title: Solution structure of the phytotoxic protein PcF: the first characterized member of the Phytophthora PcF toxin family.
abstract: The PcF protein from Phytophthora cactorum is the first member of the "PcF toxin family" from the plant pathogens Phytophthora spp. It is able to induce withering in tomato and strawberry leaves. The lack of sequence similarity with other proteins hampers the identification of the molecular mechanisms responsible for its toxicity. Here, we show that the six cysteines form a disulphide pattern that is exclusive for PcF and essential for the protein withering activity. The NMR solution structure identifies a novel fold among protein effectors: a helix-loop-helix motif. The presence of a negatively charged surface suggests that it might act as a site of electrostatic interaction. Interestingly, a good fold match with Ole e 6, a plant protein with allergenic activity, highlighted the spatial superimposition of a stretch of identical residues. This finding suggests a possible biological activity based on molecular mimicry.
authors: National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR-MRC), The Ridgeway, London NW7 1AA, United Kingdom.
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Nicastro
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Orsomando
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Ferrari
authors: Lucia
authors: L
authors: Manconi
authors: Filomena
authors: F
authors: Desario
authors: Adolfo
authors: A
authors: Amici
authors: Alessia
authors: A
authors: Naso
authors: Armando
authors: A
authors: Carpaneto
authors: Thelma A
authors: TA
authors: Pertinhez
authors: Silverio
authors: S
authors: Ruggieri
authors: Alberto
authors: A
authors: Spisni
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D018257:Helix-Loop-Helix Motifs / Q000502:physiology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010838:Phytophthora / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D011487:Protein Conformation; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D014118:Toxins, Biological / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C107504:OLE6 protein, Olea europaea; C088192:Pcf protein, Phytophthora cactorum; D010940:Plant Proteins; D014118:Toxins, Biological