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Ferreira MM, Farias KS, Zugaib M, Alves AMM, Amaral GV, Santos MLDC, Freitas ADS, Santana BCG, dos Santos Júnior SL, Mora-Ocampo IY, Santos AS, da Silva MF, Andrade BS, Pirovani CP. TcSERPIN, an inhibitor that interacts with cocoa defense proteins and has biotechnological potential against human pathogens. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1337750. [PMID: 38348273 PMCID: PMC10859438 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1337750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
In plants, serpins are a superfamily of serine and cysteine protease inhibitors involved in stress and defense mechanisms, with potential for controlling agricultural pests, making them important biotechnological tools. The objective of this study was to characterize a serpin from Theobroma cacao, called TcSERPIN, to identify its endogenous targets and determine its function and biotechnological potential. TcSERPIN has 390 amino acid residues and shows conservation of the main active site, RCL. Cis-elements related to light, stress, hormones, anaerobic induction, cell cycle regulation and defense have been identified in the gene's regulatory region. TcSERPIN transcripts are accumulated in different tissues of Theobroma cacao. Furthermore, in plants infected with Moniliophtora perniciosa and Phytophthora palmivora, the expression of TcSERPIN was positively regulated. The protein spectrum, rTcSERPIN, reveals a typical β-sheet pattern and is thermostable at pH 8, but loses its structure with temperature increases above 66°C at pH 7. At the molar ratios of 0.65 and 0.49, rTcSERPIN inhibited 55 and 28% of the activity of papain from Carica papaya and trypsin from Sus scrofa, respectively. The protease trap containing immobilized rTcSERPIN captured endogenous defense proteins from cocoa extracts that are related to metabolic pathways, stress and defense. The evaluation of the biotechnological potential against geohelminth larvae showed that rTcSERPIN and rTcCYS4 (Theobroma cacao cystatin 4) reduced the movement of larvae after 24 hours. The results of this work show that TcSERPIN has ideal biochemical characteristics for biotechnological applications, as well as potential for studies of resistance to phytopathogens of agricultural crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monaliza Macêdo Ferreira
- Centro de Biotecnologia e Genética (CBG), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Keilane Silva Farias
- Centro de Biotecnologia e Genética (CBG), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Maria Zugaib
- Centro de Biotecnologia e Genética (CBG), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Akyla Maria Martins Alves
- Centro de Biotecnologia e Genética (CBG), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Geiseane Velozo Amaral
- Centro de Biotecnologia e Genética (CBG), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Maria Luíza do Carmo Santos
- Centro de Biotecnologia e Genética (CBG), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Andria dos Santos Freitas
- Centro de Biotecnologia e Genética (CBG), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Brenda Conceição Guimarães Santana
- Centro de Biotecnologia e Genética (CBG), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Sérgio Liberato dos Santos Júnior
- Centro de Biotecnologia e Genética (CBG), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Irma Yuliana Mora-Ocampo
- Centro de Biotecnologia e Genética (CBG), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Ariana Silva Santos
- Centro de Biotecnologia e Genética (CBG), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Fernandes da Silva
- Centro de Biotecnologia e Genética (CBG), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Bruno Silva Andrade
- Laboratório de Bioinformática e Química Computacional (LBQC), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia (UESB), Jequié, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Carlos Priminho Pirovani
- Centro de Biotecnologia e Genética (CBG), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
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Ferreira MM, Santos AS, Santos AS, Zugaib M, Pirovani CP. Plant Serpins: Potential Inhibitors of Serine and Cysteine Proteases with Multiple Functions. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3619. [PMID: 37896082 PMCID: PMC10609998 DOI: 10.3390/plants12203619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Plant serpins are a superfamily of protein inhibitors that have been continuously studied in different species and have great biotechnological potential. However, despite ongoing studies with these inhibitors, the biological role of this family in the plant kingdom has not yet been fully clarified. In order to obtain new insights into the potential of plant serpins, this study presents the first systematic review of the topic, whose main objective was to scrutinize the published literature to increase knowledge about this superfamily. Using keywords and the eligibility criteria defined in the protocol, we selected studies from the Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases. According to the eligible studies, serpins inhibit different serine and non-serine proteases from plants, animals, and pathogens, and their expression is affected by biotic and abiotic stresses. Moreover, serpins like AtSerpin1, OSP-LRS, MtSer6, AtSRP4, AtSRP5, and MtPiI4, act in resistance and are involved in stress-induced cell death in the plant. Also, the system biology analysis demonstrates that serpins are related to proteolysis control, cell regulation, pollen development, catabolism, and protein dephosphorylation. The information systematized here contributes to the design of new studies of plant serpins, especially those aimed at exploring their biotechnological potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monaliza Macêdo Ferreira
- Center for Biotechnology and Genetics, Department of Biological Sciences, Santa Cruz State University, Ilhéus 45662-900, BA, Brazil; (A.S.S.); (M.Z.); (C.P.P.)
| | - Ariana Silva Santos
- Center for Biotechnology and Genetics, Department of Biological Sciences, Santa Cruz State University, Ilhéus 45662-900, BA, Brazil; (A.S.S.); (M.Z.); (C.P.P.)
| | | | - Maria Zugaib
- Center for Biotechnology and Genetics, Department of Biological Sciences, Santa Cruz State University, Ilhéus 45662-900, BA, Brazil; (A.S.S.); (M.Z.); (C.P.P.)
| | - Carlos Priminho Pirovani
- Center for Biotechnology and Genetics, Department of Biological Sciences, Santa Cruz State University, Ilhéus 45662-900, BA, Brazil; (A.S.S.); (M.Z.); (C.P.P.)
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Dong C, Huang TC, Roberts TH. Genes Encoding Structurally Conserved Serpins in the Wheat Genome: Identification and Expression Profiles during Plant Development and Abiotic and Biotic Stress. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032707. [PMID: 36769030 PMCID: PMC9917288 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Serpins constitute a family of proteins with a very wide distribution in nature. Serpins have a well-conserved tertiary structure enabling irreversible protease inhibition or other specific biochemical functions. We examined the 189 putative wheat serpin genes previously identified by Benbow et al. (2019) via analysis of gene annotations (RefSeq v1.0) and combined our previous examinations of wheat ESTs and the 454 genome assembly. We found that 81 of the 189 putative serpin genes, plus two manually annotated genes, encode full-length, structurally conserved serpins. Expression of these serpin genes during wheat development and disease/abiotic stress responses was analysed using a publicly available RNAseq database. Results showed that the wheat LR serpins, homologous to Arabidopsis AtSerpin1 and barley BSZx, are ubiquitously expressed across all tissues throughout the wheat lifecycle, whereas the expression of other wheat serpin genes is tissue-specific, including expression only in the grain, only in the root, and only in the anther and microspore. Nine serpin genes were upregulated in both biotic and abiotic responses. Two genes in particular were highly expressed during disease and abiotic challenges. Our findings provide valuable information for further functional study of the wheat serpins, which in turn may lead to their application as molecular markers in wheat breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chongmei Dong
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
- Plant Breeding Institute, University of Sydney, Cobbitty, NSW 2570, Australia
| | - Ting-Chun Huang
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Thomas H. Roberts
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
- Correspondence:
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Rehman S, Jørgensen B, Aziz E, Batool R, Naseer S, Rasmussen SK. Genome Wide Identification and Comparative Analysis of the Serpin Gene Family in Brachypodium and Barley. PLANTS 2020; 9:plants9111439. [PMID: 33114466 PMCID: PMC7692276 DOI: 10.3390/plants9111439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Serpins (serine protease inhibitors) constitute one of the largest and most widely distributed superfamilies of protease inhibitors and have been identified in nearly all organisms. To gain significant insights, a comprehensive in silico analysis of the serpin gene family was carried out in the model plant for temperate grasses Brachypodium distachyon and barley Hordeum vulgare using bioinformatic tools at the genome level for the first time. We identified a total of 27 BdSRPs and 25 HvSRP genes in Brachypodium and barley, respectively, showing an unexpectedly high gene number in these model plants. Gene structure, conserved motifs and phylogenetic comparisons of serpin genes supported the role of duplication events in the expansion and evolution of serpin gene family. Further, purifying selection pressure was found to be a main driving force in the evolution of serpin genes. Genome synteny analysis indicated that BdSRP genes were present in syntenic regions of barley, rice, sorghum and maize, suggesting that they evolved before the divergence of these species from common ancestor. The distinct expression pattern in specific tissues further suggested a specialization of functions during development and in plant defense. These results suggest that the LR serpins (serpins with Leu-Arg residues at P2-P1') identified here can be utilized as candidates for exploitation in disease resistance, pest control and preventing stress-induced cell death. Additionally, serpins were identified that could lead to further research aimed at validating and functionally characterizing the role of potential serpin genes from other plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shazia Rehman
- Department of Botany, Rawalpindi Women University, 6th Road, Satellite Town, Rawalpindi 46200, Pakistan
- Department of Botany, Govt. Gordon College Rawalpindi, Rawalpindi 46000, Pakistan
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark;
- Correspondence: (S.R.); (S.K.R.)
| | - Bodil Jørgensen
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark;
| | - Ejaz Aziz
- Department of Botany, Government Degree College Khanpur, Haripur 22650, Pakistan;
| | - Riffat Batool
- University Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, PMAS, Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Rawalpindi 46300, Pakistan;
| | - Samar Naseer
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Sciences, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan;
| | - Søren K. Rasmussen
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark;
- Correspondence: (S.R.); (S.K.R.)
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Cohen M, Davydov O, Fluhr R. Plant serpin protease inhibitors: specificity and duality of function. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2019; 70:2077-2085. [PMID: 30721992 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/ery460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The serpins are a family of structurally conserved protease inhibitors found in all animal and plant kingdoms. After interaction with their cognate substrate(s), their native energetically stressed state is relaxed by hydrolysis, resulting in a semi-stable covalent bond that disables the protease. The inherent flexible serpin structure supports additional non-inhibitory functions. This review will focus on several biological functions attributed to plant serpins, ranging from specific cell death protease inhibitors to a stabilizing role for β-amylase in seeds. Functional conservation of a particular serpin type, the LR serpins, is suggested by its compelling ubiquity throughout the plant kingdom. The multiple target specificity of plant serpins including the LR serpins enables them to perform dual functions that are not mutually exclusive both as a regulator of cell death and as a protective anti-pathogenic protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Cohen
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Olga Davydov
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Robert Fluhr
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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