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Revisiting the enzymes stored in the laticifers of Carica papaya in the context of their possible participation in the plant defence mechanism

2001; Springer Nature; Volume: 58; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1007/pl00000881

1420-9071

Abdelfattah El Moussaoui, Michelle Nijs, C. Paul, René Wintjens, Jean Vincentelli, Mohamed Azarkan, Yvan Looze,

Banana Cultivation and Research

In the tropical species Carica papaya, the articulated and anastomosing laticifers form a dense network of vessels displayed in all aerial parts of the plant. Damaging the papaya tree inevitably severs its laticifers, eliciting an abrupt release of latex. Besides the well-known cysteine proteinases, papain, chymopapain, caricain and glycyl endopeptidase, papaya latex is also a rich source of other enzymes. Together, these enzymes could provide an important contribution to plant defence mechanisms by sanitising and sealing the wounded areas on the tree.