A unique latex protein, MLX56, defends mulberry trees from insects

A 56-kDa defense protein designated mulatexin (MLX56) with an extensin domain and two hevein-like chitin-binding domains, was purified from mulberry latex and its gene was cloned. MLX56 is highly toxic to lepidopteran caterpillars, including the cabbage armyworm, Mamestra brassicae at 0.01% concentration, but not to Bombyx mori, a mulberry specialist.