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Planta Med 2003; 69(10): 926-932
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-45102
Original Paper
Biochemistry, Molecular Biology
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

A Mitogenic Protein Fraction in Latex from Carica candamarcensis

C. A. Silva2 , M. T. R. Gomes1 , R. S. Ferreira1 , K. C. L. Rodrigues1 , C. G. do Val1 , M. T. P. Lopes2 , V. J. Mello2 , C. E. Salas1
  • 1Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, UFMG, Belo Horizonte, Brasil
  • 2Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, UFMG, Belo Horizonte, Brasil
Further Information

Publication History

Received: March 5, 2003

Accepted: May 14, 2003

Publication Date:
02 December 2003 (online)

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Abstract

Latex from Caricaceae contains a number of proteins believed to be part of a defense mechanism that protects these plants from wounding. Prior evidence suggests that some components in Carica papaya improve healing of ulcerous wounds in mammals. This study shows the chromatographic isolation of a protein fraction from C. candamarcensis that stimulates cell proliferation of mammalian cells by measuring MTT reduction and thymidine incorporation. The effect appears to be cell specific as L929, MDA-MB231 and BHK-21 cells are stimulated while no effect is seen on CHO cells. The maximal stimulatory effect reaches 2.2-fold 72 h after addition of the active fraction to L929, 1.8-fold in MDA-MB231 cells and 1.6-fold in BHK cells. Proteolytic inactivation of the active fraction suggests that a protein is responsible for the proliferative activity and its size is estimated between 10 and 25 kDa. A potential candidate for this function is a 23 kDa protein found in the fraction that reacts with human EGF antibody.

Key words

Latex - mitogen - Caricaceae - Carica candamarcensis

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Carlos E Salas, Ph. D.

Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Produtos Naturais

Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia

Instituto de Ciências Biológicas

Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais

Av Antonio Carlos 6627

Belo Horizonte 31270-901

Brasil

Phone: +55-31-3499-2646

Fax: +55-31-3499-2646

Email: cesbufmg@mono.icb.ufmg.br