Carbohydrate-binding activity of the type-2 ribosome-inactivating protein SNA-I from elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is a determining factor for its insecticidal activity

It has been proposed that ribosome-inactivating proteins play a role in plant protection against insects. Here we demonstrated that Sambucus nigra agglutinin I has potency to control aphid pests (the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum and the tobacco aphid Myzus nicotianae) via artificial diet and transgenic plants, and that carbohydrate-binding activity is crucial for this insecticidal activity.