Abstract
A basic, ninety two amino acid residue polypeptide, called CM4-3, was purified from seeds of Prosopis juliflora and sequenced. Sequence homology searches indicated that this protein is related to the nonspecific lipid transfer protein family (ns-LTP). A 3D model of CM4-3 was built base on the molecular coordinates of a maize ns-LTP and the obtained model revealed the presence of a highly conserved pocket formed by three a-helices capable of accommodating one molecule ofpalrnitic acid inside the CM4-3 structure.