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Proteinase-inhibitor activity and wound-inducible gene expression of the 22-kDa potato-tuber proteins

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Abstract

Using a proteinase-inhibition assay, we have demonstrated that the 22-kilodalton (kDa) potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tuber proteins are strong inhibitors of serine proteinases. Two out of three purified proteins from the 22-kDa family of potato-tuber proteins were effective inhibitors of both trypsin and chymotrypsin, while the third, with a molecular mass (Mr) of approx. 24 kDa, inhibited only trypsin activity. Comparison of the amino-acid sequence of the putative reactive sites of several proteinase inhibitors with the deduced sequence of the 22-kDa protein showed that the 22-kDa protein contained sequences potentially possessing “doubleheaded” sites of inhibition, one against trypsin and another against chymotrypsin. The genes coding for the 22-kDa proteins were developmentally regulated in tubers and environmentally regulated in leaves. Wound induction of the genes coding for the 22-kDa potatotuber proteins was detected at the RNA level. In leaves, transcripts of the 22-kDa protein family were detected 6 h after wounding and were highest after 12 h in locally wounded leaves. The strongest induction occurred systemically in response to mechanical wounding in non-wounded leaves. Cross-hybridization of a cDNA, p34021, which codes for the 22-kDa tuber protein, with both proteinase-inhibitor I and II cDNAs and with a second family of 20-kDa potato-tuber cDNAs showed no cross-homology. Members of this second group of 20-kDa potato-tuber proteins also exhibited wound-induction in leaves at the RNA level.

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Abbreviations

BSA:

bovine serum albumin

Da:

dalton

SDS-PAGE:

sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

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Author notes

  1. Sang-Gon Suh

    Present address: Department of Horticulture, Yeung-Nam University, 713-739, Gyung San City, Gyung buk, Republic of Korea

  2. Willem J. Stiekema

    Present address: Centre for Plant Breeding Research, POB 16, 6700, Wageningen, AA, The Netherlands

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Horticulture, Iowa State University, 50011, Ames, IA, USA

    Sang-Gon Suh, Willem J. Stiekema & David J. Hannapel

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  1. Sang-Gon Suh
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  2. Willem J. Stiekema
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  3. David J. Hannapel
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Additional information

Journal Paper No. J-14147 of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, Ames, IA. Project No. 2846

This project was supported by a research grant from the Iowa State University Biotechnology Council.

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Suh, SG., Stiekema, W.J. & Hannapel, D.J. Proteinase-inhibitor activity and wound-inducible gene expression of the 22-kDa potato-tuber proteins. Planta 184, 423–430 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00197888

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00197888

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