Isolation of a new cyclophilin-like protein from chickpeas with mitogenic, antifungal and anti-HIV-1 reverse transcriptase activities

<i>In Vitro</i> Antimicrobial Activities of <i>Cicer arietinum</i> L (Chickpea)

“…In a previous study, several proteins, including a glucanase, a chitinase, an antifungal cyclophyllin-like protein, and three antifungal peptides designated cicerin, arietin, and cicearin were isolated from the chickpea (Cicer arietinum L) by Chu et al [3]. The antifungal protein, designated 'chickpea cyclophilin-like antifungal protein', has been isolated from seeds of the chickpea [4]. It possesses a molecular weight of 18kDa and an N-terminal sequence with resemblance to cyclophilin.…”

“…Ye et al reported the isolation of two antifungal peptides with novel N-terminal sequences from chickpea [4]. Although the two chickpea peptides, cicerin and arietin, were similar in molecular weight (5 -8 kDa), they differed somewhat in antifungal activity.…”

“…Although the two chickpea peptides, cicerin and arietin, were similar in molecular weight (5 -8 kDa), they differed somewhat in antifungal activity. Arietin was more potent against M. arachidicola, B. cinerea, and F. oxysporum while cicerin exhibited a higher cell-free translation-inhibiting activity than arietin [4]. Cicerarin, a novel peptide with potent antifungal activity, was isolated from the green chickpea and has been reported to exert antifungal activity against Botrytis cinere, Mycosphaerelle arachidicola and Physalospora piricola [3].…”

“…Therefore, it is worthwhile to study plants and plant products for activity against microorganisms. One approach that has been used for the discovery of antimicrobial agents from plants is based on the evaluation of traditional medicinal plant extracts [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9].…”

“…On the other hand, the protein was also capable of inhibiting human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1; RNA viruses) reverse transcriptase [4].…”