CHITIN-BINDING PROTEINS FROM MORINGA OLEIFERA (MO-CBPS): STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS, ANTIFUNGAL MECHANISMS, AND PROSPECTS FOR APPLICATION IN PLANT IMMUNITY AND PHYTOPATHOGEN CONTROL
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64013/bbasrjlifess.v2026i1.56Keywords:
Moringa oleifera, Chitin Binding Protein, Antifungal, Anti-Inflammatory activityAbstract
Moringa oleifera contains bioactive chitin-binding proteins (Mo-CBPs) that contribute to plant defense and possess significant biotechnological and therapeutic potential. Several isoforms, including Mo-CBP2, Mo-CBP3 and its variants, and Mo-CBP4, exhibit remarkable thermostability and strong antifungal activity. These proteins inhibit fungal growth through chitin binding, membrane disruption, oxidative stress induction, and metabolic interference. Beyond antifungal functions, Mo-CBPs also demonstrate anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties. Their stability, effectiveness, and low cytotoxicity make them promising candidates for crop protection, plant immune enhancement, and pharmaceutical applications. Continued research may support their development as biofungicides and therapeutic agents.
Downloads
References
A.Hamid, M. H., Md Yusoff, M. H., Rosazlina, R., and Shafie, M. H. (2025). A review on Moringa oleifera polysaccharides: Extraction, purification, structure-activity, bioactivities and application. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 323, 147089. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.147089
Abdull Razis, A. F., Ibrahim, M. D., and Kntayya, S. B. (2014). Health benefits of Moringa oleifera. Asian pacific journal of cancer prevention 15, 8571-8576. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7314/APJCP.2014.15.20.8571
Aguiar, T. K. B., Mesquita, F. P., Neto, N. A. S., Gomes, F. Í. R., Freitas, C. D. T., Carneiro, R. F., Nagano, C. S., Alencar, L. M. R., Santos-Oliveira, R., Oliveira, J. T. A., and Souza, P. F. N. (2023). No Chance to Survive: Mo-CBP3-PepII Synthetic Peptide Acts on Cryptococcus neoformans by Multiple Mechanisms of Action. Antibiotics 12, 378. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12020378
Arshad, M. T., Maqsood, S., Ikram, A., and Gnedeka, K. T. (2025). Recent Perspectives on the Pharmacological, Nutraceutical, Functional, and Therapeutic Properties of Moringa oleifera Plant. Food science & nutrition 13, e70134. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.70134
Bansal, M., Chauhan, G. S., Kaushik, A., and Sharma, A. (2016). Extraction and functionalization of bagasse cellulose nanofibres to Schiff-base based antimicrobial membranes. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 91, 887-894. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2016.06.045
Batista, A. B., Oliveira, J. T. A., Gifoni, J. M., Pereira, M. L., Almeida, M. G. G., Gomes, V. M., Da Cunha, M., Ribeiro, S. F. F., Dias, G. B., Beltramini, L. M., Lopes, J. L. S., Grangeiro, T. B., and Vasconcelos, I. M. (2014). New insights into the structure and mode of action of Mo-CBP3, an antifungal chitin-binding protein of Moringa oleifera seeds. PLoS ONE 9, e111427. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0111427
Bekele, E. T. (2013). Nutritional Value of Cassava Root Chips and Moringa Oleifera Leaf Meal in Broiler and Layer Rations, Haramaya University.
Belova, N. V., Girichev, G. V., Kotova, V. E., Korolkova, K. A., and Trang, N. H. (2018). The molecular structure of 4-methylpyridine-N-oxide: Gas-phase electron diffraction and quantum chemical calculations. Journal of Molecular Structure 1156, 210-215. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2017.11.070
Bernardo de Assis, P., Jeeser Alves de, A., Ludovico, M., and Octavio Luiz, F. (2013). Pharmacological Potential of Exercise and RAS Vasoactive Peptides for Prevention of Diseases. Current Protein & Peptide Science 14, 459-471. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2174/13892037113149990063
Bouaziz, F., Helbert, C. B., Romdhane, M. B., Koubaa, M., Bhiri, F., Kallel, F., Chaari, F., Driss, D., Buon, L., and Chaabouni, S. E. (2015). Structural data and biological properties of almond gum oligosaccharide: Application to beef meat preservation. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 72, 472-479. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2014.08.044
Branco, L. A. C., Souza, P. F. N., Neto, N. A. S., Aguiar, T. K. B., Silva, A. F. B., Carneiro, R. F., Nagano, C. S., Mesquita, F. P., Lima, L. B., and Freitas, C. D. T. (2022). New Insights into the Mechanism of Antibacterial Action of Synthetic Peptide Mo-CBP3-PepI against Klebsiella pneumoniae. Antibiotics 11, 1753. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11121753
Crockatt, M. E. (2012). Are there edge effects on forest fungi and if so do they matter? Fungal Biology Reviews 26, 94-101. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbr.2012.08.002
de Oliveira, C. F. R., de Moura, M. C., Napoleão, T. H., Paiva, P. M. G., Coelho, L. C. B. B., and Macedo, M. L. R. (2017). A chitin-binding lectin from Moringa oleifera seeds (WSMoL) impairs the digestive physiology of the Mediterranean flour larvae, Anagasta kuehniella. Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology 142, 67-76. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pestbp.2017.01.006
El Bilali, H., Dan Guimbo, I., Nanema, R. K., Falalou, H., Kiebre, Z., Rokka, V.-M., Tietiambou, S. R. F., Nanema, J., Dambo, L., and Grazioli, F. (2024). Research on moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) in Africa. Plants 13, 1613. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13121613
Field, B. (2018). Green magic: regulation of the chloroplast stress response by (p)ppGpp in plants and algae. Journal of Experimental Botany 69, 2797-2807. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erx485
Freire, J. E., Vasconcelos, I. M., Moreno, F. B., Batista, A. B., Lobo, M. D., Pereira, M. L., Lima, J. P., Almeida, R. V., Sousa, A. J., Monteiro-Moreira, A. C., Oliveira, J. T., and Grangeiro, T. B. (2015a). Mo-CBP3, an antifungal chitin-binding protein from Moringa oleifera seeds, is a member of the 2S albumin family. PLoS One 10, e0119871.
Freire, J. E. C., Moreno, F. B. M. B., Monteiro-Júnior, J. E., Sousa, A. J. S., Vasconcelos, I. M., Oliveira, J. T. A., Monteiro-Moreira, A. C. O., Rocha, B. A. M., and Grangeiro, T. B. (2019). Mo-CBP3, a 2S albumin from Moringa oleifera, is a complex mixture of isoforms that arise from different post-translational modifications. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 140, 68-77. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2019.05.003
Freire, J. E. C., Vasconcelos, I. M., Moreno, F. B. M. B., Batista, A. B., Lobo, M. D. P., Pereira, M. L., Lima, J. P. M. S., Almeida, R. V. M., Sousa, A. J. S., Monteiro-Moreira, A. C. O., Oliveira, J. T. A., and Grangeiro, T. B. (2015b). Mo-CBP3, an Antifungal Chitin-Binding Protein from Moringa oleifera Seeds, Is a Member of the 2S Albumin Family. PLoS ONE 10, e0119871. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0119871
Garcia, T. B., Soares, A. A., Costa, J. H., Costa, H. P. S., Neto, J. X. S., Rocha-Bezerra, L. C. B., Silva, F. D. A., Arantes, M. R., Sousa, D. O. B., Vasconcelos, I. M., and Oliveira, J. T. A. (2019). Gene expression and spatiotemporal localization of antifungal chitin-binding proteins during Moringa oleifera seed development and germination. Planta 249, 1503-1519. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-019-03103-8
Gassen, H., Gassenschmidt, U., Jany, K., Tauscher, B., and Wolf, S. (1990). Isolation and chemical characterization of flocculant-active proteins from moringa-oleifera lam. In "Biological Chemistry Hoppe-Seyler", Vol. 371, pp. 760-760. Walter DE Gruyter & CO Genthiner Strasse 13, D-10785 Berlin, Germany.
Gifoni, J., Oliveira, J., David de Oliveira, H., Batista, A., Pereira, M., Gomes, A., Oliveira, H., Grangeiro, T., and Vasconcelos, I. (2012a). A Novel Chitin-Binding Protein from Moringa oleifera Seed with Potential for Plant Disease Control. Biopolymers 98, 406-415.
Gifoni, J. M., Oliveira, J. T. A., Oliveira, H. D., Batista, A. B., Pereira, M. L., Gomes, A. S., Oliveira, H. P., Grangeiro, T. B., and Vasconcelos, I. M. (2012b). A novel chitin‐binding protein fromMoringa oleiferaseed with potential for plant disease control. Peptide Science 98, 406-415. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/bip.22068
Guilhelmelli, F., Vilela, N., Albuquerque, P., Derengowski, L., Silva-Pereira, I., and Kyaw, C. (2013). Antibiotic development challenges: the various mechanisms of action of antimicrobial peptides and of bacterial resistance. Frontiers in Microbiology Volume 4 - 2013. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2013.00353
Karlgren, A., Gyllenstrand, N., Källman, T., Sundström, J. F., Moore, D., Lascoux, M., and Lagercrantz, U. (2011). Evolution of the PEBP Gene Family in Plants: Functional Diversification in Seed Plant Evolution Plant Physiology 156, 1967-1977. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.111.176206
Larson, E. T., Kim, J. E., Zucker, F. H., Kelley, A., Mueller, N., Napuli, A. J., Verlinde, C. L. M. J., Fan, E., Buckner, F. S., Van Voorhis, W. C., Merritt, E. A., and Hol, W. G. J. (2011). Structure of Leishmania major methionyl-tRNA synthetase in complex with intermediate products methionyladenylate and pyrophosphate. Biochimie 93, 570-582. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biochi.2010.11.015
Leite Pereira, M., David De Oliveira, H., Tadeu Abreu De Oliveira, J., Menezes Gifoni, J., De Oliveira Rocha, R., De Oliveira Bezerra De Sousa, D., and Maria Vasconcelos, I. (2011). Purification of a Chitin-Binding Protein from Moringa oleifera Seeds with Potential to Relieve Pain and Inflammation. Protein & Peptide Letters 18, 1078-1085. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2174/092986611797200959
Lopes, T. D. P., Souza, P. F. N., da Costa, H. P. S., Pereira, M. L., da Silva Neto, J. X., de Paula, P. C., Brilhante, R. S. N., Oliveira, J. T. A., Vasconcelos, I. M., and Sousa, D. O. B. (2020). Mo-CBP(4), a purified chitin-binding protein from Moringa oleifera seeds, is a potent antidermatophytic protein: In vitro mechanisms of action, in vivo effect against infection, and clinical application as a hydrogel for skin infection. Int J Biol Macromol 149, 432-442. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.01.257
Lu, J., Liu, X., Li, W., Xi, C., Feng, D., and Song, S. (2025). Analysis of the sensitization activity of Moringa oleifera leaves protein. Frontiers in Nutrition 11 - 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1509343
Lukasik, A., Pietrykowska, H., Paczek, L., Szweykowska-Kulinska, Z., and Zielenkiewicz, P. (2013). High-throughput sequencing identification of novel and conserved miRNAs in the Brassica oleracea leaves. BMC Genomics 14, 801. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2164-14-801
Martínez, S., Armesto, J., Gómez-Limia, L., and Carballo, J. (2020). Impact of processing and storage on the nutritional and sensory properties and bioactive components of Brassica spp. A review. Food Chemistry 313, 126065. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.126065
Masarkar, N., Pal, M., Bisai, A., Yadav, A. K., Roy, M., Ray, S. K., Kanwar, J. R., and Mukherjee, S. (2025a). Pharmacokinetic, docking, and DFT analyses reveal Moringa oleifera phytochemicals as inhibitors of HIF-1α/VEGF/GLUT1 signaling pathway in breast cancer. Scientific Reports 15, 36837. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-20757-5
Masarkar, N., Pal, M., Roy, M., Yadav, A. K., Pandya, B., Lokhande, S., Kanwar, J. R., Ray, S. K., and Mukherjee, S. (2025b). In-silico screening of bioactive compounds of Moringa oleifera as potential inhibitors targeting HIF-1α/VEGF/GLUT-1 pathway against breast cancer. Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine 22, 149-164. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/jcim-2024-0176
Montesinos, E. (2007). Antimicrobial peptides and plant disease control. FEMS Microbiology Letters 270, 1-11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1574-6968.2007.00683.x
Moulin, M. (2019). Biochemical, biophysical, and structural studies of seed proteins from Moringa oleifera and implications for traditional water purification, Keele University.
Neto, J. X., Pereira, M. L., Oliveira, J. T., Rocha-Bezerra, L. C., Lopes, T. D., Costa, H. P., Sousa, D. O., Rocha, B. A., Grangeiro, T. B., and Freire, J. E. (2017). A chitin-binding protein purified from Moringa oleifera seeds presents anticandidal activity by increasing cell membrane permeability and reactive oxygen species production. Frontiers in microbiology 8, 980. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2017.00980
Orisawayi, A. O., Koziol, K., and Rahatekar, S. (2026). Bio-Based Composites of Alginate, Cellulose, and Moringa Oleifera for Heavy Metal Removal in Water Purification: A Comprehensive Review of Mechanisms, Fabrication, and Performance. Environmental Science: Advances. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D5VA00347D
Panova, N., Gerasimova, A., Gentscheva, G., Nikolova, S., Makedonski, L., Velikova, M., Beraich, A., Talhaoui, A., Petkova, N., Batovska, D., and Nikolova, K. (2025). Moringa oleifera Lam.: A Nutritional Powerhouse with Multifaceted Pharmacological and Functional Applications. Life 15, 881. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/life15060881
Pentecost, J. (2013). Potential Application of Chitin Signaling in Engineering Broad-Spectrum Disease Resistance to Fungal and Bacterial Pathogens in Plants. Advances in Crop Science and Technology 01, e107. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4172/2329-8863.1000e103
Perlin, D. S., Rautemaa-Richardson, R., and Alastruey-Izquierdo, A. (2017). The global problem of antifungal resistance: prevalence, mechanisms, and management. The Lancet Infectious Diseases 17, e383-e392. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(17)30316-X
Petre, B., Saunders, D. G. O., Sklenar, J., Lorrain, C., Win, J., Duplessis, S., and Kamoun, S. (2015). Candidate Effector Proteins of the Rust Pathogen Melampsora larici-populina Target Diverse Plant Cell Compartments. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions® 28, 689-700. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-01-15-0003-R
Ramakrishna, V. (2007). Mobilization of albumins and globulins during germination of Indian bean (Dolichos lablab L. var. lignosus) seeds. Acta Botanica Croatica 66, 135-142. https://hrcak.srce.hr/16260
Shaw, R. K., Shen, Y., Zhao, Z., Sheng, X., Wang, J., Yu, H., and Gu, H. (2021). Molecular Breeding Strategy and Challenges Towards Improvement of Downy Mildew Resistance in Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.). Frontiers in Plant Science 12 - 2021, 642436. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.667757
Shewry, P. R., Napier, J. A., and Tatham, A. S. (1995). Seed storage proteins: structures and biosynthesis. The Plant Cell 7, 945-956. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.7.7.945
Souza, P. F. N. (2020). The forgotten 2S albumin proteins: Importance, structure, and biotechnological application in agriculture and human health. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 164, 4638-4649. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.09.049
Squeglia, F., Berisio, R., Shibuya, N., and Kaku, H. (2017). Defense Against Pathogens: Structural Insights into the Mechanism of Chitin Induced Activation of Innate Immunity. Current Medicinal Chemistry 24, 3980-3986. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2174/0929867323666161221124345
Terras, F. R., Eggermont, K., Kovaleva, V., Raikhel, N. V., Osborn, R. W., Kester, A., Rees, S. B., Torrekens, S., Van Leuven, F., and Vanderleyden, J. (1995). Small cysteine-rich antifungal proteins from radish: their role in host defense. The Plant Cell 7, 573-588. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.7.5.573
Vinodhini, P. A., K, S., Thandapani, G., P.N, S., Jayachandran, V., and Sukumaran, A. (2017). FTIR, XRD and DSC studies of nanochitosan, cellulose acetate and polyethylene glycol blend ultrafiltration membranes. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 104, 1721-1729. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.03.122
Wan, J., Zhang, X.-C., and Stacey, G. (2008). Chitin signaling and plant disease resistance. Plant Signaling & Behavior 3, 831-833. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4161/psb.3.10.5916
Wobus, U., and Weber, H. (1999). Seed maturation: genetic programmes and control signals. Curr Opin Plant Biol 2, 33-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1369-5266(99)80007-7
Wong, S. E., Lee, Y. Y., Thoo, Y. Y., Yap, M. K. K., and Siow, L. F. (2023). Moringa oleifera protein isolates: In silico analysis of bioactivity, allergenicity, and toxicity, and application in plant-based burgers. LWT 186, 115243. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2023.115243
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2026 MZ SALEEM, MJ AKHTAR, M NOUMAN, K HAIDER, SAR SHERAZI, S MANZOOR, GZ JAHANGIR, N HUSSAIN, S YOUNAS (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.