Specific Secretion of Proline-Rich Proteins by Salt-Adapted Winged Bean Cells

Six proteins, designated SAP1 through SAP6, were secreted specificallyby salt-adapted cells of winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus)in suspension cultures. The amino-terminal amino acid sequencesof SAP2 (57 kDa), SAP4 (21 kDa), SAP5 (19 kDa) and SAP6 (17kDa) were homologous to the sequences of proline-rich proteins,indicating that proline-rich proteins are secreted specificallyby these salt-adapted cells. In addition, the amino-terminalamino acid sequence of SAP2 was identical to that of SAP4, andthe amino-terminal sequence of SAP5 was identical to that ofSAP6. Secretion of SAP2 was significantly enhanced by additionof AlCl₃ but not of KCl, LiCl, CaCl₂, MgCl₂, mannnitol or sucroseto suspension cultures. Furthermore, secretion of SAP4, SAP5and SAP6 was stimulated by addition of abscisic acid to cultures,suggesting that these proteins might be secreted in responseto salt or osmotic stress. (Received September 12, 1994; Accepted January 20, 1995)