Dual-function protein in plant defence: seed lectin from Dolichos biflorus horse gram) exhibits lipoxygenase activity.

Roopa Shree, S. and Sridevi Annapurna, Singh and Lalitha, R. Gowda and Appu Rao, A. G. (2006) Dual-function protein in plant defence: seed lectin from Dolichos biflorus horse gram) exhibits lipoxygenase activity. Biochemical Journal, 395. pp. 629-639.

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Abstract

Plant–pathogen interactions play a vital role in developing resistance to pests. Dolichos biflorus (horse gram), a leguminous pulse crop of the subtropics, exhibits amazing defence against attack by pests/pathogens. Investigations to locate the possible source of the indomitable pest resistance of D. biflorus, which is the richest source of LOX (lipoxygenase) activity, have led to a molecule that exhibits LOX-like functions. The LOX-like activity associated with the molecule, identified by its structure and stability to be a tetrameric lectin, was found to be unusual. The evidence for the lectin protein with LOX activity has come from (i) MALDI–TOF (matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization–time-of-flight) MS, (ii) N-terminal sequencing, (iii) partial sequencing of the tryptic fragments of the protein, (iv) amino acid composition, and (v) the presence of an Mn2+ ion. A hydrophobic binding site of the tetrameric lectin, along with the presence of an Mn2+ ion, accounts for the observed LOX like activity. This is the first ever report of a protein exhibiting both haemagglutination and LOX-like activity. The two activities are associated with separate loci on the same protein. LOX activity associated with this molecule adds a new dimension to our understanding of lectin functions. This observation has wide implications for the understanding of plant defence mechanisms against pests and the cellular complexity in plant–pathogen interactions that may lead to the design of transgenics with potential to impart pest resistance to other crops.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Copyright of this article belongs to Biochemical Society
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Dolichos biflorus (horse gram), dual-function protein, lipoxygenase activity, plant defence, plant–pathogen interaction, seed lectin.
Subjects:	500 Natural Sciences and Mathematics > 04 Chemistry and Allied Sciences > 29 Protein Chemistry 500 Natural Sciences and Mathematics > 10 Plants 600 Technology > 08 Food technology > 22 Legumes-Pulses
Divisions:	Protein Chemistry and Technology
Depositing User:	Food Sci. & Technol. Information Services
Date Deposited:	26 Apr 2007
Last Modified:	10 Oct 2018 11:30
URI:	http://ir.cftri.res.in/id/eprint/531

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