STUDY OF SOMACLONAL VARIATIONS IN PROTEINS OF PEA-SEEDS

Variability of the legumin polypeptide with molecular weight of 37 kDa has been clarified in seeds of regenerated plants obtained from cultured callus tissue of pea (Pisum sativum L.). Total content of the protein in seeds decreases and the coefficient of variation of legumin and vicilin content in total protein increases severalfold with lengthening of the time of callus cultivation. Three specimens with an elevated legumin/vicilin ratio have been isolated. The balance of amino acids is altered in many regenerated plants, especially at the expense of phenylalanine and methionine. The prospects of using culture in vitro to generate somaclonal variants in pea are discussed.