Lectins as plant defense proteins

Purification, characterization, and molecular cloning of a novel antifungal lectin from the roots of Ophioglossum pedunculosum

A novel mannan-specific lectin was isolated from the roots of a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, Ophioglossum pedunculosum through ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration. With a molecular mass of 19,835.7 Da demonstrated by MALDI-TOF analysis, this novel agglutinin was designated as O. pedunculosum agglutinin (OPA), specifically agglutinating human O erythrocytes and rabbit erythrocytes. The hemagglutination could be strongly inhibited by mannan and thyroglobulin, the activity of which was stable in pH range of 4.0-8.0 and at temperatures below 50 °C. Chemical modification studies indicated that tryptophan and arginine residues were essential for its hemagglutinating activity. Meanwhile, it showed antifungal activities toward Sclerotium rolfsii and Fusarium graminearum. In addition, to amplify cDNA of OPA by 3'/5'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), the N-terminal 30 amino acids sequence of OPA was determined, and degenerate primers were designed. The obtained full-length cDNA of OPA contained 885 bp with an open-reading frame of 600 bp encoding a precursor protein of 199 amino acids, while the mature protein had 170 amino acids.

Proteomic analysis of the sea-island cotton roots infected by wilt pathogen Verticillium dahliae

Verticillium wilt of cotton is a vascular disease mainly caused by the soil-born filamentous fungus Verticillium dahliae. To study the mechanisms associated with defense responses in wilt-resistant sea-island cotton (Gossypium barbadense) upon V. dahliae infection, a comparative proteomic analysis between infected and mock-inoculated roots of G. barbadense var. Hai 7124 (a cultivar showing resistance against V. dahliae) was performed by 2-DE combined with local EST database-assisted PMF and MS/MS analysis. A total of 51 upregulated and 17 downregulated proteins were identified, and these proteins are mainly involved in defense and stress responses, primary and secondary metabolisms, lipid transport, and cytoskeleton organization. Three novel clues regarding wilt resistance of G. barbadense are gained from this study. First, ethylene signaling was significantly activated in the cotton roots attacked by V. dahliae as shown by the elevated expression of ethylene biosynthesis and signaling components. Second, the Bet v 1 family proteins may play an important role in the defense reaction against Verticillium wilt. Third, wilt resistance may implicate the redirection of carbohydrate flux from glycolysis to pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). To our knowledge, this study is the first root proteomic analysis on cotton wilt resistance and provides important insights for establishing strategies to control this disease.

Purification and characterization of a Ca2+-dependent novel lectin from Nymphaea nouchali tuber with antiproliferative activities

A lectin (termed NNTL) was purified from the extracts of Nymphaea nouchali tuber followed by anion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, hydrophobic chromatography on HiTrap Phenyl HP and by repeated anion-exchange chromatography on HiTrap Q FF column. The molecular mass of the purified lectin was 27.0 ± 1.0 kDa, as estimated by SDS/PAGE both in the presence and in the absence of 2-mercaptoethanol. NNTL was an o-nitrophenyl β-D-galactopyranoside sugar-specific lectin that agglutinated rat, chicken and different groups of human blood cells and exhibited high agglutination activity over the pH range 5–9 and temperatures of 30–60°C. The N-terminal sequence of NNTL did not show sequence similarity with any other lectin and the amino acid analysis revealed that NNTL was rich in leucine, methionine and glycine residues. NNTL was a glycoprotein containing 8% neutral sugar and showed toxicity against brine shrimp nauplii with an LC50 value of 120 ± 29 μg/ml and exerted strong agglutination activity against four pathogenic bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Sarcina lutea, Shigella shiga and Shigella sonnei). In addition, antiproliferative activity of this lectin against EAC (Ehrlich ascites carcinoma) cells showed 56% and 76% inhibition in vivo in mice at 1.5 and 3 mg·kg−1·day−1 respectively. NNTL was a divalent ion-dependent glycoprotein, which lost its activity markedly in the presence of denaturants. Furthermore, measurement of fluorescence spectra in the presence and absence of urea and CaCl2 indicated the requirement of Ca2+ for the stability of NNTL.

Biochemical and functional characterization of an albumin protein belonging to the hemopexin superfamily from Lens culinaris seeds

The present paper reports the purification and biochemical characterization of an albumin identified in mature lentil seeds with high sequence similarity to pea PA2. These proteins are found in many edible seeds and are considered potentially detrimental for human health due to the potential allergenicity and lectin-like activity. Thus, the description of their possible presence in food and the assessment of the molecular properties are relevant. The M(r), pI, and N-terminal sequence of this protein have been determined. The work included the study of (i) the binding properties to hemine to assess the presence of hemopexin structural domains and (ii) the binding properties of the protein to thiamin. In addition, the structural changes induced by heating have been evaluated by means of spectroscopic techniques. Denaturation temperature has also been determined. The present work provides new insights about the structural molecular features and the ligand-binding properties and dynamics of this kind of seed albumin.

Crystal structure of a pro-inflammatory lectin from the seeds of Dioclea wilsonii Standl

The crystal structure and pro-inflammatory property of a lectin from the seeds of Dioclea wilsonii (DwL) were analyzed to gain a better understanding of structure/function relationships of Diocleinae lectins. Following crystallization and structural determination by standard molecular replacement techniques, DwL was found to be a tetramer based on PISA analysis, and composed by two metal-binding sites per monomer and loops which are involved in molecular oligomerization. DwL presents 96% and 99% identity with two other previously described lectins of Dioclea rostrata (DRL) and Dioclea grandiflora (DGL). DwL differs structurally from DVL and DRL with regard to the conformation of the carbohydrate recognition domain and related biological activities. The structural analysis of DwL in comparison to other Diocleinae lectins can be related to the differences in the dose-dependent pro-inflammatory effect elicited in Wistar rats, probably via specific interactions with mast cells complex carbohydrate, resulting in significant paw edema. DwL appears to be involved in positive modulation of mast cell degranulation via recognition of surface carbohydrates. Since this recognition is dependent on site volume and CRD configuration, edematogenesis mediated by resident cells varies in potency and efficacy among different Diocleinae lectins.

Proteomics study of changes in soybean lines resistant and sensitive to Phytophthora sojae

BACKGROUND

Phytophthora sojae causes soybean root and stem rot, resulting in an annual loss of 1-2 billion US dollars in soybean production worldwide. A proteomic technique was used to determine the effects on soybean hypocotyls of infection with P. sojae.

RESULTS

In the present study, 46 differentially expressed proteins were identified in soybean hypocotyls infected with P. sojae, using two-dimensional electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time of flight (MALDI-TOF/TOF). The expression levels of 26 proteins were significantly affected at various time points in the tolerant soybean line, Yudou25, (12 up-regulated and 14 down-regulated). In contrast, in the sensitive soybean line, NG6255, only 20 proteins were significantly affected (11 up-regulated and 9 down-regulated). Among these proteins, 26% were related to energy regulation, 15% to protein destination and storage, 11% to defense against disease, 11% to metabolism, 9% to protein synthesis, 4% to secondary metabolism, and 24% were of unknown function.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides important information on the use of proteomic methods for studying protein regulation during plant-oomycete interactions.

Opioid-like antinociceptive effects of oral administration of a lectin purified from the seeds of Canavalia brasiliensis

The objective of this study was to evaluate the antinociceptive effects of a lectin from Canavalia brasiliensis (ConBr) when administered orally to murine models of chemical and thermal nociception. ConBr up to 100 mg/kg produced significant and dose-dependent antinociceptive effects: 81% reduction in abdominal writhing induced by 0.6% acetic acid; 26 and 52% reduction in early- and late-stage paw licking, respectively, induced by 2.5% formalin; and 155% increase in reaction latency (heightened thermal pain threshold). In all models, the antinociceptive effect was reversed by the lectin-binding carbohydrate α-d-methyl-mannoside and by the nonselective opioid antagonist naloxone. The antinociceptive effect observed in the formalin test was inhibited by the δ-selective antagonist naltrindole and the κ-selective antagonist nor-binaltorphimine but not by the μ-selective antagonist cyprodime. In conclusion, when administered orally to Swiss mice, the ConBr lectin displayed antinociceptive activity, both peripheral and central, mediated by the opioid system and involving δ-and κ-receptors and the lectin domain.

Plant lectins as defense proteins against phytophagous insects

One of the most important direct defense responses in plants against the attack by phytophagous insects is the production of insecticidal peptides or proteins. One particular class of entomotoxic proteins present in many plant species is the group of carbohydrate-binding proteins or lectins. During the last decade a lot of progress was made in the study of a few lectins that are expressed in response to herbivory by phytophagous insects and the insecticidal properties of plant lectins in general. This review gives an overview of lectins with high potential for the use in pest control strategies based on their activity towards pest insects. In addition, potential target sites for lectins inside the insect and the mode of action are discussed. In addition, the effect of plant lectins on non-target organisms such as beneficial insects as well as on human/animal consumers is discussed. It can be concluded that some insecticidal lectins are useful tools that can contribute to the development of integrated pest management strategies with minimal effect(s) on non-target organisms.

Mobilization of storage proteins in soybean seed (Glycine max L.) during germination and seedling growth

During germination and early growth of the seedling, storage proteins are degraded by proteases. Currently, limited information is available on the degradation of storage proteins in the soybean during germination. In this study, a combined two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry approach was utilized to determine the proteome profile of soybean seeds (Glycine max L.; Eunhakong). Comparative analysis showed that the temporal profiles of protein expression are dramatically changed during the seed germination and seedling growth. More than 80% of the proteins identified were subunits of glycinin and β-conglycinin, two major storage proteins. Most subunits of these proteins were degraded almost completely at a different rate by 120h, and the degradation products were accumulated or degraded further. Interestingly, the acidic subunits of glycinin were rapidly degraded, but no obvious change in the basic chains. Of the five acidic subunits, the degradation of G2 subunit was not apparently affected by at least 96h but the levels decreased rapidly after that, while no newly appearing intermediate was detected upon the degradation of G4 subunit. On the other hand, the degradation of β-conglycinin during storage protein mobilization appeared to be similar to that of glycinin but at a faster rate. Both α and α' subunits of β-conglycinin largely disappeared by 96h, while the β subunits degraded at the slowest rate. These results suggest that mobilization of subunits of the storage proteins is differentially regulated for seed germination and seedling growth. The present proteomic analysis will facilitate future studies addressing the complex biochemical events taking place during soybean seed germination.

Towards a better understanding of Ipomoea asarifolia toxicity: evidence of the involvement of a leaf lectin

Natural intoxication of livestock by ingestion of Ipomoea asarifolia leaves has been reported to occur widely in Brazil. Previous studies carried out by our research group provided strong evidence that a lectin could be involved with the toxic properties of I. asarifolia. To reinforce this hypothesis, a lectin-enriched fraction (LEF) was isolated from I. asarifolia leaves and its toxic effects were assessed. Leaves of I. asarifolia were excised from plants growing widely in the field, mechanically wounded and maintained in a chamber at 25 ± 3 °C for 72h in the dark, under near 100% relative humidity. The leaf proteins were extracted, ammonium sulfate precipitated, chromatographed on DEAE-cellulose and Phenyl-Sepharose to produce LEF that under SDS-PAGE showed a molecular mass of 44.0 kDa and after N-terminal amino acid analysis a primary sequence composed of AGYTPVLDIGAEVLAAGEPY. The in vivo toxicity of LEF assessed by intraorbital injection in mice showed induced severe uncoordinated movements without death. LEF reduced the muscular contraction in a dose depend way and at 29.8 μg/mL (CE(50)) it produces 50% inhibition of contraction, suggesting that LEF blunts autonomic neurotransmission. Isolated rat kidneys were perfused with LEF and no effects on the perfusion pressure or renal vascular resistance were observed, but urinary flow and glomerular filtration rate increased. Moreover, the percentage of tubular transport of Na(+), K(+) and Cl(-) decreased. Histological examination of the kidneys perfused with LEF exhibited little alterations. These toxic effects observed above were concomitant with the increase of LEF hemagglutination activity, which strongly suggest that one of the toxic principles of I. asarifolia is a lectin present in its leaves.

Crystal structure of a β-prism II lectin from Remusatia vivipara

The crystal structure of a β-prism II (BP2) fold lectin from Remusatia vivipara, a plant of traditional medicinal value, has been determined at a resolution of 2.4 Å. This lectin (RVL, Remusatia vivipara lectin) is a dimer with each protomer having two distinct BP2 domains without a linker between them. It belongs to the "monocot mannose-binding" lectin family, which consists of proteins of high sequence and structural similarity. Though the overall tertiary structure is similar to that of lectins from snowdrop bulbs and garlic, crucial differences in the mannose-binding regions and oligomerization were observed. Unlike most of the other structurally known proteins in this family, only one of the three carbohydrate recognition sites (CRSs) per BP2 domain is found to be conserved. RVL does not recognize simple mannose moieties. RVL binds to only N-linked complex glycans like those present on the gp120 envelope glycoprotein of HIV and mannosylated blood proteins like fetuin, but not to simple mannose moieties. The molecular basis for these features and their possible functional implications to understand the different levels of carbohydrate affinities in this structural family have been investigated through structure analysis, modeling and binding studies. Apart from being the first structure of a lectin to be reported from the Araceae/Arum family, this protein also displays a novel mode of oligomerization among BP2 lectins.

Plant storage proteins with antimicrobial activity: novel insights into plant defense mechanisms

Storage proteins perform essential roles in plant survival, acting as molecular reserves important for plant growth and maintenance, as well as being involved in defense mechanisms by virtue of their properties as insecticidal and antimicrobial proteins. These proteins accumulate in storage vacuoles inside plant cells, and, in response to determined signals, they may be used by the different plant tissues in response to pathogen attack. To shed some light on these remarkable proteins with dual functions, storage proteins found in germinative tissues, such as seeds and kernels, and in vegetative tissues, such as tubercles and leaves, are extensively discussed here, along with the related mechanisms of protein expression. Among these proteins, we focus on 2S albumins, Kunitz proteinase inhibitors, plant lectins, glycine-rich proteins, vicilins, patatins, tarins, and ocatins. Finally, the potential use of these molecules in development of drugs to combat human and plant pathogens, contributing to the development of new biotechnology-based medications and products for agribusiness, is also presented.

Purification of a new fungal mannose-specific lectin from Penicillium chrysogenum and its aphicidal properties

Several Ascomycetes fungi are commonly used in bio-industries and provide available industrial residues for lectin extraction to be valuable. A lectin from Penicillium chrysogenum, named PeCL, was purified from a fungal culture using gel-filtration chromatography column. PeCL was found to be a mannose-specific lectin by haemagglutination activity towards rabbit erythrocyte cells and was visualised on SDS-PAGE gel. Purified PeCL fraction was delivered via artificial diet to Myzus persicae aphid and was demonstrated to be aphicidal at 0.1 % with higher toxic efficiency than a known mannose-binding lectin Concanavalin A (ConA). A fast and efficient way to purify PeCL and a potential use in pest control is described.

Marasmius oreades agglutinin (MOA) is a chimerolectin with proteolytic activity

The Marasmius oreades mushroom lectin (MOA) is well known for its exquisite binding specificity for blood group B antigens. In addition to its N-terminal carbohydrate-binding domain, MOA possesses a C-terminal domain with unknown function, which structurally resembles hydrolytic enzymes. Here we show that MOA indeed has catalytic activity. It is a calcium-dependent cysteine protease resembling papain-like cysteine proteases, with Cys215 being the catalytic nucleophile. The possible importance of MOA's proteolytic activity for mushroom defense against pathogens is discussed.

A lectin-mediated resistance of higher fungi against predators and parasites

Fruiting body lectins are ubiquitous in higher fungi and characterized by being synthesized in the cytoplasm and up-regulated during sexual development. The function of these lectins is unclear. A lack of phenotype in sexual development upon inactivation of the respective genes argues against a function in this process. We tested a series of characterized fruiting body lectins from different fungi for toxicity towards the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the mosquito Aedes aegypti and the amoeba Acanthamoeba castellanii. Most of the fungal lectins were found to be toxic towards at least one of the three target organisms. By altering either the fungal lectin or the glycans of the target organisms, or by including soluble carbohydrate ligands as competitors, we demonstrate that the observed toxicity is dependent on the interaction between the fungal lectins and specific glycans in the target organisms. The toxicity was found to be dose-dependent such that low levels of lectin were no longer toxic but still led to food avoidance by C. elegans. Finally, we show, in an ecologically more relevant scenario, that challenging the vegetative mycelium of Coprinopsis cinerea with the fungal-feeding nematode Aphelenchus avenae induces the expression of the nematotoxic fruiting body lectins CGL1 and CGL2. Based on these findings, we propose that filamentous fungi possess an inducible resistance against predators and parasites mediated by lectins that are specific for glycans of these antagonists.

Functional alteration of a dimeric insecticidal lectin to a monomeric antifungal protein correlated to its oligomeric status

BACKGROUND

Allium sativum leaf agglutinin (ASAL) is a 25-kDa homodimeric, insecticidal, mannose binding lectin whose subunits are assembled by the C-terminal exchange process. An attempt was made to convert dimeric ASAL into a monomeric form to correlate the relevance of quaternary association of subunits and their functional specificity. Using SWISS-MODEL program a stable monomer was designed by altering five amino acid residues near the C-terminus of ASAL.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

By introduction of 5 site-specific mutations (-DNSNN-), a β turn was incorporated between the 11(th) and 12(th) β strands of subunits of ASAL, resulting in a stable monomeric mutant ASAL (mASAL). mASAL was cloned and subsequently purified from a pMAL-c2X system. CD spectroscopic analysis confirmed the conservation of secondary structure in mASAL. Mannose binding assay confirmed that molecular mannose binds efficiently to both mASAL and ASAL. In contrast to ASAL, the hemagglutination activity of purified mASAL against rabbit erythrocytes was lost. An artificial diet bioassay of Lipaphis erysimi with mASAL displayed an insignificant level of insecticidal activity compared to ASAL. Fascinatingly, mASAL exhibited strong antifungal activity against the pathogenic fungi Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizoctonia solani and Alternaria brassicicola in a disc diffusion assay. A propidium iodide uptake assay suggested that the inhibitory activity of mASAL might be associated with the alteration of the membrane permeability of the fungus. Furthermore, a ligand blot assay of the membrane subproteome of R. solani with mASAL detected a glycoprotein receptor having interaction with mASAL.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

Conversion of ASAL into a stable monomer resulted in antifungal activity. From an evolutionary aspect, these data implied that variable quaternary organization of lectins might be the outcome of defense-related adaptations to diverse situations in plants. Incorporation of mASAL into agronomically-important crops could be an alternative method to protect them from dramatic yield losses from pathogenic fungi in an effective manner.

Interaction of the tobacco lectin with histone proteins

The tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) agglutinin or Nictaba is a member of a novel class of plant lectins residing in the nucleus and the cytoplasm of tobacco cells. Since tobacco lectin expression is only observed after the plant has been subjected to stress situations such as jasmonate treatment or insect attack, Nictaba is believed to act as a signaling protein involved in the stress physiology of the plant. In this paper, a nuclear proteomics approach was followed to identify the binding partners for Nictaba in the nucleus and the cytoplasm of tobacco cv Xanthi cells. Using lectin affinity chromatography and pull-down assays, it was shown that Nictaba interacts primarily with histone proteins. Binding of Nictaba with histone H2B was confirmed in vitro using affinity chromatography of purified calf thymus histone proteins on a Nictaba column. Elution of Nictaba-interacting histone proteins was achieved with 1 m N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc). Moreover, mass spectrometry analyses indicated that the Nictaba-interacting histone proteins are modified by O-GlcNAc. Since the lectin-histone interaction was shown to be carbohydrate dependent, it is proposed that Nictaba might fulfill a signaling role in response to stress by interacting with O-GlcNAcylated proteins in the plant cell nucleus.

Sequence variability of the pattern recognition receptor Mermaid mediates specificity of marine nematode symbioses

Selection of a specific microbial partner by the host is an all-important process. It guarantees the persistence of highly specific symbioses throughout host generations. The cuticle of the marine nematode Laxus oneistus is covered by a single phylotype of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. They are embedded in a layer of host-secreted mucus containing the mannose-binding protein Mermaid. This Ca(2+)-dependent lectin mediates symbiont aggregation and attachment to the nematode. Here, we show that Stilbonema majum-a symbiotic nematode co-occurring with L. oneistus in shallow water sediment-is covered by bacteria phylogenetically distinct to those covering L. oneistus. Mermaid cDNA analysis revealed extensive protein sequence variability in both the nematode species. We expressed three recombinant Mermaid isoforms, which based on the structural predictions display the most different carbohydrate recognition domains (CRDs). We show that the three CRDs (DNT, DDA and GDA types) possess different affinities for L. oneistus and S. majum symbionts. In particular, the GDA type, exclusively expressed by S. majum, displays highest agglutination activity towards its symbionts and lowest towards its L. oneistus symbionts. Moreover, incubation of L. oneistus in the GDA type does not result in complete symbiont detachment, whereas incubation in the other types does. This indicates that the presence of particular Mermaid isoforms on the nematode surface has a role in the attachment of specific symbionts. This is the first report of the functional role of sequence variability in a microbe-associated molecular patterns receptor in a beneficial association.

The pepper mannose-binding lectin gene CaMBL1 is required to regulate cell death and defense responses to microbial pathogens

Plant mannose-binding lectins (MBLs) are crucial for plant defense signaling during pathogen attack by recognizing specific carbohydrates on pathogen surfaces. In this study, we isolated and functionally characterized a novel pepper (Capsicum annuum) MBL gene, CaMBL1, from pepper leaves infected with Xanthomonas campestris pv vesicatoria (Xcv). The CaMBL1 gene contains a predicted Galanthus nivalis agglutinin-related lectin domain responsible for the recognition of high-mannose N-glycans but lacks a middle S-locus glycoprotein domain and a carboxyl-terminal PAN-Apple domain. The CaMBL1 protein exhibits binding specificity for mannose and is mainly localized to the plasma membrane. Immunoblotting using a CaMBL1-specific antibody revealed that CaMBL1 is strongly expressed and accumulates in pepper leaves during avirulent Xcv infection. The transient expression of CaMBL1 induces the accumulation of salicylic acid (SA), the activation of defense-related genes, and the cell death phenotype in pepper. The G. nivalis agglutinin-related lectin domain of CaMBL1 is responsible for cell death induction. CaMBL1-silenced pepper plants are more susceptible to virulent or avirulent Xcv infection compared with unsilenced control plants, a phenotype that is accompanied by lowered reactive oxygen species accumulation, reduced expression of downstream SA target genes, and a concomitant decrease in SA accumulation. In contrast, CaMBL1 overexpression in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) confers enhanced resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato and Alternaria brassicicola infection. Together, these data suggest that CaMBL1 plays a key role in the regulation of plant cell death and defense responses through the induction of downstream defense-related genes and SA accumulation after the recognition of microbial pathogens.

Bioinsecticidal activity of Talisia esculenta reserve protein on growth and serine digestive enzymes during larval development of Anticarsia gemmatalis

Plants synthesize a variety of molecules to defend themselves against an attack by insects. Talisin is a reserve protein from Talisia esculenta seeds, the first to be characterized from the family Sapindaceae. In this study, the insecticidal activity of Talisin was tested by incorporating the reserve protein into an artificial diet fed to the velvetbean caterpillar Anticarsia gemmatalis, the major pest of soybean crops in Brazil. At 1.5% (w/w) of the dietary protein, Talisin affected larval growth, pupal weight, development and mortality, adult fertility and longevity, and produced malformations in pupae and adult insects. Talisin inhibited the trypsin-like activity of larval midgut homogenates. The trypsin activity in Talisin-fed larvae was sensitive to Talisin, indicating that no novel protease-resistant to Talisin was induced in Talisin-fed larvae. Affinity chromatography showed that Talisin bound to midgut proteinases of the insect A. gemmatalis, but was resistant to enzymatic digestion by these larval proteinases. The transformation of genes coding for this reserve protein could be useful for developing insect resistant crops.

Biotoxicity assays for fruiting body lectins and other cytoplasmic proteins

Recent studies suggest that a specific class of fungal lectins, commonly referred to as fruiting body lectins, play a role as effector molecules in the defense of fungi against predators and parasites. Hallmarks of these fungal lectins are their specific expression in reproductive structures, fruiting bodies, and/or sclerotia and their synthesis on free ribosomes in the cytoplasm. Fruiting body lectins are released upon damage of the fungal cell and bind to specific carbohydrate structures of predators and parasites, which leads to deterrence, inhibition of growth, and development or even killing of these organisms. Here, we describe assays to assess the toxicity of such lectins and other cytoplasmic proteins toward three different model organisms: the insect Aedes aegypti, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, and the amoeba Acanthamoeba castellanii. All three assays are based on heterologous expression of the examined proteins in the cytoplasm of Escherichia coli and feeding of these recombinant bacteria to omnivorous and bacterivorous organisms.

Insecticidal properties of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum agglutinin and its interaction with insect tissues and cells

This project studied in detail the insecticidal activity of a fungal lectin from the sclerotes of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, referred to as S. sclerotiorum agglutinin or SSA. Feeding assays with the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) on an artificial diet containing different concentrations of SSA demonstrated a high mortality caused by this fungal lectin with a median insect toxicity value (LC50) of 66 (49-88) μg/ml. In an attempt to unravel the mode of action of SSA the binding and interaction of the lectin with insect tissues and cells were investigated. Histofluorescence studies on sections from aphids fed on an artificial liquid diet containing FITC-labeled SSA, indicated the insect midgut with its brush border zone as the primary target for SSA. In addition, exposure of insect midgut CF-203 cells to 25 μg/ml SSA resulted in a total loss of cell viability, the median cell toxicity value (EC50) being 4.0 (2.4-6.7) μg/ml. Interestingly, cell death was accompanied with DNA fragmentation, but the effect was caspase-3 independent. Analyses using fluorescence confocal microscopy demonstrated that FITC-labeled SSA was not internalized in the insect midgut cells, but bound to the cell surface. Prior incubation of the cells with saponin to achieve a higher cell membrane permeation resulted in an increased internalization of SSA in the insect midgut cells, but no increase in cell toxicity. Furthermore, since the toxicity of SSA for CF-203 cells was significantly reduced when SSA was incubated with GalNAc and asialomucin prior to treatment of the cells, the data of this project provide strong evidence that SSA binds with specific carbohydrate moieties on the cell membrane proteins to start a signaling transduction cascade leading to death of the midgut epithelial cells, which in turn results in insect mortality. The potential use of SSA in insect control is discussed.

Annotation and comparative analysis of the glycoside hydrolase genes in Brachypodium distachyon

BACKGROUND

Glycoside hydrolases cleave the bond between a carbohydrate and another carbohydrate, a protein, lipid or other moiety. Genes encoding glycoside hydrolases are found in a wide range of organisms, from archea to animals, and are relatively abundant in plant genomes. In plants, these enzymes are involved in diverse processes, including starch metabolism, defense, and cell-wall remodeling. Glycoside hydrolase genes have been previously cataloged for Oryza sativa (rice), the model dicotyledonous plant Arabidopsis thaliana, and the fast-growing tree Populus trichocarpa (poplar). To improve our understanding of glycoside hydrolases in plants generally and in grasses specifically, we annotated the glycoside hydrolase genes in the grasses Brachypodium distachyon (an emerging monocotyledonous model) and Sorghum bicolor (sorghum). We then compared the glycoside hydrolases across species, at the levels of the whole genome and individual glycoside hydrolase families.

RESULTS

We identified 356 glycoside hydrolase genes in Brachypodium and 404 in sorghum. The corresponding proteins fell into the same 34 families that are represented in rice, Arabidopsis, and poplar, helping to define a glycoside hydrolase family profile which may be common to flowering plants. For several glycoside hydrolase familes (GH5, GH13, GH18, GH19, GH28, and GH51), we present a detailed literature review together with an examination of the family structures. This analysis of individual families revealed both similarities and distinctions between monocots and eudicots, as well as between species. Shared evolutionary histories appear to be modified by lineage-specific expansions or deletions. Within GH families, the Brachypodium and sorghum proteins generally cluster with those from other monocots.

CONCLUSIONS

This work provides the foundation for further comparative and functional analyses of plant glycoside hydrolases. Defining the Brachypodium glycoside hydrolases sets the stage for Brachypodium to be a grass model for investigations of these enzymes and their diverse roles in planta. Insights gained from Brachypodium will inform translational research studies, with applications for the improvement of cereal crops and bioenergy grasses.

Mutational analysis of the carbohydrate binding activity of the tobacco lectin

At present the three-dimensional structure of the tobacco lectin, further referred to as Nictaba, and its carbohydrate-binding site are unresolved. In this paper, we propose a three-dimensional model for the Nictaba domain based on the homology between Nictaba and the carbohydrate-binding module 22 of Clostridium thermocellum Xyn10B. The suggested model nicely fits with results from circular dichroism experiments, indicating that Nictaba consists mainly of β-sheet. In addition, the previously identified nuclear localization signal is located at the top of the protein as a part of a protruding loop. Judging from this model and sequence alignments with closely related proteins, conserved glutamic acid and tryptophan residues in the Nictaba sequence were selected for mutational analysis. The mutant DNA sequences as well as the original Nictaba sequence have been expressed in Pichia pastoris and the recombinant proteins were purified from the culture medium. Subsequently, the recombinant proteins were characterized and their carbohydrate binding properties analyzed with glycan array technology. It was shown that mutation of glutamic acid residues in the C-terminal half of the protein did not alter the carbohydrate-binding activity of the lectin. In contrast, mutation of tryptophan residues in the N-terminal half of the Nictaba domain resulted in a complete loss of carbohydrate binding activity. These results suggest that tryptophan residues play an important role in the carbohydrate binding site of Nictaba.

Binding properties of the N-acetylglucosamine and high-mannose N-glycan PP2-A1 phloem lectin in Arabidopsis

Phloem Protein2 (PP2) is a component of the phloem protein bodies found in sieve elements. We describe here the lectin properties of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) PP2-A1. Using a recombinant protein produced in Escherichia coli, we demonstrated binding to N-acetylglucosamine oligomers. Glycan array screening showed that PP2-A1 also bound to high-mannose N-glycans and 9-acyl-N-acetylneuraminic sialic acid. Fluorescence spectroscopy-based titration experiments revealed that PP2-A1 had two classes of binding site for N,N',N''-triacetylchitotriose, a low-affinity site and a high-affinity site, promoting the formation of protein dimers. A search for structural similarities revealed that PP2-A1 aligned with the Cbm4 and Cbm22-2 carbohydrate-binding modules, leading to the prediction of a beta-strand structure for its conserved domain. We investigated whether PP2-A1 interacted with phloem sap glycoproteins by first characterizing abundant Arabidopsis phloem sap proteins by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Then we demonstrated that PP2-A1 bound to several phloem sap proteins and that this binding was not completely abolished by glycosidase treatment. As many plant lectins have insecticidal activity, we also assessed the effect of PP2-A1 on weight gain and survival in aphids. Unlike other mannose-binding lectins, when added to an artificial diet, recombinant PP2-A1 had no insecticidal properties against Acyrthosiphon pisum and Myzus persicae. However, at mid-range concentrations, the protein affected weight gain in insect nymphs. These results indicate the presence in PP2-A1 of several carbohydrate-binding sites, with potentially different functions in the trafficking of endogenous proteins or in interactions with phloem-feeding insects.

A novel lectin with antiproliferative and HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitory activities from dried fruiting bodies of the monkey head mushroom Hericium erinaceum

A lectin designated as Hericium erinaceum agglutinin (HEA) was isolated from dried fruiting bodies of the mushroom Hericium erinaceum with a chromatographic procedure which entailed DEAE-cellulose, CM-cellulose, Q-Sepharose, and FPLC Superdex 75. Its molecular mass was estimated to be 51 kDa and its N-terminal amino acid sequences was distinctly different from those of other isolated mushroom lectins. The hemagglutinating activity of HEA was inhibited at the minimum concentration of 12.5 mM by inulin. The lectin was stable at pH 1.9–12.1 and at temperatures up to 70°C, but was inhibited by Hg²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Fe³⁺ ions. The lectin exhibited potent mitogenic activity toward mouse splenocytes, and demonstrated antiproliferative activity toward hepatoma (HepG2) and breast cancer (MCF7) cells with an IC₅₀ of 56.1 μM and 76.5 μM, respectively. It manifested HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitory activity with an IC₅₀ of 31.7 μM. The lectin exhibited potent mitogenic activity toward murine splenocytes but was devoid of antifungal activity.

Rapid affinity-purification and physicochemical characterization of pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) phloem exudate lectin

The chito-oligosaccharide-specific lectin from pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) phloem exudate has been purified to homogeneity by affinity chromatography on chitin. After SDS/PAGE in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol, the pumpkin phloem lectin yielded a single band corresponding to a molecular mass of 23.7 kDa, whereas ESI-MS (electrospray ionization MS) gave the molecular masses of the subunit as 24645 Da. Analysis of the CD spectrum of the protein indicated that the secondary structure of the lectin consists of 9.7% α-helix, 35.8% β-sheet, 22.5% β-turn and 32.3% unordered structure. Saccharide binding did not significantly affect the secondary and tertiary structures of the protein. The haemagglutinating activity of pumpkin phloem lectin was mostly unaffected in the temperature range 4–70 °C, but a sharp decrease was seen between 75 and 85 °C. Differential scanning calorimetric and CD spectroscopic studies suggest that the lectin undergoes a co-operative thermal unfolding process centred at approx. 81.5 °C, indicating that it is a relatively stable protein.

Plant-insect interactions: what can we learn from plant lectins?

Many plant lectins have high anti-insect potential. Although the effects of most lectins are only moderately influencing development or population growth of the insect, some lectins have strong insecticidal properties. In addition, some studies report a deterrent activity towards feeding and oviposition behavior. Transmission of plant lectins to the next trophic level has been investigated for several tritrophic interactions. Effects of lectins with different sugar specificities can vary substantially with the insect species under investigation and with the experimental setup. Lectin binding in the insect is an essential step in exerting a toxic effect. Attempts have been made to study the interactions of lectins in several insect tissues and to identify lectin-binding receptors. Ingested lectins generally bind to parts of the insect gut. Furthermore, some lectins such as the Galanthus nivalus agglutinin (GNA) cross the gut epithelium into the hemolymph and other tissues. Recently, several candidate lectin-binding receptors have been isolated from midgut extracts. To date little is known about the exact mechanism for insecticidal activity of plant lectins. However, insect glycobiology is an emerging research field and the recent technological advances in the analysis of lectin carbohydrate specificities and insect glycobiology will certainly lead to new insights in the interactions between plant lectins and insects, and to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved.

Evolutionary history and stress regulation of the lectin superfamily in higher plants

BACKGROUND

Lectins are a class of carbohydrate-binding proteins. They play roles in various biological processes. However, little is known about their evolutionary history and their functions in plant stress regulation. The availability of full genome sequences from various plant species makes it possible to perform a whole-genome exploration for further understanding their biological functions.

RESULTS

Higher plant genomes encode large numbers of lectin proteins. Based on their domain structures and phylogenetic analyses, a new classification system has been proposed. In this system, 12 different families have been classified and four of them consist of recently identified plant lectin members. Further analyses show that some of lectin families exhibit species-specific expansion and rapid birth-and-death evolution. Tandem and segmental duplications have been regarded as the major mechanisms to drive lectin expansion although retrogenes also significantly contributed to the birth of new lectin genes in soybean and rice. Evidence shows that lectin genes have been involved in biotic/abiotic stress regulations and tandem/segmental duplications may be regarded as drivers for plants to adapt various environmental stresses through duplication followed by expression divergence. Each member of this gene superfamily may play specialized roles in a specific stress condition and function as a regulator of various environmental factors such as cold, drought and high salinity as well as biotic stresses.

CONCLUSIONS

Our studies provide a new outline of the plant lectin gene superfamily and advance the understanding of plant lectin genes in lineage-specific expansion and their functions in biotic/abiotic stress-related developmental processes.

Intraspecific variation in herbivore community composition and transcriptional profiles in field-grown Brassica oleracea cultivars

Intraspecific differences in plant defence traits are often correlated with variation in transcriptional profiles and can affect the composition of herbivore communities on field-grown plants. However, most studies on transcriptional profiling of plant-herbivore interactions have been carried out under controlled conditions in the laboratory or greenhouse and only a few examine intraspecific transcriptional variation. Here, intraspecific variation in herbivore community composition and transcriptional profiles between two Brassica oleracea cultivars grown in the field is addressed. Early in the season, no differences in community composition were found for naturally occurring herbivores, whereas cultivars differed greatly in abundance, species richness, and herbivore community later in the season. Genome-wide transcriptomic analysis using an Arabidopsis thaliana oligonucleotide microarray showed clear differences for the expression levels of 26 genes between the two cultivars later in the season. Several defence-related genes showed higher levels of expression in the cultivar that harboured the lowest numbers of herbivores. Our study shows that herbivore community composition develops differentially throughout the season on the two B. oleracea cultivars grown in the field. The correlation between the differences in herbivore communities and differential expression of particular defence-related genes is discussed.

Identification of flooding stress responsible cascades in root and hypocotyl of soybean using proteome analysis

Flooding inducible proteins were analyzed using a proteomic technique to understand the mechanism of soybean response to immersion in water. Soybeans were germinated for 2 days, and then subjected to flooding for 2 days. Proteins were extracted from root and hypocotyl, separated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, stained by Coomassie brilliant blue, and analyzed by protein sequencing and mass spectrometry. Out of 803 proteins, 21 proteins were significantly up-regulated, and seven proteins were down-regulated by flooding stress. Of the total, 11 up-regulated proteins were classified as related to protein destination/storage and three proteins to energy, while four down-regulated proteins were related to protein destination/storage and three proteins to disease/defense. The expression of 22 proteins significantly changed within 1 day after flooding stress. The effects of flooding, nitrogen substitution without flooding, or flooding with aeration were analyzed for 1-4 days. The expression of alcohol dehydrogenase increased remarkably by nitrogen substitution compared to flooding. The expression of many proteins that changed due to flooding showed the same tendencies observed for nitrogen substitution; however, the expression of proteins classified into protein destination/storage did not.

The role of metal ions in substrate recognition and stability of concanavalin A: a molecular dynamics study

The binding of carbohydrate substrates to concanavalin A (Canavalia ensiformis agglutinin (ConA)) is essential for its interaction with various glycoproteins. Even though metal ions are known to control the sugar binding ability of legume lectins, the interplay between sugar and metal ion binding to ConA has not been elucidated in a detailed manner at the atomic level. We have carried out long, explicit solvent molecular dynamics simulations for tetrameric, dimeric, and monomeric forms of ConA in both the presence and absence of trimannoside and metal ions. Detailed analyses of these trajectories for various oligomeric forms under different environmental conditions have revealed dynamic conformational changes associated with the demetalization of ConA. We found that demetalization of ConA leads to large conformational changes in the ion binding loop, with some of the loop residues moving as far as 17 A with respect to their positions in the native trimannoside and metal ion-bound crystal structure. However, the ?-sheet core of the protein remains relatively unperturbed. In addition, the high mobility of the ion binding loop results in drifting of the substrates in the absence of bound metal ions. These simulations provide a theoretical rationale for previous experimental observations regarding the abolition of the sugar binding ability upon demetalization. We also found that the amino acid stretches of ConA, having high B-factor values in the crystal structure, show relatively greater mobility in the simulations. The overall agreement of the results of our simulations with various experimental studies suggests that the force field parameters and length of simulations used in our study are adequate to mimic the dynamic structural changes in the ConA protein.

Lectin of Pisum arvense seeds induces in-vivo and in-vitro neutrophil migration

PAL is a glucose/mannose-specific lectin isolated from Pisum arvense seeds. Previously, we demonstrated the capacity of other leguminous lectins to induce oedema formation and neutrophil stimulation. To investigate the potential pro-inflammatory activity of PAL, we have studied its ability to induce neutrophil migration into peritoneal cavities of rats and neutrophil chemotaxis in-vitro. The role of resident cells and sugar residues on PAL activity was analysed. PAL or saline (control) were administered intraperitoneally to rats, and total and differential leucocyte (macrophages, neutrophils and mast cells) counts were performed. The role of resident cells on the PAL effect was evaluated using three strategies: reducing the total resident cell population by lavage of rat cavities with saline; increasing macrophage population by treating animals with thioglycolate; and depleting mast cell population by subchronic treatment of rats with compound 48/80. PAL induced in-vitro and in-vivo neutrophil migration. In-vivo, PAL (50, 100, 200 and 300 μg) significantly (P < 0.05) and dose-dependently increased neutrophil migration by 600, 740, 900 and 940%, respectively, showing maximal effect 4 h after injection. PAL induced mononuclear cell migration. The neutrophil stimulatory effect of PAL was potentiated in animals treated with both thioglycolate and compound 48/80. The indirect lectin chemotactic effect was shown in rats injected with supernatant from cultured macrophages stimulated by PAL. In conclusion, PAL was shown to exhibit in-vivo and in-vitro proinflammatory activity. The in-vivo effect seemed to occur by a dual mechanism that was independent, but also dependent, on resident cells.

Nicotiana tabacum agglutinin is active against Lepidopteran pest insects

A jasmonate-inducible lectin called Nicotiana tabacum agglutinin or NICTABA was found in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv Samsun) leaves. Since NICTABA expression is also induced after insect herbivory, a role in the defence response of tobacco was suggested. In this report, a detailed analysis was made of the entomotoxic properties of NICTABA using different transgenic approaches. First, purified NICTABA was shown to be strongly resistant to proteolytic degradation by enzymes present in the Lepidopteran midgut. To address the question of whether NICTABA is also active against Lepidopteran larvae, transgenic N. tabacum plants that silence endogenous NICTABA expression were constructed using RNA interference. Feeding experiments with these transgenic N. tabacum plants demonstrated that silencing of NICTABA expression enhances the larval performance of the generalist pest insect Spodoptera littoralis. In a second transgenic approach, NICTABA was ectopically expressed in the wild diploid tobacco Nicotiana attenuata, a species that lacks a functional NICTABA gene. When these transgenic N. attenuata plants were used in feeding experiments with S. littoralis larvae, a clear reduction in mass gain and significantly slower development were observed. In addition, feeding experiments with the Solanaceae specialist, Manduca sexta, provided further evidence that NICTABA exerts clear entomotoxic effects on Lepidopteran larvae.

Caenorhabditis elegans N-glycan core beta-galactoside confers sensitivity towards nematotoxic fungal galectin CGL2

The physiological role of fungal galectins has remained elusive. Here, we show that feeding of a mushroom galectin, Coprinopsis cinerea CGL2, to Caenorhabditis elegans inhibited development and reproduction and ultimately resulted in killing of this nematode. The lack of toxicity of a carbohydrate-binding defective CGL2 variant and the resistance of a C. elegans mutant defective in GDP-fucose biosynthesis suggested that CGL2-mediated nematotoxicity depends on the interaction between the galectin and a fucose-containing glycoconjugate. A screen for CGL2-resistant worm mutants identified this glycoconjugate as a Galbeta1,4Fucalpha1,6 modification of C. elegans N-glycan cores. Analysis of N-glycan structures in wild type and CGL2-resistant nematodes confirmed this finding and allowed the identification of a novel putative glycosyltransferase required for the biosynthesis of this glycoepitope. The X-ray crystal structure of a complex between CGL2 and the Galbeta1,4Fucalpha1,6GlcNAc trisaccharide at 1.5 A resolution revealed the biophysical basis for this interaction. Our results suggest that fungal galectins play a role in the defense of fungi against predators by binding to specific glycoconjugates of these organisms.

Proteins with an Euonymus lectin-like domain are ubiquitous in Embryophyta

BACKGROUND

Cloning of the Euonymus lectin led to the discovery of a novel domain that also occurs in some stress-induced plant proteins. The distribution and the diversity of proteins with an Euonymus lectin (EUL) domain were investigated using detailed analysis of sequences in publicly accessible genome and transcriptome databases.

RESULTS

Comprehensive in silico analyses indicate that the recently identified Euonymus europaeus lectin domain represents a conserved structural unit of a novel family of putative carbohydrate-binding proteins, which will further be referred to as the Euonymus lectin (EUL) family. The EUL domain is widespread among plants. Analysis of retrieved sequences revealed that some sequences consist of a single EUL domain linked to an unrelated N-terminal domain whereas others comprise two in tandem arrayed EUL domains. A new classification system for these lectins is proposed based on the overall domain architecture. Evolutionary relationships among the sequences with EUL domains are discussed.

CONCLUSION

The identification of the EUL family provides the first evidence for the occurrence in terrestrial plants of a highly conserved plant specific domain. The widespread distribution of the EUL domain strikingly contrasts the more limited or even narrow distribution of most other lectin domains found in plants. The apparent omnipresence of the EUL domain is indicative for a universal role of this lectin domain in plants. Although there is unambiguous evidence that several EUL domains possess carbohydrate-binding activity further research is required to corroborate the carbohydrate-binding properties of different members of the EUL family.

Entomotoxic effects of fungal lectin from Rhizoctonia solani towards Spodoptera littoralis

The effects of the Rhizoctonia solani lectin (RSA) on the growth, development and survival of an economically important caterpillar in agriculture and horticulture, the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis were studied. The high lectin concentration present in the sclerotes of the soil pathogen R. solani allowed the purification of large amounts of the pure lectin for feeding experiments with cotton leafworm. Rearing of insects on a diet containing different concentrations of RSA exerted a strong effect on the larval weight gain. This effect was visible at the lowest concentration of 0.1 % RSA at day 8 and day 11. Interestingly with 1 % RSA, there was a dramatic reduction in larval weight of 89 % at the end of L6 which was followed by a high mortality rate of 82 % in the treated larvae. Furthermore, the other developmental stages of pupation and adult formation were also affected. In addition, the data demonstrated that the combination of RSA with Bt toxin yielded synergistic effects. For instance, 0.03 % RSA+0.005 % Bt toxin caused reduced growth rate and higher mortalities. These findings suggest that RSA is an interesting tool that can be used for bioengineering insect resistance in important agronomical crops.

Molecular basis for galactosylation of core fucose residues in invertebrates: identification of caenorhabditis elegans N-glycan core alpha1,6-fucoside beta1,4-galactosyltransferase GALT-1 as a member of a novel glycosyltransferase family

Galectin CGL2 from the ink cap mushroom Coprinopsis cinerea displays toxicity toward the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. A mutation in a putative glycosyltransferase-encoding gene resulted in a CGL2-resistant C. elegans strain characterized by N-glycans lacking the beta1,4-galactoside linked to the alpha1,6-linked core fucose. Expression of the corresponding GALT-1 protein in insect cells was used to demonstrate a manganese-dependent galactosyltransferase activity. In vitro, the GALT-1 enzyme showed strong selectivity for acceptors with alpha1,6-linked N-glycan core fucosides and required Golgi- dependent modifications on the oligosaccharide antennae for optimal synthesis of the Gal-beta1,4-fucose structure. Phylogenetic analysis of the GALT-1 protein sequence identified a novel glycosyltransferase family (GT92) with members widespread among eukarya but absent in mammals.