The selenium-binding protein of Theobroma cacao: A thermostable protein involved in the witches’ broom disease resistance

• Published in: Plant physiology and biochemistry Vol. 142; pp. 472 - 481
• Main Authors: Martins Alves, Akyla Maria, Pereira Menezes, Sara, Matos Lima, Eline, Peres Gramacho, Karina, Silva Andrade, Bruno, Macêdo Ferreira, Monaliza, Pirovani, Carlos Priminho, Micheli, Fabienne
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: France Elsevier Masson SAS 01-09-2019; Elsevier
• Subjects: Gene expression; Life Sciences; Molecular docking; Moniliophthora perniciosa; Selenium; Vegetal Biology; Selenium; Moniliophthora perniciosa; Gene expression; Molecular docking
• ISSN: 0981-9428; 1873-2690
• DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2019.08.005

The selenium-binding proteins are known to be inducers of apoptosis in human and animals, and have been studied as target for the treatment of various types of cancer. In plants, SBP expression has been related to abiotic and biotic stress resistance. The SBP from Theobroma cacao (TcSBP) was first identified from a cocoa-Moniliophthora perniciosa cDNA library. The present study provides details on the TcSBP gene and protein structure. Multiple alignments revealed conserved domains between SBP from plants, human and archea. Homology modeling and molecular docking were performed and showed that the TcSBP has affinity to selenite in the active CSSC site. This result was confirmed by circular dichroism of the recombinant TcSBP, which also presented thermostable behavior. RT-qPCR analysis showed that TcSBP was differentially expressed in resistant vs susceptible cacao varieties inoculated by M. perniciosa and its expression was probably due to hormone induction via cis-regulating elements present in its promotor. The presence of the CSSC domain suggested that TcSBP acted by altering oxidation/reduction of proteins during H2O2 production and programmed cell death in the final stages of the witches’ broom disease. To our knowledge, this is the first in silico and in vitro analysis of the SBP from cacao.
•The present study provides details on the TcSBP gene and protein structure.•Cis-elements related to hormone signaling were found in the TcSBP promotor region.•Molecular docking showed that TcSBP has affinity to selenite in its CSSC site.•rTcSBP is a thermostable protein able to bind selenite in vitro.•TcSBP was differentially expressed in two cacao varieties infected by M. perniciosa.