OCCURRENCE OF FATTY-ACID EPOXIDE HYDROLASES IN SOYBEAN (GLYCINE-MAX) - PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE SOLUBLE FORM

Epoxide hydrolases catalysing the hydration of cis-9,10-epoxystearate into threo-9,10-dihydroxystearate have been detected in soybean (Glycine max) seedlings. The major activity was found in the cytosol, a minor fraction being strongly associated with microsomes. The soluble enzyme, which was purified to apparent homogeneity by (NH4)2SO4 fractionation, hydrophobic, DEAE- and gel-filtration chromatographies, has a molecular mass of 64 kDa and a pI of 5.4.