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Glucose-Binding Dioclea bicolor Lectin (DBL): Purification, Characterization, Structural Analysis, and Antibacterial
Willian F Reis1, Marcos E S Silva2,3, Ana C S Gondim4
1Departamento de Ciências da Natureza E da Terra, Universidade Do Estado de Minas Gerais, Unidade de Divinópolis, Divinópolis, MG, Brazil.
A lectin from Dioclea bicolor seeds (DBL) shows antimicrobial properties and inhibits biofilm formation. DBL works synergistically with antibiotics like ampicillin and tetracycline, offering potential therapeutic applications.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Lectins are proteins known for carbohydrate binding.
- Plant-derived lectins have diverse biological activities.
- Dioclea bicolor lectin (DBL) is a novel lectin with potential applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To purify and characterize Dioclea bicolor lectin (DBL).
- To investigate the antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties of DBL.
- To explore the synergistic effects of DBL with antibiotics.
Main Methods:
- Affinity purification and electrophoresis for DBL isolation and subunit analysis.
- Gel filtration chromatography for native molecular mass determination.
- Hemagglutination assays, amino acid sequencing, circular dichroism, and protein structure prediction.
- Molecular docking to analyze ligand interactions.
- Antimicrobial activity assays (MIC), synergy testing, biofilm inhibition assays, and cytotoxicity tests.
Main Results:
- DBL was purified as a tetramer with α, β, and γ subunits (29, 14, 12 kDa).
- DBL exhibits antimicrobial activity (MIC 125 μg/mL) and inhibits biofilm formation.
- DBL shows synergistic effects with ampicillin and tetracycline, with no toxicity in murine fibroblasts.
- Structural analysis revealed a β-sheet secondary structure and a β-sandwich monomer structure.
Conclusions:
- DBL possesses significant antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities.
- DBL enhances the efficacy of conventional antibiotics through synergistic interactions.
- DBL is a promising candidate for developing novel antimicrobial therapies.
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