Capsicum annuum L. trypsin inhibitor as a template scaffold for new drug development against pathogenic yeast

Abstract

A 6,000 Da peptide, named CaTI, was isolated from Capsicum annuum L. seeds and showed potent inhibitory activity against trypsin and chymotrypsin. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of CaTI on Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis and Kluyveromyces marxiannus cells. We observed that CaTI inhibited the growth of S. cerevisiae, K. marxiannus as well as C. albicans and induced cellular agglomeration and the release of cytoplasmic content. No effect on growth was observed in C. tropicalis but morphological changes were noted. In the spot assay, different degrees of sensitivity were shown among the strains and concentrations tested. Scanning electron microscopy showed that S. cerevisiae, K. marxiannus and C. albicans, in the presence of CaTI, exhibited morphological alterations, such as the formation of pseudohyphae, cellular aggregates and elongated forms. We also show that CaTI induces the generation of nitric oxide and interferes in a dose-dependent manner with glucose-stimulated acidification of the medium mediated by H(+)-ATPase of S. cerevisiae cells.

Exploiting the biological roles of the trypsin inhibitor from Inga vera seeds: A multifunctional Kunitz inhibitor

“…Another antimicrobial peptide with inhibitory activity against trypsin and chymotrypsin from Capsicum annuum seeds, called CaTI, requires the presence of 64 g mL −1 to inhibit the growth of pathogenic and non-pathogenic yeast strains. For example, the presence of CaTI inhibited C. albicans by 88% in and K. marxiannus by 68% [64].…”

Purification, biochemical characterization, and antimicrobial activity of a new lipid transfer protein from Coffea canephora seeds

“…Besides LTPs, other AMPs are able to increase membrane permeability in various microorganisms. Such AMPs include defensins such as PvD1 isolated from Phaseolus vulgaris (Mello et al, 2011), thionin (Taveira et al, 2014), and trypsin-chymotrypsin inhibitors (Ribeiro et al, 2012) isolated from C. annuum. It is important to note that membrane permeation and growth inhibition are not necessarily related.…”

Phytophthora capsici on chilli pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and its management through genetic and bio-control: a review

“…A plant peptide termed as CaTI was found in the seeds of C. annuum, it not only inhibits the trypsin and chymotrypsin but also the progression of Kluyveromyces marxiannus, Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae by cellular, cytoplasmic and morphological, alterations. This peptide also induces the assembly of nitric oxide in plant tissues (Ribeiro et al, 2012). A gene CaTin2 encoding putative and pathogenesis related protein was isolated through differential screening of a cDNA library of hot peppers (C. annuum).…”