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First cyclotide from Hybanthus (Violaceae)
A M Broussalis1, U Göransson, J D Coussio
1Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco (IQUIMEFA) (UBA-CONICET), Cátedra de Farmacognosia, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Phytochemistry
|August 29, 2001
Summary
Researchers discovered Hypa A, a novel cyclotide from the Argentine plant Hybanthus parviflorus. This 30-amino acid polypeptide features three disulfide bonds, expanding the known distribution of cyclotides.
Area of Science:
- Natural Product Chemistry
- Plant Biochemistry
- Peptide Science
Background:
- Macrocyclic polypeptides, known as cyclotides, are plant-derived peptides with unique structural and biological properties.
- The known distribution of cyclotides was primarily limited to certain plant families.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize a novel macrocyclic polypeptide from Hybanthus parviflorus.
- To determine the amino acid sequence and structural features of the isolated peptide.
- To classify the peptide and expand the known genus of cyclotides.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of the peptide from the n-butanol extract of Hybanthus parviflorus.
- Determination of the amino acid sequence using automated Edman degradation and quantitative amino acid analysis.
- Structural elucidation using nanospray tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS).
Main Results:
- A novel 30-amino acid macrocyclic polypeptide, named Hypa A, was isolated.
- The amino acid sequence cyclo-(SCVYIPCTITALLGCSCKNKVCYNGIPCAE) was determined.
- Three intramolecular disulfide bridges were identified, stabilizing the peptide backbone.
Conclusions:
- Hypa A is classified as a cyclotide based on its structural features.
- The discovery of Hypa A extends the known distribution of cyclotides to a new genus.
- A uniform nomenclature for cyclotides is proposed to standardize classification.