What question did this study set out to answer?

To determine the defensive role of latex proteins, particularly the cysteine protease papain, against herbivorous insect larvae in papaya and other laticiferous plants.

January 9, 2004The Plant Journal

Papain protects papaya trees from herbivorous insects: role of cysteine proteases in latex

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

To determine the defensive role of latex proteins, particularly the cysteine protease papain, against herbivorous insect larvae in papaya and other laticiferous plants.
Assayed larval toxicity and growth inhibition on leaves of Carica papaya and Ficus virgata using lepidopteran species (Samia ricini, Mamestra brassicae, and Spodoptera litura).
Compared caterpillar feeding outcomes on intact leaves versus leaves with latex washed off the surface.
Treated leaf surfaces with the cysteine protease-specific inhibitor E-64 and tested the toxicity of purified enzymes, including papain, ficin, and bromelain.
Intact leaves and latex from C. papaya and F. virgata showed strong toxicity and growth inhibition against all three lepidopteran species, but toxicity vanished completely when latex was washed away.
Surface coating with the cysteine protease inhibitor E-64 fully abolished the insecticidal toxicity of papaya and wild fig leaves.
Isolated cysteine proteases—specifically papain, ficin, and bromelain—each exhibited direct toxicity against herbivorous larvae.

Discussion

No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.

Implication

Experimental study demonstrates that latex cysteine proteases cause toxicity and growth inhibition in herbivorous caterpillars, highlighting a widespread chemical defense mechanism in plants.

Cite This Study

Konno et al. (2004) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a93ba57744b618ad237ea80 https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-313x.2003.01968.x

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Implication

Experimental study demonstrates that latex cysteine proteases cause toxicity and growth inhibition in herbivorous caterpillars, highlighting a widespread chemical defense mechanism in plants.

Papain protects papaya trees from herbivorous insects: role of cysteine proteases in latex

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Papain protects papaya trees from herbivorous insects: role of cysteine proteases in latex

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider