Plant cell culture technology-harnessing a biological approach for competitive cyclotides production.

Cyclotides are naturally occurring mini-proteins that have a cyclic backbone and a knotted arrangement of three disulfide bonds. They are remarkably stable and have a diverse range of therapeutically useful biological activities, including antimicrobial and anti-HIV activity, although their natural function appears to be plant defence agents. Cyclotides are amenable to chemical synthesis; however currently most bioactivity studies have involved the use of peptides extracted from plants. Plant cell culture technology shows promise towards the goal of producing therapeutically active cyclotides in qualities and quantities required for drug development.