RESUMO
2S albumin proteins are a group of important seed storage proteins (SSPs) essential to seeds at early and late developmental stages, by providing amino acids and other nutrients during germination and for seed defense. 2S albumins possess a well-conserved cysteine supporting the stability of temperature, pH, and proteolysis. The 3D structure rich in alpha-helices and positively charged is particularly suited for antibacterial and antifungal activity, which is presented by many 2S albumins. However, the hypervariable region present in 2S albumins induces allergenic reactions. Because of that, 2S albumins have never been recognized for their biotechnological potential. However, the development of servers used for the rational design of antimicrobial molecules has now brought a new application to 2S albumins, acting as a model to design antimicrobial molecules without the toxic or allergenic effects of 2S albumins. Therefore, this review is focused on discussing the importance of 2S albumins to seed development and defense and the biochemical, structural and functional properties of these proteins thought to play a role in their antimicrobial activity. Additionally, the application of 2S albumins to design synthetic antimicrobial peptides is discussed, potentially bringing new functions to these forgotten proteins.