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Jiang X, Shon K, Li X, Cui G, Wu Y, Wei Z, Wang A, Li X, Lu Y. Recent advances in identifying protein targets of bioactive natural products. Heliyon 2024; 10:e33917. [PMID: 39091937 PMCID: PMC11292521 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Natural products exhibit structural complexity, diversity, and historical therapeutic significance, boasting attractive functions and biological activities that have significantly influenced drug discovery endeavors. The identification of target proteins of active natural compounds is crucial for advancing novel drug innovation. Currently, methods for identifying targets of natural products can be categorized into labeling and label-free approaches based on whether the natural bioactive constituents are modified into active probes. In addition, there is a new avenue for rapidly exploring the targets of natural products based on their innate functions. Aim This review aimed to summarize recent advancements in both labeling and label-free approaches to the identification of targets for natural products, as well as the novel target identification method based on the natural functions of natural products. Methods We systematically collected relevant articles published in recent years from PubMed, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect, focusing on methods employed for identifying protein targets of bioactive natural products. Furthermore, we systematically summarized the principles, procedures, and successful cases, as well as the advantages and limitations of each method. Results Labeling methods allow for the direct labeling of target proteins and the exclusion of indirectly targeted proteins. However, these methods are not suitable for studying post-modified compounds with abolished activity, chemically challenging synthesis, or trace amounts of natural active compounds. Label-free methods can be employed to identify targets of any natural active compounds, including trace amounts and multicomponent mixtures, but their reliability is not as high as labeling methods. The structural complementarity between natural products and their innate receptors significantly increase the opportunities for finding more promising structural analogues of the natural products, and natural products may interact with several structural analogues of receptors in humans. Conclusion Each approach presents benefits and drawbacks. In practice, a combination of methods is employed to identify targets of natural products. And natural products' innate functions-based approach is a rapid and selective strategy for target identification. This review provides valuable references for future research in this field, offering insights into techniques and methodologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Jiang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Kinyu Shon
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Xiaofeng Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Guoliang Cui
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Zhonghong Wei
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Aiyun Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
- Jiangsu Joint International Research Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Regenerative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Prevention and Treatment of Tumor, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Xiaoman Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yin Lu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
- Jiangsu Joint International Research Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Regenerative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Prevention and Treatment of Tumor, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
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Hu Y, Mostert D, Orgler C, Andler O, Zischka H, Kazmaier U, Vollmar AM, Braig S, Sieber SA, Zahler S. Thermal Proteome Profiling Reveals Insight to Antiproliferative and Pro-Apoptotic Effects of Lagunamide A in the Modulation of DNA Damage Repair. Chembiochem 2024; 25:e202400024. [PMID: 38716781 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202400024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Lagunamide A is a biologically active natural product with a yet unidentified molecular mode of action. Cellular studies revealed that lagunamide A is a potent inhibitor of cancer cell proliferation, promotes apoptosis and causes mitochondrial dysfunction. To decipher the cellular mechanism responsible for these effects, we utilized thermal protein profiling (TPP) and identified EYA3 as a stabilized protein in cells upon lagunamide A treatment. EYA3, involved in the DNA damage repair process, was functionally investigated via siRNA based knockdown studies and corresponding effects of lagunamide A on DNA repair were confirmed. Furthermore, we showed that lagunamide A sensitized tumor cells to treatment with the drug doxorubicin highlighting a putative therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yudong Hu
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Butenandtstr. 5, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Dietrich Mostert
- Center for Functional Protein Assemblies (CPA), Department of Chemistry, Chair of Organic Chemistry II, Technical University of Munich, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Christina Orgler
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Butenandtstr. 5, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Oliver Andler
- Organic Chemistry, Saarland University, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Hans Zischka
- Institute of Molecular Toxicology and Pharmacology, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Uli Kazmaier
- Organic Chemistry, Saarland University, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Angelika M Vollmar
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Butenandtstr. 5, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Simone Braig
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Butenandtstr. 5, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Stephan A Sieber
- Center for Functional Protein Assemblies (CPA), Department of Chemistry, Chair of Organic Chemistry II, Technical University of Munich, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Stefan Zahler
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Butenandtstr. 5, 81377, Munich, Germany
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Subhadra B, Agrawal R, Pal VK, Chenine AL, Mattathil JG, Singh A. Significant Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Activity of Bi121 against Different Variants of SARS-CoV-2. Viruses 2023; 15:1299. [PMID: 37376598 DOI: 10.3390/v15061299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has so far infected 762 million people with over 6.9 million deaths worldwide. Broad-spectrum viral inhibitors that block the initial stages of infection by reducing virus binding and proliferation, thereby reducing disease severities, are still an unmet global medical need. We studied Bi121, which is a standardized polyphenolic-rich compound isolated from Pelargonium sidoides, against recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV)-pseudotyped SARS-CoV-2S (mutations in the spike protein) of six different variants of SARS-CoV-2. Bi121 was effective at neutralizing all six rVSV-ΔG-SARS-CoV-2S variants. The antiviral activity of Bi121 was also assessed against SARS-CoV-2 variants (USA WA1/2020, Hongkong/VM20001061/2020, B.1.167.2 (Delta), and Omicron) in Vero cells and HEK-ACE2 cell lines using RT-qPCR and plaque assays. Bi121 showed significant antiviral activity against all the four SARS-CoV-2 variants tested, suggesting a broad-spectrum activity. Bi121 fractions generated using HPLC showed antiviral activity in three fractions out of eight against SARS-CoV-2. The dominant compound identified in all three fractions using LC/MS/MS analysis was Neoilludin B. In silico structural modeling studies with Neoilludin B showed that it has a novel RNA-intercalating activity toward RNA viruses. In silico findings and the antiviral activity of this compound against several SARS-CoV-2 variants support further evaluation as a potential treatment of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bobban Subhadra
- Biom Pharmaceutical Corporation, 2203 Industrial Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34234, USA
| | - Ragini Agrawal
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Center for Infectious Disease Research, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), CV Raman Ave., Bengaluru 560012, India
| | - Virender Kumar Pal
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Center for Infectious Disease Research, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), CV Raman Ave., Bengaluru 560012, India
| | | | | | - Amit Singh
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Center for Infectious Disease Research, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), CV Raman Ave., Bengaluru 560012, India
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Ali R, Parelkar SS, Thompson PR, Mitroka-Batsford S, Yerramilli S, Scarlata SF, Mistretta KS, Coburn JM, Mattson AE. Phomoxanthone A Targets ATP Synthase. Chemistry 2022; 28:e202202397. [PMID: 36082977 PMCID: PMC9942271 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202202397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Phomoxanthone A is a naturally occurring molecule and a powerful anti-cancer agent, although its mechanism of action is unknown. To facilitate the determination of its biological target(s), we used affinity-based labelling using a phomoxanthone A probe. Labelled proteins were pulled down, subjected to chemoproteomics analysis using LC-MS/MS and ATP synthase was identified as a likely target. Mitochondrial ATP synthase was validated in cultured cells lysates and in live intact cells. Our studies show sixty percent inhibition of ATP synthase by 260 μM phomoxanthone A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rameez Ali
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 60 Prescott St., Worcester, MA 01609, USA
| | - Sangram S Parelkar
- Department of Chemical Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 364 Plantation St., Wocester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Paul R Thompson
- Department of Chemical Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 364 Plantation St., Wocester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Susan Mitroka-Batsford
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Worcester State University, 486 Chandler St., Worcester, MA 10602, USA
| | - Siddartha Yerramilli
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 60 Prescott St., Worcester, MA 01609, USA
| | - Suzanne F Scarlata
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 60 Prescott St., Worcester, MA 01609, USA
| | - Katelyn S Mistretta
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 60 Prescott St., Worcester, MA 01609, USA
| | - Jeannine M Coburn
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 60 Prescott St., Worcester, MA 01609, USA
| | - Anita E Mattson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 60 Prescott St., Worcester, MA 01609, USA
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Chaverra-Muñoz L, Briem T, Hüttel S. Optimization of the production process for the anticancer lead compound illudin M: downstream processing. Microb Cell Fact 2022; 21:165. [PMID: 35978411 PMCID: PMC9382783 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-022-01886-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Secondary metabolites have played a key role as starting points for drug development programs due to their often unique features compared with synthetically derived molecules. However, limitations related to the discovery and supply of these molecules by biotechnological means led to the retraction of big pharmaceutical companies from this field. The reasons included problems associated with strain culturing, screening, re-discovery, purification and characterization of novel molecules from natural sources. Nevertheless, recent reports have described technical developments that tackle such issues. While many of these reports focus on the identification and characterization of such molecules to enable subsequent chemical synthesis, a biotechnological supply strategy is rarely reported. This may be because production processes usually fall under proprietary research and/or few processes may meet the requirements of a pharmaceutical development campaign. We aimed to bridge this gap for illudin M—a fungal sesquiterpene used for the development of anticancer agents—with the intention to show that biotechnology can be a vital alternative to synthetic processes dealing with small molecules. Results We used µL-scale models to develop an adsorption and extraction strategy for illudin M recovery from culture supernatant of Omphalotus nidiformis and these findings were successfully transferred into lab-scale. By adsorbing and eluting the product using a fixed resin-bed we reduced the working volume by ~ 90% and removed the aqueous phase from the process. After a washing step, a highly concentrated illudin M fraction was obtained by isocratic elution with 80% methanol. The fraction was dried and extracted using a water/heptane mixture, enriching illudin M in the heptane phase. From heptane illudin M could be instantly crystalized by concentrating the solution, achieving a final purity > 95%. Conclusion We have developed a robust, scalable and low-cost downstream process to obtain highly pure illudin M. By using solid phase extraction we reduced the production of solvent waste. Heptane from the final purification step could be recycled. The reduced amounts of solvents required, and the short purification time render this method a very economic and ecologic alternative to published processes. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12934-022-01886-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lillibeth Chaverra-Muñoz
- Department of Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Brunswick, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Theresa Briem
- Department of Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Stephan Hüttel
- Department of Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Brunswick, Germany. .,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Brunswick, Germany.
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Global regulatory factor VeA upregulates the production of antitumor substances in endophytic Fusarium solani. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 2022; 115:1085-1100. [PMID: 35789442 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-022-01753-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
A number of studies have demonstrated that endophytic fungi have the potential to produce antitumor active substances with novel structures and significant activities. In our previous studies, we isolated a Fusarium strain from the stem of the medicinal plant Nothapodytes pittosporoides (Oliv.). In this study, we identified this strain as Fusarium solani and found that its crude extract has significant antitumor activity against human alveolar adenocarcinoma cells (A549). We overexpressed the global regulatory factor VeA in F. solani (VeAOE), resulting in a significant increase in antitumor activity. The MTT assay results showed that the inhibition rate of the VeAOE mutant extract on A549 cancer cells was significantly higher than that of the WT extract, as the IC50 decreased from 369.22 to 285.89 μg/mL, and the apoptosis ratio was significantly increased by approximately 4.86-fold. In VeAOE, accumulation of alkaloids, terpenoids, carboxylic acid derivatives, phenols and flavonoid metabolites with potential antitumor activity was significantly increased compared with WT based on metabolomic analysis. Additionally, transcriptome analysis found that the expression patterns of 48 genes related to antitumor activity were significantly changed in VeAOE, mainly involving glycosyl hydrolases, the Zn(2)-Cys(6) class, cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, 3-isopropylmalate dehydratase, and polyketide synthases. These results suggested that VeA mediated the antitumor activity of the metabolites in F. solani HB1-J1 by regulating multiple metabolic pathways.
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Chaverra-Muñoz L, Briem T, Hüttel S. Optimization of the production process for the anticancer lead compound illudin M: improving titers in shake-flasks. Microb Cell Fact 2022; 21:98. [PMID: 35643529 PMCID: PMC9148526 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-022-01827-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The fungal sesquiterpenes Illudin M and S are important base molecules for the development of new anticancer agents due to their strong activity against some resistant tumor cell lines. Due to nonspecific toxicity of the natural compounds, improvement of the pharmacophore is required. A semisynthetic derivative of illudin S (Irofulven) entered phase II clinical trials for the treatment of castration-resistant metastatic prostate cancer. Several semisynthetic illudin M derivatives showed increased in vitro selectivity and improved therapeutic index against certain tumor cell lines, encouraging further investigation. This requires a sustainable supply of the natural compound, which is produced by Basidiomycota of the genus Omphalotus. We aimed to develop a robust biotechnological process to deliver illudin M in quantities sufficient to support medicinal chemistry studies and future preclinical and clinical development. In this study, we report the initial steps towards this goal. RESULTS After establishing analytical workflows, different culture media and commercially available Omphalotus strains were screened for the production of illudin M.Omphalotus nidiformis cultivated in a medium containing corn steep solids reached ~ 38 mg L-1 setting the starting point for optimization. Improved seed preparation in combination with a simplified medium (glucose 13.5 g L-1; corn steep solids 7.0 g L- 1; Dox broth modified 35 mL), reduced cultivation time and enhanced titers significantly (~ 400 mg L-1). Based on a reproducible cultivation method, a feeding strategy was developed considering potential biosynthetic bottlenecks. Acetate and glucose were fed at 96 h (8.0 g L-1) and 120 h (6.0 g L-1) respectively, which resulted in final illudin M titer of ~ 940 mg L-1 after eight days. This is a 25 fold increase compared to the initial titer. CONCLUSION After strict standardization of seed-preparation and cultivation parameters, a combination of experimental design, empirical trials and additional supply of limiting biosynthetic precursors, led to a highly reproducible process in shake flasks with high titers of illudin M. These findings are the base for further work towards a scalable biotechnological process for a stable illudin M supply.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lillibeth Chaverra-Muñoz
- Department of Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Brunswick, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Theresa Briem
- Department of Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Stephan Hüttel
- Department of Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Brunswick, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Brunswick, Germany
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Le P, Nodwell MB, Eirich J, Sieber SA. A Chemical Proteomic Analysis of Illudin-Interacting Proteins. Chemistry 2019; 25:12644-12651. [PMID: 31310394 PMCID: PMC6900183 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201902919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The illudin natural product family are fungal secondary metabolites with a characteristic spirocyclopropyl-substituted fused 6,5-bicyclic ring system. They have been extensively studied for their cytotoxicity in various tumor cell types, and semisynthetic derivatives with improved therapeutic characteristics have progressed to clinical trials. Although it is believed that this potent alkylating compound class acts mainly through DNA modification, little is known about its binding to protein sites in a cellular context. To reveal putative protein targets of the illudin family in live cancer cells, we employed a semisynthetic strategy to access a series of illudin-based probes for activity-based protein profiling (ABPP). While the probes largely retained potent cytotoxicity, proteomic profiling studies unraveled multiple protein hits, suggesting that illudins exert their mode of action not from addressing a specific protein target but rather from DNA modification and unselective protein binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Le
- Department Chemie, Center for Integrated Protein Science (CIPSM)Technische Universität MünchenLichtenbergstraße 485748GarchingGermany
| | - Matthew B. Nodwell
- Department Chemie, Center for Integrated Protein Science (CIPSM)Technische Universität MünchenLichtenbergstraße 485748GarchingGermany
- Current address: Department of ChemistrySimon Fraser UniversityBurnabyCanada
| | - Jürgen Eirich
- Department Chemie, Center for Integrated Protein Science (CIPSM)Technische Universität MünchenLichtenbergstraße 485748GarchingGermany
- Current address: Institute for Plant Biology and Biotechnology (IBBP)Universität MünsterMünsterGermany
| | - Stephan A. Sieber
- Department Chemie, Center for Integrated Protein Science (CIPSM)Technische Universität MünchenLichtenbergstraße 485748GarchingGermany
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