Purification and Properties of an Auxin-Binding Protein from the Shoot Apex of Peach Tree

A soluble auxin-binding protein was purified from the shootapices of peach trees by chromatography on columns of CM-Toyopearl,Sephacryl S-200, 2,4-D-linked-Sepharose 4B and ConA-Sepharose.The molecular mass of the purified protein was estimated tobe about 100 kDa. After electrophoresis on a denaturing gel,the protein gave a single band with a molecular mass of 20 kDa.From Scatchard analyses, the dissociation constant for 2,4-Dwas calculated to be 4.1 10^–5 M and the specific bindingof 2,4-D at saturating concentration was 42 nmol (mg protein)^–1.The binding of ¹⁴C]-2,4-D to the protein was reversible andwas inhibited by IAA, 1-naphthylacetic acid and p-chlorophenoxyisobutyricacid. (Received June 25, 1992; Accepted October 20, 1992)