Alt a 1 from Alternaria interacts with PR5 thaumatin-like proteins

Alt a 1 is a protein found in Alternaria alternata spores related to virulence and pathogenicity and considered to be responsible for chronic asthma in children. We found that spores of Alternaria inoculated on the outer surface of kiwifruits did not develop hyphae. Nevertheless, the expression of Alt a 1 gene was upregulated, and the protein was detected in the pulp where it co-localized with kiwi PR5. Pull-down assays demonstrated experimentally that the two proteins interact in such a way that Alt a 1 inhibits the enzymatic activity of PR5. These results are relevant not only for plant defense, but also for human health as patients with chronic asthma could suffer from an allergic reaction when they eat fruit contaminated with Alternaria. Structured summary of protein interactions: Alt a 1 binds to PR5-thaumatin-like protein by pull down (1, 2) Alt a 1 binds to peach PR5 by pull down (View interaction) Alt a 1 binds to banana PR5 by pull down (View interaction) Alt a 1 physically interacts with PR5-thaumatin-like protein by pull down (View interaction). (C) 2014 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.