Biomaterial Database

In vitro translation and processing of a precursor form of favin, a lectin from Vicia faba. 1982

J J Hemperly, and K E Mostov, and B A Cunningham

Favin, the glucose- and mannose-binding lectin isolated from fava (Vicia faba) beans, consists of two polypeptide chains (alpha, Mr = 5,571; beta, Mr = 20,700). Translation of fava bean mRNA in vitro in a wheat germ-derived system yields a single favin polypeptide chain of Mr = 29,000. This molecule appears to consist of a hydrophobic 29-amino acid residue signal sequence at the NH2 terminus followed by the beta chain sequence; it also includes the alpha chain sequence. These results suggest that the alpha and beta chains arise by post-translational cleavage of a single precursor polypeptide: signal-beta chain-alpha chain. The signal peptide is similar in sequence to those seen in animal and prokaryotic systems, suggesting that translocation mechanisms are highly conserved. Translation of favin mRNA in the presence of dog pancreas microsomal membranes yields at least three polypeptides in addition to the presumed precursor chain. The largest of these molecules is translocated into the lumen of the membrane vesicles and glycosylated but its signal sequence remains intact. The two other species are translocated and glycosylated, but their signal sequences have been removed; they appear to differ from each other in that one begins with the beta chain sequence and the other begins one residue after the NH2-terminal threonine of the beta chain. These three variants could reflect normal features of the processing of the favin precursor but more likely result from aberrant processing of the plant protein by dog pancreas membranes.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008970	Molecular Weight	The sum of the weight of all the atoms in a molecule.	Molecular Weights,Weight, Molecular,Weights, Molecular
D010944	Plants	Multicellular, eukaryotic life forms of kingdom Plantae. Plants acquired chloroplasts by direct endosymbiosis of CYANOBACTERIA. They are characterized by a mainly photosynthetic mode of nutrition; essentially unlimited growth at localized regions of cell divisions (MERISTEMS); cellulose within cells providing rigidity; the absence of organs of locomotion; absence of nervous and sensory systems; and an alternation of haploid and diploid generations. It is a non-taxonomical term most often referring to LAND PLANTS. In broad sense it includes RHODOPHYTA and GLAUCOPHYTA along with VIRIDIPLANTAE.	Plant
D011498	Protein Precursors		Precursors, Protein
D000595	Amino Acid Sequence	The order of amino acids as they occur in a polypeptide chain. This is referred to as the primary structure of proteins. It is of fundamental importance in determining PROTEIN CONFORMATION.	Protein Structure, Primary,Amino Acid Sequences,Sequence, Amino Acid,Sequences, Amino Acid,Primary Protein Structure,Primary Protein Structures,Protein Structures, Primary,Structure, Primary Protein,Structures, Primary Protein
D012333	RNA, Messenger	RNA sequences that serve as templates for protein synthesis. Bacterial mRNAs are generally primary transcripts in that they do not require post-transcriptional processing. Eukaryotic mRNA is synthesized in the nucleus and must be exported to the cytoplasm for translation. Most eukaryotic mRNAs have a sequence of polyadenylic acid at the 3' end, referred to as the poly(A) tail. The function of this tail is not known for certain, but it may play a role in the export of mature mRNA from the nucleus as well as in helping stabilize some mRNA molecules by retarding their degradation in the cytoplasm.	Messenger RNA,Messenger RNA, Polyadenylated,Poly(A) Tail,Poly(A)+ RNA,Poly(A)+ mRNA,RNA, Messenger, Polyadenylated,RNA, Polyadenylated,mRNA,mRNA, Non-Polyadenylated,mRNA, Polyadenylated,Non-Polyadenylated mRNA,Poly(A) RNA,Polyadenylated mRNA,Non Polyadenylated mRNA,Polyadenylated Messenger RNA,Polyadenylated RNA,RNA, Polyadenylated Messenger,mRNA, Non Polyadenylated
D014176	Protein Biosynthesis	The biosynthesis of PEPTIDES and PROTEINS on RIBOSOMES, directed by MESSENGER RNA, via TRANSFER RNA that is charged with standard proteinogenic AMINO ACIDS.	Genetic Translation,Peptide Biosynthesis, Ribosomal,Protein Translation,Translation, Genetic,Protein Biosynthesis, Ribosomal,Protein Synthesis, Ribosomal,Ribosomal Peptide Biosynthesis,mRNA Translation,Biosynthesis, Protein,Biosynthesis, Ribosomal Peptide,Biosynthesis, Ribosomal Protein,Genetic Translations,Ribosomal Protein Biosynthesis,Ribosomal Protein Synthesis,Synthesis, Ribosomal Protein,Translation, Protein,Translation, mRNA,mRNA Translations
D014908	Triticum	A plant genus of the family POACEAE that is the source of EDIBLE GRAIN. A hybrid with rye (SECALE CEREALE) is called TRITICALE. The seed is ground into FLOUR and used to make BREAD, and is the source of WHEAT GERM AGGLUTININS.	Wheat,Durum Wheat,Triticum aestivum,Triticum durum,Triticum spelta,Triticum turgidum,Triticum turgidum subsp. durum,Triticum vulgare,Durum Wheats,Wheat, Durum
D046911	Macromolecular Substances	Compounds and molecular complexes that consist of very large numbers of atoms and are generally over 500 kDa in size. In biological systems macromolecular substances usually can be visualized using ELECTRON MICROSCOPY and are distinguished from ORGANELLES by the lack of a membrane structure.	Macromolecular Complexes,Macromolecular Compounds,Macromolecular Compounds and Complexes,Complexes, Macromolecular,Compounds, Macromolecular,Substances, Macromolecular
D037102	Lectins	Proteins that share the common characteristic of binding to carbohydrates. Some ANTIBODIES and carbohydrate-metabolizing proteins (ENZYMES) also bind to carbohydrates, however they are not considered lectins. PLANT LECTINS are carbohydrate-binding proteins that have been primarily identified by their hemagglutinating activity (HEMAGGLUTININS). However, a variety of lectins occur in animal species where they serve diverse array of functions through specific carbohydrate recognition.	Animal Lectin,Animal Lectins,Isolectins,Lectin,Isolectin,Lectin, Animal,Lectins, Animal
D037121	Plant Lectins	Protein or glycoprotein substances of plant origin that bind to sugar moieties in cell walls or membranes. Some carbohydrate-metabolizing proteins (ENZYMES) from PLANTS also bind to carbohydrates, however they are not considered lectins. Many plant lectins change the physiology of the membrane of BLOOD CELLS to cause agglutination, mitosis, or other biochemical changes. They may play a role in plant defense mechanisms.	Lectins, Plant,Phytagglutinin,Plant Agglutinin,Plant Lectin,Agglutinins, Plant,Phytagglutinins,Plant Agglutinins,Agglutinin, Plant,Lectin, Plant