Authors: David J Craik Joshua S Mylne Norelle L Daly
Publish Date: 2009/10/01
Volume: 67, Issue: 1, Pages: 9-16
Abstract
Cyclotides are disulfiderich peptides from plants that are exceptionally stable as a result of their unique cyclic cystine knot structural motif Their natural role is thought to be as plant defence agents most notably against insect pests but they also have potential applications in drug design and agriculture This article identifies gaps in current knowledge on cyclotides and suggests future directions for research into this fascinating family of ultrastable miniproteinsWork in our laboratory on cyclotides is supported by grants from the Australian Research Council and the National Health and Medical Research Council NHMRC DJC is a NHMRC Professorial Fellow NLD is a Queensland Smart State Fellow JSM is an ARC QEII Fellow We thank colleagues from our laboratory and collaborators listed in the references for their valuable contributions to cyclotide research
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