Residues of Legume AG41 Peptide Crucial to Its Bio-Insecticidal Activity

Currently, crop protection relies heavily on chemical treatments, which ultimately leads to environmental contamination and pest resistance. Societal and public policy considerations urge the need for new eco-friendly solutions. In this perspective, biopesticides are effective alternatives to chemical insecticides for the control of various insect pests. Legumes contain numerous insecticidal proteins aimed at protecting their high nitrogen content from animal/insect predation. Investigating one such protein family at genome scale, we discovered a unique diversity of the albumin 1 family in the (model) barrel medic genome. Only some members retained very high insecticidal activity. We uncovered that AG41 peptide from the alfalfa roots displays an outstanding insecticidal activity against several pests such as aphids and weevils. Here we report the 3D structure and activity of AG41 peptide. Significant insights into the structural/functional relationships explained AG41 high insecticidal activity. Such observations pave the way for the development of bio-insecticides, with AG41 peptide as the lead compound.

Automated summary

Currently, crop protection heavily relies on chemical treatments, causing environmental contamination and pest resistance. To address this issue, biopesticides are considered as effective alternatives to chemical insecticides in controlling insect pests. Legumes possess insecticidal proteins to protect their nitrogen content from animal/insect predation. A unique diversity of albumin 1 family in barrel medic genome was discovered, some of which exhibit high insecticidal activity. The AG41 peptide from alfalfa roots demonstrates outstanding insecticidal activity against pests such as aphids and weevils. Investigation into the 3D structure and activity of AG41 peptide provided valuable insights and paved the way for the development of bio-insecticides.