Immunochemical Studies on Arachis hypogaea Proteins With Particular Reference to the Reserve Proteins. I. Characterization, Distribution, and Properties of alpha-Arachin and alpha-Conarachin

Fourteen antigenic constituents have been detected in Arachis hypogaea seeds. The major proteins of the classic arachin and conarachin fractions have been identified. Arachin contains 4 antigens (the major one called α-arachin) and conarachin contains 2 which have been called α₁, and α₂-conarachin. Structural differences between α-arachin, α₁ and α₂-conarachin are indicated by their different antigenic specificities. α-Arachin precipitates as a separate entity at low temperature. The action of trypsin on this protein induces an increase in electrophoretic mobility and prevents precipitation at low temperature. This enzyme has no detectable effect on α₁ and α₂-conarachin.