Soybean cyst nematode (H. glycines), reniform nematode (R. reniformis), and Root-Knot nematode (M. incognita) are three damaging plant-parasitic nematodes on soybean. Syntaxin proteins are involved in the process of membrane fusion. T wo G. max syntaxin genes (Gm-SYP22-1, and Gm-SYP22-2) that were similar in amino acid composition have been found to contribute to the ability of Glycine max to defend itself from infection by the plant parasitic nematode Heterodera glycines. Syntaxin genes SYP22-1 and SYP22-2 were identified to be expressed specifically in syncytia undergoing a resistant reaction to H. glycines parasitism. The Gm-SYP22-1 and Gm-SYP22-2 genes were isolated by molecular means and genetically engineered in G. max [Williams 82/PI 518671], a genotype typically susceptible to H. glycines parasitism. Genetically engineered control plants in G. max [Williams 82/PI 518671] that lack the overexpression of Gm-SYP22-1 or Gm-SYP22-2 genes were produced to serve as a comparison. The transgenic Gm-SYP22-1 or Gm-SYP22-2 overexpression lines with their pRAP15 control have then been infected with H. glycines. In another study, tests include three separate tests in 2015 and one test in 2016 that evaluated different biological products, application rates and product combinations as seed treatments on soybeans. Results collected from soybean plants that were infested with either H. glycines, M. incognita or R. reniformis indicated that many of these biological products significantly reduced the nematode reproduction compared to control. The number of cyst, juveniles, and eggs recovered were significantly reduced compared with the non-treated control. Other findings identified Burkholderia renojensis variant 2 (BioST Nematicide) as being a more consistent nematicide candidate when referencing data from all nematodes and rate ranges. Combinations of B. renojensis variant 2 with selected SAR (systemic acquired resistant) products numerically improved the efficacy and consistency of the biological nematicide. Another study focused about investigated of biological seed treatments on H. glycines, and F. virguliforme indicated that many of these biological products significantly reduced the nematode reproduction over the fungicide only check. Foliar disease severity happened more in the treatments that infested with H. glycines + F. virguliforme combination than F. virguliforme alone.

OLIVEIRA, Hermógenes David de. Toxinas protéicas de sementes de soja [Glycine Max (L.) Merr.]: aspectos moleculares e funcionais. 2009. 179 f. Tese (Doutorado em Bioquímica)-Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza-CE, 2009. / Submitted by Eric Santiago (erichhcl@gmail.com) on 2016-07-20T13:47:53Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2009_tese_hdoliveira.pdf: 22424370 bytes, checksum: c91e302e7e8a350dc5032a3db4a9415d (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by José Jairo Viana de Sousa (jairo@ufc.br) on 2016-08-02T20:35:22Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2009_tese_hdoliveira.pdf: 22424370 bytes, checksum: c91e302e7e8a350dc5032a3db4a9415d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-02T20:35:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2009_tese_hdoliveira.pdf: 22424370 bytes, checksum: c91e302e7e8a350dc5032a3db4a9415d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / Soybean provides significant sources of fatty acids and proteins for human and animal nutrition and also has non-food uses. Conditions in almost all cultivated land are sub-optimal for plant growth as a result of the increasing incidence of diseases, even in developed agricultural systems. To meet these challenges, genes and proteins that control their resistance to a wide range of pathogens need to be identified and characterized to facilitate improvements in crop productivity. The main focus in this thesis has been to characterize (providing basic information about biochemical characteristics) and study the functional role of SYTX-2 (28 kDa) and SBTX (44 kDa), two toxic proteins isolated from soybean seeds, in plant defense against pathogens. The SYTX-2 was purified by a combination of ammonium sulphate fractionation and two chromatographic steps. Bidimensional electrophoresis of this protein revealed the presence of two spots (27.3 e 27.2 kDa), with isoeletric points values corresponding to 5.11 and 5.24, respectively, exhibiting the same N-terminal sequence (KTISSEDSPFFNCREK). SYTX-2 has also ribonuclease activity (1821.42 ± 3.34 UA. h-1 mgP), similar to that described in Vigna unguiculata leaves. The CD spectrum of SYTX-2 presents an alpha-beta profile spectrum, similar to the structure described to SBTX. Regarding to the temperature exposure, monitored by CD, it was observed that the structure of SYTX-2 is vulnerable to the temperatures above 40 ºC. The fluorescence spectra of Soyatoxin-2 marked a maximum emission of fluorescence at 323-333 nm and confirmed that the tertiary structure of this protein was correctly folded. SYTX-2 behaves as a hemilectin: it does not directly promote agglutination of red blood cells, but toxin-treated erythrocytes are readily agglutinated in the presence of anti-SYTX-2 antibodies. ELISA assays showed that SYTX-2 was exuded during seed imbibition, the maximum level of exuded toxin (6.16 ± 0.08 µg/seed) detected being at 18 h after the start of imbibition. The expression profiles of SYTX-2 in various soybean tissues were investigated with ELISA assay or Dot Blot analysis. The expression analysis suggested that SYTX-2 was clearly detected in seed coat, leaves, roots and also in stems. However, expression of SYTX-2 in roots is higher than that in leaves and stems. A strong induction of SYTX-2 expression was also observed in wounded leaves 6 h after treatment and it decreased thereafter. In vitro, antifungal activity of SYTX-2 was not detected against R. solani, Phomopsis sp. and F. solani f.sp glycines, but this protein inhibits C. albicans growth. Nematicidal effects of SYTX-2 were studied in vitro against Meloidogyne incognita nematode and the toxin (11µg/nematode) showed a high nematicidal activity, with the mortality of 85%, after six hours contact and of 100%, after 24 h of incubation. This work also describes the isolation, sequencing and functional analysis of cDNA (815 pb) encoding 27 kDa subunit of soybean toxin (SBTX). CDNA was amplified using a forward primer designed based on the N-terminal sequence of the toxin in combination of primer AP. The genomic location of the 27 kDa SBTX subunit SBTX was preliminarily determined with the mapped soybean ESTs database (www.phytozome.net) at Gm04 and Gm06 chromosome of soybean and thus may have two copies per genome. The deduced protein sequence of 219 amino acids (MW of mature protein 21.7 kDa, pI 9.3) included an N-terminal signal peptide. EST’s encoding 27 kDa subunit SBTX were present in cotyledons, leaves, and seedlings and the expression of 27 kDa subunit SBTX was also induced in tissues by P. sojae and F. solani f. sp. glycines infection and by abiotic stress. In addition to these blocks, the 27 kDa deduced protein sequence contains a putative Ser/Tyr/Thr phosphorylation and also contains eight potential N-linked glycosylation sites and a threonine/serine-rich region which is a potential site for attachment of O-linked carbohydrate. Potential sites for pepsin, trypsin and chymotrypsin hydrolysis were also detected. The results add a new dimension to toxins SBTX and SYTX functionalities and support the concept that these proteins act protecting soybean against pathogens / A soja (Glycine max) é uma espécie de grande valor econômico para o Brasil dada a multiplicidade de uso de seus grãos na alimentação animal e na indústria. Embora o Brasil seja o segundo maior produtor mundial dos grãos, as perdas na produtividade em campo ainda são consideráveis, principalmente àquelas causadas por nematóides do gênero Meloidogyne e por fungos fitopatogênicos. Mesmo com a existência de alternativas químicas para o controle dessas espécies, bem como com a existência de genótipos resistentes, as perdas agrícolas ainda são consideráveis, mostrando que a busca por mecanismos naturais de resistência ambientalmente seguros são práticas necessárias para o controle de pragas e patógenos e para a melhoria na produtividade. Este trabalho objetivou caracterizar bioquímica e funcionalmente duas toxinas protéicas isoladas de sementes de soja, bem como avaliar os seus papéis na defesa contra patógenos de importância agronômica para essa espécie. Foi mostrado experimentalmente que SYTX-2 (28 kDa) é uma proteína ácida encontrada em duas isoformas (27,3 e 27,2 kDa) de pI’s 5,11 e 5,24, as quais apresentam a mesma extremidade NH2-Terminal (KTISSEDSPFFNCREK). A análise por dicroísmo circular mostrou que a SYTX-2 apresenta um espectro típico de proteínas que apresentam α-hélice e folhas-β, sendo essa estrutura semelhante àquela já descrita para a SBTX. Esses padrões são gradualmente perdidos quando a proteína é aquecida de 25 a 95 ºC. Os espectros de emissão em 280 e 295 nm (323 e 313 nm, máximo) mostraram padrões típicos de resíduos de triptofano presentes no interior da estrutura terciária. SYTX-2 é uma hemilectina capaz de aglutinar indiretamente eritrócitos de coelho em presença de anticorpos policlonais anti-SYTX-2, sendo essa atividade inibida por D-manose. Além disso, in vitro, SYTX-2 apresentou atividade ribonucleásica, cuja atividade específica (1821,42 ± 3,34 UA. h-1 mgP) foi semelhante àquela descrita para a ribonuclease de raízes de V. unguiculata. Foi observado que SYTX-2 está presente na casca das sementes em teores menores do que os observados para os cotilédones, além de se distribuir também em raízes, caules e folhas. As raízes jovens apresentam os maiores teores de SYTX-2 (62,62 ± 10,10 µg de SYTX-2/g de tecido) sendo essa expressão triplicada em tecidos adultos (195,12 ± 35,54 µg/g de tecido). Em pH 5,0 essa proteína é exsudada das sementes ao longo de 24 h, sendo o pico de exsudação mostrado 18 h após o contato com o tampão (6,16 ± 0,08 µgP de SYTX-2/semente ). Tal como descrito para muitas proteínas de defesa, SYTX-2 foi induzida 6 h após a injúria mecânica de folhas (de 6,7 para 10,46 µg de SYTX-2/ g de tecido), retornando aos valores normais 24 h após a lesão. In vitro SYTX-2 apresentou uma potente atividade nematicida contra M. incognita Raça 4, induzindo a mortalidade de 85% dos J2 6h após incubação com a proteína, e de 100% após 24 h. Essa toxina também foi capaz de inibir (20%) o crescimento de C. albicans, embora não tenha sido efetiva em inibir a germinação de esporos de fungos fitopatogênicos (R. solani, Phomopsis sp. e F. solani f.sp glycines). Este trabalho também descreve o isolamento, a clonagem e a caracterização do cDNA da subunidade de 27 kDa da SBTX (44 kDa). O cDNA foi isolado a partir de um pool de RNA extraído de sementes 15, 25 e 35 dias após a antese, utilizando iniciadores desenhados a partir do NH2-terminal das duas subunidades da proteína (27 e 17 kDa). Evidências experimentais sugerem fortemente que as duas subunidades da proteína são codificadas por genes diferentes. A subunidade de 27 kDa da SBTX apresenta um cDNA de 815 pb, composto por uma ORF de 660 nucleotídeos, codificante para uma proteína com 219 resíduos de aminoácidos. A sequência do cDNA da SBTX foi detectada em dois cromossomos (04 e 06) e a busca por EST’s para essa proteína, mostrou que além de ser expressa em todo o vegetal, níveis elevados de transcritos são observados após a infecção contra P. sojae e F. solani f. sp. glycines, evidenciando seu importante papel na defesa contra fungos fitopatogênicos. A sequência deduzida de aminoácidos da subunidade de 27 kDa apresenta um peptídeo sinal de 26 resíduos de aminoácidos, clivado para a produção da proteína madura, que apresenta, portanto, massa molecular de 21,7 kDa e pI 9,3, sendo uma proteína básica. Na sequência de aminoácidos da subunidade de 27 kDa também foram identificados: um resíduo de cisteína, envolvido na formação de uma ponte dissulfeto com a subunidade de 17 kDa, 11 sítios de fosforilação em Ser, Thr ou Tyr, 8 sítios de glicosilação para GlcNAc e um sítio para adição de oligossacarídeos tipo mucina (GalNAc). A toxina também apresenta sítios de clivagem para pepsina, tripsina e quimiotripsina que podem justificar a ausência de toxicidade observada em camundongos após administração oral. SYTX-2 e SBTX foram mostradas através de uma caracterização estrutural ainda mais completa que as descritas por Sousa (2006) e Siebra (2004) e as informações obtidas permitiram definir que essas proteínas são parte importante da defesa da soja contra fungos fitopatogênicos e nematóides. Além de inéditos e de extrema relevância, todos esses dados darão subsídios para estudos posteriores que objetivem, para SYTX-2, determinar sua microestrutura protéica e isolamento gênico e, para SBTX, realização de projetos futuros, visando o desenvolvimento de plantas transgênicas com uma maior resistência a fungos

Les nématodes à galles (RKN), Meloidogyne spp. sont des petits vers parasites qui infectent les racines des plantes où ils induisent la formation de sites nourriciers. Les RKN sont des endoparasites à large gamme d'hôtes, englobant les principales espèces de plantes cultivées. Meloidogyne javanica, M. graminicola et M. incognita sont les principales espèces parasitant le riz (Oryza sativa). Le succès infectieux des RKN repose sur la production de protéines effecteurs de virulence, secrétées dans leurs glandes oesophagiennes et libérées dans les cellules de la plante hôte par leur stylet. La caractéristique principale des RKN est leur capacité à déréguler des cellules du parenchyme vasculaire pour induire la formation de cellules géantes multinucléées, à haute activité métabolique. Les processus moléculaires sous-jacents restent encore mal connus, alors que l’identification d’effecteurs de virulence et de leurs cibles végétales pourrait fournir de nouvelles perspectives pour le contrôle des RKN. Ainsi, les objectifs de cette étude étaient (1) d’évaluer le rôle de protéines de Meloidogyne sécrétées (MSP) au cours des interactions riz - RKN et (2) d'identifier des cibles des MSP parmi les principales protéines Hub d’Arabidopsis thaliana impliquées dans l'immunité des plantes, afin d'évaluer la fonction putative des MSP dans les cellules hôtes. Pour la première partie de notre étude, nous avons sélectionné trois MSP exprimées dans les glandes oesophagiennes et possiblement sécrétées. L’analyse de l’expression des gènes par RT-qPCR a montré que MSP2 est fortement exprimé dans les premiers stades du cycle du nématode, tandis que MSP18 et MSP19 sont activés au cours du parasitisme dans les racines du riz. Les essais de localisation subcellulaire dans les cellules d'oignon ont identifié le noyau (pour MSP2) et le cytoplasme (pour MSP7 et MSP18) comme compartiments cellulaires ciblés par les protéines du nématode. Des plants de riz (O. sativa Nipponbare) transgéniques ont été produits pour évaluer le rôle des MSP au cours des interactions riz-RKN. Des lignées de riz surexprimant MSP18 ont permis un taux de reproduction plus élevé de M. javanica et M. graminicola. Au contraire, des retards de développement et de reproduction de M. javanica ont été observés sur des lignées de riz exprimant des micro-RNAs capables de supprimer l’expression des gènes MSP2 ou MSP19. Ces données ont montré que MSP2, MSP18 et MSP19 peuvent être des gènes importants pour le parasitisme ou le développement du nématode. Les tests d'expression transitoire dans le tabac (Nicotiana benthamiana) ont montré que MSP18 peut interférer avec la mort cellulaire programmée déclenchée par INF1, ce qui suggère que MSP18 pourrait supprimer les voies de défense des plantes pour faciliter l’infection. Dans une deuxième partie de ce travail, des analyses systématiques en double-hybride chez la levure ont été menées pour vérifier les interactions protéine-protéine entre 6 MSP et 18 protéines Hub d’A. thaliana. Chez la levure, la protéine du nématode MSP400 interagit avec trois protéines Hub, l’Anaphase-Promoting-complex 8 (At-APC8) et les facteurs de transcription At-TCP14 et At-TCP15. L'interaction physique de MSP400 avec At-APC8, un régulateur clé du cycle cellulaire de la plante, a été confirmée in planta par complémentation bimoléculaire de fluorescence (BiFC). Ces résultats démontrent pour la première fois qu'un effecteur de nématode est capable d'interagir directement avec une protéine régulatrice du cycle cellulaire chez la plante, révélant un nouveau mécanisme utilisé par les RKN pour commander la machinerie du cycle de la cellule hôte et induire ainsi la formation du site d'alimentation. Les données obtenues dans cette étude élargissent considérablement notre connaissance des acteurs moléculaires qui contribuent à la pathogénicité des nématodes, mettant en évidence les différents mécanismes exploités par les RKN pour promouvoir la sensibilité des plantes. / Root-knot nematodes (RKN), Meloidogyne spp. are small parasitic worms that infect plant roots where they induce the formation of highly specialized nutrient feeding sites. RKN are endoparasites with a wide host range encompassing major plant crops, impairing effective specific control. Meloidogyne javanica, M. graminicola, and M. incognita are the principal RKN species responsible for rice (Oryza sativa) production losses. Successful plant infection is likely achieved by nematode effector proteins produced in their esophageal gland cells and released into the host plant cells through their stylet. In particular, one of the striking features of RKN is their ability to deregulate vascular parenchyma cells to induce the formation of multinucleated giant cells with a high metabolic activity in the roots. The molecular processes underlying plant-RKN interactions still remain poorly understood. Identification of nematode virulence effectors and their plant targets may provide new insights for developing control strategies towards RKN. Thus, the aims of this study were to (1) assess the role of Meloidogyne secreted proteins (MSP) in rice – RKN interactions and (2) identify MSP targets among the major Arabidopsis thaliana Hub proteins involved in plant immunity, to assess the putative MSP function into host cells. For the first part of our study, we selected three Meloidogyne-genus specific proteins expressed in esophageal glands and predicted to be secreted. Gene expression analysis by RT-qPCR showed that MSP2 is highly expressed in the early stages of the nematode cycle, while MSP18 and MSP19 are up-regulated during parasitism in rice roots. Subcellular localization assays in onion cells identified the nucleus (for MSP2) and cytoplasm (for MSP7 and MSP18) as the main cellular compartments targeted by nematode proteins. Transgenic rice (O. sativa Nipponbare) plants expressing the MSP cDNAs or artificial micro-RNAs (amiRNAs) able to silence MSP genes were used to assess the role of MSPs during rice-RKN interactions. Homozygous transgenic lines were inoculated with pre-parasitic juveniles (J2) and (i) the number and developmental stage of nematodes present in roots after 21 days, (ii) the number of egg masses laid after 28 days and, (iii) the number of next-generation hatched J2 after 45 days were assessed. Rice lines overexpressing MSP18 allowed a higher reproduction rate of M. javanica and M. graminicola. On the contrary, impaired M. javanica development and reproduction was observed in rice lines expressing amiRNAs against MSP2 or MSP19 genes. These data showed that MSP2, MSP18, and MSP19 genes might be important genes for nematode parasitism or development. Transient expression assays in tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana) revealed that MSP18 interfered with the INF1-triggered programmed cell death, suggesting that MSP18 could suppress the plant defense pathways to facilitate nematode parasitism. In the second part of this work, systematic yeast-two-hybrid paired assays were conducted to check for protein-protein interactions between 6 MSP and 18 A. thaliana Hub proteins. In yeast, the nematode MSP400 protein interacts with three Hub proteins, the Anaphase-Promoting-Complex 8 (At-APC8) and the transcription factors At-TCP14 and At-TCP15. Physical interaction of MSP400 with At-APC8, a key plant cell cycle regulator, was confirmed in planta by bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays. These results demonstrated for the first time that a plant parasitic nematode effector is able to directly interact with a cell cycle regulatory protein, revealing a novel mechanism utilized by RKN to control the host cell cycle machinery and thereby induce feeding site formation. The data obtained in this study significantly broaden our knowledge of the molecular players contributing to nematode pathogenicity, highlighting the different mechanisms exploited by RKN to promote plant susceptibility.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / A soja (Glycine max) à uma espÃcie de grande valor econÃmico para o Brasil dada a multiplicidade de uso de seus grÃos na alimentaÃÃo animal e na indÃstria. Embora o Brasil seja o segundo maior produtor mundial dos grÃos, as perdas na produtividade em campo ainda sÃo considerÃveis, principalmente Ãquelas causadas por nematÃides do gÃnero Meloidogyne e por fungos fitopatogÃnicos. Mesmo com a existÃncia de alternativas quÃmicas para o controle dessas espÃcies, bem como com a existÃncia de genÃtipos resistentes, as perdas agrÃcolas ainda sÃo considerÃveis, mostrando que a busca por mecanismos naturais de resistÃncia ambientalmente seguros sÃo prÃticas necessÃrias para o controle de pragas e patÃgenos e para a melhoria na produtividade. Este trabalho objetivou caracterizar bioquÃmica e funcionalmente duas toxinas protÃicas isoladas de sementes de soja, bem como avaliar os seus papÃis na defesa contra patÃgenos de importÃncia agronÃmica para essa espÃcie. Foi mostrado experimentalmente que SYTX-2 (28 kDa) à uma proteÃna Ãcida encontrada em duas isoformas (27,3 e 27,2 kDa) de pIâs 5,11 e 5,24, as quais apresentam a mesma extremidade NH2-Terminal (KTISSEDSPFFNCREK). A anÃlise por dicroÃsmo circular mostrou que a SYTX-2 apresenta um espectro tÃpico de proteÃnas que apresentam α-hÃlice e folhas-β, sendo essa estrutura semelhante Ãquela jà descrita para a SBTX. Esses padrÃes sÃo gradualmente perdidos quando a proteÃna à aquecida de 25 a 95 ÂC. Os espectros de emissÃo em 280 e 295 nm (323 e 313 nm, mÃximo) mostraram padrÃes tÃpicos de resÃduos de triptofano presentes no interior da estrutura terciÃria. SYTX-2 à uma hemilectina capaz de aglutinar indiretamente eritrÃcitos de coelho em presenÃa de anticorpos policlonais anti-SYTX-2, sendo essa atividade inibida por D-manose. AlÃm disso, in vitro, SYTX-2 apresentou atividade ribonucleÃsica, cuja atividade especÃfica (1821,42  3,34 UA. h-1 mgP) foi semelhante Ãquela descrita para a ribonuclease de raÃzes de V. unguiculata. Foi observado que SYTX-2 està presente na casca das sementes em teores menores do que os observados para os cotilÃdones, alÃm de se distribuir tambÃm em raÃzes, caules e folhas. As raÃzes jovens apresentam os maiores teores de SYTX-2 (62,62  10,10 Âg de SYTX-2/g de tecido) sendo essa expressÃo triplicada em tecidos adultos (195,12  35,54 Âg/g de tecido). Em pH 5,0 essa proteÃna à exsudada das sementes ao longo de 24 h, sendo o pico de exsudaÃÃo mostrado 18 h apÃs o contato com o tampÃo (6,16  0,08 ÂgP de SYTX-2/semente ). Tal como descrito para muitas proteÃnas de defesa, SYTX-2 foi induzida 6 h apÃs a injÃria mecÃnica de folhas (de 6,7 para 10,46 Âg de SYTX-2/ g de tecido), retornando aos valores normais 24 h apÃs a lesÃo. In vitro SYTX-2 apresentou uma potente atividade nematicida contra M. incognita RaÃa 4, induzindo a mortalidade de 85% dos J2 6h apÃs incubaÃÃo com a proteÃna, e de 100% apÃs 24 h. Essa toxina tambÃm foi capaz de inibir (20%) o crescimento de C. albicans, embora nÃo tenha sido efetiva em inibir a germinaÃÃo de esporos de fungos fitopatogÃnicos (R. solani, Phomopsis sp. e F. solani f.sp glycines). Este trabalho tambÃm descreve o isolamento, a clonagem e a caracterizaÃÃo do cDNA da subunidade de 27 kDa da SBTX (44 kDa). O cDNA foi isolado a partir de um pool de RNA extraÃdo de sementes 15, 25 e 35 dias apÃs a antese, utilizando iniciadores desenhados a partir do NH2-terminal das duas subunidades da proteÃna (27 e 17 kDa). EvidÃncias experimentais sugerem fortemente que as duas subunidades da proteÃna sÃo codificadas por genes diferentes. A subunidade de 27 kDa da SBTX apresenta um cDNA de 815 pb, composto por uma ORF de 660 nucleotÃdeos, codificante para uma proteÃna com 219 resÃduos de aminoÃcidos. A sequÃncia do cDNA da SBTX foi detectada em dois cromossomos (04 e 06) e a busca por ESTâs para essa proteÃna, mostrou que alÃm de ser expressa em todo o vegetal, nÃveis elevados de transcritos sÃo observados apÃs a infecÃÃo contra P. sojae e F. solani f. sp. glycines, evidenciando seu importante papel na defesa contra fungos fitopatogÃnicos. A sequÃncia deduzida de aminoÃcidos da subunidade de 27 kDa apresenta um peptÃdeo sinal de 26 resÃduos de aminoÃcidos, clivado para a produÃÃo da proteÃna madura, que apresenta, portanto, massa molecular de 21,7 kDa e pI 9,3, sendo uma proteÃna bÃsica. Na sequÃncia de aminoÃcidos da subunidade de 27 kDa tambÃm foram identificados: um resÃduo de cisteÃna, envolvido na formaÃÃo de uma ponte dissulfeto com a subunidade de 17 kDa, 11 sÃtios de fosforilaÃÃo em Ser, Thr ou Tyr, 8 sÃtios de glicosilaÃÃo para GlcNAc e um sÃtio para adiÃÃo de oligossacarÃdeos tipo mucina (GalNAc). A toxina tambÃm apresenta sÃtios de clivagem para pepsina, tripsina e quimiotripsina que podem justificar a ausÃncia de toxicidade observada em camundongos apÃs administraÃÃo oral. SYTX-2 e SBTX foram mostradas atravÃs de uma caracterizaÃÃo estrutural ainda mais completa que as descritas por Sousa (2006) e Siebra (2004) e as informaÃÃes obtidas permitiram definir que essas proteÃnas sÃo parte importante da defesa da soja contra fungos fitopatogÃnicos e nematÃides. AlÃm de inÃditos e de extrema relevÃncia, todos esses dados darÃo subsÃdios para estudos posteriores que objetivem, para SYTX-2, determinar sua microestrutura protÃica e isolamento gÃnico e, para SBTX, realizaÃÃo de projetos futuros, visando o desenvolvimento de plantas transgÃnicas com uma maior resistÃncia a fungos / Soybean provides significant sources of fatty acids and proteins for human and animal nutrition and also has non-food uses. Conditions in almost all cultivated land are sub-optimal for plant growth as a result of the increasing incidence of diseases, even in developed agricultural systems. To meet these challenges, genes and proteins that control their resistance to a wide range of pathogens need to be identified and characterized to facilitate improvements in crop productivity. The main focus in this thesis has been to characterize (providing basic information about biochemical characteristics) and study the functional role of SYTX-2 (28 kDa) and SBTX (44 kDa), two toxic proteins isolated from soybean seeds, in plant defense against pathogens. The SYTX-2 was purified by a combination of ammonium sulphate fractionation and two chromatographic steps. Bidimensional electrophoresis of this protein revealed the presence of two spots (27.3 e 27.2 kDa), with isoeletric points values corresponding to 5.11 and 5.24, respectively, exhibiting the same N-terminal sequence (KTISSEDSPFFNCREK). SYTX-2 has also ribonuclease activity (1821.42  3.34 UA. h-1 mgP), similar to that described in Vigna unguiculata leaves. The CD spectrum of SYTX-2 presents an alpha-beta profile spectrum, similar to the structure described to SBTX. Regarding to the temperature exposure, monitored by CD, it was observed that the structure of SYTX-2 is vulnerable to the temperatures above 40 ÂC. The fluorescence spectra of Soyatoxin-2 marked a maximum emission of fluorescence at 323-333 nm and confirmed that the tertiary structure of this protein was correctly folded. SYTX-2 behaves as a hemilectin: it does not directly promote agglutination of red blood cells, but toxin-treated erythrocytes are readily agglutinated in the presence of anti-SYTX-2 antibodies. ELISA assays showed that SYTX-2 was exuded during seed imbibition, the maximum level of exuded toxin (6.16  0.08 Âg/seed) detected being at 18 h after the start of imbibition. The expression profiles of SYTX-2 in various soybean tissues were investigated with ELISA assay or Dot Blot analysis. The expression analysis suggested that SYTX-2 was clearly detected in seed coat, leaves, roots and also in stems. However, expression of SYTX-2 in roots is higher than that in leaves and stems. A strong induction of SYTX-2 expression was also observed in wounded leaves 6 h after treatment and it decreased thereafter. In vitro, antifungal activity of SYTX-2 was not detected against R. solani, Phomopsis sp. and F. solani f.sp glycines, but this protein inhibits C. albicans growth. Nematicidal effects of SYTX-2 were studied in vitro against Meloidogyne incognita nematode and the toxin (11Âg/nematode) showed a high nematicidal activity, with the mortality of 85%, after six hours contact and of 100%, after 24 h of incubation. This work also describes the isolation, sequencing and functional analysis of cDNA (815 pb) encoding 27 kDa subunit of soybean toxin (SBTX). CDNA was amplified using a forward primer designed based on the N-terminal sequence of the toxin in combination of primer AP. The genomic location of the 27 kDa SBTX subunit SBTX was preliminarily determined with the mapped soybean ESTs database (www.phytozome.net) at Gm04 and Gm06 chromosome of soybean and thus may have two copies per genome. The deduced protein sequence of 219 amino acids (MW of mature protein 21.7 kDa, pI 9.3) included an N-terminal signal peptide. ESTâs encoding 27 kDa subunit SBTX were present in cotyledons, leaves, and seedlings and the expression of 27 kDa subunit SBTX was also induced in tissues by P. sojae and F. solani f. sp. glycines infection and by abiotic stress. In addition to these blocks, the 27 kDa deduced protein sequence contains a putative Ser/Tyr/Thr phosphorylation and also contains eight potential N-linked glycosylation sites and a threonine/serine-rich region which is a potential site for attachment of O-linked carbohydrate. Potential sites for pepsin, trypsin and chymotrypsin hydrolysis were also detected. The results add a new dimension to toxins SBTX and SYTX functionalities and support the concept that these proteins act protecting soybean against pathogens