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Toxins Apr 2024The control of crop diseases caused by fungi remains a major problem and there is a need to find effective fungicides that are environmentally friendly. Plants are an... (Review)
Review
The control of crop diseases caused by fungi remains a major problem and there is a need to find effective fungicides that are environmentally friendly. Plants are an excellent source for this purpose because they have developed defense mechanisms to cope with fungal infections. Among the plant proteins that play a role in defense are ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs), enzymes obtained mainly from angiosperms that, in addition to inactivating ribosomes, have been studied as antiviral, fungicidal, and insecticidal proteins. In this review, we summarize and discuss the potential use of RIPs (and other proteins with similar activity) as antifungal agents, with special emphasis on RIP/fungus specificity, possible mechanisms of antifungal action, and the use of RIP genes to obtain fungus-resistant transgenic plants. It also highlights the fact that these proteins also have antiviral and insecticidal activity, which makes them very versatile tools for crop protection.
Topics: Ribosome Inactivating Proteins; Antifungal Agents; Plant Proteins; Fungi; Plant Diseases; Plants, Genetically Modified; Animals; Fungicides, Industrial
PubMed: 38668617
DOI: 10.3390/toxins16040192 -
Current Protein & Peptide Science 2017
Topics: Humans; Peptides; Plant Diseases; Plant Immunity; Plant Proteins; Plants; Polymorphism, Genetic
PubMed: 28929956
DOI: 10.2174/138920371804170206201325 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2023Plants are colonized by various fungi with both pathogenic and beneficial lifestyles. One type of colonization strategy is through the secretion of effector proteins... (Review)
Review
Plants are colonized by various fungi with both pathogenic and beneficial lifestyles. One type of colonization strategy is through the secretion of effector proteins that alter the plant's physiology to accommodate the fungus. The oldest plant symbionts, the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), may exploit effectors to their benefit. Genome analysis coupled with transcriptomic studies in different AMFs has intensified research on the effector function, evolution, and diversification of AMF. However, of the current 338 predicted effector proteins from the AM fungus , only five have been characterized, of which merely two have been studied in detail to understand which plant proteins they associate with to affect the host physiology. Here, we review the most recent findings in AMF effector research and discuss the techniques used for the functional characterization of effector proteins, from their in silico prediction to their mode of action, with an emphasis on high-throughput approaches for the identification of plant targets of the effectors through which they manipulate their hosts.
Topics: Mycorrhizae; Plants; Plant Proteins; Plant Roots
PubMed: 37298075
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119125 -
Genome Biology 2005The expansin superfamily of plant proteins is made up of four families, designated alpha-expansin, beta-expansin, expansin-like A and expansin-like B. alpha-Expansin and... (Review)
Review
The expansin superfamily of plant proteins is made up of four families, designated alpha-expansin, beta-expansin, expansin-like A and expansin-like B. alpha-Expansin and beta-expansin proteins are known to have cell-wall loosening activity and to be involved in cell expansion and other developmental events during which cell-wall modification occurs. Proteins in these two families bind tightly to the cell wall and their activity is typically assayed by their stimulation of cell-wall extension and stress relaxation; no bona fide enzymatic activity has been detected for these proteins. Alpha-expansin proteins and some, but not all, beta-expansin proteins are implicated as catalysts of 'acid growth', the enlargement of plant cells stimulated by low extracellular pH. A divergent group of beta-expansin genes are expressed at high levels in the pollen of grasses but not of other plant groups. They probably function to loosen maternal cell walls during growth of the pollen tube towards the ovary. All expansins consist of two domains; domain 1 is homologous to the catalytic domain of proteins in the glycoside hydrolase family 45 (GH45); expansin domain 2 is homologous to group-2 grass pollen allergens, which are of unknown biological function. Experimental evidence suggests that expansins loosen cell walls via a nonenzymatic mechanism that induces slippage of cellulose microfibrils in the plant cell wall.
Topics: Biological Evolution; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Genes, Plant; Models, Molecular; Multigene Family; Plant Proteins
PubMed: 16356276
DOI: 10.1186/gb-2005-6-12-242 -
Biomolecules Sep 2022Plants have evolved a number of different ways to deal with different types of abiotic stresses; at the molecular level, dehydration can cause multiple forms of damage...
Plants have evolved a number of different ways to deal with different types of abiotic stresses; at the molecular level, dehydration can cause multiple forms of damage to different biomolecules [...].
Topics: Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Plant Proteins; Dehydration; Stress, Physiological; Plants; Embryonic Development
PubMed: 36291589
DOI: 10.3390/biom12101380 -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2020Lateral organ boundaries (LOB) domain () genes, a gene family encoding plant-specific transcription factors, play important roles in plant growth and development. At... (Review)
Review
Lateral organ boundaries (LOB) domain () genes, a gene family encoding plant-specific transcription factors, play important roles in plant growth and development. At present, though there have been a number of genome-wide analyses on gene families and functional studies on individual LBD proteins, the diverse functions of LBD family members still confuse researchers and an effective strategy is required to summarize their functional diversity. To further integrate and improve our understanding of the phylogenetic classification, functional characteristics and regulatory mechanisms of LBD proteins, we review and discuss the functional characteristics of LBD proteins according to their classifications under a phylogenetic framework. It is proved that this strategy is effective in the anatomy of diverse functions of LBD family members. Additionally, by phylogenetic analysis, one monocot-specific and one eudicot-specific subclade of LBD proteins were found and their biological significance in monocot and eudicot development were also discussed separately. The review will help us better understand the functional diversity of LBD proteins and facilitate further studies on this plant-specific transcription factor family.
Topics: Conserved Sequence; Phylogeny; Plant Proteins; Protein Domains; Transcription Factors
PubMed: 32224847
DOI: 10.3390/ijms21072278 -
Biochemical Society Transactions Apr 2021Asparaginyl endopeptidases (AEPs) are versatile enzymes that in biological systems are involved in producing three different catalytic outcomes for proteins, namely (i)... (Review)
Review
Asparaginyl endopeptidases (AEPs) are versatile enzymes that in biological systems are involved in producing three different catalytic outcomes for proteins, namely (i) routine cleavage by bond hydrolysis, (ii) peptide maturation, including macrocyclisation by a cleavage-coupled intramolecular transpeptidation and (iii) circular permutation involving separate cleavage and transpeptidation reactions resulting in a major reshuffling of protein sequence. AEPs differ in their preference for cleavage or transpeptidation reactions, catalytic efficiency, and preference for asparagine or aspartate target residues. We look at structural analyses of various AEPs that have laid the groundwork for identifying important determinants of AEP function in recent years, with much of the research impetus arising from the potential biotechnological and pharmaceutical applications.
Topics: Catalytic Domain; Cysteine Endopeptidases; Hydrolysis; Molecular Dynamics Simulation; Peptides; Plant Proteins; Protein Binding; Protein Conformation; Seed Storage Proteins; Substrate Specificity
PubMed: 33666219
DOI: 10.1042/BST20200908 -
Molecular Plant Jan 2021The endoplasmic reticulum, chloroplasts, and mitochondria are major plant organelles for protein synthesis, photosynthesis, metabolism, and energy production. Protein... (Review)
Review
The endoplasmic reticulum, chloroplasts, and mitochondria are major plant organelles for protein synthesis, photosynthesis, metabolism, and energy production. Protein homeostasis in these organelles, maintained by a balance between protein synthesis and degradation, is essential for cell functions during plant growth, development, and stress resistance. Nucleus-encoded chloroplast- and mitochondrion-targeted proteins and ER-resident proteins are imported from the cytosol and undergo modification and maturation within their respective organelles. Protein folding is an error-prone process that is influenced by both developmental signals and environmental cues; a number of mechanisms have evolved to ensure efficient import and proper folding and maturation of proteins in plant organelles. Misfolded or damaged proteins with nonnative conformations are subject to degradation via complementary or competing pathways: intraorganelle proteases, the organelle-associated ubiquitin-proteasome system, and the selective autophagy of partial or entire organelles. When proteins in nonnative conformations accumulate, the organelle-specific unfolded protein response operates to restore protein homeostasis by reducing protein folding demand, increasing protein folding capacity, and enhancing components involved in proteasome-associated protein degradation and autophagy. This review summarizes recent progress on the understanding of protein quality control in the ER, chloroplasts, and mitochondria in plants, with a focus on common mechanisms shared by these organelles during protein homeostasis.
Topics: Homeostasis; Organelles; Plant Proteins; Protein Folding; Proteolysis; Unfolded Protein Response
PubMed: 33137518
DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2020.10.011 -
Molecular Plant Aug 2015The plant hormone auxin regulates numerous aspects of plant growth and development. Early auxin response genes mediate its genomic effects on plant growth and... (Review)
Review
The plant hormone auxin regulates numerous aspects of plant growth and development. Early auxin response genes mediate its genomic effects on plant growth and development. Discovered in 1987, small auxin up RNAs (SAURs) are the largest family of early auxin response genes. SAUR functions have remained elusive, however, presumably due to extensive genetic redundancy. However, recent molecular, genetic, biochemical, and genomic studies have implicated SAURs in the regulation of a wide range of cellular, physiological, and developmental processes. Recently, crucial mechanistic insight into SAUR function was provided by the demonstration that SAURs inhibit PP2C.D phosphatases to activate plasma membrane (PM) H(+)-ATPases and promote cell expansion. In addition to auxin, several other hormones and environmental factors also regulate SAUR gene expression. We propose that SAURs are key effector outputs of hormonal and environmental signals that regulate plant growth and development.
Topics: Biological Transport; Environment; Plant Development; Plant Growth Regulators; Plant Proteins; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 25983207
DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2015.05.003 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jan 2022Cold stress limits plant geographical distribution and influences plant growth, development, and yields. Plants as sessile organisms have evolved complex biochemical and... (Review)
Review
Cold stress limits plant geographical distribution and influences plant growth, development, and yields. Plants as sessile organisms have evolved complex biochemical and physiological mechanisms to adapt to cold stress. These mechanisms are regulated by a series of transcription factors and proteins for efficient cold stress acclimation. It has been established that the signaling pathway in plants regulates how plants acclimatize to cold stress. Cold stress is perceived by receptor proteins, triggering signal transduction, and () genes are activated and regulated, consequently upregulating the transcription and expression of the () genes. The protein binds to the (), a homeopathic element of the genes ( gene) promoter, activating their transcription. Transcriptional regulations and post-translational modifications regulate and modify these entities at different response levels by altering their expression or activities in the signaling cascade. These activities then lead to efficient cold stress tolerance. This paper contains a concise summary of the pathway elucidating on the cross interconnections with other repressors, inhibitors, and activators to induce cold stress acclimation in plants.
Topics: Cold-Shock Response; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Plant Physiological Phenomena; Plant Proteins; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Signal Transduction; Trans-Activators; Transcriptional Activation
PubMed: 35163471
DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031549