Distribution of circular proteins in plants: large-scale mapping of cyclotides in the Violaceae.

ABSTRACT: During the last decade there has been increasing interest in small circular proteins found in plants of the violet family (Violaceae). These so-called cyclotides consist of a circular chain of approximately 30 amino acids, including six cysteines forming three disulfide bonds, arranged in a cyclic cystine knot (CCK) motif. In this study we map the occurrence and distribution of cyclotides throughout the Violaceae. Plant material was obtained from herbarium sheets containing samples up to 200 years of age. Even the oldest specimens contained cyclotides in the preserved leaves, with no degradation products observable, confirming their place as one of the most stable proteins in nature. Over 200 samples covering 17 of the 23-31 genera in Violaceae were analyzed, and cyclotides were positively

SUBMITTER: Burman R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4621522 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature