A Kunitz proteinase inhibitor from corms of Xanthosoma blandum with bactericidal activity

J Nat Prod. 2011 May 27;74(5):969-75. doi: 10.1021/np200312r. Epub 2011 Apr 26.

Abstract

Bacterial infections directly affect the world's population, and this situation has been aggravated by indiscriminate use of antimicrobial agents, which can generate resistant microorganisms. In this report, an initial screening of proteins with antibacterial activity from corms of 15 species of the Xanthosoma genus was conducted. Since Xanthosoma blandum corms showed enhanced activity toward bacteria, a novel protein with bactericidal activity was isolated from this particular species. Edman degradation was used for protein N-termini determination; the primary structure showed similarities with Kunitz inhibitors, and this protein was named Xb-KTI. This protein was further challenged against serine proteinases from different sources, showing clear inhibitory activities. Otherwise, no hemolytic activity was observed for Xb-KTI. The results demonstrate the biotechnological potential of Xb-KTI, the first proteinase inhibitor with antimicrobial activity described in the Xanthosoma genus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / isolation & purification*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Peptides / isolation & purification*
  • Peptides / pharmacology*
  • Plant Proteins / chemistry
  • Plant Proteins / isolation & purification*
  • Plant Proteins / pharmacology*
  • Serine Endopeptidases / metabolism
  • Xanthosoma / chemistry*
  • Xanthosoma / genetics

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Kunitz-type protease inhibitor, plant
  • Peptides
  • Plant Proteins
  • Serine Endopeptidases