Purification and characterization of a CkTLP protein from Cynanchum komarovii seeds that confers antifungal activity.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cynanchum komarovii Al Iljinski is a desert plant that has been used as analgesic, anthelminthic and antidiarrheal, but also as a herbal medicine to treat cholecystitis in people. We have found that the protein extractions from C. komarovii seeds have strong antifungal activity. There is strong interest to develop protein medication and antifungal pesticides from C. komarovii for pharmacological or other uses.

Methodology/principal findings

An antifungal protein with sequence homology to thaumatin-like proteins (TLPs) was isolated from C. komarovii seeds and named CkTLP. The three-dimensional structure prediction of CkTLP indicated the protein has an acid cleft and a hydrophobic patch. The protein showed antifungal activity against fungal growth of Verticillium da

SUBMITTER: Wang Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3043079 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature