Live imaging to monitor plant defensin activity on yeast cells in vitro

Abstract

Plant defensins are small cationic peptides with antimicrobial activity and are integral part of the plant innate immune system. They have been found in leaves, tubers, flowers, pods and seeds predominantly within stomatal and peripheral plant cells. They have antifungal activity but they are also effective against plant bacterial pathogens. Through genetic engineering, plant defensins isolated from different plant species have been overexpressed in transgenic crop plants for enhanced resistance against phytopathogens. To select potential candidate peptides, one must be able to screen the activity of such compounds and live imaging is one way to monitor and to study the activity of such peptides in vitro.