Molecular basis of antimicrobial and insecticidal activity of floral defensins from the Solonaceae.

茄科植物的花产生高水平的防御素，以保护生殖组织免受微生物的潜在损害。哺乳动物、昆虫和植物中相关防御素的存在表明，它们是古老防御机制的一部分。花卉防御素是有效的抗真菌分子，令人惊讶的是，它也具有杀虫活性。该项目的目的是了解抗真菌和杀虫剂活性的分子基础，并利用这一知识生产用于作物保护的改进分子。

The flowers of Solanaceous plants produce high levels of defensins that protect the reproductive tissues against potential damage from microorganisms. The presence of related defensins in mammals, insects and plants indicates that they are part of an ancient defence mechanism. The floral defensins are potent antifungal molecules and surprisingly also have insecticidal activity. The aim of this project is to understand the molecular basis of the antifungal and insecticide activity and to use this knowledge to produce improved molecules for crop protection.