Aspartic proteinase from wheat seeds: isolation, properties and action on gliadin.

Wheat endosperm was shown to contain an aspartic proteinase capable of hydrolyzing the wheat storage protein, gliadin, in vitro. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity by affinity chromatography on bacilliquin-silochrome, diethylaminoethyl-Toyopearl ion-exchange chromatography, chromatofocusing, and preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The sedimentation constant of the enzyme was 3.4 S and the relative molecular mass (Mr), determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, was 58000 dalton (Da). The purified enzyme was completely inhibited by pepstain whereas other enzyme inhibitors did not affect its activity. The enzyme was found to hydrolyze mainly ω- and γ-gliadins with Mr's of 67000-95000 Da, with maximal activity at pH 4.5. The data make it possible to suggest that the enzyme has an endogenous function by initiating proteolysis of storage proteins in germinating wheat seeds.