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Updated: May 21, 2026

Identification of Post-translational Modifications of Plant Protein Complexes
Published on: February 22, 2014
Circular proteins from plants and fungi
Ulf Göransson1, Robert Burman, Sunithi Gunasekera
1Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, SE-75123 Uppsala, Sweden. ulf.goransson@fkog.uu.se
Circular proteins are head-to-tail cyclized polypeptides with potential in crop protection and pharmaceuticals. This review covers cyclotides, sunflower trypsin inhibitors, and Amanita toxins, exploring their origin, structure, and activity.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry and Natural Product Chemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Protein Engineering
Background:
- Circular proteins are ribosomal synthesized polypeptides with a head-to-tail cyclized structure.
- These natural products are gaining interest due to their unique structure and potential applications.
- Their natural occurrence, formation, and biological roles are areas of active scientific inquiry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on three families of circular proteins: cyclotides, circular sunflower trypsin inhibitors, and Amanita toxins.
- To discuss their biological origin, structure, and activity.
- To explore opportunities for discovering novel circular proteins and their mechanisms of action.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing research on cyclotides, circular sunflower trypsin inhibitors, and Amanita toxins.
- Analysis of biological origin, structural characteristics, and functional activities.
- Discussion of potential applications and future research directions.
Main Results:
- Detailed overview of cyclotides from plants, circular sunflower trypsin inhibitors, and fungal Amanita toxins.
- Emphasis on the biological origin, structural features, and diverse activities of these proteins.
- Exploration of the potential for novel circular protein discovery and insights into their mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Circular proteins represent a promising class of natural products with significant potential in various fields.
- Further research into their discovery, synthesis, and application is warranted.
- Understanding their unique structures and functions can drive innovation in crop protection and medicine.
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