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Title: ENDO-B-1,4-XYLANASE INHIBITORS IN LEAVES AND ROOTS OF GERMINATING MAIZE

Author
item BIELY, PETER - SLOVAK ACADEMY OF SCI
item Leathers, Timothy
item Cotta, Michael

Submitted to: Pacifichem Symposium
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/20/2005
Publication Date: 12/20/2005
Citation: Biely, P., Leathers, T.D., Cotta, M.A. 2005. Endo-b-1,4-xylanase inhibitors in leaves and roots of germinating maize [abstract]. Pacifichem Symposium. Program Number 449.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Extracts of both leaves and roots of germinating maize were found to contain endo-beta-1,4-xylanase inhibitors, which were previously detected only in whole maize meal. The inhibitors seem to be of the XIP type, since they inhibit endoxylanases of families 10 and 11 and also show some characteristics of XIP inhibitors described in other cereals. Their physiological role could be associated with the protection of young growing plants against phytopathogenic fungi, but they also could play an important role in the regulation of plant cell wall growth. A novel property of the inhibitors discovered in this work is their unusual thermostability at physiological pH values. The half-life of inhibitors at pH 5.5 and 100ºC is greater than 10 hours. However, the inhibitors are less thermostable at higher pH levels. This property could be useful in the isolation of these inhibitors and could also have biotechnological significance for processes in which EX activity should be eliminated.