Host-defense activities of cyclotides.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Craik DJ
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3317112 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Feb
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Cyclotides are plant mini-proteins whose natural function is thought to be to protect plants from pest or pathogens, particularly insect pests. They are approximately 30 amino acids in size and are characterized by a cyclic peptide backbone and a cystine knot arrangement of three conserved disulfide bonds. This article provides an overview of the reported pesticidal or toxic activities of cyclotides, discusses a possible common mechanism of action involving disruption of biological membranes in ...[more]
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