Title: Edestin
CAS Registry Number: 9007-57-2
Literature References: Globular protein originally obtained from hemp seed
(Cannabis sativa): Osborne,
Am. Chem. J. 14, 662 (1892); Stockwell
et al., Proc. Seed Protein Conf. 1963, 56,
C.A. 60, 3090d (1964). Approx mol wt 300,000. Since the passage of the Marihuana Tax Act in the U.S.A. commercial hemp seed must be heat-treated to destroy its narcotic properties, a process which also destroys the edestin. Very closely related proteins may be obtained from seeds of
Cucurbita pepo L. (pumpkin),
C. moschata Duchesne, and
C. maxima Duchesne (squash),
Citrullus vulgaris Schrader (watermelon),
Cucumis melo L. (cantaloupe), and
Cucumis sativus L.,
Cucurbitaceae (cucumber). Isoln from
Cucurbita pepo: Vickery
et al., Biochem. Prep. 2, 5 (1952). Extraction from hemp seed, prepn of crystalline form and x-ray data: J. Drenth, E. W. Wiebenga,
Rec. Trav. Chim. 74, 813 (1955). The amino acid compositions of these globulins are slightly different from hemp seed globulin and from each other: Smith
et al., J. Biol. Chem. 164, 159 (1946); Smith, Greene,
ibid. 167, 833 (1947);
172, 111 (1948). Structure studies: Hall,
ibid. 185, 45 (1959); Cleemann, Kratky,
Z. Naturforsch. 15b, 526 (1960); Dlouhá
et al., Collect. Czech. Chem. Commun. 28, 2779 (1963);
29, 1835 (1964). Electron microscopy and optical diffraction: A. M. H. Schepman
et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta 271, 279 (1972). Electron spin resonance studies: L. J. Dimmey, W. Gordy,
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77, 343 (1980).
Properties: Octahedral crystals. Completely sol to a clear soln in 10% salt soln. Sol in dil mineral acids. Forms a water-soluble hydrochloride.
