title: A glycoprotein α-amylase inhibitor from Withania somnifera differentially inhibits various α-amylases and affects the growth and development of Tribolium castaneum.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Identification and characterisation of plant defensive molecules enrich our resources to design crop protection strategies. In particular, plant-derived proteinaceous inhibitor(s) of insect digestive enzymes appear to be a safe, sustainable and attractive option.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A glycoprotein having non-competitive α-amylase inhibitory activity with a molecular weight of 8.3 kDa was isolated and purified from seeds of Withania somnifera α-amylase inhibitor (WSAI). Its mass spectrometry analysis revealed 59% sequence coverage with Wrightide II-type α-amylase inhibitor from Wrightia religiosa. A dose-dependent inhibition of α-amylases from Aspergillus oryzae, Bacillus subtilis, Helicoverpa armigera and Tribolium castaneum was recorded. Interestingly, WSAI did not inhibit human salivary α-amylase significantly. When adults of T. castaneum were fed with WSAI (1.6 mg g-1), decrease in consumption, growth and efficiency of conversion of ingested food was evident, along with over fourfold increases in feeding deterrence index. A decline in larval residual α-amylase activity after feeding of WSAI resulted in a reduction in longevity of T. castaneum.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study reflects the significance of WSAI in affecting the overall growth and development of T. castaneum. Pre- and post-harvest pest resistive capability makes WSAI a potential candidate for insect pest management. Further, the effectiveness of this inhibitor could be explored either in formulations or through a transgenic approach. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India.|Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India.
authors: Sainath S
authors: SS
authors: Kasar
authors: Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India.
authors: Kiran R
authors: KR
authors: Marathe
authors: Plant Molecular Biology Unit, Division of Biochemical Sciences, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
authors: Amey J
authors: AJ
authors: Bhide
authors: Department of Biotechnology, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India.
authors: Abhijeet P
authors: AP
authors: Herwade
authors: Plant Molecular Biology Unit, Division of Biochemical Sciences, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
authors: Ashok P
authors: AP
authors: Giri
authors: Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India.
authors: Vijay L
authors: VL
authors: Maheshwari
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India.
authors: Pankaj K
authors: PK
authors: Pawar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012639:Seeds; D014231:Tribolium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development; D032341:Withania / Q000737:chemistry*; D000516:alpha-Amylases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D006023:Glycoproteins; D010940:Plant Proteins; D000516:alpha-Amylases
keywords: Tribolium castaneum; Withania somnifera; glycoprotein; α-amylase; α-amylase inhibitor