Modes of Action of a Bi-domain Plant Defensin MtDef5 Against a Bacterial Pathogen Xanthomonas campestris.

ABSTRACT: Defensins are small cysteine-rich endogenous host defense peptides expressed in all higher plants. They are thought to be important players in the defense arsenal of plants against fungal and oomycete pathogens. However, little is known regarding the antibacterial activity of these peptides. The genome of the model legume Medicago truncatula contains 63 genes each encoding a defensin with a tetradisulfide array. A unique bi-domain defensin, designated MtDef5, was recently characterized for its potent broad-spectrum antifungal activity. This 107-amino acid defensin contains two domains, 50 amino acids each, linked by a short peptide APKKVEP. Here, we characterize antibacterial activity of this defensin and its two domains, MtDef5A and MtDef5B, against two economically important plant

SUBMITTER: Velivelli SLS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5964164 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature