Edestin

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).