Characterization of a novel cysteine-rich antifungal protein from Fusarium graminearum with activity against maize fungal pathogens

• Published in: International journal of food microbiology Vol. 283; pp. 45 - 51
• Main Authors: Patiño, Belén, Vázquez, Covadonga, Manning, James M., Roncero, María Isabel G., Córdoba-Cañero, Dolores, Di Pietro, Antonio, Martínez-del-Pozo, Álvaro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 20.10.2018; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: AFP; Agricultural production; Antifungal activity; Antifungal agents; Antifungal Agents - chemistry; Antifungal Agents - metabolism; Antifungal Agents - pharmacology; Antimicrobial agents; Biological control; Corn; Cysteine; Cysteine - chemistry; Food contamination & poisoning; Food control; Fungi; Fungicides; Fusarium; Fusarium - chemistry; Fusarium - genetics; Fusarium - metabolism; Fusarium graminearum; Genomes; Maize; Pathogens; Peptides; Peptides - analysis; Peptides - metabolism; Peptides - pharmacology; Pichia pastoris; Plant diseases; Plant Diseases - microbiology; Polypeptides; Proteins; Yeast; Zea mays - microbiology; FgAFP; BMGH; DTT; Biological control; Food control; Corn; BMMH; Maize; AFP; GRAS
• ISSN: 0168-1605; 1879-3460
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2018.06.017

Filamentous fungi are an invaluable source for biocontrol strategies and for production and development of different antifungal polypeptides. Within this context, cysteine-rich antifungal AFP-like peptides stand out among many different antimicrobial compounds given their production easiness, stability, versatility, and efficacy. AFP from Aspergillus giganteus represents the hallmark of this still increasing family of antifungal polypeptides. Close in silico analyses of the Fusarium graminearum genome revealed the presence of an AFP-like peptide, here designated as FgAFP. This new peptide was cloned, produced in the yeast Pichia pastoris, and characterized. The results obtained showed its strong and specific antifungal activity against several well-recognized maize pathogens, but inefficacy against F. oxysporum, which has not been described as a natural biological competitor of other fungal pathogens assayed. All results together suggest that this small peptide is an important factor for the fungal interplays involved in maize infection and reveals unforeseen potential biotechnological applications for FgAFP in maize production and storage. •The genome of F. graminearum contains a small cysteine-rich antifungal AFP-like peptide (FgAFP).•This peptide has been produced in the yeast P. pastoris and purified to homogeneity in mg amounts.•Purified FgAFP shows strong specific antifungal activity against several well-known maize pathogens.•All results together reveal unforeseen potential applications for FgAFP in maize production and storage.