The Pinb-2 genes in wheat comprise a multigene family with great sequence diversity and important variants

► Grain hardness in wheat is controlled by puroindolines including new Pinb-2 genes. ► We have undertaken extensive analysis of PINb-2 and show a number of haplotypes. ► The genes exhibit multigenes, possible alleles and encode variant proteins. ► Some variations in proteins may affect structure and lipid-binding properties. ► This is important to grain texture, antimicrobial roles and evolutionary studies.