Each species of Glycine collected in Taiwan has a unique seed protein pattern

Several annual and perennial species in the genus Glycine Willd., including G. soja, long-pod G. tomentella, short-pod G. tomentella and G. tabacina, collected in Taiwan and nearby islands were studied for variations of their seed proteins. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting were used to analyze the total proteins, the heat soluble proteins, six seed maturation proteins (GmPMs) and one seed storage protein. The various species had different patterns of seed heat soluble proteins. In addition,each species of Glycine collected in Taiwan exhibited unique seed maturation protein patterns. They had several cross-reactive polypeptides recognized by specific antibodies against GmPM1, GmPM2 and GmPM8, but only one polypeptide recognized by antibodies against GmPM4, GmPM5 and MP130. The long pod G. tomentella, which has been suggested as a new species and renamed as G. dolichocarpa, could be distinct from the short pod G. tomentella on the basis of the analysis of these biochemical markers. It is also indicated that these GmPM antibodies may be used to distinguish between and within other Glycine species. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.