Storage protein composition during germination and its association with physiological seed quality in common bean

ABSTRACT. Seed reserve mobilization is considered a post-germination process; however, seed storage protein mobilization occurs during germination. Thus, the knowledge of seed protein composition is important to understand various processes during germination, and it be associated with seed vigor. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize landrace genotypes of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) through fractionation of seed storage proteins during germination and to verify the association between seed protein composition and seed vigor. Genotypes of the highest (55 and 81) and lowest (23 and 50) physiological quality were selected. Protein content analysis, profiling, and characterization were performed by combining different hydration times. Mass spectrometry involving in-gel digestion and MALDI-ToF analysis was employed for the qualitative identification of proteins. Glutelin extraction detected the enzyme lipoxygenase in genotypes 55 and 81 alone. In plants, this enzyme may be involved in diverse physiological processes, including growth and development, pest resistance, senescence, and response to wounding. In the process of germination, lipoxygenase removes reactive oxygen species during reserve mobilization; therefore, lipoxygenase may be a candidate biochemical marker for high-vigor genotypes.