Purification and characterization of wheat and pine small basic protein substrates for plant calcium-dependent protein kinase

Purification and characterization of three antifungal proteins from cheeseweed (Malva parviflora)

Three potent antimicrobial proteins were purified from cheeseweed (Malva parviflora) seeds. These antimicrobial proteins, named CW-3, CW-4, and CW-5, showed different antimicrobial spectrum and potency compared to the two heterologous antimicrobial proteins (CW-1 and CW-2) purified previously. CW-3 and CW-4 possess antimicrobial activities against Phytophthora infestans (Pi), but not Fusarium graminearum (Fg). A database search indicated that CW-3 shares high homology to cotton vicilin, an abundant seed storage protein. CW-4 shares homology to 2S albumin, another seed storage protein from cotton. CW-5 has antimicrobial activity against Fg, but no activity against Pi was observed at protein concentration up to 50 ppm. Under low salt condition, CW-5 showed potent antimicrobial activity against Fg, but under high salt condition, the antimicrobial activity was drastically diminished. Database search indicated that CW-5 has high homology to a lipid transfer protein from grape. The IC(50) values of the three purified antimicrobial proteins under both low and high salt conditions were determined. The isolation of five antimicrobial proteins for the first time from a single plant source provides further understanding of the plant innate defense system and insight on how plants evolve their complex and complementary antimicrobial system that is important in the early stage of development.

Potent heterologous antifungal proteins from cheeseweed (Malva parviflora)

Two novel antifungal proteins were purified and characterized from cheeseweed (Malva parviflora). Both proteins, designated CW-1 and CW-2, are composed of two different subunits of 5000 and 3000 Da, respectively. These proteins possess very potent antifungal activities, and more interestingly the inhibition is fungicidal instead of fungistatic. At low salt condition, the IC(50) of CW-1 and CW-2 against Fusarium graminearum (Fg) is 2.5 ppm. At high salt condition which diminishes the antifungal activity of many antifungal proteins, both CW-1 and CW-2 still maintain potent activity against Fg with IC(50) of 10 ppm. The two subunits could be separated by gel filtration in the presence of 6 M urea, but their antifungal activity cannot be recovered after the removal of urea. Amino acid sequence analysis indicates that both subunits of CW-1 show homology to 2S albumin, whereas the two subunits of CW-2 have homology to vicilin protein from cotton. To our knowledge, this is the first report of isolation and characterization of heterologous antifungal proteins from any source.

Defense proteins from seed of Cassia fistula include a lipid transfer protein homologue and a protease inhibitory plant defensin

A novel trypsin inhibitor was extracted from the seeds of Cassia fistula by a process successively involving soaking seeds in water, extraction of the seeds in methanol, and extraction of the cell wall material at high ionic strength. The protease inhibitor (PI) was subsequently purified by chromatography on carboxymethylcellulose, gel filtration and reversed phase HPLC (RP-HPLC). Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESMS) of the oxidized from of the PI yielded an average molecular mass of 5458.6+/-0.8 Da. Edman sequencing of the PI yielded a full-length 50 amino acid sequence inferred to contain eight cysteines and with a calculated average molecular mass (fully oxidized form) of 5459.3 Da, in agreement with the observed mass. The C. fistula seed PI is homologous to the family of plant defensins (gamma-thionins), which have four disulfide linkages at highly conserved locations. The C. fistula PI inhibits trypsin (IC(50) 2 µM), and is the first known example of a plant defensin with protease inhibitory activity, suggesting a possible additional function for some members of this class of plant defensive proteins. C. fistula seeds also contain a 9378 Da lipid transfer protein (LTP) homologue, other LTPs, a 7117 Da protein copurifying with PI activity and a 5144 Da defensin which does not inhibit trypsin. The complete sequence of the 5144 Da defensin was determined by Edman sequencing, yielding a calculated average molecular mass (oxidized form) of 5144.1 Da, in agreement with the mass observed by ESMS. The likely trypsin inhibitory residue on the 5459 Da defensin is Lysine-25, the corresponding amino acid being Tyrosine-25 in the homologous 5144 Da defensin that is not a trypsin inhibitor.

An overview of Plasmodium protein kinases

Protein kinases are key regulators of many biochemical processes in eukaryotic cells. Malaria parasites, in spite of all their peculiarities, are not likely to represent an exception in this respect. Over the past few years, several genes encoding Plasmodium protein kinases have been cloned and characterized; these molecular studies extend previous data on kinase activities in parasite extracts. Here, Barbara Kappes, Christian Doerig and Ralph Graeser present available data on this topic, with an emphasis on cloned protein kinase genes, and discuss the potential outcome of such research in the context of drug development.

Purification and sequencing of napin-like protein small and large chains from Momordica charantia and Ricinus communis seeds and determination of sites phosphorylated by plant Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinase

The basic protein fraction from seeds of castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) contains 4732 Da and 4603 Da proteins phosphorylated in vitro by plant Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinase (CDPK). These proteins, RS1A and RS1B respectively, were purified by cation-exchange HPLC (SP5PW column) and reverse-phase HPLC (C18 column) and identified as napin-like protein small chains by Edman sequencing and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESMS). The other R. communis 4 kDa small chains (RS2A, RS2B, RS2C and RS2D) are not phosphorylated by CDPK and neither is the corresponding 7332 Da large chain (RL) that forms 1:1 disulfide-linked complexes with RS2(A-D). RS1A/B is one of the best substrates found for plant CDPK (K(m) = 1.8 +/- 0.8 microM). RS2(A-D) (but not RL or RS1A/B) strongly inhibit calmodulin (CaM)-dependent myosin light chain protein kinase (MLCK) (IC50 = 0.25 microM) and inhibit the Ca(2+)-dependent enhancement of dansyl-CaM fluorescence. The basic protein fraction from seeds of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) also contains napin-like proteins that are 1:1 disulfide-linked complexes of a small chain (MS1, MS2, MS3 or MS4) and a large chain (ML). The M. charantia small chains were purified and completely sequenced by Edman degradation and ESMS. M. charantia small chains MS1, MS2, and MS4 (but not MS3) are phosphorylated by CDPK to unit stoichiometry on S21 within the sequence R17SCES21FLR. The R. communis small chain RS1A is phosphorylated on S34 within the sequence R31QSS34SRR. Both of these phosphorylation site motifs are consistent with those found for other plant CDPK substrates.

Purification and sequencing of multiple forms of Brassica napus seed napin small chains that are calmodulin antagonists and substrates for plant calcium-dependent protein kinase

Six napin small (S) subunits and six napin large (L) subunits were resolved from the seeds of kohlrabi (Brassica napus var. rapifera) by a procedure involving extraction, batchwise elution from carboxymethylcellulose (CM52) and reverse-phase HPLC after treatment with guanidine hydrochloride and 2-mercaptoethanol. The precise average molecular masses of the ca. 4.5 kDa small subunits and the ca. 10 kDa large subunits were determined by electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESMS). The amino-acid sequences of six small subunits (S1A, S1B, S2, S3A, S3B and S4) were deduced from the ESMS-based masses of tryptic fragments, Edman sequencing and previously published data. The deduced structures were precisely consistent with this data and with the ESMS-based average molecular masses of these polypeptides. The structures of the small subunits (39-41 residues) are very similar with variations involving single substitutions at or near the N-terminus and 1 to 3 changes within the last 7 amino acids. Particular B. napus small and large chains are phosphorylated by plant Ca2+-dependent protein kinase (CDPK). The best site of phosphorylation on small chains is inferred to be either S34 or S39 of S1B. The napin-containing basic protein fraction from B. napus seeds largely abolishes the Ca2+-dependent fluorescence enhancement of dansyl-calmodulin and also inhibits calmodulin (CaM)-dependent myosin light chain kinase (MLCK). The resolved napin small chains also inhibit MLCK. All of the kohlrabi napin small chains, as well as homologous Brassicaceae small chains, have a central 23 amino-acid sequence that can potentially form an alpha-helix in which all the basic residues are located on one side. This structural element may be involved in the interaction of these proteins with CaM and the biological activity of antifungal proteins of this kind.

New antifungal proteins from sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) showing homology to non-specific lipid transfer proteins

Two novel, nearly identical antifungal proteins, IWF1 and IWF2, were isolated from the intercellular washing fluid (IWF) of sugar beet leaves. The proteins were purified to homogeneity and their amino acid sequences were determined. They are basic, monomeric proteins of 91 amino acid residues, 89 of which are identical. Both proteins show strong in vitro antifungal activity against Cercospora beticola, the casual agent of leaf spot disease in sugar beet. Based on primary sequence homology, including the presence of 8 conserved cysteine residues, IWF1 and IWF2 are related to the family of plant non-specific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTPs). Antibodies were raised against IWF2 after conjugation to diphtheria toxoid. The amino acid sequence data was used to generate a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) clone, employed for the isolation of a cDNA clone encoding a closely related isoform IWFA, which differs from IWF1 by two amino acid substitutions only. The induction and subcellular localization of these proteins were studied by western and northern blotting analyses after treatment with 2,6-dichloroisonicotinic acid (INA), a compound capable of inducing resistance against C. beticola, and after fungal infection. The following observations were made: (1) the proteins were present in leaves of non-INA-treated and uninfected control plants, (2) they were only slightly induced by INA treatment and during infection with C. beticola, and (3) they were present both intra- and extracellularly. However, their strong antifungal potentials together with immunohistological investigations, the proteins accumulating in contact with the fungus and in autolysing cells, suggested a role of these proteins in plant defence. Finally, immunohistology revealed a remarkable expression pattern of the IWF1 and IWF2 proteins, or serologically related proteins, in sugar beet styles, in that single or a few scattered papillae and a few cells in the lower transmitting tissue strongly and specifically reacted with the antibody.

Purification and mass spectrometry-based sequencing of yellow mustard (Sinapis alba L.) 6 kDa proteins. Identification as antifungal proteins

Three basic proteins, M1, M2A and M2B, that are substrates for plant Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinase (CDPK) were purified from seeds of yellow mustard (Sinapis alba L.) by a protocol involving batchwise chromatography on carboxymethylcellulose (CM52), cation-exchange HPLC on an SP5PW column and reversed-phase HPLC on a C18 column. The complete amino-acid sequences of these proteins have been determined employing Edman sequencing and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESMS) applied to the proteins and their tryptic and chymotryptic fragments. M1 (observed mass 5676.8 +/- 1.0 Da; calculated mass 5677.57 Da), M2A (observed mass 5704.8 +/- 0.8 Da; calculated mass 5704.60 Da) and M2B (observed mass 5839.5 +/- 1.2 Da; calculated mass 5838.78 Da) have been identified as gamma-thionins, which are potent antifungal proteins. M1, M2A and M2B are phosphorylated by plant CDPK on Ser residues, the site of phosphorylation on M2A being S8 as directly confirmed by Edman sequencing and mass spectrometry of the chymotryptically generated phosphopeptide CQRPS(HPO3)GTW11. M1 and M2A have apparent calmodulin (CaM) antagonist activity with IC50 values of 4.8 +/- 1.3 microM and 5.5 +/- 1.5 microM, respectively, for inhibition of CaM-dependent myosin light chain kinase (MLCK). M2A and/or M2B interacts with dansyl-CaM in both the presence and absence of calcium.

LIPID-TRANSFER PROTEINS IN PLANTS

Lipid-transfer proteins (LTP) are basic, 9-kDa proteins present in high amounts (as much as 4% of the total soluble proteinss) in higher plants. LTPs can enhance the in vitro transfer of phospholipids between membranes and can bind acyl chains. On the basis of these properties, LTPs were thought to participate in membrane biogenesis and regulation of the intracellular fatty acid pools. However, the isolation of several cDNAs and genes revealed the presence of a signal peptide indicating that LTPs could enter the secretory pathway. They were found to be secreted and located in the cell wall. Thus, novel roles were suggested for plant LTPs: participation in cutin formation, embryogenesis, defense reactions against phytopathogens, symbiosis, and the adaptation of plants to various environmental conditions. The validity of these suggestions needs to be determined, in the hope that they will elucidate the role of this puzzling family of plant proteins.

Purification and characterization of a heat-stable wheat substrate for wheat embryo calcium-dependent protein kinase

A heat-stable wheat protein (WP) that is a good substrate for wheat embryo Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinase (CDPK) was purified from wheat embryo by a procedure involving batchwise anion exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose (DE52), passage through Phenyl-Sepharose CL-4B, heat and acid treatment and anion exchange HPLC on a DEAE-5PW column. WP is phosphorylated by CDPK to a stoichiometry of about 0.8 mol phosphoryl per mol WP. The Km for WP is 3.5 microM. WP is phosphorylated by CDPK on Ser residues. [32P]phosphoWP exactly copurifies on SDS-PAGE with WP (59 kDa). Phosphorylation of WP by CDPK is largely Ca(2+)-dependent. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of WP has homology with bacterial azurins. Evidence for two serine phosphorylation sites was obtained from sequencing of phosphopeptides derived from tryptic and chymotryptic digests of phosphoWP. One major site of phosphorylation is inferred to be on a serine within the sequence KKMASMK. WP is one of the best endogenous protein substrates yet found for wheat embryo CDPK. A 59kDa protein is phosphorylated in vivo in sprouting wheat.

Purification and sequencing of a family of wheat lipid transfer protein homologues phosphorylated by plant calcium-dependent protein kinase

Four low molecular weight, basic proteins (WBP1A, WBP1B, WBP2 and WBP3) that are substrates for wheat germ Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinase (CDPK) were purified from wheat germ by a procedure involving batchwise cation exchange on carboxymethylcellulose (CM52), acid precipitation, cation exchange HPLC on an SP5PW column and reverse-phase HPLC on a C18 column. While WBP1A, WBP1B and WBP3 are phosphorylated by wheat germ CDPK exclusively on Ser residues, WBP2 is phosphorylated on both Ser and Thr residues. CDPK-catalysed phosphorylation sites on WBP1A and WBP1B were determined. With all four proteins the phosphorylated form comigrates with non-phosphorylated protein (Mr about 9 kDa) on SDS-PAGE. Average molecular masses of reduced WBP1A, WBP1B, WBP2 and WBP3 measured using electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESMS) are 9389 Da, 9274 Da, 9479 Da and 9467 Da, respectively. The complete amino-acid sequences of WBP1A and WBP1B (determined by Edman sequencing and ESMS of proteolytically derived fragments) and N-terminal sequences of WBP2 and WBP3 are highly homologous to each other and to sequences of low molecular weight, basic plant lipid transfer proteins (LTPs).

Two putative protein kinases from Arabidopsis thaliana contain highly acidic domains

Two cDNA clones (ASK1 and ASK2) for plant protein kinases were cloned from Arabidopsis thaliana by screening cDNA libraries with a degenerate oligonucleotide probe that corresponds to a highly conserved motif among protein kinases. Sequence analysis shows that the clones contain open reading frames that encode 41.2 kDa (ASK1) and 40.1 kDa (ASK2) proteins, respectively. These coding regions contain all the conserved motifs of protein kinases. Structural analysis of the coding regions revealed that the two protein kinase genes share high sequence similarity to each other (76.6% identity). The catalytic domain located in the amino terminal region is most similar to the calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase subfamily (47.2% to 54.2% similarity) and the SNF1 kinase subfamily (48.1% to 53.3% similarity). However, the carboxy terminal regions contain distinctive stretches of 21 (ASK1) and 19 (ASK2) acidic amino acids. These clones are the first report of protein kinases with such acidic amino acid regions. The transcripts of both genes are most abundant in leaf but are also expressed in other organs. The expression of the two genes is highly affected by light regime.