Comput Struct Biotechnol J
December 2022
Tomato Prosystemin (ProSys), the precursor of Systemin, a small peptidic hormone, is produced at very low concentration in unchallenged plants, while its expression greatly increases in response to several different stressors triggering an array of defence responses. The molecular mechanisms that underpin such a wide array of defence barriers are not fully understood and are likely correlated with the intrinsically disordered (ID) structure of the protein. ID proteins interact with different protein partners forming complexes involved in the modulation of different biological mechanisms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe study of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) is fundamental in understanding the unique role of proteins within cells and their contribution to complex biological systems. While the toolkit to study PPIs has grown immensely in mammalian and unicellular eukaryote systems over recent years, application of these techniques in plants remains under-utilized. Affinity purification coupled to mass spectrometry (AP-MS) and proximity labeling coupled to mass spectrometry (PL-MS) are two powerful techniques that have significantly enhanced our understanding of PPIs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlant defense peptides are able to control immune barriers and represent a potential novel resource for crop protection. One of the best-characterized plant peptides is tomato Systemin (Sys) an octadecapeptide synthesized as part of a larger precursor protein. Upon pest attack, Sys interacts with a leucine-rich repeat receptor kinase, systemin receptor SYR, activating a complex intracellular signaling pathway that leads to the wound response.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCurr Protoc Plant Biol
December 2019
Enzyme-enzyme interactions can be discovered by affinity purification mass spectrometry (AP-MS) under in vivo conditions. Tagged enzymes can either be transiently transformed into plant leaves or stably transformed into plant cells prior to AP-MS. The success of AP-MS depends on the levels and stability of the bait protein, the stability of the protein-protein interactions, and the efficiency of trypsin digestion and recovery of tryptic peptides for MS analysis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlant defense peptides represent an important class of compounds active against pathogens and insects. These molecules controlling immune barriers can potentially be used as novel tools for plant protection, which mimic natural defense mechanisms against invaders. The constitutive expression in tomato plants of the precursor of the defense peptide systemin was previously demonstrated to increase tolerance against moth larvae and aphids and to hamper the colonization by phytopathogenic fungi, through the expression of a wealth of defense-related genes.
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