Jack bean seed coat contains a protein with complete sequence homology to bovine insulin

Abstract

The present study reports that a protein with complete sequence homology to bovine insulin is present in Jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) seed coals. This protein was recognized by anti-human insulin antibodies and lowered blood glucose levels of alloxanized mice, indicating that it possesses biological potency. Our results suggest that insulin-like activities previously found in diverse plant tissues may be indeed due to insulin and indicate that insulin-dependent signaling pathways have been remarkably conserved during evolution.