Soybean nuclear extracts and S-100 were prepared to examine the soybean embryo factors which bind to the upstream region of soybean β-conglycinin α` subunit gene. SEF3(soybean embryo factor 3), which is presumed to be a trans-acting factor for the expression of the gene, was detected in gel mobility shift assay using the DNA probe containing two AACCCA hexanucleotides. DNA probe containing CATGCAT or AACACA was used to find any other soybean embryo factor interacting with the upstream region of β-conglycinin α` subunit gene. It was found that there was no common DNA binding protein detected both in nuclear extracts and S-100. The relative levels of SEF3 binding activity both in nuclear extracts and S-100 of maturing soybean seeds were determined. SEF3 activity of nuclear extracts was first detected around 20 days after pollination and significantly increased around 32 days after pollination.