Abstract:

Wheat germ 8S globulin is one of the most important components of globulins. Further investigation of wheat germ 8S globulin structure information will be helpful for exploitation and utilization of wheat germ resource. In this study, the secondary structure of wheat germ 8S globulin was determined using Raman spectroscopy. Results indicated that β-sheets followed by α-helical structure were the major component of wheat germ 8S globulin and some random coil structures were also observed in it. C-C-S-S-C-C side chain in this globulin revealed as the transfigurations of gauche-gauche-gauche and gauchegauche- trans. All tyrosyl residues were exposed completely, while Trp residues were buried inside.

Key words: wheat germ, 8S globulin, Raman spectrum, secondary structure