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Inhibition of Aspergillus flavus Growth and Aflatoxin Production in Transgenic Maize Expressing the α-amylase Inhibitor from Lablab purpureus L.
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Published on: February 15, 2019

A Corn Trypsin Inhibitor with Antifungal Activity Inhibits Aspergillus flavus alpha-Amylase

Z Y Chen, R L Brown, J S Russin

    Phytopathology
    |October 24, 2008
    PubMed

    Insights

    Corn trypsin inhibitor (TI) prevents fungal growth by reducing fungal alpha-amylase production and activity. Adding external alpha-amylase reverses this inhibition, suggesting TI

    Area of Science:

    • Biochemistry
    • Plant Pathology
    • Mycology

    Background:

    • Corn trypsin inhibitor (TI) is known to inhibit fungal growth and is linked to host resistance against aflatoxin production.
    • Fungal alpha-amylase plays a crucial role in starch metabolism, providing essential simple sugars for fungal growth.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the interaction between corn trypsin inhibitor (TI) and fungal alpha-amylase production and activity.
    • To elucidate the mechanism by which TI affects fungal growth, particularly in relation to carbohydrate availability.

    Main Methods:

    • Assessing fungal growth inhibition by TI in potato dextrose broth (PDB) medium.
    • Evaluating the effect of exogenous alpha-amylase on TI-mediated fungal growth inhibition.
    • Measuring fungal alpha-amylase production and enzymatic activity in the presence of varying TI concentrations.
    • Analyzing the impact of TI on amyloglucosidase production.

    Main Results:

    • TI's inhibition of fungal growth was reversed by the addition of exogenous alpha-amylase.
    • TI inhibited fungal production and reduced the activity of extracellular alpha-amylase in Aspergillus flavus.
    • TI stimulated amyloglucosidase production in the early stages of fungal growth.

    Conclusions:

    • Corn trypsin inhibitor (TI) may contribute to corn genotype resistance against Aspergillus flavus infection by limiting fungal alpha-amylase and simple sugar availability.
    • Further in vivo studies are required to understand the relationship between TI levels and fungal alpha-amylase expression.

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