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Lipid transfer proteins: structure, classification and prospects of genetic engineering for improved disease resistance in plants

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Abstract

Plant non-specific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTPs) are small, basic, and cysteine-rich proteins found abundantly in higher plants. Apart from main processes like the membrane stabilization, cell wall organization, cuticle synthesis, plant growth and development, and signal transduction, nsLTPs have an active role in abiotic and biotic stress tolerance. Their structure consists of a conserved motif with eight-cysteine residues, stabilized by four disulfide bonds that make an inner hydrophobic cavity for ligand binding. This structural conformation renders stability and means for the transport of a variety of hydrophobic molecules. The nsLTPs possess significant inhibitory activity against the pathogenic microorganisms and thus make a part of the immunity in the plant’s defense system. Due to their small size, LTPs penetrate the fungal and bacterial membrane, creating pores that cause the efflux of the intracellular ions and eventually the cell death. Several genes encoding LTPs with antimicrobial potential have been integrated and overexpressed in plants either alone or in combination with other peptides for improved disease resistance. This review summarizes nsLTPs, their structural characteristics, and expression in various plant species to combat phytopathogens with enhanced disease resistance.

Key message

The development of classification system for nsLTPs, isolated from different plant species with their identified role.

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Data availability

The relevant research articles were reviewed for this article.

Code availability

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Abbreviations

ns-LTPs:

Nonspecific-lipid transfer proteins

AMPs:

Antimicrobial peptides

8CM:

Eight cysteine motif

PR:

Pathogenesis-related

3D:

Three dimensional

GPI:

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchor

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Funding

The authors would like to thank the Deanship of Scientific Research at Umm Al-Qura University for supporting this work by Grant Code: (22UQU4331128DSR51).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biotechnology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan

    Aneela Iqbal, Raham Sher Khan, Daud Ali Shah & Syeda Andleeb Hussain

  2. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, 21955, Saudi Arabia

    Ashraf N. Abdalla

  3. Department of Biochemistry, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan

    Abdul Wadood

  4. The Centre for Environment, Health and Field Sciences, Kashiwanoha Campus, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan

    Masahiro Mii

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  1. Aneela Iqbal
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  2. Raham Sher Khan
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Correspondence to Raham Sher Khan.

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Iqbal, A., Khan, R.S., Shah, D.A. et al. Lipid transfer proteins: structure, classification and prospects of genetic engineering for improved disease resistance in plants. Plant Cell Tiss Organ Cult 153, 3–17 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-023-02445-2

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