The spread, classification, and properties of plant proteins capable of inhibiting proteinases have been reviewed. Data from the literature on the likely physiological functions of these inhibitors in plants are analyzed.
This review analyzes the literature on various mechanisms of proteolytic enzyme inhibitors involved in plant defense against attack by phytopathogenic microorganisms. The action of proteinase inhibitors from plants upon the enzymes from pathogenic microorganisms and viruses is reviewed. Considerable attention is given to the induction of proteinase inhibitors in plants in response to the invasion of pathogens. Some aspects of application of proteinase inhibitors in biotechnology for production of transgenic plants with enhanced resistance to diseases are discussed.
Three protein proteolytic enzyme inhibitors with molecular masses 21, 22, and 23 kDa have been isolated from intact potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Istrinskii). The 21 and 22 kDa proteins denoted as PSPI-21 and PSPI-22, respectively, are serine proteinase inhibitors with different specificity. The 23 kDa protein denoted as PCPI-23 is an inhibitor of plant cysteine proteinases. The PSPI-21 molecule consists of two disulfide-linked polypeptide chains with molecular masses of 16.5 kDa and 4.5 kDa. The PSPI-22 and PCPI-23 have one polypeptide chain. Their amino-termini numbered 212 5 amino acid residues have significant homology to other plant inhibitors which are members of the soybean Kunitz inhibitor family. It is found that at least PSPI-21 and PSPI-22 can predominantly accumulate in potato tubers infected with Phytophthora infestans zoospores.z 1998 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.