Coordinated synthesis of leghemoglobin and root protein R18 in yellow lupin

Uninfected roots of yellow lupin contain an abundant 18 kDa protein (referred to as R18), absent in the mature nodules. Some properties of this polypeptide are apparently similar to those of lupin leghemoglobins. However, the lack of any immuno crossreaction between R18 and leghemoglobin and differences in N-terminal amino acid sequences indicate that these proteins are coded by different genes. The decrease in the content of R18 protein in developing nodule is associated with the increased synthesis of leghemoglobin. This implies coordination of both events.