Galactomannans are storage cell wall polysaccharides present in seeds of some legumes. Their degradation is carried out by three hydrolases (alpha-galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.22), endo-beta-mannanase (EC 3.2.1.78) and ß-mannosidase (EC 3.2.1.25)). In the present study we purified and characterised an endo-beta-mannanase from seeds of Sesbania virgata and addressed its role in germination and seedling development. The polypeptide purified by Ion Exchange Chromatography and Affinity Chromatography on Sepharose-Concanavalin A, showed a pH optimum between 3.5 and 5 at 45ºC and high stability at pH 7.8. The low stability at pH 5 appears to be associated with isoelectric precipitation, in view of the pI of the enzyme being 4.5. The purified enzyme is a glycoprotein with a molecular mass of 26 KDa by SDS-PAGE and 36 KDa by gel chromatography. The purified polypeptide attacked galactomannan from different sources, being more effective on polymers with a lower degree of galactosylation (from carob gum), in comparison with medium or highly galactosylated galactomannans (from guar, S. virgata and fenugreek), respectively. A peak of endo-beta-mannanase activity was detected during radicle protrusion in the endosperm tissue surrounding the radicle and later on in the lateral endosperm. This second peak was associated with the period of reserve mobilisation. Using an antibody raised against coffee endo-beta-mannanase, the enzyme could be detected in immunodot-blots performed with extracts of S. virgata endosperms. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that the peak of endo-mannanase during germination facilitates radicle protrusion through the surrounding endosperm by weakening it in the region close to the radicle tip.
Sesbania virgata; endo-beta-mannanase; galactomannan; germination; Leguminosae
