Maquiberry Cystatins: Recombinant Expression, Characterization, and Use to Protect Tooth Dentin and Enamel

Author(s)

de Souza, Eduardo Pereira ; Ferro, Milene ; Pela, Vinicius Taioqui ; Fernanda-Carlos, Thais ; Borges, Cecilia Guimaraes Giannico ; Taira, Even Akemi ; Ventura, Talita Mendes Oliveira ; Arencibia, Ariel Domingo ; Buzalaf, Marilia Afonso Rabelo ; Henrique-Silva, Flavio

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: BIOMEDICINES; v. 11, n. 5, p. 18-pg., 2023-05-04.

Abstract

Phytocystatins are proteinaceous competitive inhibitors of cysteine peptidases involved in physiological and defensive roles in plants. Their application as potential therapeutics for human disorders has been suggested, and the hunt for novel cystatin variants in different plants, such as maqui (Aristotelia chilensis), is pertinent. Being an understudied species, the biotechnological potential of maqui proteins is little understood. In the present study, we constructed a transcriptome of maqui plantlets using next-generation sequencing, in which we found six cystatin sequences. Five of them were cloned and recombinantly expressed. Inhibition assays were performed against papain and human cathepsins B and L. Maquicystatins can inhibit the proteases in nanomolar order, except MaquiCPIs 4 and 5, which inhibit cathepsin B in micromolar order. This suggests maquicystatins' potential use for treating human diseases. In addition, since we previously demonstrated the efficacy of a sugarcane-derived cystatin to protect dental enamel, we tested the ability of MaquiCPI-3 to protect both dentin and enamel. Both were protected by this protein (by One-way ANOVA and Tukey's Multiple Comparisons Test, p < 0.05), suggesting its potential usage in dental products. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/26070-1 - Modulation of acquired enamel pellicle to control dental mineral loss: unravelling mechanisms to make therapies possible
• Grantee: Marília Afonso Rabelo Buzalaf
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 22/13268-0 - Evaluation of the protective potential of CaneCPI-5, Stn15pSpS or Hb, alone or in combination against erosive challenges in vivo: comparison between mouthwash solutions and orodispersible films
• Grantee: Vinícius Taioqui Pelá
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 21/11152-2 - Acquired pellicle engineering with a new cystatin derived from Maqui Berry (Aristotelia chilensis - MaquiCPI-3): defining concentrations for the prevention of enamel and dentin erosion in vitro
• Grantee: Cecília Guimarães Giannico Borges
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation