Plant Thaumatin-like Proteins: Function, Evolution and Biotechnological Applications

Abstract

Thaumatin-like proteins (TLPs) are a highly complex protein family associated with host defense and developmental processes in plants, animals, and fungi. They are highly diverse in angiosperms, for which they are classified as the PR-5 (Pathogenesis-Related-5) protein family. In plants, TLPs have a variety of properties associated with their structural diversity. They are mostly associated with responses to biotic stresses, in addition to some predicted activities under drought and osmotic stresses. The present review covers aspects related to the structure, evolution, gene expression, and biotechnological potential of TLPs. The efficiency of the discovery of new TLPs is below its potential, considering the availability of omics data. Furthermore, we present an exemplary bioinformatics annotation procedure that was applied to cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) transcriptome, including libraries of two tissues (root and leaf), and two stress types (biotic/abiotic) generated using different sequencing approaches. Even without using genomic sequences, the pipeline uncovered 56 TLP candidates in both tissues and stresses. Interestingly, abiotic stress (root dehydration) was associated with a high number of modulated TLP isoforms. The nomenclature used so far for TLPs was also evaluated, considering TLP structure and possible functions identified to date. It is clear that plant TLPs are promising candidates for breeding purposes and for plant transformation aiming a better performance under biotic and abiotic stresses. The development of new therapeutic drugs against human fungal pathogens also deserves attention. Despite that, applications derived from TLP molecules are still below their potential, as it is evident in our review.

Comparative Expression Analysis of Stress-Inducible Candidate Genes in Response to Cold and Drought in Tea Plant [Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze]

“…The previous results indicate potential applications of TLP for crop improvement through a genetic transformation with applications in both biotic and abiotic stress protection, with strong evidence for a role in the crosstalk between the stress types. Transgenic plants that overexpress the TLP gene in different plant crops showed resistance to pathogens and tolerance to salinity and drought (Jesus-Pires et al, 2019). Our data confirm the possibly important role of TLP1 in the cold stress response and in recovery in tea plant.…”

Plant Antimicrobial Peptides: State of the Art, In Silico Prediction and Perspectives in the Omics Era

“…161,162 Thaumatin-like protein Thaumatins or TLPs belong to the PR-5 (Pathogen-related protein) family and received this name due to its first isolation from the fruit of Thaumatococcus daniellii (Maranthaceae) from West Africa. 163 Thaumatin-like proteins are abundant in the plant kingdom, 164 being found in angiosperms, gymnosperms, and bryophytes, 163 being also identified in other organisms, including fungi, 165,166 insects, 167 and nematodes. 168 Thaumatin-like proteins are known for their antifungal activity, either by permeating fungal membranes 169 or by binding and hydrolyzing β-1,3-glucans.…”

A Survey on Cell wall Proteins of C. Sinensis Leaf by Combining Cell Wall Proteomic and N-Glycoproteomic Strategy

“…DIRs, are linked to lignin polymerization [88,89] and play important roles in various stress responses and controlling cell wall modi cation/reinforcement during cell wall integrity maintenance [90]. Regarding BCPs, GLPs, cupins and Thaumatins were previously reported to be associated with stress responses in plants [91][92][93][94].…”