ISHS Acta Horticulturae 811: VI International Congress on Cactus Pear and Cochineal
PROTEASE INHIBITORS PRESENT IN OPUNTIA SPP. |
| Authors: | J.A. Torres Castillo, K. Varela Martínez, A. Blanco-Labra, C. Mondragón Jacobo |
| Keywords: | enzyme inhibitors, biotechnology, cacti, cladode proteins, seed proteins, nopal |
| Abstract:
Plants have developed biochemical compounds useful for humans. Enzymes and enzyme inhibitors are among the most studied ones. Protease inhibitors have been reported in seeds and vegetative tissues from different plants. These proteins are evident in protein reserve in seeds and other tissues in response to plant damage. They are useful in other areas of biotechnology such as improvement for pest resistance. There are no reports of enzyme inhibitors in Opuntia spp. (Cactaceae). Therefore, our first target was to investigate their presence in the seeds and cladodes. After confirming its presence, both protein fractions containing the inhibitor activities were purified by chromatographic methods. For their characterization, they were tested against the proteolytic extracts from different insect pests. This is the first report of a protease inhibitor present in Cactaceae. However, it is still to be found whether these inhibitors could also be related with plant defense. | |
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