Biotechnological Potential of Araucaria angustifolia Pine Nuts Extract and the Cysteine Protease Inhibitor AaCI-2S

Author(s)

Sallai, Roberto Carlos ^{[1, 2]} ; Salu, Bruno Ramos ^[1] ; Silva-Lucca, Rosemeire Aparecida ^[3] ; Alves, Flivio Lopes ^[1] ; Napoleao, Thiago Henrique ^[4] ; Guedes Paiva, Patricia Maria ^[4] ; Ferreira, Rodrigo da Silva ^[1] ; Sampaio, Misako Uemura ^[1] ; Vilela Oliva, Maria Luiza ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Bioquim, Escola Paulista Med, Rua Tres de Maio 100, BR-04044020 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Ctr Univ Fundacao Santo Andre, Av Principe Gales 821, BR-09060650 Santo Andre, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Estadual Oeste Parana, Ctr Engn & Ciencias Exatas, Unioeste, Campus Toledo, R Fac 645, BR-85903000 Toledo - Spain

^[4] Univ Fed Pernambuco, Dept Bioquim, Av Moraes Rego S-N, Cidade Univ, BR-50670420 Recife, PE - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLANTS-BASEL; v. 9, n. 12 DEC 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Protease inhibitors are involved in the regulation of endogenous cysteine proteases during seed development and play a defensive role because of their ability to inhibit exogenous proteases such as those present in the digestive tracts of insects. Araucaria angustifolia seeds, which can be used in human and animal feed, were investigated for their potential for the development of agricultural biotechnology and in the field of human health. In the pine nuts extract, which blocked the activities of cysteine proteases, it was detected potent insecticidal activity against termites (Nasutitermes corniger) belonging to the most abundant termite genus in tropical regions. The cysteine inhibitor (AaCI-2S) was purified by ion-exchange, size exclusion, and reversed-phase chromatography. Its functional and structural stability was confirmed by spectroscopic and circular dichroism studies, and by detection of inhibitory activity at different temperatures and pH values. Besides having activity on cysteine proteases from C. maculatus digestive tract, AaCI-2S inhibited papain, bromelain, ficin, and cathepsin L and impaired cell proliferation in gastric and prostate cancer cell lines. These properties qualify A. angustifolia seeds as a protein source with value properties of natural insecticide and to contain a protease inhibitor with the potential to be a bioactive molecule on different cancer cells. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/07972-9 - Development of lead agents for prophylaxis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases
• Grantee: Maria Luiza Vilela Oliva
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/06630-7 - Fragments derived from the structure of protease inhibitors with selectivity for inhibition of mammalian and microorganism enzymes and its role as an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antithrombotic and anti- tumor agent: mechanism of action
• Grantee: Maria Luiza Vilela Oliva
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants