A new TRAF-like protein from B. oleracea ssp. botrytis with lectin activity and its effect on macrophages

Abstract

Lectins are involved in a wide range of biological mechanisms, like immunomodulatory agent able to activate the innate immunity. In this study, we purified and characterized a new lectin from cauliflower (Brassica oleracea ssp. botrytis - BOL) by three sequential chromatographic steps and confirmed the purity by SDS-PAGE. Additionally, we evaluated the role of the lectin in innate immunity by a phagocytosis assay, production of HO and NO. BOL was characterized like a non-glycosylated protein that showed a molecular mass of ∼34kDa in SDS-PAGE. Its N-terminal sequence (ETRAFREERPSSKIVTIAG) did not reveal any similarity to the other lectins; nevertheless, it showed 100% homology to a putative TRAF-like protein from Brassica rapa and Brassica napus. This is a first report of the TRAF-protein with lectinic activity. The BOL retained its complete hemagglutination activity from 4°C up to 60°C, with stability being more apparent between pH 7.0 and 8.0. Moreover, the lectin was able to stimulate phagocytosis and induce the production of HO and NO. Therefore, BOL can be explored as an immunomodulatory agent by being able to activate the innate immunity and favor antigen removal.

Schinus terebinthifolia leaf lectin (SteLL) has anti-infective action and modulates the response of Staphylococcus aureus-infected macrophages

“…The results showed that SteLL induced the the release of cytokines (IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, and TNF-α) and reactive species (nitric oxide, superoxide anion) by uninfected macrophagens. The ability of plant lectins to alter the macrophage responses have been demonstrated by other authors 18,19,53 . The effects of SteLL on nitric oxide and superoxide anion production may be related to the improvement of macrophages bactericidal action, since these reactive species play essential roles in the defense against infectious diseases 54,55 .…”

Clonagem Gênica E Expressão Heteróloga De Uma Proteína Imunoestimulatória

“…Ensaios preliminares mostraram que a fagocitose e a produção NO por macrófagos foram estimuladas na presença de BOL, o que demonstra a possibilidade dessa lectina atuar como agente imunoestimulador capaz de auxiliar na ativação da imunidade inata (Duarte et al 2017). Entretanto, a quantidade de proteína nativa recuperada no processo de purificação limita o número de ensaios biológicos que podem ser realizados.…”