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Characterization of alpha-amylase inhibitor from Palo Fierro seeds

A M Guzman-Partida1, O Jatomea-Fino, M R Robles-Burgueño

  • 1Centro de Investigacion en Alimentacion y Desarrollo, A.C., Ciencia de los Alimentos, Apartado Postal 1735, 83000 Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico.

Plant Physiology and Biochemistry : PPB
|September 4, 2007
PubMed

Insights

A novel alpha amylase inhibitor (alphaAI-PF) from Palo Fierro seeds effectively inhibits porcine pancreatic alpha-amylase (PPA). This purified protein shows high homology to other known PPA inhibitors.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Plant Science
  • Enzymology

Background:

  • Alpha-amylase inhibitors are proteins that can block the activity of alpha-amylase enzymes.
  • These inhibitors have potential applications in managing metabolic disorders like diabetes and in pest control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To purify and characterize an alpha-amylase inhibitor from Palo Fierro seeds.
  • To investigate the inhibitory activity of the purified inhibitor against different alpha-amylase sources.

Main Methods:

  • Affinity chromatography using a fetuin-fractogel column.
  • Anionic exchange chromatography for protein purification.
  • Molecular mass determination and isoelectric point (pI) analysis.
  • Enzyme inhibition assays against porcine pancreatic alpha-amylase (PPA) and Zabrotes subfasciatus alpha-amylase (ZSA).

Main Results:

  • Purification of alpha-amylase inhibitor from Palo Fierro seeds (alphaAI-PF) with a molecular mass of 77kDa (two subunits: 15.8 and 17.4 kDa).
  • The inhibitor is nonglycosylated with a pI of 4.7.
  • alphaAI-PF demonstrated significant inhibitory activity against PPA but minimal activity against ZSA.
  • Peptide analysis revealed high homology to alphaAI-1 from Phaseolus vulgaris, a known PPA inhibitor.

Conclusions:

  • Palo Fierro seeds contain a potent alpha-amylase inhibitor (alphaAI-PF) that specifically targets porcine pancreatic alpha-amylase.
  • The inhibitor's characteristics and homology suggest a conserved inhibitory mechanism among plant-derived alpha-amylase inhibitors.
  • Further research into alphaAI-PF could explore its therapeutic or agricultural applications.

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