Isolation of two plant proteinases in latex from Carica candamarcensis acting as mitogens for mammalian cells.
In a prior study we showed evidence that latex from Carica candamarcensis contains a protein fraction that stimulates mammalian cell proliferation. In this report we describe the isolation of two proteinases responsible for this effect. Both proteinases (P1, P2) display a relative mass of 23 kDa and following chromatographic purification stimulate proliferation of fibroblastic and epithelial cells. P2 added to L929 fibroblasts at 2.5 nM enhances proliferation by 60 %. We further demonstrate that its cellular effect is linked to an increase in activity of Erk2, a component of the MAP kinase pathway. To our knowledge, this is the first known plant proteinase to exert a proliferative effect in mammalian cells. This novel mitogenic property attributed to a purified cysteine proteinase may explain some of the therapeutic actions attributed to these enzymes.
Gomes
Marco Túlio R
MT
Departamentos de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antonio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil.
Mello
Vanessa J
VJ
Rodrigues
Kelly C
KC
Bemquerer
Marcelo P
MP
Lopes
Miriam T P
MT
Faça
Vitor M
VM
Salas
Carlos E
CE
D000818:Animals; D029441:Carica; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line / Q000187:drug effects; D006224:Cricetinae; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D007840:Latex / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008934:Mitogens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008517:Phytotherapy
D007840:Latex; D008934:Mitogens; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases