RNA hydrolysis and cytokinin binding activities of PR-10 proteins are differently performed by two isoforms of the Pru P 1 peach major allergen and are possibly functionally related

none6PR-10 proteins are a family of pathogenesis related (PR) allergenic proteins playing multifunctional roles. The peach (Prunus persica) major allergen, Pru p 1.01, and its isoform Pru p 1.06D were found highly expressed in the fruit skin at the pit hardening stage, when fruits transiently lose their susceptibility to the fungal pathogen Monilinia spp. To investigate the possible role of the two Pru p 1 isoforms in plant defense, the recombinant proteins were expressed in E. coli and purified. Even though the proteins do not display direct antimicrobial activity, they both act as RNases, a function possibly related to defense. The RNase activity is different for the two proteins, and only that of Pru p 1.01 is affected in the presence of the cytokinin zeatin, suggesting a physiological correlation between Pru p 1.01 ligand binding and enzymatic activity. The binding of zeatin to Pru p 1.01 was evaluated using isothermal titration calorimetry, which provided information on the stoichiometry and on the thermodynamic parameters of the interaction.noneE.Baraldi; P. Zubini; P. Bertolini; B. Zambelli; F. Musiani; S. CiurliE.Baraldi; P. Zubini; P. Bertolini; B. Zambelli; F. Musiani; S. Ciurl