Leaf-specific pathogenesis-related 10 homolog, PgPR-10.3, shows binding affinity with several biologically important molecules

Pathogenesis-related (PR)-10 proteins are small, cytosolic proteins with a similar three-dimensional (3-D) structure. Crystal structures for several PR-10 homologs have similar overall folding patterns with an unusually large internal cavity that is a binding site for biologically important molecules. Although structural information on PR-10 proteins is substantial, understanding of their biological function remains limited. Here, we showed that one of the PgPR-10 homologs, PgPR-10.3, shares binding properties with flavonoids, kinetin, emodin, deoxycholic acid and ginsenoside Re (one of the steroid glycosides).