Author(s): VASCONCELOS, E. A. R.; SANTANA, C. G.; GODOY, C. V.; SILVA, M. S.; MOREIRA, L. R. S.; OLIVEIRA-NETO, OSMUNDO B.; PRICE, D.; FITCHES, E.; FILHO, E. X. F.; MEHTA, A.; GATEHOUSE, J. A.; GROSSI-DE-SA, M. F.

Summary: Asian rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) is a common disease in Brazilian soybean fields and it is difficult to control. In order to find a biochemical candidate to such enterprise, a new chitinase-like xylanase inhibitor protein (XIP) from coffee (Coffea arabica) (CaclXIP) leaves was cloned into the pGAPZa-B vector for expression in Pichia pastoris. A cDNA encoding a chitinase-like xylanase inhibitor protein (XIP) from coffee (Coffea arabica) (CaclXIP), was isolated from leaves. The amino acid sequence predicts a (ß/a)8 topology common to Class III Chitinases (glycoside hydrolase family 18 proteins; GH18), and shares similarity with other GH18 members, although it lacks the glutamic acid residue essential for catalysis, which is replaced by glutamine. CaclXIP was expressed as a recombinant protein in Pichia pastoris. Enzymatic assay using purified protein showed that CaclXIP had only residual chitinolytic activity. However, it inhibited xylanases from Acrophialophora nainiana by approx. 60% when present at sub-molar equivalence (12:1 enzyme:inhibitor ratio). Additionally, CaclXIP at 1.5 ?g/?L inhibited by 45% the germination of spores of Phakopsora pachyrhizi. These results show that CaclXIP belongs to a class of naturally inactive chitinases that have evolved to act in plant cell defence as xylanase inhibitors. Its role on inhibiting germination of fungal spores makes of it an eligible candidate gene for Asian rust control.

Publication year: 2010

Types of publication: Abstract in annals or event proceedings

Unit: Embrapa Soybean

Keywords: Asian rust