Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
Cell Mol Life Sci. 2010 Jan;67(1):9-16. doi: 10.1007/s00018-009-0159-3. Epub 2009 Oct 1.
Cyclotides are disulfide-rich peptides from plants that are exceptionally stable as a result of their unique cyclic cystine knot structural motif. Their natural role is thought to be as plant defence agents, most notably against insect pests, but they also have potential applications in drug design and agriculture. This article identifies gaps in current knowledge on cyclotides and suggests future directions for research into this fascinating family of ultra-stable mini-proteins.
环肽是一类富含二硫键的植物肽,由于其独特的环半胱氨酸结结构基序,具有异常的稳定性。它们的自然作用被认为是作为植物防御剂,最显著的是对抗昆虫害虫,但它们也有可能在药物设计和农业方面得到应用。本文确定了目前对环肽认识上的差距,并为这一迷人的超稳定小蛋白家族的研究提出了未来的方向。