Detailed physicochemical characterization of the 2S storage protein from rape (Brassica napus L.)

Chromatographic, chemical, and spectroscopic techniques were used to characterize the physicochemical properties of napin purified by preparative chromatography. The molar extinction coefficient was determined (epsilon = 0.56), and static and dynamic light scattering measurements enabled the average molecular weight (M(w) = 13919), the second virial coefficient (A(2) = 23.95 x 10(-)(5) mol cm(3) g(-)(2)), and the hydrodynamic radius (R(H) = 1.98 nm) to be determined. No conformational changes were observed by fluorescence and circular dichroism measurements in different buffers at pH 3, 4.6, 7, and 12, confirming the high pH stability of this protein. From MALDI-TOF analysis and after enzymatic digestion, it was found that this purified sample, extracted from the rapeseed variety Express, contained mainly isoform 2SS3_BRANA.