Cyclotides : a novel class of natural antibiotics

• Main Author: Ang, Koon Hwee
• Other Authors: James P. Tam
• Format: Student Research Poster
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: Cyclotides; Peptides
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/94747; http://hdl.handle.net/10220/9045
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Cyclotides are circular plant proteins that are approximately 30 amino acids long and have high heat and enzymatic stability. Their N- and C- termini are joined together to form a continuous cyclic conformation. The three-dimensional structure is stabilized by three disulphide bonds arranged in a cystine knot. Cyclotides are known to be antimicrobial, hemolytic, immunomodulating and anti-cancer, thus forming the basis of medicinal plants against various diseases. Bacterial drug resistance is a major concern, and there is an urgent need to discover novel antibiotics. In this project, we are looking at the antibacterial function of cyclotides extracted from a locally grown plant, Clitoria ternatea which belongs to the Fabaceae family. My results show that cyclotides are potent antimicrobial agents and exhibit synergy with conventional antibiotics. [Peer Assessment Review]