Abstract

Comparing available Poaceae defensins with sugarcane ESTs, a putative defensin gene was identified in sugarcane and cloned from genomic sugarcane DNA. The deduced encoded peptide shows the structure and amino acid composition typical of other plant defensins. Using RTPCR, defensin expression in sugarcane and differences between “normal” and infected sugarcane were evidenced.

Keywords: Antimicrobial peptides, plant defensin, Poaceae, polymerase chain reaction, protein function, Saccharum spp.