A basic peroxidase from wheat kernel with antifungal activity.
A basic heme-peroxidase (WP1) was purified to homogeneity from wheat (Triticum aestivum) kernels. The protein was not glycosylated and exhibited a molecular mass of 36 kDa and a pI of 8.0. The N-terminal amino acid sequence revealed a very high similarity with a wheat flour peroxidase allergen associated with baker's asthma. WPI showed indole-3-acetic acid oxidase activity in the presence of Mn2+ and phenolic cofactors. Antifungal assays performed in vitro towards phytopathogenic fungi indicated that WP1 was active in inhibiting germ tube elongation. This first report on antifungal properties of a heme-peroxidase gives experimental support to the idea that peroxidases play a defensive role against invading pathogens.
Caruso
C
C
Dipartimento di Agrobiologia e Agrochimica Università della Tuscia, Via S. Camillo De Lellis, I-01100, Viterbo, Italy. caruso@unitus.it
Chilosi
G
G
Leonardi
L
L
Bertini
L
L
Magro
P
P
Buonocore
V
V
Caporale
C
C
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D020171:Botrytis / Q000187:drug effects*; D005670:Fusarium / Q000187:drug effects*; D008345:Manganese / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010544:Peroxidases / Q000378:metabolism; D012639:Seeds / Q000201:enzymology*; D017385:Sequence Homology; D014242:Trichoderma / Q000187:drug effects; D014908:Triticum / Q000201:enzymology
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D008345:Manganese; C027929:indoleacetic acid oxidase; D010544:Peroxidases; D009195:Peroxidase