Type: | Family | Name: | Gamma Purothionin |
Description: | Thionins are small plant proteins that are toxic to animal cells. The proteins belong to a functionally related family, which includes alpha-and beta-thionins from wheat and barley, and gamma-purothionins. Gamma- purothionin inhibits protein translation in cell-free systems. It is a single polypeptide chain of 47 amino acids and contains 4 disulphide bridges []. The folded structure is characterised by a well-defined 3-stranded anti-parallel beta-sheet and a short alpha-helix []. Three disulphide bridges are located in the hydrophobic core between the helixand sheet, forming a cysteine-stabilised alpha-helical motif. This structure differs from that of the plant alpha- and beta- thionins, butis analogous to scorpion toxins and insect defensins. | Short Name: | G_Purothionin |