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Xu D, Chi Y, He HW, Chen CY, Zhou H, Liu X, Xu G. Structural Simplification of Podophyllotoxin: Discovery of γ-Butyrolactone Derivatives as Novel Antiviral Agents for Plant Protection. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024. [PMID: 39106460 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c04312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/09/2024]
Abstract
Natural products are a valuable resource for the discovery of novel crop protection agents. A series of γ-butyrolactone derivatives, derived from the simplification of podophyllotoxin's structure, were synthesized and assessed for their efficacy against tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). Several derivatives exhibited notable antiviral properties, with compound 3g demonstrating the most potent in vivo anti-TMV activity. At 500 μg/mL, compound 3g achieved an inactivation effect of 87.8%, a protective effect of 71.7%, and a curative effect of 67.7%, surpassing the effectiveness of the commercial plant virucides ningnanmycin and ribavirin. Notably, the syn-diastereomer (syn-3g) exhibited superior antiviral activity compared to the anti-diastereomer (anti-3g). Mechanistic studies revealed that syn-3g could bind to the TMV coat protein and interfere with the self-assembly process of TMV particles. These findings indicate that compound 3g, with its simple chemical structure, could be a potential candidate for the development of novel antiviral agents for crop protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Natural Products & Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry & Pharmacy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Yuan Chi
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Hong-Wei He
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
- Institute of Cotton Research, Shanxi Agricultural University, Yuncheng, Shanxi 044000, China
| | - Cai-Yun Chen
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Huan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Xili Liu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Key Laboratory of Botanical Pesticide R&D in Shaanxi Province, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Gong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Natural Products & Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry & Pharmacy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
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Swamidatta SH, Lichman BR. Beyond co-expression: pathway discovery for plant pharmaceuticals. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2024; 88:103147. [PMID: 38833915 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2024.103147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Plant natural products have been an important source of medicinal molecules since ancient times. To gain access to the whole diversity of these molecules for pharmaceutical applications, it is important to understand their biosynthetic origins. Whilst co-expression is a reliable tool for identifying gene candidates, a variety of complementary methods can aid in screening or refining candidate selection. Here, we review recently employed plant biosynthetic pathway discovery approaches, and highlight future directions in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandesh H Swamidatta
- Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Benjamin R Lichman
- Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK.
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3
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Su Y, Lai W. Unraveling the Mechanism of the Oxidative C-C Bond Coupling Reaction Catalyzed by Deoxypodophyllotoxin Synthase. Inorg Chem 2024; 63:13948-13958. [PMID: 39008659 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.4c01263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Deoxypodophyllotoxin synthase (DPS), a nonheme Fe(II)/2-oxoglutarate (2OG)-dependent oxygenase, is a key enzyme that is involved in the construction of the fused-ring system in (-)-podophyllotoxin biosynthesis by catalyzing the C-C coupling reaction. However, the mechanistic details of DPS-catalyzed ring formation remain unclear. Herein, our quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) calculations reveal a novel mechanism that involves the recycling of CO2 (a product of decarboxylation of 2OG) to prevent the formation of hydroxylated byproducts. Our results show that CO2 can react with the FeIII-OH species to generate an unusual FeIII-bicarbonate species. In this way, hydroxylation is avoided by consuming the OH group. Then, the C-C coupling followed by desaturation yields the final product, deoxypodophyllotoxin. This work highlights the crucial role of the CO2 molecule, generated in the crevice between the iron active site and the substrate, in controlling the reaction selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanzhuang Su
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Light Conversion Materials and Biophotonics, School of Chemistry and Life Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China
| | - Wenzhen Lai
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Light Conversion Materials and Biophotonics, School of Chemistry and Life Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China
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Chekan JR, Mydy LS, Pasquale MA, Kersten RD. Plant peptides - redefining an area of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides. Nat Prod Rep 2024; 41:1020-1059. [PMID: 38411572 PMCID: PMC11253845 DOI: 10.1039/d3np00042g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Covering 1965 to February 2024Plants are prolific peptide chemists and are known to make thousands of different peptidic molecules. These peptides vary dramatically in their size, chemistry, and bioactivity. Despite their differences, all plant peptides to date are biosynthesized as ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs). Decades of research in plant RiPP biosynthesis have extended the definition and scope of RiPPs from microbial sources, establishing paradigms and discovering new families of biosynthetic enzymes. The discovery and elucidation of plant peptide pathways is challenging due to repurposing and evolution of housekeeping genes as both precursor peptides and biosynthetic enzymes and due to the low rates of gene clustering in plants. In this review, we highlight the chemistry, biosynthesis, and function of the known RiPP classes from plants and recommend a nomenclature for the recent addition of BURP-domain-derived RiPPs termed burpitides. Burpitides are an emerging family of cyclic plant RiPPs characterized by macrocyclic crosslinks between tyrosine or tryptophan side chains and other amino acid side chains or their peptide backbone that are formed by copper-dependent BURP-domain-containing proteins termed burpitide cyclases. Finally, we review the discovery of plant RiPPs through bioactivity-guided, structure-guided, and gene-guided approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan R Chekan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA.
| | - Lisa S Mydy
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Michael A Pasquale
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA.
| | - Roland D Kersten
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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Qiao Y, Huang D, Li Y, Jiang S, Chen X, Chen J, Xiao Y, Chen W. Construction of lignan glycosides biosynthetic network in Escherichia coli using mutltienzyme modules. Microb Cell Fact 2024; 23:193. [PMID: 38970026 PMCID: PMC11225284 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-024-02467-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to the complexity of the metabolic pathway network of active ingredients, precise targeted synthesis of any active ingredient on a synthetic network is a huge challenge. Based on a complete analysis of the active ingredient pathway in a species, this goal can be achieved by elucidating the functional differences of each enzyme in the pathway and achieving this goal through different combinations. Lignans are a class of phytoestrogens that are present abundantly in plants and play a role in various physiological activities of plants due to their structural diversity. In addition, lignans offer various medicinal benefits to humans. Despite their value, the low concentration of lignans in plants limits their extraction and utilization. Recently, synthetic biology approaches have been explored for lignan production, but achieving the synthesis of most lignans, especially the more valuable lignan glycosides, across the entire synthetic network remains incomplete. RESULTS By evaluating various gene construction methods and sequences, we determined that the pCDF-Duet-Prx02-PsVAO gene construction was the most effective for the production of (+)-pinoresinol, yielding up to 698.9 mg/L after shake-flask fermentation. Based on the stable production of (+)-pinoresinol, we synthesized downstream metabolites in vivo. By comparing different fermentation methods, including "one-cell, one-pot" and "multicellular one-pot", we determined that the "multicellular one-pot" method was more effective for producing (+)-lariciresinol, (-)-secoisolariciresinol, (-)-matairesinol, and their glycoside products. The "multicellular one-pot" fermentation yielded 434.08 mg/L of (+)-lariciresinol, 96.81 mg/L of (-)-secoisolariciresinol, and 45.14 mg/L of (-)-matairesinol. Subsequently, ultilizing the strict substrate recognition pecificities of UDP-glycosyltransferase (UGT) incorporating the native uridine diphosphate glucose (UDPG) Module for in vivo synthesis of glycoside products resulted in the following yields: (+)-pinoresinol glucoside: 1.71 mg/L, (+)-lariciresinol-4-O-D-glucopyranoside: 1.3 mg/L, (+)-lariciresinol-4'-O-D-glucopyranoside: 836 µg/L, (-)-secoisolariciresinol monoglucoside: 103.77 µg/L, (-)-matairesinol-4-O-D-glucopyranoside: 86.79 µg/L, and (-)-matairesinol-4'-O-D-glucopyranoside: 74.5 µg/L. CONCLUSIONS By using various construction and fermentation methods, we successfully synthesized 10 products of the lignan pathway in Isatis indigotica Fort in Escherichia coli, with eugenol as substrate. Additionally, we obtained a diverse range of lignan products by combining different modules, setting a foundation for future high-yield lignan production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqi Qiao
- Research and Development Center of Chinese Medicine Resources and Biotechnology, The Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Doudou Huang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yajing Li
- Research and Development Center of Chinese Medicine Resources and Biotechnology, The Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Songfan Jiang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xiao Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, China
| | - Junfeng Chen
- Research and Development Center of Chinese Medicine Resources and Biotechnology, The Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Ying Xiao
- Research and Development Center of Chinese Medicine Resources and Biotechnology, The Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Wansheng Chen
- Research and Development Center of Chinese Medicine Resources and Biotechnology, The Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- Department of Pharmacy, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200003, China.
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6
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Bai Y, Liu X, Baldwin IT. Using Synthetic Biology to Understand the Function of Plant Specialized Metabolites. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 75:629-653. [PMID: 38424065 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-arplant-060223-013842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Plant specialized metabolites (PSMs) are variably distributed across taxa, tissues, and ecological contexts; this variability has inspired many theories about PSM function, which, to date, remain poorly tested because predictions have outpaced the available data. Advances in mass spectrometry-based metabolomics have enabled unbiased PSM profiling, and molecular biology techniques have produced PSM-free plants; the combination of these methods has accelerated our understanding of the complex ecological roles that PSMs play in plants. Synthetic biology techniques and workflows are producing high-value, structurally complex PSMs in quantities and purities sufficient for both medicinal and functional studies. These workflows enable the reengineering of PSM transport, externalization, structural diversity, and production in novel taxa, facilitating rigorous tests of long-standing theoretical predictions about why plants produce so many different PSMs in particular tissues and ecological contexts. Plants use their chemical prowess to solve ecological challenges, and synthetic biology workflows are accelerating our understanding of these evolved functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuechen Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; ,
| | - Xinyu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; ,
| | - Ian T Baldwin
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany;
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7
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Chen G, Guo Z, Shu Y, Zhao Y, Qiu L, Duan S, Lin Y, He S, Li X, Feng X, Xiang G, Nian B, Wang Y, Li Z, Chongkang Yang, Shi Y, Lu Y, Liu G, Yang S, Zhang G, Hao B. Biosynthetic pathway of prescription cucurbitacin IIa and high-level production of key triterpenoid intermediates in engineered yeast and tobacco. PLANT COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 5:100835. [PMID: 38425040 PMCID: PMC11211238 DOI: 10.1016/j.xplc.2024.100835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Cucurbitacin IIa is a triterpenoid isolated exclusively from Hemsleya plants and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that functions as the main ingredient of prescription Hemslecin capsules and tablets in China. Synthetic biology provides new strategies for production of such valuable cucurbitacins at a large scale; however, the biosynthetic pathway of cucurbitacin IIa has been unknown, and the heterologous production of cucurbitacins in galactose medium has been expensive and low yielding. In this study, we characterized the functions of genes encoding two squalene epoxidases (HcSE1-2), six oxidosqualene cyclases (HcOSC1-6), two CYP450s (HcCYP87D20 and HcCYP81Q59), and an acyltransferase (HcAT1) in cucurbitacin IIa biosynthesis by heterologous expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Nicotiana benthamiana. We achieved high-level production of the key cucurbitacin precursor 11-carbonyl-20β-hydroxy-Cuol from glucose in yeast via modular engineering of the mevalonate pathway and optimization of P450 expression levels. The resulting yields of 46.41 mg/l 11-carbonyl-20β-hydroxy-Cuol and 126.47 mg/l total cucurbitacin triterpenoids in shake flasks are the highest yields yet reported from engineered microbes. Subsequently, production of 11-carbonyl-20β-hydroxy-Cuol by transient gene expression in tobacco resulted in yields of 1.28 mg/g dry weight in leaves. This work reveals the key genes involved in biosynthesis of prescription cucurbitacin IIa and demonstrates that engineered yeast cultivated with glucose can produce high yields of key triterpenoid intermediates. We describe a low-cost and highly efficient platform for rapid screening of candidate genes and high-yield production of pharmacological triterpenoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Zhaokuan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Yanyu Shu
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Lei Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Shaofeng Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Yuan Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Simei He
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Xiaobo Li
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Xiaolin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Guisheng Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Bo Nian
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Yina Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Zhiyuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Chongkang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Yang Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Yingchun Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Guanze Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Shengchao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Guanghui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China.
| | - Bing Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China.
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8
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Ushimaru R. Functions and mechanisms of enzymes assembling lignans and norlignans. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2024; 80:102462. [PMID: 38692182 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2024.102462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Lignans and norlignans are distributed throughout the plant kingdom and exhibit diverse chemical structures and biological properties that offer potential for therapeutic use. Originating from the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway, their characteristic carbon architectures are formed through unique enzyme catalysis, featuring regio- and stereoselective C-C bond forming processes. Despite extensive research on these plant natural products, their biosynthetic pathways, and enzyme mechanisms remain enigmatic. This review highlights recent advancements in elucidating the functions and mechanisms of the biosynthetic enzymes responsible for constructing the distinct carbon frameworks of lignans and norlignans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richiro Ushimaru
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan.
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9
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Sadre R. Plant synthetic biology for human health: advances in producing medicines in heterologous expression systems. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2024; 87:103142. [PMID: 38735192 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2024.103142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Plant synthetic biology has the capability to provide solutions to global challenges in the production and supply of medicines. Recent advances in 'omics' technologies have accelerated gene discoveries in medicinal plant research so that even multistep biosynthetic pathways for bioactive plant natural products with high structural complexity can be reconstituted in heterologous plant expression systems more rapidly. This review provides an overview of concept and strategies used to produce high-value plant natural products in heterologous plant systems and highlights recent successes in engineering the biosynthesis of conventional and new medicines in alternative plant hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radin Sadre
- Pelotonia Research Center, Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, the Ohio State University, 2255 Kenny Rd, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
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10
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Zhao R, Yu Y, Gao M, Xing Y, Xue J, Xu L, Kang T. The conversion of monolignans to sesquilignans and dilignans is closely correlated to the regulation of Arctium lappa seed germination. PLANTA 2024; 260:9. [PMID: 38795149 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-024-04445-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/27/2024]
Abstract
MAIN CONCLUSION The secondary metabolic conversion of monolignans to sesquilignans/dilignans was closely related to seed germination and seedling establishment in Arctium lappa. Arctium lappa plants are used as a kind of traditional Chinese medicines for nearly 1500 years, and so far, only a few studies have put focus on the key secondary metabolic changes during seed germination and seedling establishment. In the current study, a combined approach was used to investigate the correlation among secondary metabolites, plant hormone signaling, and transcriptional profiles at the early critical stages of A. lappa seed germination and seedling establishment. Of 50 metabolites in methonolic extracts of A. lappa samples, 35 metabolites were identified with LC-MS/MS and 15 metabolites were identified with GC-MS. Their qualitative properties were examined according to the predicted chemical structures. The quantitative analysis was performed for deciphering their metabolic profiles, discovering that the secondary metabolic conversion from monolignans to sesquilignans/dilignans was closely correlated to the initiation of A. lappa seed germination and seedling establishment. Furthermore, the critical transcriptional changes in primary metabolisms, translational regulation at different cellular compartments, and multiple plant hormone signaling pathways were revealed. In addition, the combined approach provides unprecedented insights into key regulatory mechanisms in both gene transcription and secondary metabolites besides many known primary metabolites during seed germination of an important traditional Chinese medicinal plant species. The results not only provide new insights to understand the regulation of key medicinal components of 'ARCTII FRUCTUS', arctiin and arctigenin at the stages of seed germination and seedling establishment, but also potentially spur the development of seed-based cultivation in A. lappa plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dalian, 116600, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Yu
- School of Pharmacy, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dalian, 116600, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingze Gao
- School of Pharmacy, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dalian, 116600, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanping Xing
- School of Pharmacy, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dalian, 116600, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianing Xue
- School of Pharmacy, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dalian, 116600, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Liang Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dalian, 116600, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Tingguo Kang
- School of Pharmacy, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dalian, 116600, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China.
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11
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Font-Farre M, Brown D, Toth R, Mahadevan C, Brazier-Hicks M, Morimoto K, Kaschani F, Sinclair J, Dale R, Hall S, Morris M, Kaiser M, Wright AT, Burton J, van der Hoorn RAL. Discovery of active mouse, plant and fungal cytochrome P450s in endogenous proteomes and upon expression in planta. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10091. [PMID: 38698065 PMCID: PMC11066006 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60333-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotes produce a large number of cytochrome P450s that mediate the synthesis and degradation of diverse endogenous and exogenous metabolites. Yet, most of these P450s are uncharacterized and global tools to study these challenging, membrane-resident enzymes remain to be exploited. Here, we applied activity profiling of plant, mouse and fungal P450s with chemical probes that become reactive when oxidized by P450 enzymes. Identification by mass spectrometry revealed labeling of a wide range of active P450s, including six plant P450s, 40 mouse P450s and 13 P450s of the fungal wheat pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici. We next used transient expression of GFP-tagged P450s by agroinfiltration to show ER-targeting and NADPH-dependent, activity-based labeling of plant, mouse and fungal P450s. Both global profiling and transient expression can be used to detect a broad range of active P450s to study e.g. their regulation and discover selective inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Font-Farre
- The Plant Chemetics Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Daniel Brown
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Reka Toth
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | - Kyoko Morimoto
- The Plant Chemetics Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Farnusch Kaschani
- ZMB Chemical Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - John Sinclair
- Bioscience, Syngenta, Jealotts Hill International Research Centre, Bracknell, UK
| | - Richard Dale
- Bioscience, Syngenta, Jealotts Hill International Research Centre, Bracknell, UK
| | - Samantha Hall
- Bioscience, Syngenta, Jealotts Hill International Research Centre, Bracknell, UK
| | - Melloney Morris
- Bioscience, Syngenta, Jealotts Hill International Research Centre, Bracknell, UK
| | - Markus Kaiser
- ZMB Chemical Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Jonathan Burton
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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12
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Feng J, Yao Y, Qiao Y, Ma X, Wu Z, Duan Y, Di P, Chen W, Xiao Y. Effect of pinoresinol-lariciresinol reductases on biosynthesis of lignans with substrate selectivity in Schisandra chinensis. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2024; 221:114053. [PMID: 38479587 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2024.114053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Schisandra lignans are the main bioactive compounds found in Schisandra chinensis fruits, such as schisandrol lignans and schisandrin lignans, which play important roles in organ protection or other clinical roles. Pinoresinol-lariciresinol reductase (PLR) plays a pivotal role in plant lignan biosynthesis, however, limited research has been conducted on S. chinensis PLR to date. This study identified five genes as ScPLR, successfully cloned their coding sequences, and elucidated their catalytic capabilities. ScPLR3-5 could recognize both pinoresinol and lariciresinol as substrates, and convert them into lariciresinol and secoisolariciresinol, respectively, while ScPLR2 exclusively catalyzed the conversion of (+)-pinoresinol into (+)-lariciresinol. Transcript-metabolite correlation analysis indicated that ScPLR2 exhibited unique properties that differed from the other members. Molecular docking and site-directed mutagenesis revealed that Phe271 and Leu40 in the substrate binding motif were crucial for the catalytic activity of ScPLR2. This study serves as a foundation for understanding the essential enzymes involved in schisandra lignan biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxian Feng
- The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines and the SHTCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, The MOE Innovation Centre for Basic Medicine Research on Qi-Blood TCM Theories, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yuan Yao
- The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines and the SHTCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, The MOE Innovation Centre for Basic Medicine Research on Qi-Blood TCM Theories, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yuqi Qiao
- The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines and the SHTCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, The MOE Innovation Centre for Basic Medicine Research on Qi-Blood TCM Theories, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xueqi Ma
- The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines and the SHTCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, The MOE Innovation Centre for Basic Medicine Research on Qi-Blood TCM Theories, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Zongtai Wu
- Faculty of Biology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
| | - Yonghao Duan
- The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines and the SHTCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, The MOE Innovation Centre for Basic Medicine Research on Qi-Blood TCM Theories, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Peng Di
- State Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Ginseng Breeding and Application, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China.
| | - Wansheng Chen
- The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines and the SHTCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, The MOE Innovation Centre for Basic Medicine Research on Qi-Blood TCM Theories, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Pharmacy, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China.
| | - Ying Xiao
- The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines and the SHTCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, The MOE Innovation Centre for Basic Medicine Research on Qi-Blood TCM Theories, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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13
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Dixon RA, Dickinson AJ. A century of studying plant secondary metabolism-From "what?" to "where, how, and why?". PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 195:48-66. [PMID: 38163637 PMCID: PMC11060662 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Over the past century, early advances in understanding the identity of the chemicals that collectively form a living plant have led scientists to deeper investigations exploring where these molecules localize, how they are made, and why they are synthesized in the first place. Many small molecules are specific to the plant kingdom and have been termed plant secondary metabolites, despite the fact that they can play primary and essential roles in plant structure, development, and response to the environment. The past 100 yr have witnessed elucidation of the structure, function, localization, and biosynthesis of selected plant secondary metabolites. Nevertheless, many mysteries remain about the vast diversity of chemicals produced by plants and their roles in plant biology. From early work characterizing unpurified plant extracts, to modern integration of 'omics technology to discover genes in metabolite biosynthesis and perception, research in plant (bio)chemistry has produced knowledge with substantial benefits for society, including human medicine and agricultural biotechnology. Here, we review the history of this work and offer suggestions for future areas of exploration. We also highlight some of the recently developed technologies that are leading to ongoing research advances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A Dixon
- BioDiscovery Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, USA
| | - Alexandra Jazz Dickinson
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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14
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Zhu Z, Chen D, Sun M, Xiao M, Huang P, Ren D, Yang Y, Zhang Z, Zhao Q, Li R. Integrative analysis of the metabolome and transcriptome provides insights into the mechanisms of lignan biosynthesis in Herpetospermum pedunculosum (Cucurbitaceae). BMC Genomics 2024; 25:421. [PMID: 38684979 PMCID: PMC11059704 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10306-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Herpetospermum pedunculosum (Ser.) C. B. Clarke is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that heavily relies on the lignans found in its dried ripe seeds (Herpetospermum caudigerum), which have antioxidant and hepatoprotective functions. However, little is known regarding the lignan biosynthesis in H. pedunculosum. In this study, we used metabolomic (non-targeted UHPLC-MS/MS) and transcriptome (RNA-Seq) analyses to identify key metabolites and genes (both structural and regulatory) associated with lignan production during the green mature (GM) and yellow mature (YM) stages of H. pedunculosum. RESULTS The contents of 26 lignan-related metabolites and the expression of 30 genes involved in the lignan pathway differed considerably between the GM and YM stages; most of them were more highly expressed in YM than in GM. UPLC-Q-TOF/MS confirmed that three Herpetospermum-specific lignans (including herpetrione, herpetotriol, and herpetin) were found in YM, but were not detected in GM. In addition, we proposed a lignan biosynthesis pathway for H. pedunculosum based on the fundamental principles of chemistry and biosynthesis. An integrated study of the transcriptome and metabolome identified several transcription factors, including HpGAF1, HpHSFB3, and HpWOX1, that were highly correlated with the metabolism of lignan compounds during seed ripening. Furthermore, functional validation assays revealed that the enzyme 4-Coumarate: CoA ligase (4CL) catalyzes the synthesis of hydroxycinnamate CoA esters. CONCLUSION These results will deepen our understanding of seed lignan biosynthesis and establish a theoretical basis for molecular breeding of H. pedunculosum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziwei Zhu
- Engineering Research Center of Sichuan-Tibet Traditional Medicinal Plant, Chengdu University, 610106, Chengdu, China
- Institute for Advanced Study, Chengdu University, 610106, Chengdu, China
| | - Daihan Chen
- Pharmacy College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 611137, Chengdu, China
| | - Min Sun
- Engineering Research Center of Sichuan-Tibet Traditional Medicinal Plant, Chengdu University, 610106, Chengdu, China
- Institute for Advanced Study, Chengdu University, 610106, Chengdu, China
| | - Maotao Xiao
- Engineering Research Center of Sichuan-Tibet Traditional Medicinal Plant, Chengdu University, 610106, Chengdu, China
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, 610106, Chengdu, China
| | - Peng Huang
- Tibet Rhodiola Pharmaceutical Holding Company, 850000, Lhasa, China
| | - Dongsheng Ren
- Tibet Rhodiola Pharmaceutical Holding Company, 850000, Lhasa, China
| | - Yixi Yang
- Engineering Research Center of Sichuan-Tibet Traditional Medicinal Plant, Chengdu University, 610106, Chengdu, China
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, 610106, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Sichuan-Tibet Traditional Medicinal Plant, Chengdu University, 610106, Chengdu, China
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, 610106, Chengdu, China
| | - Qi Zhao
- Engineering Research Center of Sichuan-Tibet Traditional Medicinal Plant, Chengdu University, 610106, Chengdu, China.
- Pharmacy College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 611137, Chengdu, China.
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, 610106, Chengdu, China.
| | - Rui Li
- Engineering Research Center of Sichuan-Tibet Traditional Medicinal Plant, Chengdu University, 610106, Chengdu, China.
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, 610106, Chengdu, China.
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15
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Long Q, Zhou W, Zhou H, Tang Y, Chen W, Liu Q, Bian X. Polyamine-containing natural products: structure, bioactivity, and biosynthesis. Nat Prod Rep 2024; 41:525-564. [PMID: 37873660 DOI: 10.1039/d2np00087c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Covering: 2005 to August, 2023Polyamine-containing natural products (NPs) have been isolated from a wide range of terrestrial and marine organisms and most of them exhibit remarkable and diverse activities, including antimicrobial, antiprotozoal, antiangiogenic, antitumor, antiviral, iron-chelating, anti-depressive, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal, antiobesity, and antioxidant properties. Their extraordinary activities and potential applications in human health and agriculture attract increasing numbers of studies on polyamine-containing NPs. In this review, we summarized the source, structure, classification, bioactivities and biosynthesis of polyamine-containing NPs, focusing on the biosynthetic mechanism of polyamine itself and representative polyamine alkaloids, polyamine-containing siderophores with catechol/hydroxamate/hydroxycarboxylate groups, nonribosomal peptide-(polyketide)-polyamine (NRP-(PK)-PA), and NRP-PK-long chain poly-fatty amine (lcPFAN) hybrid molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingshan Long
- Hunan Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center for Agricultural Microbiology Application, Hunan Institute of Microbiology, Changsha, 410009, China.
| | - Wen Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Chemical Drugs and Pharmaceutics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural, Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Haibo Zhou
- Helmholtz International Lab for Anti-Infectives, Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China.
| | - Ying Tang
- Hunan Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center for Agricultural Microbiology Application, Hunan Institute of Microbiology, Changsha, 410009, China.
| | - Wu Chen
- College of Plant Protection, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China.
| | - Qingshu Liu
- Hunan Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center for Agricultural Microbiology Application, Hunan Institute of Microbiology, Changsha, 410009, China.
| | - Xiaoying Bian
- Helmholtz International Lab for Anti-Infectives, Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China.
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16
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Hardy FG, Wong HPH, de Visser SP. Computational Study Into the Oxidative Ring-Closure Mechanism During the Biosynthesis of Deoxypodophyllotoxin. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202400019. [PMID: 38323740 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202400019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
The nonheme iron dioxygenase deoxypodophyllotoxin synthase performs an oxidative ring-closure reaction as part of natural product synthesis in plants. How the enzyme enables the oxidative ring-closure reaction of (-)-yatein and avoids substrate hydroxylation remains unknown. To gain insight into the reaction mechanism and understand the details of the pathways leading to products and by-products we performed a comprehensive computational study. The work shows that substrate is bound tightly into the substrate binding pocket with the C7'-H bond closest to the iron(IV)-oxo species. The reaction proceeds through a radical mechanism starting with hydrogen atom abstraction from the C7'-H position followed by ring-closure and a final hydrogen transfer to form iron(II)-water and deoxypodophyllotoxin. Alternative mechanisms including substrate hydroxylation and an electron transfer pathway were explored but found to be higher in energy. The mechanism is guided by electrostatic perturbations of charged residues in the second-coordination sphere that prevent alternative pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fintan G Hardy
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, United Kingdom
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Henrik P H Wong
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, United Kingdom
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Sam P de Visser
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, United Kingdom
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom
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17
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Martin LBB, Kikuchi S, Rejzek M, Owen C, Reed J, Orme A, Misra RC, El-Demerdash A, Hill L, Hodgson H, Liu Y, Keasling JD, Field RA, Truman AW, Osbourn A. Complete biosynthesis of the potent vaccine adjuvant QS-21. Nat Chem Biol 2024; 20:493-502. [PMID: 38278997 PMCID: PMC10972754 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-023-01538-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
QS-21 is a potent vaccine adjuvant currently sourced by extraction from the Chilean soapbark tree. It is a key component of human vaccines for shingles, malaria, coronavirus disease 2019 and others under development. The structure of QS-21 consists of a glycosylated triterpene scaffold coupled to a complex glycosylated 18-carbon acyl chain that is critical for immunostimulant activity. We previously identified the early pathway steps needed to make the triterpene glycoside scaffold; however, the biosynthetic route to the acyl chain, which is needed for stimulation of T cell proliferation, was unknown. Here, we report the biogenic origin of the acyl chain, characterize the series of enzymes required for its synthesis and addition and reconstitute the entire 20-step pathway in tobacco, thereby demonstrating the production of QS-21 in a heterologous expression system. This advance opens up unprecedented opportunities for bioengineering of vaccine adjuvants, investigating structure-activity relationships and understanding the mechanisms by which these compounds promote the human immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Martin Rejzek
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | | | - James Reed
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | | | | | - Amr El-Demerdash
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Lionel Hill
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | | | - Yuzhong Liu
- California Institute of Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, USA
| | - Jay D Keasling
- California Institute of Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Center for Biosustainability, Danish Technical University, Lyngby, Denmark
- Center for Synthetic Biochemistry, Shenzhen Institutes for Advanced Technologies, Shenzhen, China
| | - Robert A Field
- Department of Chemistry and Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | | | - Anne Osbourn
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK.
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18
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Courdavault V, Papon N. Accessing natural vaccine adjuvants. Nat Chem Biol 2024; 20:401-403. [PMID: 38491321 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-024-01585-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Courdavault
- Biomolécules et Biotechnologies Végétales, Université de Tours, Tours, France.
| | - Nicolas Papon
- Université d'Angers, Université de Bretagne-Occidentale, IRF, SFR ICAT, Angers, France
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19
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Lam LPY, Lui ACW, Bartley LE, Mikami B, Umezawa T, Lo C. Multifunctional 5-hydroxyconiferaldehyde O-methyltransferases (CAldOMTs) in plant metabolism. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2024; 75:1671-1695. [PMID: 38198655 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erae011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Lignin, flavonoids, melatonin, and stilbenes are plant specialized metabolites with diverse physiological and biological functions, supporting plant growth and conferring stress resistance. Their biosynthesis requires O-methylations catalyzed by 5-hydroxyconiferaldehyde O-methyltransferase (CAldOMT; also called caffeic acid O-methyltransferase, COMT). CAldOMT was first known for its roles in syringyl (S) lignin biosynthesis in angiosperm cell walls and later found to be multifunctional. This enzyme also catalyzes O-methylations in flavonoid, melatonin, and stilbene biosynthetic pathways. Phylogenetic analysis indicated the convergent evolution of enzymes with OMT activities towards the monolignol biosynthetic pathway intermediates in some gymnosperm species that lack S-lignin and Selaginella moellendorffii, a lycophyte which produces S-lignin. Furthermore, neofunctionalization of CAldOMTs occurred repeatedly during evolution, generating unique O-methyltransferases (OMTs) with novel catalytic activities and/or accepting novel substrates, including lignans, 1,2,3-trihydroxybenzene, and phenylpropenes. This review summarizes multiple aspects of CAldOMTs and their related proteins in plant metabolism and discusses their evolution, molecular mechanism, and roles in biorefineries, agriculture, and synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Pui Ying Lam
- Graduate School of Engineering Science, Akita University, Tegata Gakuen-machi 1-1, Akita City, Akita 010-0852, Japan
| | - Andy C W Lui
- Plant Breeding and Genetics Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Laura E Bartley
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Bunzo Mikami
- Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Umezawa
- Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
| | - Clive Lo
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
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20
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Liu X, Ma Y, Bu J, Lian C, Ma R, Li Q, Jiao X, Hu Z, Chen Y, Chen S, Guo J, Huang L. Characterization of CYP82 genes involved in the biosynthesis of structurally diverse benzylisoquinoline alkaloids in Corydalis yanhusuo. PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 114:23. [PMID: 38453737 DOI: 10.1007/s11103-023-01397-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) represent a significant class of secondary metabolites with crucial roles in plant physiology and substantial potential for clinical applications. CYP82 genes are involved in the formation and modification of various BIA skeletons, contributing to the structural diversity of compounds. In this study, Corydalis yanhusuo, a traditional Chinese medicine rich in BIAs, was investigated to identify the catalytic function of CYP82s during BIA formation. Specifically, 20 CyCYP82-encoding genes were cloned, and their functions were identified in vitro. Ten of these CyCYP82s were observed to catalyze hydroxylation, leading to the formation of protopine and benzophenanthridine scaffolds. Furthermore, the correlation between BIA accumulation and the expression of CyCYP82s in different tissues of C. yanhusuo was assessed their. The identification and characterization of CyCYP82s provide novel genetic elements that can advance the synthetic biology of BIA compounds such as protopine and benzophenanthridine, and offer insights into the biosynthesis of BIAs with diverse structures in C. yanhusuo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuyu Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, No. 156 Jinshuidong Road, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Ying Ma
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinan Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100000, China
| | - Junling Bu
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinan Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100000, China
| | - Conglong Lian
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, No. 156 Jinshuidong Road, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Rui Ma
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, No. 156 Jinshuidong Road, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Qishuang Li
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinan Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100000, China
| | - Xiang Jiao
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Kemivägen 10, 41296, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Zhimin Hu
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinan Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100000, China
| | - Yun Chen
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Kemivägen 10, 41296, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Suiqing Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, No. 156 Jinshuidong Road, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Juan Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinan Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100000, China.
| | - Luqi Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinan Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100000, China.
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21
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Fu H, Guo C, Peng J, Shao F, Sheng S, Wang S. Transcriptomic Insights and Cytochrome P450 Gene Analysis in Kadsura coccinea for Lignan Biosynthesis. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:270. [PMID: 38540329 PMCID: PMC10969973 DOI: 10.3390/genes15030270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Kadsura coccinea is a medicinal plant from the Schisandraceae family that is native to China and has great pharmacological potential due to its lignans. However, there are significant knowledge gaps regarding the genetic and molecular mechanisms of lignans. We used transcriptome sequencing technology to analyze root, stem, and leaf samples, focusing on the identification and phylogenetic analysis of Cytochrome P450 (CYP) genes. High-quality data containing 158,385 transcripts and 68,978 unigenes were obtained. In addition, 36,293 unigenes in at least one database, and 23,335 across five databases (Nr, KEGG, KOG, TrEMBL, and SwissProt) were successfully annotated. The KEGG pathway classification and annotation of these unigenes identified 10,825 categorized into major metabolic pathways, notably phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, which is essential for lignan synthesis. A key focus was the identification and phylogenetic analysis of 233 Cytochrome P450 (CYP) genes, revealing their distribution across 38 families in eight clans, with roots showing specific CYP gene expression patterns indicative of their role in lignan biosynthesis. Sequence alignment identified 22 homologous single genes of these CYPs, with 6 homologous genes of CYP719As and 1 of CYP81Qs highly expressed in roots. Our study significantly advances the understanding of the biosynthesis of dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans, offering valuable insights for future pharmacological research and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanyu Fu
- College of Forestry, Central South University of Forestry & Technology, 498 South Shaoshan Road, Changsha 410004, China; (H.F.); (C.G.); (J.P.); (F.S.)
| | - Chuan Guo
- College of Forestry, Central South University of Forestry & Technology, 498 South Shaoshan Road, Changsha 410004, China; (H.F.); (C.G.); (J.P.); (F.S.)
- Yuelushan Laboratory, Qiushi Building, Hunan Agricultural University, Furong District, Changsha 410128, China
- The Belt and Road International Union Research Center for Tropical Arid Non-Wood Forest in Hunan Province, 498 South Shaoshan Road, Changsha 410004, China
| | - Jiqing Peng
- College of Forestry, Central South University of Forestry & Technology, 498 South Shaoshan Road, Changsha 410004, China; (H.F.); (C.G.); (J.P.); (F.S.)
- Yuelushan Laboratory, Qiushi Building, Hunan Agricultural University, Furong District, Changsha 410128, China
- The Belt and Road International Union Research Center for Tropical Arid Non-Wood Forest in Hunan Province, 498 South Shaoshan Road, Changsha 410004, China
| | - Fengxia Shao
- College of Forestry, Central South University of Forestry & Technology, 498 South Shaoshan Road, Changsha 410004, China; (H.F.); (C.G.); (J.P.); (F.S.)
- Yuelushan Laboratory, Qiushi Building, Hunan Agricultural University, Furong District, Changsha 410128, China
- The Belt and Road International Union Research Center for Tropical Arid Non-Wood Forest in Hunan Province, 498 South Shaoshan Road, Changsha 410004, China
| | - Song Sheng
- Yuelushan Laboratory, Qiushi Building, Hunan Agricultural University, Furong District, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Sen Wang
- College of Forestry, Central South University of Forestry & Technology, 498 South Shaoshan Road, Changsha 410004, China; (H.F.); (C.G.); (J.P.); (F.S.)
- The Belt and Road International Union Research Center for Tropical Arid Non-Wood Forest in Hunan Province, 498 South Shaoshan Road, Changsha 410004, China
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22
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Monkcom EC, Gómez L, Lutz M, Ye S, Bill E, Costas M, Klein Gebbink RJM. Synthesis, Structure and Reactivity of a Mononuclear N,N,O-Bound Fe(II) α-Keto-Acid Complex. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202302710. [PMID: 37882223 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202302710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
A bulky, tridentate phenolate ligand (ImPh2 NNOtBu ) was used to synthesise the first example of a mononuclear, facial, N,N,O-bound iron(II) benzoylformate complex, [Fe(ImPh2 NNOtBu )(BF)] (2). The X-ray crystal structure of 2 reveals that the iron centre is pentacoordinate (τ=0.5), with a vacant site located cis to the bidentate BF ligand. The Mössbauer parameters of 2 are consistent with high-spin iron(II), and are very close to those reported for α-ketoglutarate-bound non-heme iron enzyme active sites. According to NMR and UV-vis spectroscopies, the structural integrity of 2 is retained in both coordinating and non-coordinating solvents. Cyclic voltammetry studies show that the iron centre has a very low oxidation potential and is more prone to electrochemical oxidation than the redox-active phenolate ligand. Complex 2 reacts with NO to form a S=3 /2 {FeNO}7 adduct in which NO binds directly to the iron centre, according to EPR, UV-vis, IR spectroscopies and DFT analysis. Upon O2 exposure, 2 undergoes oxidative decarboxylation to form a diiron(III) benzoate complex, [Fe2 (ImPh2 NNOtBu )2 (μ2 -OBz)(μ2 -OH)2 ]+ (3). A small amount of hydroxylated ligand was also observed by ESI-MS, hinting at the formation of a high-valent iron(IV)-oxo intermediate. Initial reactivity studies show that 2 is capable of oxygen atom transfer reactivity with O2 , converting methyl(p-tolyl)sulfide to sulfoxide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily C Monkcom
- Organic Chemistry and Catalysis, Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Laura Gómez
- Serveis Tècnics de Recerca, Universitat de Girona, Pic de Peguera 15, Parc Cientific, 17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Martin Lutz
- Structural Biochemistry, Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Shengfa Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 457 Zhongshan Road, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Eckhard Bill
- Max-Planck-Institut für Chemische Energiekonversion, 45470, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - Miquel Costas
- Institut de Química Computacional i Catàlisi, Universitat de Girona, Pic de Peguera 15, Parc Cientific, 17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Robertus J M Klein Gebbink
- Organic Chemistry and Catalysis, Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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23
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Liu JCT, De La Peña R, Tocol C, Sattely ES. Reconstitution of early paclitaxel biosynthetic network. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1419. [PMID: 38360800 PMCID: PMC10869802 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45574-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Paclitaxel is an anticancer therapeutic produced by the yew tree. Over the last two decades, a significant bottleneck in the reconstitution of early paclitaxel biosynthesis has been the propensity of heterologously expressed pathway cytochromes P450, including taxadiene 5α-hydroxylase (T5αH), to form multiple products. Here, we structurally characterize four new products of T5αH, many of which appear to be over-oxidation of the primary mono-oxidized products. By tuning the promoter strength for T5αH expression in Nicotiana plants, we observe decreased levels of these proposed byproducts with a concomitant increase in the accumulation of taxadien-5α-ol, the paclitaxel precursor, by three-fold. This enables the reconstitution of a six step biosynthetic pathway, which we further show may function as a metabolic network. Our result demonstrates that six previously characterized Taxus genes can coordinatively produce key paclitaxel intermediates and serves as a crucial platform for the discovery of the remaining biosynthetic genes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ricardo De La Peña
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Christian Tocol
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Elizabeth S Sattely
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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24
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Jinkerson RE, Poveda-Huertes D, Cooney EC, Cho A, Ochoa-Fernandez R, Keeling PJ, Xiang T, Andersen-Ranberg J. Biosynthesis of chlorophyll c in a dinoflagellate and heterologous production in planta. Curr Biol 2024; 34:594-605.e4. [PMID: 38157859 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.12.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Chlorophyll c is a key photosynthetic pigment that has been used historically to classify eukaryotic algae. Despite its importance in global photosynthetic productivity, the pathway for its biosynthesis has remained elusive. Here we define the CHLOROPHYLL C SYNTHASE (CHLCS) discovered through investigation of a dinoflagellate mutant deficient in chlorophyll c. CHLCSs are proteins with chlorophyll a/b binding and 2-oxoglutarate-Fe(II) dioxygenase (2OGD) domains found in peridinin-containing dinoflagellates; other chlorophyll c-containing algae utilize enzymes with only the 2OGD domain or an unknown synthase to produce chlorophyll c. 2OGD-containing synthases across dinoflagellate, diatom, cryptophyte, and haptophyte lineages form a monophyletic group, 8 members of which were also shown to produce chlorophyll c. Chlorophyll c1 to c2 ratios in marine algae are dictated in part by chlorophyll c synthases. CHLCS heterologously expressed in planta results in the accumulation of chlorophyll c1 and c2, demonstrating a path to augment plant pigment composition with algal counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert E Jinkerson
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA; Center for Plant Cell Biology, Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
| | - Daniel Poveda-Huertes
- Department of Plant and Environmental Science, University of Copenhagen, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Elizabeth C Cooney
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Anna Cho
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Rocio Ochoa-Fernandez
- Department of Plant and Environmental Science, University of Copenhagen, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Patrick J Keeling
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Tingting Xiang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
| | - Johan Andersen-Ranberg
- Department of Plant and Environmental Science, University of Copenhagen, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
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25
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Kruse LH, Sunstrum FG, Garcia D, López Pérez G, Jancsik S, Bohlmann J, Irmisch S. Improved production of the antidiabetic metabolite montbretin A in Nicotiana benthamiana: discovery, characterization, and use of Crocosmia shikimate shunt genes. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 117:766-785. [PMID: 37960967 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
The plant-specialized metabolite montbretin A (MbA) is being developed as a new treatment option for type-2 diabetes, which is among the ten leading causes of premature death and disability worldwide. MbA is a complex acylated flavonoid glycoside produced in small amounts in below-ground organs of the perennial plant Montbretia (Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora). The lack of a scalable production system limits the development and potential application of MbA as a pharmaceutical or nutraceutical. Previous efforts to reconstruct montbretin biosynthesis in Nicotiana benthamiana (Nb) resulted in low yields of MbA and higher levels of montbretin B (MbB) and montbretin C (MbC). MbA, MbB, and MbC are nearly identical metabolites differing only in their acyl moieties, derived from caffeoyl-CoA, coumaroyl-CoA, and feruloyl-CoA, respectively. In contrast to MbA, MbB and MbC are not pharmaceutically active. To utilize the montbretia caffeoyl-CoA biosynthesis for improved MbA engineering in Nb, we cloned and characterized enzymes of the shikimate shunt of the general phenylpropanoid pathway, specifically hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA: shikimate hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (CcHCT), p-coumaroylshikimate 3'-hydroxylase (CcC3'H), and caffeoylshikimate esterase (CcCSE). Gene expression patterns suggest that CcCSE enables the predominant formation of MbA, relative to MbB and MbC, in montbretia. This observation is supported by results from in vitro characterization of CcCSE and reconstruction of the shikimate shunt in yeast. Using CcHCT together with montbretin biosynthetic genes in multigene constructs resulted in a 30-fold increase of MbA in Nb. This work advances our understanding of the phenylpropanoid pathway and features a critical step towards improved MbA production in bioengineered Nb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars H Kruse
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Frederick G Sunstrum
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Daniela Garcia
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Guillermo López Pérez
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Sharon Jancsik
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Joerg Bohlmann
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Department of Forest and Conservation Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Sandra Irmisch
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Plant Sciences, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, 2333 BE, Netherlands
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26
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Hao M, Xu H. Chemistry and Biology of Podophyllotoxins: An Update. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202302595. [PMID: 37814110 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202302595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Podophyllotoxin is an aryltetralin lignan lactone derived from different plants of Podophyllum. It consists of five rings with four chiral centers, one trans-lactone and one aryl tetrahydronaphthalene skeleton with multiple modification sites. Moreover, podophyllotoxin and its derivatives showed lots of bioactivities, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and insecticidal properties. The demand for podophyllotoxin and its derivatives is rising as a result of their high efficacy. As a continuation of our previous review (Chem. Eur. J., 2017, 23, 4467-4526), herein, total synthesis, biotransformation, structural modifications, bioactivities, and structure-activity relationships of podophyllotoxin and its derivatives from 2017 to 2022 are summarized. Meanwhile, a piece of update information on the origin of new podophyllotoxin analogues from plants from 2014 to 2022 was compiled. We hope that this review will provide a reference for future high value-added applications of podophyllotoxin and its analogues in the pharmaceutical and agricultural fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Hao
- College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Xian Yang Shi, Yangling, 712100, P.R. China
| | - Hui Xu
- College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Xian Yang Shi, Yangling, 712100, P.R. China
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27
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Zhang J, He X, Zhou J, Dong Z, Yu H, Tang Q, Yuan L, Peng S, Zhong X, He Y. Selection and Verification of Standardized Reference Genes of Angelica dahurica under Various Abiotic Stresses by Real-Time Quantitative PCR. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:79. [PMID: 38254968 PMCID: PMC10815136 DOI: 10.3390/genes15010079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
In traditional Chinese medicine, Angelica dahurica is a valuable herb with numerous therapeutic applications for a range of ailments. There have not yet been any articles on the methodical assessment and choice of the best reference genes for A. dahurica gene expression studies. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) is widely employed as the predominant method for investigating gene expression. In order to ensure the precise determination of target gene expression outcomes in RT-qPCR analysis, it is imperative to employ stable reference genes. In this study, a total of 11 candidate reference genes including SAND family protein (SAND), polypyrimidine tract-binding protein (PTBP), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), actin (ACT), TIP41-like protein (TIP41), cyclophilin 2 (CYP2), elongation factor 1 α (EF1α), ubiquitin-protein ligase 9 (UBC9), tubulin β-6 (TUB6), thioredoxin-like protein YLS8 (YLS8), and tubulin-α (TUBA) were selected from the transcriptome of A. dahurica. Subsequently, three statistical algorithms (geNorm, NormFinder, and BestKeeper) were employed to assess the stability of their expression patterns across seven distinct stimulus treatments. The outcomes obtained from these analyses were subsequently amalgamated into a comprehensive ranking using RefFinder. Additionally, one target gene, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), was used to confirm the effectiveness of the selected reference genes. According to the findings of this study, the two most stable reference genes for normalizing the expression of genes in A. dahurica are TIP41 and UBC9. Overall, our research has determined the appropriate reference genes for RT-qPCR in A. dahurica and provides a crucial foundation for gene screening and identifying genes associated with the biosynthesis of active ingredients in A. dahurica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- College of Horticulture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (J.Z.); (X.H.); (J.Z.); (Z.D.); (H.Y.); (Q.T.); (L.Y.); (S.P.)
| | - Xinyi He
- College of Horticulture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (J.Z.); (X.H.); (J.Z.); (Z.D.); (H.Y.); (Q.T.); (L.Y.); (S.P.)
| | - Jun Zhou
- College of Horticulture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (J.Z.); (X.H.); (J.Z.); (Z.D.); (H.Y.); (Q.T.); (L.Y.); (S.P.)
| | - Zhuang Dong
- College of Horticulture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (J.Z.); (X.H.); (J.Z.); (Z.D.); (H.Y.); (Q.T.); (L.Y.); (S.P.)
| | - Han Yu
- College of Horticulture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (J.Z.); (X.H.); (J.Z.); (Z.D.); (H.Y.); (Q.T.); (L.Y.); (S.P.)
| | - Qi Tang
- College of Horticulture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (J.Z.); (X.H.); (J.Z.); (Z.D.); (H.Y.); (Q.T.); (L.Y.); (S.P.)
| | - Lei Yuan
- College of Horticulture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (J.Z.); (X.H.); (J.Z.); (Z.D.); (H.Y.); (Q.T.); (L.Y.); (S.P.)
| | - Siqing Peng
- College of Horticulture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (J.Z.); (X.H.); (J.Z.); (Z.D.); (H.Y.); (Q.T.); (L.Y.); (S.P.)
| | - Xiaohong Zhong
- College of Horticulture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (J.Z.); (X.H.); (J.Z.); (Z.D.); (H.Y.); (Q.T.); (L.Y.); (S.P.)
| | - Yuedong He
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
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28
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Zhou J, Huang D, Liu C, Hu Z, Li H, Lou S. Research Progress in Heterologous Crocin Production. Mar Drugs 2023; 22:22. [PMID: 38248646 PMCID: PMC10820313 DOI: 10.3390/md22010022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Crocin is one of the most valuable components of the Chinese medicinal plant Crocus sativus and is widely used in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. Traditional planting of C. sativus is unable to fulfill the increasing demand for crocin in the global market, however, such that researchers have turned their attention to the heterologous production of crocin in a variety of hosts. At present, there are reports of successful heterologous production of crocin in Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, microalgae, and plants that do not naturally produce crocin. Of these, the microalga Dunaliella salina, which produces high levels of β-carotene, the substrate for crocin biosynthesis, is worthy of attention. This article describes the biosynthesis of crocin, compares the features of each heterologous host, and clarifies the requirements for efficient production of crocin in microalgae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Zhou
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; (J.Z.); (D.H.); (C.L.); (Z.H.); (H.L.)
| | - Danqiong Huang
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; (J.Z.); (D.H.); (C.L.); (Z.H.); (H.L.)
| | - Chenglong Liu
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; (J.Z.); (D.H.); (C.L.); (Z.H.); (H.L.)
| | - Zhangli Hu
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; (J.Z.); (D.H.); (C.L.); (Z.H.); (H.L.)
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Longhua Innovation Institute for Biotechnology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Hui Li
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; (J.Z.); (D.H.); (C.L.); (Z.H.); (H.L.)
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Longhua Innovation Institute for Biotechnology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Sulin Lou
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; (J.Z.); (D.H.); (C.L.); (Z.H.); (H.L.)
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Longhua Innovation Institute for Biotechnology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
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29
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Liu H, Yu H, Gao R, Ge F, Zhao R, Lu X, Wang T, Liu H, Yang C, Xia Y, Xun L. A Zero-Valent Sulfur Transporter Helps Podophyllotoxin Uptake into Bacterial Cells in the Presence of CTAB. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 13:27. [PMID: 38247452 PMCID: PMC10812762 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13010027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Podophyllotoxin (PTOX) is naturally produced by the plant Podophyllum species. Some of its derivatives are anticancer drugs, which are produced mainly by using chemical semi-synthesis methods. Recombinant bacteria have great potential in large-scale production of the derivatives of PTOX. In addition to introducing the correct enzymes, the transportation of PTOX into the cells is an important factor, which limits its modification in the bacteria. Here, we improved the cellular uptake of PTOX into Escherichia coli with the help of the zero-valent sulfur transporter YedE1E2 in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). CTAB promoted the uptake of PTOX, but induced the production of reactive oxygen species. A protein complex (YedE1E2) of YedE1 and YedE2 enabled E. coli cells to resist CTAB by reducing reactive oxygen species, and YedE1E2 was a hypothetical transporter. Further investigation showed that YedE1E2 facilitated the uptake of extracellular zero-valent sulfur across the cytoplasmic membrane and the formation of glutathione persulfide (GSSH) inside the cells. The increased GSSH minimized oxidative stress. Our results indicate that YedE1E2 is a zero-valent sulfur transporter and it also facilitates CTAB-assisted uptake of PTOX by recombinant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honglei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China; (H.L.); (H.Y.); (R.G.); (F.G.); (R.Z.); (X.L.); (T.W.); (H.L.); (C.Y.)
| | - Huiyuan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China; (H.L.); (H.Y.); (R.G.); (F.G.); (R.Z.); (X.L.); (T.W.); (H.L.); (C.Y.)
| | - Rui Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China; (H.L.); (H.Y.); (R.G.); (F.G.); (R.Z.); (X.L.); (T.W.); (H.L.); (C.Y.)
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Test Technology on Food Quality and Safety, Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Fulin Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China; (H.L.); (H.Y.); (R.G.); (F.G.); (R.Z.); (X.L.); (T.W.); (H.L.); (C.Y.)
| | - Rui Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China; (H.L.); (H.Y.); (R.G.); (F.G.); (R.Z.); (X.L.); (T.W.); (H.L.); (C.Y.)
| | - Xia Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China; (H.L.); (H.Y.); (R.G.); (F.G.); (R.Z.); (X.L.); (T.W.); (H.L.); (C.Y.)
| | - Tianqi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China; (H.L.); (H.Y.); (R.G.); (F.G.); (R.Z.); (X.L.); (T.W.); (H.L.); (C.Y.)
| | - Huaiwei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China; (H.L.); (H.Y.); (R.G.); (F.G.); (R.Z.); (X.L.); (T.W.); (H.L.); (C.Y.)
| | - Chunyu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China; (H.L.); (H.Y.); (R.G.); (F.G.); (R.Z.); (X.L.); (T.W.); (H.L.); (C.Y.)
| | - Yongzhen Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China; (H.L.); (H.Y.); (R.G.); (F.G.); (R.Z.); (X.L.); (T.W.); (H.L.); (C.Y.)
| | - Luying Xun
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China; (H.L.); (H.Y.); (R.G.); (F.G.); (R.Z.); (X.L.); (T.W.); (H.L.); (C.Y.)
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-7520, USA
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Ono E, Murata J. Exploring the Evolvability of Plant Specialized Metabolism: Uniqueness Out Of Uniformity and Uniqueness Behind Uniformity. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 64:1449-1465. [PMID: 37307423 PMCID: PMC10734894 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcad057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The huge structural diversity exhibited by plant specialized metabolites has primarily been considered to result from the catalytic specificity of their biosynthetic enzymes. Accordingly, enzyme gene multiplication and functional differentiation through spontaneous mutations have been established as the molecular mechanisms that drive metabolic evolution. Nevertheless, how plants have assembled and maintained such metabolic enzyme genes and the typical clusters that are observed in plant genomes, as well as why identical specialized metabolites often exist in phylogenetically remote lineages, is currently only poorly explained by a concept known as convergent evolution. Here, we compile recent knowledge on the co-presence of metabolic modules that are common in the plant kingdom but have evolved under specific historical and contextual constraints defined by the physicochemical properties of each plant specialized metabolite and the genetic presets of the biosynthetic genes. Furthermore, we discuss a common manner to generate uncommon metabolites (uniqueness out of uniformity) and an uncommon manner to generate common metabolites (uniqueness behind uniformity). This review describes the emerging aspects of the evolvability of plant specialized metabolism that underlie the vast structural diversity of plant specialized metabolites in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eiichiro Ono
- Suntory Global Innovation Center Ltd. (SIC), 8-1-1 Seikadai, Seika-cho, Soraku-gun, Kyoto, 619-0284 Japan
| | - Jun Murata
- Bioorganic Research Institute (SUNBOR), Suntory Foundation for Life Sciences, 8-1-1 Seikadai, Seika-cho, Soraku-gun, Kyoto, 619-0284 Japan
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Kobayashi K, Yamamura M, Mikami B, Shiraishi A, Kumatani M, Satake H, Ono E, Umezawa T. Anthriscus sylvestris Deoxypodophyllotoxin Synthase Involved in the Podophyllotoxin Biosynthesis. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 64:1436-1448. [PMID: 37948767 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcad103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Tetrahydrofuran ring formation from dibenzylbutyrolactone lignans is a key step in the biosynthesis of aryltetralin lignans including deoxypodophyllotoxin and podophyllotoxin. Previously, Fe(II)- and 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase (2-ODD) from Podophyllum hexandrum (Himalayan mayapple, Berberidaceae) was found to catalyze the cyclization of a dibenzylbutyrolactone lignan, yatein, to give deoxypodophyllotoxin and designated as deoxypodophyllotoxin synthase (DPS). Recently, we reported that the biosynthesis of deoxypodophyllotoxin and podophyllotoxin evolved in a lineage-specific manner in phylogenetically unrelated plant species such as P. hexandrum and Anthriscus sylvestris (cow parsley, Apiaceae). Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the characteristics of DPSs that catalyze the cyclization of yatein to deoxypodophyllotoxin in various plant species is important. However, for plant species other than P. hexandrum, the isolation of the DPS enzyme gene and the type of the enzyme, e.g. whether it is 2-ODD or another type of enzyme such as cytochrome P-450, have not been reported. In this study, we report the identification and characterization of A. sylvestris DPS (AsDPS). Phylogenetic analysis showed that AsDPS belonged to the 2-ODD superfamily and shared moderate amino acid sequence identity (40.8%) with P. hexandrum deoxypodophyllotoxin synthase (PhDPS). Recombinant protein assay indicated that AsDPS and PhDPS differ in terms of the selectivity of substrate enantiomers. Protein modeling using AlphaFold2 and site-directed mutagenesis indicated that the Tyr305 residue of AsDPS probably contributes to substrate recognition. This study advances our understanding of the podophyllotoxin biosynthetic pathway in A. sylvestris and provides new insight into 2-ODD involved in plant secondary (specialized) metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Kobayashi
- Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto, 611-0011 Japan
| | - Masaomi Yamamura
- Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto, 611-0011 Japan
- Faculty of Bioscience and Bioindustry, Tokushima University, 2-1, Minami-josanjima-cho, Tokushima, 770-8502 Japan
| | - Bunzo Mikami
- Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto, 611-0011 Japan
| | - Akira Shiraishi
- Bioorganic Research Institute, Suntory Foundation for Life Sciences, 8-1-1 Seikadai, Seika-cho, Soraku-gun, Kyoto, 619-0284 Japan
| | - Masato Kumatani
- Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto, 611-0011 Japan
| | - Honoo Satake
- Bioorganic Research Institute, Suntory Foundation for Life Sciences, 8-1-1 Seikadai, Seika-cho, Soraku-gun, Kyoto, 619-0284 Japan
| | - Eiichiro Ono
- Research Institute, Suntory Global Innovation Center Ltd., 8-1-1 Seikadai, Seika-cho, Soraku-gun, Kyoto, 619-0284 Japan
| | - Toshiaki Umezawa
- Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto, 611-0011 Japan
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Yang J, Wu Y, Zhang P, Ma J, Yao YJ, Ma YL, Zhang L, Yang Y, Zhao C, Wu J, Fang X, Liu J. Multiple independent losses of the biosynthetic pathway for two tropane alkaloids in the Solanaceae family. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8457. [PMID: 38114555 PMCID: PMC10730914 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44246-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyoscyamine and scopolamine (HS), two valuable tropane alkaloids of significant medicinal importance, are found in multiple distantly related lineages within the Solanaceae family. Here we sequence the genomes of three representative species that produce HS from these lineages, and one species that does not produce HS. Our analysis reveals a shared biosynthetic pathway responsible for HS production in the three HS-producing species. We observe a high level of gene collinearity related to HS synthesis across the family in both types of species. By introducing gain-of-function and loss-of-function mutations at key sites, we confirm the reduced/lost or re-activated functions of critical genes involved in HS synthesis in both types of species, respectively. These findings indicate independent and repeated losses of the HS biosynthesis pathway since its origin in the ancestral lineage. Our results hold promise for potential future applications in the artificial engineering of HS biosynthesis in Solanaceae crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ying Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Pan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jianxiang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ying Jun Yao
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan Lin Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Ecological Protection of Agro-Pastoral Ecotones in the Yellow River Basin, National Ethnic Affairs Commission of the People's Republic of China, College of Biological Science & Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan, 750021, Ningxia, China
| | - Yongzhi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Changmin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jihua Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiangwen Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jianquan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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Hopiavuori A, McKinnie SMK. Algal Kainoid Synthases Exhibit Substrate-Dependent Hydroxylation and Cyclization Activities. ACS Chem Biol 2023; 18:2457-2463. [PMID: 38047879 PMCID: PMC10728896 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
FeII/α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases (Fe/αKG) make up a large enzyme family that functionalize C-H bonds on diverse organic substrates. Although Fe/αKG homologues catalyze an array of chemically useful reactions, hydroxylation typically predominates. Microalgal DabC uniquely forms a novel C-C bond to construct the bioactive pyrrolidine ring in domoic acid biosynthesis; however, we have identified that this kainoid synthase exclusively performs a stereospecific hydroxylation reaction on its cis substrate regioisomer. Mechanistic and kinetic analyses with native and alternative substrates identified a 20-fold rate increase in DabC radical cyclization over β-hydroxylation with no observable 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer. Moreover, this dual activity was conserved among macroalgal RadC1 and KabC homologues and provided insight into substrate recognition and reactivity trends. Investigation of this substrate-dependent chemistry improves our understanding of kainoid synthases and their biocatalytic application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin
R. Hopiavuori
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States
| | - Shaun M. K. McKinnie
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States
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Huang SC, Zhang YK, Geng Q, Huang QK, Xu JH, Chen YF, Yu HL. Improving the Enantioselectivity of CHMO Brevi1 for Asymmetric Synthesis of Podophyllotoxin Precursor. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202300582. [PMID: 37728423 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
(R)-β-piperonyl-γ-butyrolactones are key building blocks for the synthesis of podophyllotoxin, which have demonstrated remarkable potential in cancer treatment. Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenases (BVMOs)-mediated asymmetric oxidation is a green approach to produce chiral lactones. While several BVMOs were able to oxidize the corresponding cyclobutanone, most BVMOs gave the (S) enantiomer while Cyclohexanone monooxygenase (CHMO) from Brevibacterium sp. HCU1 gave (R) enantiomer, but with a low enantioselectivity (75 % ee). In this study, we use a strategy called "focused rational iterative site-specific mutagenesis" (FRISM) at residues ranging from 6 Å from substrate. The mutations by using a restricted set of rationally chosen amino acids allow the formation of a small mutant library. By generating and screening less than 60 variants, we achieved a high ee of 96.8 %. Coupled with the cofactor regeneration system, 9.3 mM substrate was converted completely in a 100-mL scale reaction. Therefore, our work reveals a promising synthetic method for (R)-β-piperonyl-γ-butyrolactone with the highest enantioselectivity, and provides a new opportunity for the chem-enzymatic synthesis of podophyllotoxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shou-Cheng Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing, School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Yi-Ke Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing, School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Qiang Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing, School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Qi-Kang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing, School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Jian-He Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing, School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Yi-Feng Chen
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science & Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Hui-Lei Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing, School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
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Lin J, Yin X, Zeng Y, Hong X, Zhang S, Cui B, Zhu Q, Liang Z, Xue Z, Yang D. Progress and prospect: Biosynthesis of plant natural products based on plant chassis. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 69:108266. [PMID: 37778531 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Plant-derived natural products are a specific class of active substances with numerous applications in the medical, energy, and industrial fields. Many of these substances are in high demand and have become the fundamental materials for various purposes. Recently, the use of synthetic biology to produce plant-derived natural products has become a significant trend. Plant chassis, in particular, offer unique advantages over microbial chassis in terms of cell structure, product affinity, safety, and storage. The development of the plant hairy root tissue culture system has accelerated the commercialization and industrialization of synthetic biology in the production of plant-derived natural products. This paper will present recent progress in the synthesis of various plant natural products using plant chassis, organized by the types of different structures. Additionally, we will summarize the four primary types of plant chassis used for synthesizing natural products from plant sources and review the enabling technologies that have contributed to the development of synthetic biology in recent years. Finally, we will present the role of isolated and combined use of different optimization strategies in breaking the upper limit of natural product production in plant chassis. This review aims to provide practical references for synthetic biologists and highlight the great commercial potential of plant chassis biosynthesis, such as hairy roots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Lin
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Key Laboratory of Plant Secondary Metabolism and Regulation in Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Xue Yin
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Youran Zeng
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Key Laboratory of Plant Secondary Metabolism and Regulation in Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Xinyu Hong
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Key Laboratory of Plant Secondary Metabolism and Regulation in Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Shuncang Zhang
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Beimi Cui
- Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK
| | - Qinlong Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Zongsuo Liang
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Key Laboratory of Plant Secondary Metabolism and Regulation in Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Zheyong Xue
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China..
| | - Dongfeng Yang
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Key Laboratory of Plant Secondary Metabolism and Regulation in Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China; Shaoxing Biomedical Research Institute of Zhejiang Sci-Tech University Co., Ltd, Zhejiang Engineering Research Center for the Development Technology of Medicinal and Edible Homologous Health Food, Shaoxing 312075, China.
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Yu J, Wang X, Yuan Q, Shi J, Cai J, Li Z, Ma H. Elucidating the impact of in vitro cultivation on Nicotiana tabacum metabolism through combined in silico modeling and multiomics analysis. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1281348. [PMID: 38023876 PMCID: PMC10655011 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1281348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
The systematical characterization and understanding of the metabolic behaviors are the basis of the efficient plant metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. Genome-scale metabolic networks (GSMNs) are indispensable tools for the comprehensive characterization of overall metabolic profile. Here we first constructed a GSMN of tobacco, which is one of the most widely used plant chassis, and then combined the tobacco GSMN and multiomics analysis to systematically elucidate the impact of in-vitro cultivation on the tobacco metabolic network. In-vitro cultivation is a widely used technique for plant cultivation, not only in the field of basic research but also for the rapid propagation of valuable horticultural and pharmaceutical plants. However, the systemic effects of in-vitro cultivation on overall plant metabolism could easily be overlooked and are still poorly understood. We found that in-vitro tobacco showed slower growth, less biomass and suppressed photosynthesis than soil-grown tobacco. Many changes of metabolites and metabolic pathways between in-vitro and soil-grown tobacco plants were identified, which notably revealed a significant increase of the amino acids content under in-vitro condition. The in silico investigation showed that in-vitro tobacco downregulated photosynthesis and primary carbon metabolism, while significantly upregulated the GS/GOGAT cycle, as well as producing more energy and less NADH/NADPH to acclimate in-vitro growth demands. Altogether, the combination of experimental and in silico analyses offers an unprecedented view of tobacco metabolism, with valuable insights into the impact of in-vitro cultivation, enabling more efficient utilization of in-vitro techniques for plant propagation and metabolic engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yu
- National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
- Biodesign Center, Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaowei Wang
- National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Qianqian Yuan
- National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
- Biodesign Center, Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Jiaxin Shi
- National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Jingyi Cai
- National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
- Biodesign Center, Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhichao Li
- National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Hongwu Ma
- National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
- Biodesign Center, Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
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Lappe A, Luelf UJ, Keilhammer M, Bokel A, Urlacher VB. Bacterial cytochrome P450 enzymes: Semi-rational design and screening of mutant libraries in recombinant Escherichia coli cells. Methods Enzymol 2023; 693:133-170. [PMID: 37977729 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2023.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial cytochromes P450 (P450s) have been recognized as attractive targets for biocatalysis and protein engineering. They are soluble cytosolic enzymes that demonstrate higher stability and activity than their membrane-associated eukaryotic counterparts. Many bacterial P450s possess broad substrate spectra and can be produced in well-known expression hosts like Escherichia coli at high levels, which enables quick and convenient mutant libraries construction. However, the majority of bacterial P450s interacts with two auxiliary redox partner proteins, which significantly increase screening efforts. We have established recombinant E. coli cells for screening of P450 variants that rely on two separate redox partners. In this chapter, a case study on construction of a selective P450 to synthesize a precursor of several chemotherapeutics, (-)-podophyllotoxin, is described. The procedure includes co-expression of P450 and redox partner genes in E. coli with subsequent whole-cell conversion of the substrate (-)-deoxypodophyllotoxin in 96-deep-well plates. By omitting the chromatographic separation while measuring mass-to-charge ratios specific for the substrate and product via MS in so-called multiple injections in a single experimental run (MISER) LC/MS, the analysis time could be drastically reduced to roughly 1 min per sample. Screening results were verified by using isolated P450 variants and purified redox partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessa Lappe
- Institute of Biochemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - U Joost Luelf
- Institute of Biochemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Mirco Keilhammer
- Institute of Biochemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ansgar Bokel
- Institute of Biochemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Vlada B Urlacher
- Institute of Biochemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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Wang Y, Li S, Zhou Z, Sun L, Sun J, Shen C, Gao R, Song J, Pu X. The Functional Characteristics and Soluble Expression of Saffron CsCCD2. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15090. [PMID: 37894770 PMCID: PMC10606151 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Crocins are important natural products predominantly obtained from the stigma of saffron, and that can be utilized as a medicinal compound, spice, and colorant with significant promise in the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries. Carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase 2 (CsCCD2) is a crucial limiting enzyme that has been reported to be responsible for the cleavage of zeaxanthin in the crocin biosynthetic pathway. However, the catalytic activity of CsCCD2 on β-carotene/lycopene remains elusive, and the soluble expression of CsCCD2 remains a big challenge. In this study, we reported the functional characteristics of CsCCD2, that can catalyze not only zeaxanthin cleavage but also β-carotene and lycopene cleavage. The molecular basis of the divergent functionality of CsCCD2 was elucidated using bioinformatic analysis and truncation studies. The protein expression optimization results demonstrated that the use of a maltose-binding protein (MBP) tag and the optimization of the induction conditions resulted in the production of more soluble protein. Correspondingly, the catalytic efficiency of soluble CsCCD2 was higher than that of the insoluble one, and the results further validated its functional verification. This study not only broadened the substrate profile of CsCCD2, but also achieved the soluble expression of CsCCD2. It provides a firm platform for CsCCD2 crystal structure resolution and facilitates the synthesis of crocetin and crocins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
- Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Granule, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Siqi Li
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
- Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Granule, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Ze Zhou
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
- Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Granule, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Lifen Sun
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
- Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Granule, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Jing Sun
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
- Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Granule, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Chuanpu Shen
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
- Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Granule, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Ranran Gao
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Jingyuan Song
- Key Lab of Chinese Medicine Resources Conservation, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People’s Republic of China, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiangdong Pu
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
- Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Granule, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
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Vollheyde K, Dudley QM, Yang T, Oz MT, Mancinotti D, Fedi MO, Heavens D, Linsmith G, Chhetry M, Smedley MA, Harwood WA, Swarbreck D, Geu‐Flores F, Patron NJ. An improved Nicotiana benthamiana bioproduction chassis provides novel insights into nicotine biosynthesis. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 240:302-317. [PMID: 37488711 PMCID: PMC10952274 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
The model plant Nicotiana benthamiana is an increasingly attractive organism for the production of high-value, biologically active molecules. However, N. benthamiana accumulates high levels of pyridine alkaloids, in particular nicotine, which complicates the downstream purification processes. Here, we report a new assembly of the N. benthamiana genome as well as the generation of low-nicotine lines by CRISPR/Cas9-based inactivation of berberine bridge enzyme-like proteins (BBLs). Triple as well as quintuple mutants accumulated three to four times less nicotine than the respective control lines. The availability of lines without functional BBLs allowed us to probe their catalytic role in nicotine biosynthesis, which has remained obscure. Notably, chiral analysis revealed that the enantiomeric purity of nicotine was fully lost in the quintuple mutants. In addition, precursor feeding experiments showed that these mutants cannot facilitate the specific loss of C6 hydrogen that characterizes natural nicotine biosynthesis. Our work delivers an improved N. benthamiana chassis for bioproduction and uncovers the crucial role of BBLs in the stereoselectivity of nicotine biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Vollheyde
- Department of Plant and Environmental SciencesUniversity of Copenhagen1871 FrederiksbergCopenhagenDenmark
| | | | - Ting Yang
- Department of Plant and Environmental SciencesUniversity of Copenhagen1871 FrederiksbergCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Mehmet T. Oz
- Earlham Institute, Norwich Research ParkNorwichNorfolkNR4 7UZUK
| | - Davide Mancinotti
- Department of Plant and Environmental SciencesUniversity of Copenhagen1871 FrederiksbergCopenhagenDenmark
| | | | - Darren Heavens
- Earlham Institute, Norwich Research ParkNorwichNorfolkNR4 7UZUK
| | - Gareth Linsmith
- Earlham Institute, Norwich Research ParkNorwichNorfolkNR4 7UZUK
| | - Monika Chhetry
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research ParkNorwichNorfolkNR4 7UHUK
| | - Mark A. Smedley
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research ParkNorwichNorfolkNR4 7UHUK
| | | | - David Swarbreck
- Earlham Institute, Norwich Research ParkNorwichNorfolkNR4 7UZUK
| | - Fernando Geu‐Flores
- Department of Plant and Environmental SciencesUniversity of Copenhagen1871 FrederiksbergCopenhagenDenmark
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Shelake RM, Jadhav AM, Bhosale PB, Kim JY. Unlocking secrets of nature's chemists: Potential of CRISPR/Cas-based tools in plant metabolic engineering for customized nutraceutical and medicinal profiles. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2023; 203:108070. [PMID: 37816270 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.108070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
Plant species have evolved diverse metabolic pathways to effectively respond to internal and external signals throughout their life cycle, allowing adaptation to their sessile and phototropic nature. These pathways selectively activate specific metabolic processes, producing plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) governed by genetic and environmental factors. Humans have utilized PSM-enriched plant sources for millennia in medicine and nutraceuticals. Recent technological advances have significantly contributed to discovering metabolic pathways and related genes involved in the biosynthesis of specific PSM in different food crops and medicinal plants. Consequently, there is a growing demand for plant materials rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds, marketed as "superfoods". To meet the industrial demand for superfoods and therapeutic PSMs, modern methods such as system biology, omics, synthetic biology, and genome editing (GE) play a crucial role in identifying the molecular players, limiting steps, and regulatory circuitry involved in PSM production. Among these methods, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-CRISPR associated protein (CRISPR/Cas) is the most widely used system for plant GE due to its simple design, flexibility, precision, and multiplexing capabilities. Utilizing the CRISPR-based toolbox for metabolic engineering (ME) offers an ideal solution for developing plants with tailored preventive (nutraceuticals) and curative (therapeutic) metabolic profiles in an ecofriendly way. This review discusses recent advances in understanding the multifactorial regulation of metabolic pathways, the application of CRISPR-based tools for plant ME, and the potential research areas for enhancing plant metabolic profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Mahadev Shelake
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea.
| | - Amol Maruti Jadhav
- Research Institute of Green Energy Convergence Technology (RIGET), Gyeongsang National University, 501 Jinju-daero, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Pritam Bhagwan Bhosale
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute of Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, 501 Jinju-daero, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Yean Kim
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea; Division of Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, 501 Jinju-daero, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea; Nulla Bio Inc, 501 Jinju-daero, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea.
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41
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Chun-Ting Liu J, De La Pena R, Tocol C, Sattely ES. Reconstitution of Early Paclitaxel Biosynthetic Network. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.27.559859. [PMID: 37808792 PMCID: PMC10557666 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.27.559859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Paclitaxel is an anticancer therapeutic produced by the yew tree. Over the last two decades, a significant bottleneck in the reconstitution of early paclitaxel biosynthesis has been the propensity of heterologously expressed pathway cytochromes P450, including taxadiene 5α-hydroxylase (T5αH), to form multiple products. This diverts metabolic flux away from the paclitaxel precursor, taxadien-5α-ol, thus previous attempts of reconstitution have not yielded sufficient material for characterization, regardless of the heterologous host. Here, we structurally characterized four new products of T5αH, many of which appear to be over-oxidation of the primary mono-oxidized products. By tuning the promoter strength for T5αH expression, levels of these proposed byproducts decrease with a concomitant increase in the accumulation of taxadien-5α-ol by four-fold. This engineered system enabled the reconstitution of a six step biosynthetic pathway to produce isolatable 5α,10β-diacetoxy-taxadien-13α-ol. Furthermore, we showed that this pathway may function as a metabolic network rather than a linear pathway. The engineering of the paclitaxel biosynthetic network demonstrates that Taxus genes can coordinatively function for the biosynthetic production of key early stage paclitaxel intermediates and serves as a crucial platform for the discovery of the remaining biosynthetic genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Chun-Ting Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Ricardo De La Pena
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Christian Tocol
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Elizabeth S Sattely
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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42
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Wu Y, Liu C, Koganitsky A, Gong FL, Li S. Discovering Dynamic Plant Enzyme Complexes in Yeast for Kratom Alkaloid Pathway Identification. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202307995. [PMID: 37549372 PMCID: PMC10530425 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202307995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Discovering natural product biosynthetic pathways of medicinal plants is challenging and laborious. Capturing the coregulation patterns of pathway enzymes, particularly transcriptomic regulation, has proven an effective method to accelerate pathway identification. In this study, we developed a yeast-based screening method to capture the protein-protein interactions (PPI) between plant enzymes, which is another useful pattern to complement the prevalent approach. Combining this method with plant multiomics analysis, we discovered four enzyme complexes and their organized pathways from kratom, an alkaloid-producing plant. The four pathway branches involved six enzymes, including a strictosidine synthase, a strictosidine β-D-glucosidase (MsSGD), and four medium-chain dehydrogenase/reductases (MsMDRs). PPI screening selected six MsMDRs interacting with MsSGD from 20 candidates predicted by multiomics analysis. Four of the six MsMDRs were then characterized as functional, indicating the high selectivity of the PPI screening method. This study highlights the opportunity of leveraging post-translational regulation features to discover novel plant natural product biosynthetic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinan Wu
- Robert F. Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, 14853, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Chang Liu
- Robert F. Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, 14853, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Anna Koganitsky
- Robert F. Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, 14853, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Franklin L Gong
- Robert F. Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, 14853, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Sijin Li
- Robert F. Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, 14853, Ithaca, NY, USA
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43
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Romero EO, Saucedo AT, Hernández-Meléndez JR, Yang D, Chakrabarty S, Narayan ARH. Enabling Broader Adoption of Biocatalysis in Organic Chemistry. JACS AU 2023; 3:2073-2085. [PMID: 37654599 PMCID: PMC10466347 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.3c00263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Biocatalysis is becoming an increasingly impactful method in contemporary synthetic chemistry for target molecule synthesis. The selectivity imparted by enzymes has been leveraged to complete previously intractable chemical transformations and improve synthetic routes toward complex molecules. However, the implementation of biocatalysis in mainstream organic chemistry has been gradual to this point. This is partly due to a set of historical and technological barriers that have prevented chemists from using biocatalysis as a synthetic tool with utility that parallels alternative modes of catalysis. In this Perspective, we discuss these barriers and how they have hindered the adoption of enzyme catalysts into synthetic strategies. We also summarize tools and resources that already enable organic chemists to use biocatalysts. Furthermore, we discuss ways to further lower the barriers for the adoption of biocatalysis by the broader synthetic organic chemistry community through the dissemination of resources, demystifying biocatalytic reactions, and increasing collaboration across the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan O. Romero
- Life Sciences Institute & Department
of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Anthony T. Saucedo
- Life Sciences Institute & Department
of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - José R. Hernández-Meléndez
- Life Sciences Institute & Department
of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Di Yang
- Life Sciences Institute & Department
of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Suman Chakrabarty
- Life Sciences Institute & Department
of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Alison R. H. Narayan
- Life Sciences Institute & Department
of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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44
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Song J, Sun B, Chen C, Ning Z, Zhang S, Cai Y, Zheng X, Cao B, Chen G, Jin D, Li B, Bian J, Lei J, He H, Zhu Z. An R-R-type MYB transcription factor promotes non-climacteric pepper fruit carotenoid pigment biosynthesis. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 115:724-741. [PMID: 37095638 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Carotenoids are major accessory pigments in the chloroplast, and they also act as phytohormones and volatile compound precursors to influence plant development and confer characteristic colours, affecting both the aesthetic and nutritional value of fruits. Carotenoid pigmentation in ripening fruits is highly dependent on developmental trajectories. Transcription factors incorporate developmental and phytohormone signalling to regulate the biosynthesis process. By contrast to the well-established pathways regulating ripening-related carotenoid biosynthesis in climacteric fruit, carotenoid regulation in non-climacteric fruit is poorly understood. Capsanthin is the primary carotenoid of non-climacteric pepper (Capsicum) fruit; its biosynthesis is tightly associated with fruit ripening, and it confers red pigmentation to the ripening fruit. In the present study, using a coexpression analysis, we identified an R-R-type MYB transcription factor, DIVARICATA1, and demonstrated its role in capsanthin biosynthesis. DIVARICATA1 encodes a nucleus-localised protein that functions primarily as a transcriptional activator. Functional analyses showed that DIVARICATA1 positively regulates carotenoid biosynthetic gene (CBG) transcript levels and capsanthin levels by directly binding to and activating CBG promoter transcription. Furthermore, an association analysis revealed a significant positive association between DIVARICATA1 transcription level and capsanthin content. ABA promotes capsanthin biosynthesis in a DIVARICATA1-dependent manner. Comparative transcriptomic analysis of DIVARICATA1 in Solanaceae plants showed that its function likely differs among species. Moreover, the pepper DIVARICATA1 gene could be regulated by the ripening regulator MADS-RIN. The present study illustrates the transcriptional regulation of capsanthin biosynthesis and offers a target for breeding peppers with high red colour intensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiali Song
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Germplasm Enhancement of Horticultural Crops in South China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Areas, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Binmei Sun
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Germplasm Enhancement of Horticultural Crops in South China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Areas, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Changming Chen
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Germplasm Enhancement of Horticultural Crops in South China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Areas, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Zuoyang Ning
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Germplasm Enhancement of Horticultural Crops in South China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Areas, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Shuanglin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Germplasm Enhancement of Horticultural Crops in South China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Areas, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Yutong Cai
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Germplasm Enhancement of Horticultural Crops in South China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Areas, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Xiongjie Zheng
- Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, Center for Desert Agriculture, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bihao Cao
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Germplasm Enhancement of Horticultural Crops in South China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Areas, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Guoju Chen
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Germplasm Enhancement of Horticultural Crops in South China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Areas, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Dan Jin
- Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, 401120, China
| | - Bosheng Li
- Peking University Institute of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Weifang, 261325, China
| | - Jianxin Bian
- Peking University Institute of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Weifang, 261325, China
| | - Jianjun Lei
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Germplasm Enhancement of Horticultural Crops in South China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Areas, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Hang He
- Peking University Institute of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Weifang, 261325, China
| | - Zhangsheng Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Germplasm Enhancement of Horticultural Crops in South China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Areas, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China
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Salim V, Jarecki SA, Vick M, Miller R. Advances in Metabolic Engineering of Plant Monoterpene Indole Alkaloids. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1056. [PMID: 37626942 PMCID: PMC10452178 DOI: 10.3390/biology12081056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Monoterpene indole alkaloids (MIAs) encompass a diverse family of over 3000 plant natural products with a wide range of medical applications. Further utilizations of these compounds, however, are hampered due to low levels of abundance in their natural sources, causing difficult isolation and complex multi-steps in uneconomical chemical syntheses. Metabolic engineering of MIA biosynthesis in heterologous hosts is attractive, particularly for increasing the yield of natural products of interest and expanding their chemical diversity. Here, we review recent advances and strategies which have been adopted to engineer microbial and plant systems for the purpose of generating MIAs and discuss the current issues and future developments of manufacturing MIAs by synthetic biology approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vonny Salim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71115, USA; (S.-A.J.); (M.V.)
| | - Sara-Alexis Jarecki
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71115, USA; (S.-A.J.); (M.V.)
| | - Marshall Vick
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71115, USA; (S.-A.J.); (M.V.)
| | - Ryan Miller
- School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA;
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46
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Li Y, Qiu Y, Xu X, Luo M. Genome-wide identification of SrbHLH transcription factors highlights its potential role in rebaudioside A (RA) biosynthesis in Stevia rebaudiana. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 23:352. [PMID: 37415121 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-023-04353-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is a valuable medicinal plant and an essential source of natural sweetener, steviol glycosides (SGs), with rebaudioside A (RA) being one of the main components of SGs. bHLH transcription factors play a crucial role in plant development and secondary metabolism. In this study, 159 SrbHLH genes were identified from the S. rebaudiana genome, and each gene was named based on its chromosome location. The SrbHLH proteins were then clustered into 18 subfamilies through phylogenetic analysis. The analysis of conserved motifs and gene structure further supported the classification of the SrbHLH family. Chromosomal location and gene duplication events of SrbHLH genes were also studied. Moreover, based on the RNA-Seq data of different tissues of S. rebaudiana, 28 SrbHLHs were co-expressed with structural genes involved in RA biosynthesis. The expression pattern of candidate SrbHLH genes were confirmed by qPCR. Finally, dual luciferase reporter assays (DLAs) and subcellular localization analysis verified SrbHLH22, SrbHLH111, SrbHLH126, SrbHLH142, and SrbHLH152 are critical regulators of RA biosynthesis. This study provides new insights into the function of SrbHLHs in regulating SGs biosynthesis and lays the foundation for future applications of SrbHLH genes in molecular breeding of S. rebaudiana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuping Li
- Key Laboratory of South China Agricultural Plant Molecular Analysis and Genetic Improvement & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China
| | - Yuan Qiu
- Key Laboratory of South China Agricultural Plant Molecular Analysis and Genetic Improvement & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xin Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Southwest Forestry University, Yunnan, 650224, China
| | - Ming Luo
- Key Laboratory of South China Agricultural Plant Molecular Analysis and Genetic Improvement & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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47
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Al-Antary ET, Gupte A, Carter J, Kaafarani M, Howard M, Edwards H, Ge Y, Taub JW. Curing childhood cancer the "Natural" Way: Nature as the source of chemotherapy agents. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 213:115630. [PMID: 37263301 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
For many centuries, products of natural origin from plants, marine, microbes and soil micro-organisms have been studied by numerous researchers across the world to yield many of the chemotherapeutic agents we use in this modern era. There has been a tremendous gain in knowledge from various screening and separating techniques which led to the discovery of biologically active small molecules from natural products. Preclinical studies testing the antitumor activities of these agents against tumor cell lines and xenograft animal models were the gateway to the clinical trials in humans leading to the approval of these agents that are in clinical use today. This review summarizes how various chemotherapeutic agents were discovered from products of natural origin, their preclinical development, and their indications in both pediatric and adult oncology. Many of these natural products have contributed to the very high cure rates of both pediatric leukemias and solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman T Al-Antary
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA; Discipline of Pediatrics, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI, USA
| | - Avanti Gupte
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA; Discipline of Pediatrics, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI, USA
| | - Jenna Carter
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA; MD/PhD Program, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | | | | | - Holly Edwards
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA; Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Yubin Ge
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA; Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA; Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Jeffrey W Taub
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA; Discipline of Pediatrics, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI, USA; Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA; Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
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Danaeipour Z, Garoosi G, Tohidfar M, Bakhtiarizadeh MR, Mirjalili MH. Comprehensive RNA-Seq-based study and metabolite profiling to identify genes involved in podophyllotoxin biosynthesis in Linum album Kotschy ex Boiss. (Linaceae). Sci Rep 2023; 13:9219. [PMID: 37286620 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36102-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Linum album is a well-known rich source of anticancer compounds, i.e., podophyllotoxin (PTOX) and other lignans. These compounds play an important role in the plant's defensive system. The RNA-Seq data of flax (L. usitatissimum) were analyzed under various biotic and abiotic stresses to comprehend better the importance of lignans in plant defense responses. Then, the association between the lignan contents and some related gene expressions was experimented with HPLC and qRT-PCR, respectively. Transcriptomic profiling showed a specific expression pattern in different organs, and just the commonly regulated gene EP3 was detected with a significant increase under all stresses. The in silico analysis of the PTOX biosynthesis pathway identified a list of genes, including laccase (LAC11), lactoperoxidase (POD), 4-coumarate-CoA ligase (4CL), and secoisolariciresinol dehydrogenase (SDH). These genes increased significantly under individual stresses. The HPLC analysis showed that the measured lignan contents generally increased under stress. In contrast, a quantitative expression of the genes involved in this pathway using qRT-PCR showed a different pattern that seems to contribute to regulating PTOX content in response to stress. Identified modifications of critical genes related to PTOX biosynthesis in response to multiple stresses can provide a baseline for improving PTOX content in L. album.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Danaeipour
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, 3414916818, Iran
| | - Ghasemali Garoosi
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, 3414916818, Iran.
| | - Masoud Tohidfar
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, 1983969411, Iran.
| | | | - Mohammad Hossein Mirjalili
- Department of Agriculture, Medicinal Plants and Drugs Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, 1983969411, Iran
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Li L, Hao R, Yang X, Feng Y, Bi Z. Piriformospora indica Increases Resistance to Fusarium pseudograminearum in Wheat by Inducing Phenylpropanoid Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108797. [PMID: 37240144 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Fusarium crown rot (FCR), mainly caused by Fusarium pseudograminearum, not only seriously threatens the yield and quality of wheat, but also endangers the health and safety of humans and livestock. Piriformospora indica is a root endophytic fungus that colonizes plant roots extensively and can effectively promote plant growth and improve plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. In this study, the mechanism of FCR resistance mediated by P. indica in wheat was revealed from the phenylpropanoid metabolic pathway. The results showed that the colonization of P. indica significantly reduced the progression of wheat disease, the amount of F. pseudograminearum colonization, and the content of deoxynivalenol (DON) in wheat roots. RNA-seq suggested that P. indica colonization could reduce the number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the transcriptome caused by F. pseudograminearum infection. The DEGs induced by the colonization of P. indica were partially enriched in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. Transcriptome sequencing and qPCR indicated that the colonization of P. indica up-regulated the expression of genes involved in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway. The metabolome analysis indicated that the colonization of P. indica increased the metabolites' accumulation in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. Consistent with transcriptome and metabolomic analysis, microscopic observations showed enhanced lignin accumulation in the roots of the Piri and Piri+Fp lines, most likely contributing to the arrested infection by F. pseudograminearum. These results suggested that P. indica increased resistance to F. pseudograminearum in wheat by inducing the phenylpropanoid pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Li
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China
| | - Ruiying Hao
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China
| | - Xiurong Yang
- Institute of Plant Protection, Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Tianjin 300401, China
| | - Yu Feng
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China
| | - Zhenghui Bi
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China
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Mehta N, Meng Y, Zare R, Kamenetsky-Goldstein R, Sattely E. A developmental gradient reveals biosynthetic pathways to eukaryotic toxins in monocot geophytes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.12.540595. [PMID: 37214939 PMCID: PMC10197729 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.12.540595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Numerous eukaryotic toxins that accumulate in geophytic plants are valuable in the clinic, yet their biosynthetic pathways have remained elusive. A lead example is the >150 Amaryllidaceae alkaloids (AmAs) including galantamine, an FDA-approved treatment for Alzheimer's disease. We show that while AmAs accumulate to high levels in many tissues in daffodils, biosynthesis is localized to nascent, growing tissue at the base of leaves. A similar trend is found for the production of steroidal alkaloids (e.g. cyclopamine) in corn lily. This model of active biosynthesis enabled elucidation of a complete set of biosynthetic genes for the production of AmAs. Taken together, our work sheds light on the developmental and enzymatic logic of diverse alkaloid biosynthesis in daffodil. More broadly, it suggests a paradigm for biosynthesis regulation in monocot geophytes where plants are protected from herbivory through active charging of newly formed cells with eukaryotic toxins that persist as aboveground tissue develops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niraj Mehta
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Yifan Meng
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Richard Zare
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth Sattely
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- HHMI, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
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