Thionins: potential use in plant defense against pathogens
Roohallah Saberi Riseh1, Fariba Fathi2, Masoumeh Vatankhah2
1Departement of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan, 7718897111, Rafsanjan, Iran. r.saberi@vru.ac.ir.
Plant Molecular Biology
|June 26, 2025
Summary
Thionins, plant defense peptides, offer eco-friendly pest control by disrupting pathogen membranes. Innovations are needed to overcome stability and delivery challenges for sustainable agriculture.
Area of Science:
- Plant science
- Biochemistry
- Agricultural science
Background:
- Thionins are small, cationic plant peptides with potent antimicrobial properties.
- They are integral to plant defense mechanisms, targeting pathogen cell membranes and activating immune responses.
- Their natural origin and broad-spectrum activity position them as sustainable alternatives to chemical pesticides.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the diverse biological functions and molecular mechanisms of thionins.
- To explore their potential applications in agriculture, focusing on integrated pest management.
- To discuss challenges and innovative solutions for thionin implementation in crop protection.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of thionin research.
- Analysis of biological functions and antimicrobial mechanisms.
- Evaluation of agricultural applications and implementation strategies.
Main Results:
- Thionins exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and play a key role in plant immunity.
- Potential applications in agriculture include eco-friendly pest management and enhanced crop resilience.
- Challenges such as peptide stability and specificity require innovative solutions like encapsulation and targeted delivery.
Conclusions:
- Thionins are promising tools for sustainable agriculture, reducing reliance on synthetic pesticides.
- Overcoming limitations through technological innovation is crucial for practical implementation.
- Further research and collaboration are essential to harness thionins for climate-resilient crop protection and food security.
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