Protease inhibitor proteins from solanum chacoense for reducing pathogen virulence in plant products
Novel natural protease inhibitor proteins derived from Solanum chacoense that suppress pathogen virulence without killing microorganisms. These stable proteins offer a promising natural preservative solution for plant-based products across agriculture, food, and post-harvest applications.
Overview
This technology centers on a family of protease inhibitor proteins isolated from Solanum chacoense, a wild relative of cultivated potato. Unlike conventional antimicrobial agents that kill microorganisms directly, these inhibitors work by preventing pathogens from becoming virulent, effectively neutralizing their ability to cause disease while leaving the microbes themselves intact. This mechanism makes them attractive as natural preservatives for a wide range of plant-derived products, potentially extending shelf life and reducing spoilage without contributing to antimicrobial resistance.
Technical specifications
- Source organism: Solanum chacoense, a wild Solanum species known for producing diverse defensive proteins
- Expression system: Genes cloned into a histidine-tag (His-tag) and inducible expression vector in E. coli, enabling scalable recombinant production
- Purification: Proteins are purified using a HisTrap affinity chromatography column, yielding high-purity preparations suitable for downstream testing
- Mechanism of action: Inhibits microbial virulence factors rather than killing organisms, potentially reducing selective pressure for resistance
- Stability: The proteins are reported to be highly stable, supporting their use in varied storage and processing conditions
- Broad-spectrum activity: Active against many types of pathogens, making them versatile across multiple application scenarios
Technology readiness level
The protease inhibitor proteins have been cloned, expressed recombinantly in E. coli, and purified using affinity chromatography. Initial testing has been conducted to evaluate effects on microorganisms and disease outcomes. Further validation studies are needed to confirm efficacy in real-world preservative applications, optimize formulation, and assess performance across different plant product matrices before commercial deployment.
About Colorado State University
Colorado State University is a comprehensive public land‑grant research university with an applied, partnership‑driven culture. Multiple research campuses—including the Fort Collins main campus, a public‑facing Denver site, and a foothills research complex with shared core facilities and pilot‑scale testbeds—enable companies to co‑locate, access instrumentation, and run validation studies. A statewide Extension network and proximity to the Front Range innovation corridor provide streamlined engagement with regional and national industry, while an integrated veterinary teaching hospital supports translational studies. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as NSF, NIH, USDA, DOE, and DoD. A dedicated technology transfer office streamlines IP, contracting, and startup formation, with incubator and collaboration space for industry partners.
delivered to your inbox.