Soybean nuclear extracts were prepared to examine the expression of SEF3 (soybean embryo factors 3), which binds to the upstream region of soybean β-conglycinin α` subunit gene and is presumed to be a trans-acting factor for the expression of the gene. The relative levels of SEF3 binding activity in nuclear extracts of maturing soybean embryos were determined using the SE3 DNA probe containing two AACCCA hexanucleotides for gel mobility shift assay. The SEF3 activity increased in developing embryos from 16 to 32 days after pollination, whereas the mobility of the SE3-SE3-SEF3 complex decreased. The mobility of the complex was increased by the treatment of nuclear extracts with alkaline phosphatese, which could be inhibited by phosphate. Formation of the SE3-SEF3 complex was not affected by the binding buffer pH between 6.8 and 8.5.