of proteolytic fragmentation of the protein precursor.