Nodule Cysteine-Rich peptide 273 (NCR273)

Nodule Cysteine-Rich peptide 273 (NCR273) is a small, secreted, cysteine-rich polypeptide originally identified in the root nodules of the legume Medicago truncatula. It belongs to a large family of over 300 defensin-like peptides that regulate the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing rhizobia by inducing their terminal differentiation into bacteroids. NCR273 has gained attention in biotechnology for its potent, broad-spectrum antimicrobial and antifungal properties, demonstrating the ability to rapidly kill various pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria and fungi like Fusarium graminearum. Its mechanism of action involves the disruption of both the outer and inner bacterial membranes, leading to a loss of membrane potential and cell death. As a potential therapeutic agent, NCR273 is being investigated for the treatment of human and animal infections, offering a novel scaffold for the development of next-generation antibiotics.

Other names

Medtr5g057460Nodule-specific cysteine-rich peptide 273NCR 273

Disruption of bacterial membrane integrity and inhibition of fungal spore germination