Recombinant tritin protein exhibits antiviral activity against zucchini yellow mosaic virus
Abstract Background Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are a group of proteins known to inhibit protein synthesis and contribute to plant defense responses. Although the antiviral properties of various RIPs have been demonstrated, the antiviral potential of tritin, a type 1 RIP from bread wheat (...
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Plant Biology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-07080-x |
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| author | Serap Demi̇rel Mustafa Usta Gülüstan Korkmaz Zeynelabidin Kurt |
| author_facet | Serap Demi̇rel Mustafa Usta Gülüstan Korkmaz Zeynelabidin Kurt |
| author_sort | Serap Demi̇rel |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are a group of proteins known to inhibit protein synthesis and contribute to plant defense responses. Although the antiviral properties of various RIPs have been demonstrated, the antiviral potential of tritin, a type 1 RIP from bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), remains unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the antiviral activity of recombinant tritin against zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) in zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) plants. Methods The tritin gene was isolated from the wheat cultivar Kutluk-94, cloned into the pETDuet-1 expression vector, and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) cells. Following induction, recombinant tritin was purified using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. Antiviral activity was assessed by measuring morphological parameters, disease severity, and the expression levels of the ZYMV Coat Protein (CP) gene and the Pathogenesis-Related 1 (PR1) through quantitative real-time PCR. Results Tritin-treated plants exhibited significantly lower ZYMV-CP gene expression compared to virus-inoculated controls at 3- and 15- days post-inoculation. Furthermore, PR1 gene expression was upregulated in response to tritin application, suggesting the activation of systemic defense pathways. Morphological assessments revealed dose-dependent phytotoxic effects, including reductions in chlorophyll content and plant growth at higher tritin concentrations. Conclusion This study represents the first report in demonstrating that recombinant tritin exhibits antiviral activity against ZYMV, reducing viral replication and enhancing defense gene expression in zucchini plants. However, the phytotoxic effects observed at higher concentrations suggest the need for dose optimization before agricultural application. These findings provide a promising basis for the development of RIP-based antiviral strategies to improve crop tolerance. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a08f50f9ba954970a07cd5ad033e7d48 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1471-2229 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Plant Biology |
| spelling | doaj-art-a08f50f9ba954970a07cd5ad033e7d482025-08-20T03:04:27ZengBMCBMC Plant Biology1471-22292025-07-0125111410.1186/s12870-025-07080-xRecombinant tritin protein exhibits antiviral activity against zucchini yellow mosaic virusSerap Demi̇rel0Mustafa Usta1Gülüstan Korkmaz2Zeynelabidin Kurt3Molecular Biology and Genetic Department of Science Faculty, Van Yüzüncü Yıl UniversityPlant Protection Department of Agriculture Faculty, Van Yüzüncü Yıl UniversityRepublic of Türkiye Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry General Dırectorate of Agrıcultural Research and Policies Van Agricultural Resarch InstitutePlant Protection Department of Agriculture Faculty, Van Yüzüncü Yıl UniversityAbstract Background Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are a group of proteins known to inhibit protein synthesis and contribute to plant defense responses. Although the antiviral properties of various RIPs have been demonstrated, the antiviral potential of tritin, a type 1 RIP from bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), remains unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the antiviral activity of recombinant tritin against zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) in zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) plants. Methods The tritin gene was isolated from the wheat cultivar Kutluk-94, cloned into the pETDuet-1 expression vector, and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) cells. Following induction, recombinant tritin was purified using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. Antiviral activity was assessed by measuring morphological parameters, disease severity, and the expression levels of the ZYMV Coat Protein (CP) gene and the Pathogenesis-Related 1 (PR1) through quantitative real-time PCR. Results Tritin-treated plants exhibited significantly lower ZYMV-CP gene expression compared to virus-inoculated controls at 3- and 15- days post-inoculation. Furthermore, PR1 gene expression was upregulated in response to tritin application, suggesting the activation of systemic defense pathways. Morphological assessments revealed dose-dependent phytotoxic effects, including reductions in chlorophyll content and plant growth at higher tritin concentrations. Conclusion This study represents the first report in demonstrating that recombinant tritin exhibits antiviral activity against ZYMV, reducing viral replication and enhancing defense gene expression in zucchini plants. However, the phytotoxic effects observed at higher concentrations suggest the need for dose optimization before agricultural application. These findings provide a promising basis for the development of RIP-based antiviral strategies to improve crop tolerance.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-07080-xRibosome-inactivating proteinRecombinant proteinTritinAntiviral effectZYMV |
| spellingShingle | Serap Demi̇rel Mustafa Usta Gülüstan Korkmaz Zeynelabidin Kurt Recombinant tritin protein exhibits antiviral activity against zucchini yellow mosaic virus BMC Plant Biology Ribosome-inactivating protein Recombinant protein Tritin Antiviral effect ZYMV |
| title | Recombinant tritin protein exhibits antiviral activity against zucchini yellow mosaic virus |
| title_full | Recombinant tritin protein exhibits antiviral activity against zucchini yellow mosaic virus |
| title_fullStr | Recombinant tritin protein exhibits antiviral activity against zucchini yellow mosaic virus |
| title_full_unstemmed | Recombinant tritin protein exhibits antiviral activity against zucchini yellow mosaic virus |
| title_short | Recombinant tritin protein exhibits antiviral activity against zucchini yellow mosaic virus |
| title_sort | recombinant tritin protein exhibits antiviral activity against zucchini yellow mosaic virus |
| topic | Ribosome-inactivating protein Recombinant protein Tritin Antiviral effect ZYMV |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-07080-x |
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