An engineered phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase redirects carbon and nitrogen flow in transgenic potato plants

Subcellular pyrophosphate metabolism in developing tubers of potato (Solanum tuberosum)

PPi has previously been implicated specifically in the co-ordination of the sucrose-starch transition and in the broader context of its role as co-factor in heterotrophic plant metabolism. In order to assess the compartmentation of pyrophosphate (PPi) metabolism in the potato tuber we analysed the effect of expressing a bacterial pyrophosphatase in the amyloplast of wild type tubers or in the cytosol or amyloplast of invertase-expressing tubers. The second and third approaches were adopted since we have previously characterized the invertase expressing lines to both exhibit highly altered sucrose metabolism and to contain elevated levels of PPi (Farré et al. (2000a) Plant Physiol 123:681) and therefore this background rendered questions concerning the level of communication between the plastidic and cytosolic pyrophosphate pools relatively facile. In this study we observed that the increase in PPi in the invertase expressing lines was mainly confined to the cytosol. Accordingly, the expression of a bacterial pyrophosphatase in the plastid of either wild type or invertase-expressing tubers did not lead to a decrease in total PPi content. However, the expression of the heterologous pyrophosphatase in the cytosol of cytosolic invertase-expressing tubers led to strong metabolic changes. These results are discussed both with respect to our previous hypotheses and to current models of the compartmentation of potato tuber metabolism.

Comparison of the biotransformation of the 14C-labelled insecticide carbaryl by non-transformed and human CYP1A1-, CYP1A2-, and CYP3A4-transgenic cell cultures of Nicotiana tabacum

Transgenic tobacco-cell-suspension cultures expressing separately the human cytochrome P450 monooxygenases CYP1A1, CYP1A2, and CYP3A4 were utilized to study the biotransformation of the 14C-labelled insecticide carbaryl (=naphthalen-1-yl methylcarbamate). The resulting data were compared to similar data from the corresponding non-transformed (NT) tobacco-cell culture and commercially available membrane preparations (Bactosomes) of genetically modified bacteria separately containing the same human P450s. A rapid conversion rate of carbaryl was observed with the CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 cells, where only 49.7 and 0.2% of applied carbaryl (1 mg/l), respectively, remained after 24 h, as compared to 77.7% in the non-transformed culture. Unexpectedly, the corresponding results obtained from the CYP3A4 cultures were not definite. With 25 mg/l of carbaryl and 96 h of incubation, it was proven that the insecticide is also substrate of CYP3A4. This finding was supported by GC/EI-MS analysis of the primary metabolite pattern produced by the isozyme. This consisted of naphthalene-1-ol, N-(hydroxymethyl)carbaryl, 4-hydroxycarbaryl, and 5-hydroxycarbaryl, whereas the main product in non-transformed cells was N-(hydroxymethyl)carbaryl. Data obtained from the CYP1A1, CYP1A2, or CYP3A4 Bactosomes agreed with those of the P450-transgenic tobacco cells. Problems with GC/EI-MS analysis of carbaryl and its metabolites are discussed.

Characterization and functional analysis of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase kinase genes in rice

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC), a key enzyme of primary metabolism of higher plants, is regulated by reversible phosphorylation, which is catalyzed by PEPC kinase (PPCK). Rice has three functional PPCK genes, OsPPCK1, OsPPCK2 and OsPPCK3, all of which have an intron close to the 3' end of the coding region. A novel control mechanism was found for expression of OsPPCK2, namely alternative transcription initiation, and two different transcripts were detected. The four different transcripts of the OsPPCK genes showed different expression patterns. While OsPPCK1 and OsPPCK3 were highly expressed in roots and at low levels in other organs, the two OsPPCK2 transcripts were expressed in all organs. OsPPCK3 was expressed mostly at night, while the long OsPPCK2 transcripts were present in the leaves only in the daytime. Nitrate supplementation of leaves selectively induced expression of both OsPPCK2 transcripts, while phosphate starvation only induced the shorter one. Such diverse expression patterns of OsPPCK genes suggest the importance and variety of strict activity regulation of PEPC in rice. From the correlation between gene expression and the phosphorylation level of PEPC, which was monitored as that of the maize PEPC expressed in transgenic rice plants, it was concluded that the short OsPPCK2 transcripts were expressed in rice leaf mesophyll cells upon nitrogen supplementation and phosphate starvation, whereas OsPPCK3 participated in the nocturnal phosphorylation of PEPC in these cells. Expression of PPCK proteins in rice leaves was detected by immunoblotting using a specific antiserum, and the expression of two different OsPPCK2 proteins derived from alternative transcription initiation was confirmed.

A novel mechanism of allosteric regulation of archaeal phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase: a combined approach to structure-based alignment and model assessment

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) catalyzes the irreversible carboxylation of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) and plays a crucial role in fixing atmospheric CO(2) in C(4) and CAM plants. The enzyme is widespread in plants and bacteria and mostly regulated allosterically by both positive and negative effectors. Archaeal PEPCs (A-PEPCs) have unique characteristics in allosteric regulation and molecular mass, distinct from their bacterial and eukaryote homologues, and their amino acid sequences have become available only recently. In this paper, we generated a structure-based alignment of archaeal, bacterial and eukaryote PEPCs and built comparative models using a combination of fold recognition, sequence and structural analysis tools. Our comparative modeling analysis identified A-PEPC-specific strong interactions between the two loops involved in both allostery and catalysis, which explained why A-PEPC is not influenced by any allosteric activators. We also found that the side-chain located three residues before the C-terminus appears to play a key role in determining the sensitivity to allosteric inhibitors. In addition to these unique features, we revealed how archaeal, bacterial and eukaryote PEPCs would share a common catalytic mechanism and adopt a similar mode of tetramer formation, despite their divergent sequences. Our novel observations will help design more efficient molecules for ecological and industrial use.

Free amino acid profiles suggest a possible role for asparagine in the control of storage-product accumulation in developing seeds of low- and high-protein soybean lines

Several approaches were taken to examine the role of N-assimilate supply in the control of soybean (Glycine max) seed composition. In the first study, developing seeds were grown in vitro with D-[U-14C]sucrose (Suc) and different concentrations of Gln. Light stimulated carbon flux into oil and protein, and was required to sustain Suc uptake and anabolic processes under conditions of elevated nitrogen supply. High Gln supply resulted in higher transcript levels of beta-conglycinin and oleosin. In the second study, analyses of soluble amino acid pools in two genetically related lines, NC103 and NC106 (low- and high-seed protein, respectively) showed that, in the light, NC106 accumulated higher levels of Asn and several other amino acids in developing cotyledons compared with NC103, whereas at the seed coat and apoplast levels both lines were similar. In the dark, NC103 accumulated Gln, Arg, and its precursors, suggesting a reduced availability of organic acids required for amino acid interconversions, while NC106 maintained higher levels of the pyruvate-derived amino acids Val, Leu, and Ile. Comparing NC103 and NC106, differences in seed composition were reflected in steady-state transcript levels of storage proteins and the lipogenic enzyme multi-subunit acetyl CoA carboxylase. In the third study, a positive correlation (P < or = 0.05) between free Asn in developing cotyledons and seed protein content at maturity was confirmed in a comparison of five unrelated field-grown cultivars. The findings support the hypothesis that high seed-protein content in soybean is determined by the capacity of the embryo to take up nitrogen sources and to synthesize storage proteins. Asn levels are probably tightly regulated in the embryo of high-protein lines, and may act as a metabolic signal of seed nitrogen status.

Quantitative metabolic profiling by 1-dimensional 1H-NMR analyses: application to plant genetics and functional genomics

Metabolic profiling by 1-dimensional (1-D) ¹H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was tested for absolute quantification of soluble sugars, organic acids, amino acids and some secondary metabolites in fruit, roots and leaves. The metabolite responsible for each peak of the ¹H-NMR spectra was identified from spectra of pure compounds. Peak identity was confirmed by the addition of a small amount of commercially-available pure substance. ¹H-NMR spectra acquisition was automated. ¹H-NMR absolute quantification was performed with a synthesised electronic reference signal and validated by comparison with enzymatic or HPLC analyses; the correlation coefficients between ¹H-NMR data and enzymatic or HPLC data were highly significant. Depending on the species and tissues, 14-17 metabolites could be quantified with 15-25 min acquisition time. The detection limit was approximately 1-9 µg in the NMR tube, depending on the compound. Quantitative data were used for (1) a genetic study of strawberry fruit quality, (2) a functional study of tomato transformants overexpressing hexokinase and (3) a study of Arabidopsis phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase transformants with several lines showing decreased activity of the enzyme. Biochemical phenotyping of the fruits of a strawberry offspring allowed the detection of quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling fruit quality. Comparison of the roots of wild types and hexokinase tomato transformants using principal component analysis of metabolic profiles revealed that environmental factors, i.e. culture conditions, can significantly modify the metabolic status of plants and thus hide or emphasise the expression of a given genetic background. The decrease in phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activity (up to 75%) in Arabidopsis transformants impacted on the metabolic profiles without compromising plant growth, thus supporting the idea that the enzyme has a low influence on the carbon flux through the anaplerotic pathway.

Fusion proteins comprising a Fusarium-specific antibody linked to antifungal peptides protect plants against a fungal pathogen

In planta expression of recombinant antibodies recognizing pathogen-specific antigens has been proposed as a strategy for crop protection. We report the expression of fusion proteins comprising a Fusarium-specific recombinant antibody linked to one of three antifungal peptides (AFPs) as a method for protecting plants against fungal diseases. A chicken-derived single-chain antibody specific to antigens displayed on the Fusarium cell surface was isolated from a pooled immunocompetent phage display library. This recombinant antibody inhibited fungal growth in vitro when fused to any of the three AFPs. Expression of the fusion proteins in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants conferred high levels of protection against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. matthiolae, whereas plants expressing either the fungus-specific antibody or AFPs alone exhibited only moderate resistance. Our results demonstrate that antibody fusion proteins may be used as effective and versatile tools for the protection of crop plants against fungal infection.

Metabolic engineering with Dof1 transcription factor in plants: Improved nitrogen assimilation and growth under low-nitrogen conditions

Utilization of transcription factors might be a powerful approach to modification of metabolism for a generation of crops having superior characteristics because a single transcription factor frequently regulates coordinated expression of a set of key genes for respective pathways. Here, we apply the plant-specific Dof1 transcription factor to improve nitrogen assimilation, the essential metabolism including the primary assimilation of ammonia to carbon skeletons to biosynthesize amino acids and other organic compounds involving nitrogen in plants. Expressing Dof1 induced the up-regulation of genes encoding enzymes for carbon skeleton production, a marked increase of amino acid contents, and a reduction of the glucose level in transgenic Arabidopsis. The results suggest cooperative modification of carbon and nitrogen metabolisms on the basis of their intimate link. Furthermore, elementary analysis revealed that the nitrogen content increased in the Dof1 transgenic plants (approximately 30%), indicating promotion of net nitrogen assimilation. Most significantly, the Dof1 transgenic plants exhibit improved growth under low-nitrogen conditions, an agronomically important trait. These results highlight the great utility of transcription factors in engineering metabolism in plants.

Seed-specific expression of a bacterial phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase in Vicia narbonensis increases protein content and improves carbon economy

An ambitious aim in plant breeding and biotechnology is to increase the protein content of crop seeds used for food and feed. Using an approach to manipulate assimilate partitioning, we succeeded in elevating the protein content in legume seeds up to 50%. Transgenic bean plants were generated which express a Corynebacterium glutamicum phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) in a seed-specific manner. The bacterial enzyme was not feedback inhibited by malate. Transgenic seeds showed a higher [14C]-CO2 uptake and about a threefold increased incorporation of labelled carbon into proteins. Changed metabolite profiles of maturing cotyledons indicated a shift of metabolic fluxes from sugars/starch into organic acids and free amino acids. These changes were consistent with an increased carbon flow through the anaplerotic pathway catalysed by PEPC. Consequently, transgenic seeds accumulated up to 20% more protein per gram seed dry weight. Additionally, seed dry weight was higher by 20%-30%. We conclude that PEPC in seeds is a promising target for molecular plant breeding.

Biotransformation of atrazine in transgenic tobacco cell culture expressing human P450

Plant cell cultures in which the appropriate P450 cDNA is introduced are expected to metabolise certain pesticides in large quantities. Two species of human P450 (CYP1A1 and CYP1A2) were introduced into tobacco cells (Nicotiana tabacum L) by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The transgenic plant cell cultures were selected by combination of kanamycin-resistance, 7-ethoxycoumarin O-de-ethylase activity, PCR and Western blot analysis. For metabolism studies, 14C-labelled atrazine was used as a model substance. The metabolites de-ethylatrazine and de-isopropylatrazine were found in the control culture as well as in the transgenic culture, whereas the non-phytotoxic metabolite de-ethyl-de-isopropylatrazine was found only in the transgenic cell cultures. The results showed that both foreign enzymes CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 catalyse N-dealkylation of atrazine. However, CYP1A2 exhibited a higher conversion rate than CYP1A1. In a time-course study the enzyme CYP1A2 catalysed predominantly N-de-ethylation followed by de-isopropylation. The extent of metabolism was considerably higher than in non-transformed cell cultures. The transgenic cell cultures can therefore be suitable tools for the production of large quantities of primary oxidised pesticide metabolites.

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase: three-dimensional structure and molecular mechanisms

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC; EC 4.1.1.31) catalyzes the irreversible carboxylation of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) to form oxaloacetate and Pi using Mg2+ or Mn2+ as a cofactor. PEPC plays a key role in photosynthesis by C4 and Crassulacean acid metabolism plants, in addition to its many anaplerotic functions. Recently, three-dimensional structures of PEPC from Escherichia coli and the C4 plant maize (Zea mays) were elucidated by X-ray crystallographic analysis. These structures reveal an overall square arrangement of the four identical subunits, making up a "dimer-of-dimers" and an eight-stranded beta barrel structure. At the C-terminal region of the beta barrel, the Mn2+ and a PEP analog interact with catalytically essential residues, confirmed by site-directed mutagenesis studies. At about 20A from the beta barrel, an allosteric inhibitor (aspartate) was found to be tightly bound to down-regulate the activity of the E. coli enzyme. In the case of maize C4-PEPC, the putative binding site for an allosteric activator (glucose 6-phosphate) was also revealed. Detailed comparison of the various structures of E. coli PEPC in its inactive state with maize PEPC in its active state shows that the relative orientations of the two subunits in the basal "dimer" are different, implicating an allosteric transition. Dynamic movements were observed for several loops due to the binding of either an allosteric inhibitor, a metal cofactor, a PEP analog, or a sulfate anion, indicating the functional significance of these mobile loops in catalysis and regulation. Information derived from these three-dimensional structures, combined with related biochemical studies, has established models for the reaction mechanism and allosteric regulation of this important C-fixing enzyme.

Metabolic consequences of overproduction of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase in C3 plants

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) has a variety of functions in plants, including a major anaplerotic role in replenishing the tricarboxylic acid cycle with intermediates to meet the demand of carbon skeletons for synthesis of organic acids and amino acids. Various transgenic C3 plants that overproduce PEPC have been produced and analyzed in detail. The results indicate that foreign PEPC is under the control of the regulatory mechanisms intrinsic to the host plant and down-regulated so as not to cause detrimental metabolic effects, although the anaplerotic reaction is slightly enhanced by the foreign PEPC. By use of foreign PEPCs that can avert such regulation, metabolic flow is largely directed toward synthesis of organic acids and amino acids. Observations with transgenic C3 plants also shed light on the interrelation among various metabolic pathways inside the cell.

Molecular evolution and genetic engineering of C4 photosynthetic enzymes

The majority of terrestrial plants, including many important crops such as rice, wheat, soybean, and potato, are classified as C(3) plants that assimilate atmospheric CO(2) directly through the C(3) photosynthetic pathway. C(4) plants, such as maize and sugarcane, evolved from C(3) plants, acquiring the C(4) photosynthetic pathway in addition to the C(3) pathway to achieve high photosynthetic performance and high water- and nitrogen-use efficiencies. Consequently, the transfer of C(4) traits to C(3) plants is one strategy being adopted for improving the photosynthetic performance of C(3) plants. The recent application of recombinant DNA technology has made considerable progress in the molecular engineering of photosynthetic genes in the past ten years. It has deepened understanding of the evolutionary scenario of the C(4) photosynthetic genes. The strategy, based on the evolutionary scenario, has enabled enzymes involved in the C(4) pathway to be expressed at high levels and in desired locations in the leaves of C(3) plants. Although overproduction of a single C(4) enzyme can alter the carbon metabolism of C(3) plants, it does not show any positive effects on photosynthesis. Transgenic C(3) plants overproducing multiple enzymes are now being produced for improving the photosynthetic performance of C(3) plants.