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Simone Di Gennaro, Anna G. Ficca, Daniela Panichi, Elia Poerio

cDNA cloning and heterologous expression of a wheat proteinase inhibitor of subtilisin and chymotrypsin (WSCI) that interferes with digestive enzymes of insect pests

Keywords: cDNA cloning, E. coli, insect proteinases, proteinase inhibitor, recombinant expression, wheat proteinase

A cDNA encoding the proteinase inhibitor WSCI (wheat subtilisin/chymotrypsin inhibitor) was isolated by RT-PCR. Degenerate oligonucleotide primers were designed based on the amino acid sequence of WSCI and on the nucleotide sequence of the two homologous inhibitors (CI-2A and CI-2B) isolated from barley. For large-scale production, wsci cDNA was cloned into the E. coli vector pGEX-2T. The fusion protein GST-WSCI was efficiently produced in the bacterial expression system and, as the native inhibitor, was capable of inhibiting bacterial subtilisin, mammalian chymotrypsins and chymotrypsin-like activities present in crude extracts of a number of insect larvae (Helicoverpa armigera, Plodia interpunctella and Tenebrio molitor). The recombinant protein produced was also able to interfere with chymotrypsin-like activity isolated from immature wheat caryopses. These findings support a physiological role for this inhibitor during grain maturation.

Biological Chemistry, Walter de Gruyter

Print ISSN: 1431-6730
Volume: 386, 04/2005
Pages: 383 - 389

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