Potential of the Lectin/Inhibitor Isolated from Crataeva tapia Bark (CrataBL) for Controlling Callosobruchus maculatus Larva Development

Abstract

Callosobruchus maculatus is an important predator of cowpeas. Due to infestation during storage, this insect affects the quality of seed and crop yield. This study aimed to investigate the effects of CrataBL, a multifunction protein isolated from Crataeva tapia bark, on C. maculatus larvae development. The protein, which is stable even in extreme pH conditions, showed toxic activity reducing the larval mass 45% and 70% at concentrations of 0.25% and 1.0% (w/w), respectively. Acting as inhibitor, CrataBL decreased by 39% the activity of cysteine proteinases from larval gut. Conversely, the activity of serine proteinases was increased about 8-fold. The toxic properties of CrataBL may also be attributed to its capacity of binding to glycoproteins or glycosaminoglycans. Such binding interferes with larval metabolism, since CrataBL-FITC was found in the fat body, Malpighian tubules, and in the feces of larvae. These results demonstrate the potential of this protein for controlling larvae development.

A novel cysteine proteinase inhibitor from seeds of Enterolobium contortisiliquum and its effect on Callosobruchus maculatus larvae

“…The CD spectrum was recorded in the 190–250 nm range as an average of eight scans. Data were expressed as the mean residue ellipticity [ θ ] [ 29 ]. The percentage of secondary structure was estimated by deconvoluting the CD spectrum using the CDPro software package, which contains three CD analysis programs: CONTINLL, SELCON3, and CDSSTR with a protein reference set of 37 proteins [ 30 , 31 ].…”

The Plant Proteinase InhibitorCrataBLPlays a Role in Controlling Asthma Response in Mice

“…Unabsorbed proteins were eluted with equilibrating solution until the absorbance at 280 nm was lower than 0.05. Next, the adsorbed hemagglutinating activity ( CrataBL ) was eluted with 0.5 M NaCl [ 18 ].…”

The effects of Enterolobium contortisiliquum serine protease inhibitor on the survival of the termite Nasutitermes corniger, and its use as affinity adsorbent to purify termite proteases

“…The EcTI (10 µM) far‐ultraviolet (far‐UV) CD spectra were obtained on a JASCO J‐810 at various temperatures (25 °C, 45 °C, 65 °C, 70 °C, 73 °C, 75 °C, 85 °C, and 100 °C) over 20 min using the procedure described by Nunes et al . The secondary structure estimation was calculated from deconvolution of the CD spectra using the CDPro software package, CONTINLL method, and a reference set of 56 proteins.…”