The complete amino acid sequence of β-momorcharin, a ribosome-inactivating protein from the seeds of Momordica charantia Linn (Cucurbitaceae) has been determined. This has been done by the sequence analysis of peptides obtained by enzymatic digestion with trypsin, chymotrypsin and S. aureus V8 protease, as well as by chemical cleavage with BNPS-skatole. The protein consists of 249 amino acid residues containing one asparagine - linked sugar group attached to the site of Asn 5 1 and has a calculated relative molecular mass of 28,452 Da without addition of the carbohydrate. Comparison of this sequence with those of trichosanthin and other ribosome-inactivating proteins from different species of plants shows a significant homology with each other. Regarding the similarity of their biological properties, an active domain of these proteins has been predicted here.
