Expression of the ZmDEF1 gene and α-amylase inhibitory activity of recombinant defensin against maize weevils

Plant defensins are multifunctional small cysteine-rich proteins. They are active against fungi, bacteria, and many viruses, and they inhibit trypsin and α-amylase activities. In this study, we expressed the maize defensin gene (ZmDEF1) in tobacco seeds in order to establish the basis for generating transgenic maize plants resistant to weevils.