The acidic latex protein from <i>Hevea brasiliensis</i> serves as an anionic antimicrobial peptide.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hev b5 is a unique acidic protein identified as an allergen in natural latex and latex gloves, known for stimulating histamine release from human basophils sensitized with serum from latex-allergic individuals. It is rich in glutamic acid and proline residues arranged in repeated motifs. The protein's unusual amino acid composition includes 48% negatively charged residues and 13% positively charged residues.

Methods

The recombinant form of Hev b5 (rHev b5) was produced in Escherichia coli. Its chitinase activity, which may provide antifungal properties by breaking down chitin in phytopathogen cell walls, was assessed. Additionally, the antibacterial activity of rHev b5 against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including Bacillus cereus, St

SUBMITTER: Meethong M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12005194 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature