Journal
BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
Volume 2013, Issue -, Pages -Publisher
HINDAWI LTD
DOI: 10.1155/2013/986273
Keywords
-
Funding
- CONACyT [239238]
- Coordinacion de la Investigacion Cientifica-UMSNH [CIC 14.5, CIC 2.2]
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Antimicrobial therapy is a useful tool to control infectious diseases in general and rising antibiotic resistant microorganisms in particular. Alternative strategies are desirable, and antimicrobial peptides (AMP) represent attractive control agents. Mexican avocado (Persea americana var. drymifolia) is used in traditional medicine; however, the AMP production has not been reported in this plant. We obtained a cDNA library from avocado fruit and clone PaDef was identified, which has a cDNA (249 bp) encoding a protein (78 aa) homologous with plant defensins (>80%). We expressed the defensin PaDef cDNA (pBME3) in the bovine endothelial cell line BVE-E6E7. Polyclonal and clonal populations were obtained and their activity was evaluated against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. E. coli viability was inhibited with 100 mu g/mL of total protein from clones (>55%). Also, S. aureus viability was inhibited from 50 mu g/mL total protein (27-38%) but was more evident at 100 mu g/mL (52-65%). This inhibition was higher than the effect showed by polyclonal population (similar to 23%). Finally, we did not detect activity against C. albicans. These results are the first report that shows antimicrobial activity of a defensin produced by avocado and suggest that this AMP could be used in the control of pathogens.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available