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MDPI, Toxins, 2(4), p. 139-156, 2012

DOI: 10.3390/toxins4020139

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Host-Defense Activities of Cyclotides

Journal article published in 2012 by David J. Craik ORCID
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Abstract

Cyclotides are plant mini-proteins whose natural function is thought to be to protect plants from pest or pathogens, particularly insect pests. They are approximately 30 amino acids in size and are characterized by a cyclic peptide backbone and a cystine knot arrangement of three conserved disulfide bonds. This article provides an overview of the reported pesticidal or toxic activities of cyclotides, discusses a possible common mechanism of action involving disruption of biological membranes in pest species, and describes methods that can be used to produce cyclotides for potential applications as novel pesticidal agents.