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Purification and characterization of an antibacterial protein from the cultured mycelia ofCordyceps sinensis

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Wuhan University Journal of Natural Sciences

Abstract

An antibacterial protein was isolated from the cultured mycelia ofCordyceps sinensis, and was designated asCordyceps sinensis Antibacterial Protein (CSAP). CSAP was single-chained, with an apparent molecular mass of 35×103 revealed by SDS-PAGE and a novel hydrophobic N-terminal sequence N-ALATQHGAP. The antimicrobial assays showed CSAP could inhibit the growth of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria but no significant inhibition against fungi or yeasts. Furthermore, the antibacterial activity of CSAP was not bactericidal but bacteriostatic. It was the first time that an antibacterial protein was described in theCordyceps species, which might involve in the chemical defense mechanism of the hosts.

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Correspondence to Zou Guolin.

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Foundation item: Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (39770200) and the Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province (2004ABA228)

Biography: HU Zheng (1964-), Male, Associate professor, research direction: biochemistry.

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Zheng, H., Maoqing, Y., Liqiu, X. et al. Purification and characterization of an antibacterial protein from the cultured mycelia ofCordyceps sinensis . Wuhan Univ. J. Nat. Sci. 11, 709–714 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02836695

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02836695

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