Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel bi-functional α-amylase/subtilisin inhibitor from Hevea brasiliensis.

A novel cDNA encoding a bi-functional α-amylase/subtilisin inhibitor (HbASI) was isolated from rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) leaves cultivar RRIM600. The HbASI had strong homology with the soybean trypsin inhibitor (Kunitz) family of protease inhibitors. Its putative amino acid sequence was similar to that of the α-amylase/subtilisin inhibitor from Ricinus communis (72% identity).