Purification and structural analysis of an abundant thaumatin-like protein from ripe banana fruit

 The pulp of ripe bananas (Musa acuminata) contains an abundant thaumatin-like protein (TLP). Characterization of the protein and molecular cloning of the corresponding gene from banana demonstrated that the native protein consists of a single polypeptide chain of 200 amino acid residues. Molecular modelling further revealed that the banana thaumatin-like protein (Ban-TLP) adopts an overall fold similar to that of thaumatin and thaumatin-like PR-5 proteins. Although the banana protein exhibits an electrostatically polarized surface, which is believed to be essential for the antifungal properties of TLPs, it is apparently devoid of antifungal activity towards pathogenic fungi. It exhibits a low but detectable in vitro endo-β-1,3-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.x) activity. As well as being present in fruits, Ban-TLP also occurs in root tips where its accumulation is enhanced by methyl jasmonate treatment of plants. Pulp of plantains (Musa acuminata) also contains a very similar TLP, which is even more abundant than its banana homologue. Our results demonstrate for the first time that fruit-specific (abundant) TLPs are not confined to dicots but occur also in fruits of monocot species. The possible role of the apparent widespread accumulation of fruit-specific TLPs is discussed. Received: 7 January 2000 / Accepted: 26 April 2000     

A molecular basis for the endo-beta 1,3-glucanase activity of the thaumatin-like proteins from edible fruits

Fruit-specific thaumatin-like proteins were isolated from cherry, apple and banana, and their enzymatic and antifungal activities compared. Both the apple and cherry possess a moderate endo-beta 1,3-glucanase activity but are devoid of antifugal activity. In contrast, the banana thaumatin-like protein inhibits the in vitro hyphal growth of Verticillium albo-atrum but is virtually devoid of endo-beta 1,3-glucanase activity. Both structural and molecular modeling studies showed that all three thaumatin-like proteins possess an extended electronegatively charged cleft at their surface, which is believed to be a prerequisite for endo-beta 1,3-glucanase activity. Docking experiments showed that the positioning of linear (1,3)-beta-D-glucans in the cleft of the apple and cherry proteins allows an interaction with the glutamic acid residues that are responsible for the hydrolytic cleavage of the glucan. Due to a different positioning in the cleft of the banana thaumatin-like protein, the linear beta-glucans cannot properly interact with the catalytic glutamic acid residues and as a result the protein possesses no enzymatic activity. The possible function of the fruit-specific thaumatin-like proteins is discussed in view of the observed biological activities and structural features.     

Crystal structure at 1.45-A resolution of the major allergen endo-beta-1,3-glucanase of banana as a molecular basis for the latex-fruit syndrome

Resolution of the crystal structure of the banana fruit endo-beta-1,3-glucanase by synchrotron X-ray diffraction at 1.45-A resolution revealed that the enzyme possesses the eightfold beta/alpha architecture typical for family 17 glycoside hydrolases. The electronegatively charged catalytic central cleft harbors the two glutamate residues (Glu94 and Glu236) acting as hydrogen donor and nucleophile residue, respectively. Modeling using a beta-1,3 linked glucan trisaccharide as a substrate confirmed that the enzyme readily accommodates a beta-1,3-glycosidic linkage in the slightly curved catalytic groove between the glucose units in positions -2 and -1 because of the particular orientation of residue Tyr33 delimiting subsite -2. The location of Phe177 in the proximity of subsite +1 suggested that the banana glucanase might also cleave beta-1,6-branched glucans. Enzymatic assays using pustulan as a substrate demonstrated that the banana glucanase can also cleave beta-1,6-glucans as was predicted from docking experiments. Similar to many other plant endo-beta-1,3-glucanases, the banana glucanase exhibits allergenic properties because of the occurrence of well-conserved IgE-binding epitopes on the surface of the enzyme. These epitopes might trigger some cross-reactions toward IgE antibodies and thus account for the IgE-binding cross-reactivity frequently reported in patients with the latex-fruit syndrome.     

Crystal structure of tobacco PR-5d protein at 1.8 A resolution reveals a conserved acidic cleft structure in antifungal thaumatin-like proteins

The crystal structure of tobacco PR-5d, an antifungal thaumatin-like protein isolated from cultured tobacco cells, was determined at the resolution of 1.8 A. The structure consists of 208 amino acid residues and 89 water molecules with a crystallographic R-factor of 0.169. The model has good stereochemistry, with respective root-mean-square deviations from the ideal values for bond and angle distances of 0.007 A and 1.542 degrees. Of the homologous PR-5 proteins, only those with antifungal activity had a common motif, a negatively charged surface cleft. This cleft is at the boundary between domains I and II, with a bottom part consisting of a three-stranded antiparallel beta-sheet in domain I. The acidic residues located in the hollow of the cleft form the beta-sheet region. Sequence and secondary structure analyses showed that the amino acid residues comprising the acidic cleft of PR-5d are conserved among other antifungal PR-5 proteins. This is the first report on the high-resolution crystal structure of an antifungal PR-5 protein. This structure provides insight into the function of pathogenesis-related proteins.     

Crystal structure analysis of NP24-I: a thaumatin-like protein

The crystal structure of NP24-I, an isoform of the thaumatin-like protein (TLP) NP24 from tomato, has been reported. A prominent acidic cleft is observed between domains I and II of the three-domain structure of this antifungal protein, a feature common to other antifungal TLPs. The defensive role of the TLPs has also been attributed to their beta-1,3-glucanase activity and here too the acidic cleft is reported to play a vital role. NP24 is known to bind beta-glucans and so a linear beta-1,3-glucan molecule has been docked in the interdomain cleft of NP24-I. From the docked complex it is observed that the beta-glucan chain is so positioned in the cleft that a Glu and Asp residue on either side of it may form a catalytic pair to cause the cleavage of a glycosidic bond. NP24 has been reported to be an allergenic protein and an allergenic motif could be identified on the surface of the helical domain II of NP24-I. In addition, some allergenic motifs bearing high similarity/identity with some predicted Ig-E binding motifs of closely related allergenic TLPs like Jun a 3 (Juniperus ashei, from mountain cedar pollen) and banana-TLP have been identified on the molecular surface of NP24-I.     

Lipid transfer proteins from Rosaceae fruits share consensus epitopes responsible for their IgE-binding cross-reactivity

Four IgE-binding epitopes have been characterized that cover a large area (40%) of the molecular surface of lipid transfer protein allergens of Rosaceae (apple, peach, apricot, and plum). They mainly correspond to electropositively charged regions protruding on the molecular surface of the modeled apple (Mal d 3), apricot (Pru ar 3), and plum (Pru d 3) allergens. Two of these epitopes consist of consensus epitopes structurally conserved among the lipid transfer protein allergens from the Rosaceae. Their occurrence in different lipid transfer protein allergens presumably accounts for the IgE-binding cross-reactivity often observed among different Rosaceae fruits. In this respect, LTP consist of phylogenetically- and structurally-related pan allergens. However, the IgE-binding cross-reactivity due to fruit lipid transfer protein has varying degrees of clinical relevance and this cross-reactivity is not necessarily accompanied by a cross-allergenicity to the corresponding fruits.     

Plant-based heterologous expression of Mal d 2, a thaumatin-like protein and allergen of apple (Malus domestica), and its characterization as an antifungal protein

Mal d 2 is a thaumatin-like protein and important allergen of apple fruits that is associated with IgE-mediated symptoms in apple allergic individuals. We obtained a full-length cDNA clone of Mal d 2 from RNA isolated from ripe apple (Malus domestica cv. Golden Delicious). The cDNA's open reading frame encodes a protein of 246 amino acid residues including a signal peptide of 24 residues and two putative glycosylation sites. The deduced amino acid sequence of the mature Mal d 2 protein results in a predicted molecular mass of 23,210.9Da and a calculated pI of 4.55. Sequence comparisons and molecular modeling place Mal d 2 among those pathogenesis-related thaumatin-like proteins that contain a conserved acidic cleft. In order to ensure the correct formation of the protein's eight conserved disulfide bridges we expressed Mal d 2 in Nicotiana benthamiana plants by the use of a tobacco mosaic viral vector. Transfected N.benthamiana plants accumulated Mal d 2 to levels of at least 2% of total soluble protein. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric analyses of the recombinant Mal d 2 and its proteolytic fragments showed that the apple-specific leader peptide was correctly cleaved off by the host plant and that the mature recombinant protein was intact and not glycosylated. Purified recombinant Mal d 2 displayed the ability to bind IgE from apple-allergic individuals equivalent to natural Mal d 2. In addition, the recombinant thaumatin-like Mal d 2 exhibited antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum and Penicillium expansum, implying a function in plant defense against fungal pathogens.     

How reliable is the structural prediction of IgE-binding epitopes of allergens? The case study of plant lipid transfer proteins

The linear IgE-binding epitopes of non-specific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTP) from plants were predicted using a combination of predictive tools including (1) the hydropathic profiles based on different scales of hydrophilicity, flexibility and exposure to the solvent, (2) the hydrophobic cluster analysis plots, (3) the occurrence of charged residues in the predicted amino acid sequence stretches and, (4) the exposition of the predicted linear IgE-binding epitopes checked on the three-dimensional models built for the nsLTP. A reliable prediction was obtained for nsLTP as compared with the previously characterized IgE-binding epitopes of various proteins. A consensual IgE-binding epitope occurring in other plant nsLTP and responsible for some IgE-binding cross-reactivity among fruit nsLTP has been identified and characterized. Despite some discrepancies, a fairly good prediction resulted in applying our combination of predictive methods to longer nsLTP or plant profilins.     

Expression and functional analysis of two osmotin (PR5) isoforms with differential antifungal activity from Piper colubrinum: prediction of structure-function relationship by bioinformatics approach

Osmotin, a pathogenesis-related antifungal protein, is relevant in induced plant immunity and belongs to the thaumatin-like group of proteins (TLPs). This article describes comparative structural and functional analysis of the two osmotin isoforms cloned from Phytophthora-resistant wild Piper colubrinum. The two isoforms differ mainly by an internal deletion of 50 amino acid residues which separates them into two size categories (16.4 kDa-PcOSM1 and 21.5 kDa-PcOSM2) with pI values 5.6 and 8.3, respectively. Recombinant proteins were expressed in E. coli and antifungal activity assays of the purified proteins demonstrated significant inhibitory activity of the larger osmotin isoform (PcOSM2) on Phytophthora capsici and Fusarium oxysporum, and a markedly reduced antifungal potential of the smaller isoform (PcOSM1). Homology modelling of the proteins indicated structural alterations in their three-dimensional architecture. Tertiary structure of PcOSM2 conformed to the known structure of osmotin, with domain I comprising of 12 β-sheets, an α-helical domain II and a domain III composed of 2 β-sheets. PcOSM1 (smaller isoform) exhibited a distorted, indistinguishable domain III and loss of 4 β-sheets in domain I. Interestingly, an interdomain acidic cleft between domains I and II, containing an optimally placed endoglucanase catalytic pair composed of Glu-Asp residues, which is characteristic of antifungal PR5 proteins, was present in both isoforms. It is well accepted that the presence of an acidic cleft correlates with antifungal activity due to the presence of endoglucanase catalytic property, and hence the present observation of significantly reduced antifungal capacity of PcOSM1 despite the presence of a strong acidic cleft, is suggestive of the possible roles played by other structural features like domain I or/and III, in deciding the antifungal potential of osmotin.     

Patterns of molecular evolution and predicted function in thaumatin-like proteins of Populus trichocarpa

Some pathogenesis-related proteins (PR proteins) are subject to positive selection, while others are under negative selection. Here, we report the patterns of molecular evolution in thaumatin-like protein (TLP, PR5 protein) genes of Populus trichocarpa. Signs of positive selection were found in 20 out of 55 Populus TLPs using the likelihood ratio test and ML-based Bayesian methods. Due to the connection between the acidic cleft and the antifungal activity, the secondary structure and three-dimensional structure analyses predicted antifungal activity β-1,3-glucanase activities in these TLPs. Moreover, the coincidence with variable basic sites in the acidic cleft and positively selected sites suggested that fungal diseases may have been the main environmental stress that drove rapid adaptive evolution in Populus.     

A cherry protein and its gene, abundantly expressed in ripening fruit, have been identified as thaumatin-like.

A 29-kD polypeptide is the most abundant soluble protein in ripe cherry fruit (Prunus avium L); accumulation begins at the onset of ripening as the fruit turns from yellow to red. This protein was extracted from ripe cherries and purified by size-exclusion and ion-exchange chromatography. Antibodies to the purified protein were used to screen a cDNA library from ripe cherries. Numerous recombinant plaques reacted positively with the antibodies; the DNA sequence of representative clones encoded a polypeptide of 245 amino acid residues. A signal peptide was indicated, and the predicted mature protein corresponded to the purified protein in size (23.3 kD, by mass spectrometry) and isoelectric point (4.2). A search of known protein sequences revealed a strong similarity between this polypeptide and the thaumatin family of pathogenesis-related proteins. The cherry thaumatin-like protein does not have a sweet taste, and no antifungal activity was seen in preliminary assays. Expression of the protein appears to be regulated at the gene level, with mRNA levels at their highest in the ripe fruit.     

The abundant class III chitinase homolog in young developing banana fruits behaves as a transient vegetative storage protein and most probably serves as an important supply of amino acids for the synthesis of ripening-associated proteins

Analyses of the protein content and composition revealed dramatic changes in gene expression during in situ banana (Musa spp.) fruit formation/ripening. The total banana protein content rapidly increases during the first 60 to 70 d, but remains constant for the rest of fruit formation/ripening. During the phase of rapid protein accumulation, an inactive homolog of class III chitinases accounts for up to 40% (w/v) of the total protein. Concomitant with the arrest of net protein accumulation, the chitinase-related protein (CRP) progressively decreases and several novel proteins appear in the electropherograms. Hence, CRP behaves as a fruit-specific vegetative storage protein that accumulates during early fruit formation and serves as a source of amino acids for the synthesis of ripening-associated proteins. Analyses of individual proteins revealed that a thaumatin-like protein, a beta-1,3-glucanase, a class I chitinase, and a mannose-binding lectin are the most abundant ripening-associated proteins. Because during the ripening of prematurely harvested bananas, similar changes take place as in the in situ ripening bananas, CRP present in immature fruits is a sufficient source of amino acids for a quasi-normal synthesis of ripening-associated proteins. However, it is evident that the conversion of CRP in ripening-associated proteins takes place at an accelerated rate, especially when climacteric ripening is induced by ethylene. The present report also includes a discussion of the accumulation of the major banana allergens and the identification of suitable promoters for the production of vaccines in transgenic bananas.     

Homology modeling of the cellulose-binding domain of a pollen allergen from rye grass: structural basis for the cellulose recognition and associated allergenic properties

A three-dimensional model of the cellulose-binding domain of the rye-grass pollen allergen Lol pI built by homology modeling is proposed as a structural scaffold for expansins and other expansin-related proteins. A groove and an extended strip of aromatic and polar residues presumably account for the cellulose-binding properties of the protein domain. Two of the four predicted T-cell epitopes readily exposed on the surface of the cellulose-binding domain match with previously reported IgE-binding regions. A close structural relationship occurs between the cellulose-binding and allergenic properties.     

Purification and characterization of an antifungal thaumatin-like protein from Cassia didymobotrya cell culture.

A 23-kDa antifungal thaumatin-like protein was isolated and purified from Cassia didymobotrya (Fres.) cell cultures for the first time. The protein was secreted in the culture medium, but it could be also isolated after elution of whole cells with a 0.5 M CaCl(2) solution. Treatment of the cells with laminarin oligosaccharides or salicylic acid, but not with NaCl, resulted in enhancement of expression of the protein. A rapid purification protocol was used based on cationic exchange chromatography. The protein, with a highly basic character (pI 10), has an exact molecular mass of 23034 Da, as determined by MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry analysis. N-terminal sequencing of the intact polypeptide and the sequencing of two internal tryptic peptides indicated significant identity with other thaumatin-like proteins (TLP). The protein exerted antifungal activity towards some Candida species showing EC(50) values comparable to those of other antifungal TLPs. The collected data lead to classify this TLP as a new PR-5 protein.     

香蕉果实软化相关β-半乳糖苷酶基因的克隆及其表达分析

β-半乳糖苷酶（β-galactosidase）通过分解细胞壁半纤维素切除半乳糖键而参与果实软化。为了阐明香蕉（Musasp．）果实成熟过程中的软化与细胞壁代谢酶β-半乳糖苷酶基因表达之间的关系,采用RT-PCR方法,从成熟香蕉果实果肉中分离了编码β-半乳糖苷酶基因的部分cDNA（MA-Gal）,序列分析表明,MA-Gal包含927bp,编码309个氨基酸,包含5个β-半乳糖苷酶结构域（典型真核生物中β-半乳糖苷酶包含7个结构域）,推导的MA-Gal蛋白质中有β-半乳糖苷酶蛋白的催化活性部位GGPIILSQIENEY（F）;系统进化树分析结果表明MA-Gal属于第一类β-半乳糖苷酶基因（该类主要在果实中表达）;β-半乳糖苷酶活性和硬度的变化表明其与香蕉果实硬度变化密切相关;Northern分析显示,跃变前期的果肉中,MA-Gal基因的表达量很低,后随着果实的软化表达量不断增加,并在呼吸跃变后达到最高。所有结果表明,MA-Gal参与香蕉果实成熟过程中的软化。     

Purification, characterization, and molecular gene cloning of an antifungal protein from Ginkgo biloba seeds

A novel basic protein with antifungal activity was isolated from the seeds of Ginkgo biloba and purified to homogeneity. The protein inhibited the growth of some fungi (Fusarium oxysporum, Trichoderma reesei, and Candida albicans) but did not exhibit antibacterial action against Escherichia coli. Furthermore, this protein showed weak inhibitory activity against the aspartic protease pepsin. To design primers for gene amplification, the NH(2)-terminal and partial internal amino acid sequences were determined using peptides obtained from a tryptic digest of the oxidized protein. The full-length cDNA of the antifungal protein was cloned and sequenced by RT-PCR and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The cDNA contained a 402-bp open reading frame encoding a 134-aa protein with a potential signal peptide (26 residues), suggesting that this protein is synthesized as a preprotein and secreted outside the cells. The antifungal protein shows approximately 85% identity with embryo-abundant proteins from Picea abies and Picea glauca at the amino acid level; however, there is no homology between this protein and other plant antifungal proteins, such as defensin, and cyclophilin-, miraculin- and thaumatin-like proteins.     

Dominant role of local dipolar interactions in phosphate binding to a receptor cleft with an electronegative charge surface: equilibrium, kinetic, and crystallographic studies.

Stringent specificity and complementarity between the receptor, a periplasmic phosphate-binding protein (PBP) with a two-domain structure, and the completely buried and dehydrated phosphate are achieved by hydrogen bonding or dipolar interactions. We recently found that the surface charge potential of the cleft between the two domains that contains the anion binding site is intensely electronegative. This novel finding prompted the study reported here of the effect of ionic strength on the equilibrium and rapid kinetics of phosphate binding. To facilitate this study, Ala197, located on the edge of the cleft, was replaced by a Trp residue (A197W PBP) to generate a fluorescence reporter group. The A197W PBP-phosphate complex retains wild-type Kd and X-ray structure beyond the replacement residue. The Kd (0.18 microM) at no salt is increased by 20-fold at greater than 0.30 M NaCl. Stopped-flow fluorescence kinetic studies indicate a two-step binding process: (1) The phosphate (L) binds, at near diffusion-controlled rate, to the open cleft form (Po) of PBP to produce an intermediate, PoL. This rate decreases with increasing ionic strength. (2) The intermediate isomerizes to the closed-conformation form, PcL. The results indicate that the high specificity, affinity, and rate of phosphate binding are not influenced by the noncomplementary electronegative surface potential of the cleft. That binding depends almost entirely on local dipolar interactions with the receptor has important ramification in electrostatic interactions in protein structures and in ligand recognition.