A 2S Albumin from the Seed Cake of Ricinus communis Inhibits Trypsin and Has Strong Antibacterial Activity against Human Pathogenic Bacteria

J Nat Prod. 2016 Oct 28;79(10):2423-2431. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.5b01096. Epub 2016 Sep 28.

Abstract

Hospital-acquired infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria threaten the lives of many citizens all over the world. Discovery of new agents to hinder bacterial development would have a significant impact on the treatment of infections. Here, the purification and characterization of Rc-2S-Alb, a protein that belongs to the 2S albumin family, from Ricinus communis seed cake, are reported. Rc-2S-Alb was purified after protein extraction with Tris-HCl buffer, pH 7.5, fractionation by ammonium sulfate (50-75%), and chromatography on Phenyl-Sepharose and DEAE-Sepharose. Rc-2S-Alb, a 75 kDa peptide, displays trypsin inhibitory activity and has high in vitro antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which are important human pathogenic bacteria. Atomic force microscopy studies indicated that Rc-2S-Alb disrupts the bacterial membrane with loss of the cytoplasm content and ultimately bacterial death. Therefore, Rc-2S-Alb is a powerful candidate for the development of an alternative drug that may help reduce hospital-acquired infections.

MeSH terms

  • 2S Albumins, Plant / chemistry
  • 2S Albumins, Plant / isolation & purification*
  • 2S Albumins, Plant / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / isolation & purification*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Bacillus subtilis / drug effects*
  • Brazil
  • Humans
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae / drug effects
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Molecular Structure
  • Plant Proteins / chemistry
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / drug effects
  • Seeds / chemistry*
  • Trypsin Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Trypsin Inhibitors / isolation & purification*
  • Trypsin Inhibitors / pharmacology*

Substances

  • 2S Albumins, Plant
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Plant Proteins
  • Trypsin Inhibitors