1
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Tang J, Matsuda Y. Discovery of fungal onoceroid triterpenoids through domainless enzyme-targeted global genome mining. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4312. [PMID: 38773118 PMCID: PMC11109268 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48771-7] [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: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Genomics-guided methodologies have revolutionized the discovery of natural products. However, a major challenge in the field of genome mining is determining how to selectively extract biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) for untapped natural products from numerous available genome sequences. In this study, we developed a fungal genome mining tool that extracts BGCs encoding enzymes that lack a detectable protein domain (i.e., domainless enzymes) and are not recognized as biosynthetic proteins by existing bioinformatic tools. We searched for BGCs encoding a homologue of Pyr4-family terpene cyclases, which are representative examples of apparently domainless enzymes, in approximately 2000 fungal genomes and discovered several BGCs with unique features. The subsequent characterization of selected BGCs led to the discovery of fungal onoceroid triterpenoids and unprecedented onoceroid synthases. Furthermore, in addition to the onoceroids, a previously unreported sesquiterpene hydroquinone, of which the biosynthesis involves a Pyr4-family terpene cyclase, was obtained. Our genome mining tool has broad applicability in fungal genome mining and can serve as a beneficial platform for accessing diverse, unexploited natural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Tang
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yudai Matsuda
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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2
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Abstract
Covering: up to July 2023Terpene cyclases (TCs) catalyze some of the most complicated reactions in nature and are responsible for creating the skeletons of more than 95 000 terpenoid natural products. The canonical TCs are divided into two classes according to their structures, functions, and mechanisms. The class II TCs mediate acid-base-initiated cyclization reactions of isoprenoid diphosphates, terpenes without diphosphates (e.g., squalene or oxidosqualene), and prenyl moieties on meroterpenes. The past twenty years witnessed the emergence of many class II TCs, their reactions and their roles in biosynthesis. Class II TCs often act as one of the first steps in the biosynthesis of biologically active natural products including the gibberellin family of phytohormones and fungal meroterpenoids. Due to their mechanisms and biocatalytic potential, TCs elicit fervent attention in the biosynthetic and organic communities and provide great enthusiasm for enzyme engineering to construct novel and bioactive molecules. To engineer and expand the structural diversities of terpenoids, it is imperative to fully understand how these enzymes generate, precisely control, and quench the reactive carbocation intermediates. In this review, we summarize class II TCs from nature, including sesquiterpene, diterpene, triterpene, and meroterpenoid cyclases as well as noncanonical class II TCs and inspect their sequences, structures, mechanisms, and structure-guided engineering studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingming Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
| | - Jeffrey D Rudolf
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611-7011, USA.
| | - Liao-Bin Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
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3
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Ueda D, Matsuda N, Takaba Y, Hirai N, Inoue M, Kameya T, Abe T, Tagaya N, Isogai Y, Kakihara Y, Bartels F, Christmann M, Shinada T, Yasuda K, Sato T. Analysis of vitamin D receptor binding affinities of enzymatically synthesized triterpenes including ambrein and unnatural onoceroids. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1419. [PMID: 38228813 PMCID: PMC10792010 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52013-7] [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: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Onoceroids are a rare family of triterpenes. One representative onoceroid is ambrein, which is the main component of ambergris used as a traditional medicine. We have previously identified the onoceroid synthase, BmeTC, in Bacillus megaterium and succeeded in creating ambrein synthase by introducing mutations into BmeTC. Owing to the structural similarity of ambrein to vitamin D, a molecule with diverse biological activities, we hypothesized that some of the activities of ambergris may be induced by the binding of ambrein to the vitamin D receptor (VDR). We demonstrated the VDR binding ability of ambrein. By comparing the structure-activity relationships of triterpenes with both the VDR affinity and osteoclastic differentiation-promoting activity, we observed that the activity of ambrein was not induced via the VDR. Therefore, some of the activities of ambergris, but not all, can be attributed to its VDR interaction. Additionally, six unnatural onoceroids were synthesized using the BmeTC reactions, and these compounds exhibited higher VDR affinity than that of ambrein. Enzymatic syntheses of onoceroid libraries will be valuable in creating a variety of bioactive compounds beyond ambergris.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daijiro Ueda
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Natsu Matsuda
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Yuka Takaba
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Nami Hirai
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Mao Inoue
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Taichi Kameya
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Tohru Abe
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Nao Tagaya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Toyama Prefectural University, Imizu, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Isogai
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Toyama Prefectural University, Imizu, Japan
| | - Yoshito Kakihara
- Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Florian Bartels
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Unversität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mathias Christmann
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Unversität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tetsuro Shinada
- Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kaori Yasuda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Toyama Prefectural University, Imizu, Japan.
| | - Tsutomu Sato
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan.
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Hussain H, Xiao J, Ali A, Green IR, Westermann B. Unusually cyclized triterpenoids: occurrence, biosynthesis and chemical synthesis. Nat Prod Rep 2023; 40:412-451. [PMID: 36458822 DOI: 10.1039/d2np00033d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Covering: 2009 to 2021Biosynthetically, most of the syntheses of triterpenes follow the cascade cyclization and rearrangement of the acyclic precursors viz., squalene (S) and 2,3-oxidosqualene (OS), which lead to the very well known tetra- and pentacyclic triterpene skeletons. Aside from these, numerous other triterpenoid molecules are also reported from various natural sources and their structures are derived from "S" and "OS" via some unusual cyclization operations which are different from the usual tetra- and pentacyclic frameworks. Numerous compelling advances have been made and reported in the identification of these unusual cyclized mono-, di-, tri- and tetracyclic triterpenes between 2009 and 2021. Besides a dramatic increase in the newly isolated uncommon cyclized triterpenoids, substantial progress in the (bio)-synthesis of these triterpenes has been published along with significant progress in their biological effects. In this review, 180 new unusual cyclized triterpenoids together with their demonstrated biogenetic pathways, syntheses and biological effects will be categorized and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidayat Hussain
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, Halle (Saale) D-06120, Germany.
| | - Jianbo Xiao
- International Research Center for Food Nutrition and Safety, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China.,Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Vigo - Ourense Campus, Ourense, E-32004, Spain
| | - Akbar Ali
- Department of Chemistry, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Ivan R Green
- Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
| | - Bernhard Westermann
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, Halle (Saale) D-06120, Germany.
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5
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Chen K, Zhang M, Ye M, Qiao X. Site-directed mutagenesis and substrate compatibility to reveal the structure-function relationships of plant oxidosqualene cyclases. Nat Prod Rep 2021; 38:2261-2275. [PMID: 33988197 DOI: 10.1039/d1np00015b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Covering: up to May 2020Oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs) catalyze one of the most complex polycyclization reactions in nature, using the linear 2,3-oxidosqualene to generate an array of triterpene skeletons in plants. Despite the structural diversity of the products, the protein sequences of plant OSCs are highly conserved, where a few key amino acids could govern the product selectivity. Due to the absence of crystal structures, site-directed mutagenesis and substrate structural modification become key approaches to understand the cyclization mechanism. In this review, 98 mutation sites in 25 plant OSCs have been summarized, and the conserved key residues have been identified by sequence alignment. Structure-function relationships are further discussed. Meanwhile, the substrate selectivity has been summarized to probe the active site cavity of plant OSCs. A total of 77 references are included.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Meng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Min Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Xue Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100191, China.
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6
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Shinozaki J, Ohtake M, Sato M, Ono K, Kamiyama S. Molecular basis of triterpene-based chemophenetics in ferns. PLANTA 2020; 251:78. [PMID: 32157441 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-020-03369-3] [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: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
A hypothesis that squalene cyclase genes are widely distributed throughout ferns was proposed. We successfully isolated a squalene cyclase pseudogene from a fern from which no triterpene hydrocarbons were detected Ferns are the most primitive vascular plants, with their locations ranging from tropical to cold temperate regions and from lowland to alpine zones. The triterpene hydrocarbons and their derivatives are characteristic fern metabolites, and are also chemophenetic markers. Recently, our biosynthetic study into fern squalene cyclases (SCs), the enzymes responsible for triterpene synthesis, gave an unexpected inconsistency between genotype (enzyme function) and chemotype (triterpene profile). This finding prompted us to propose a hypothesis that SC genes are widely distributed throughout ferns and lycophytes whether or not they produce triterpene hydrocarbons. To test this hypothesis, we employed a multifaceted approach based on phytochemical, biochemical, and phylogenetic analyses. As anticipated, we successfully isolated two SC pseudogenes from a fern from in which no or only one triterpene hydrocarbon was detected. Subsequent mutagenesis experiments resulted in the functional conversion of these pseudogenes into active SC genes. Given an auxiliary hypothesis regarding the inherent limit of the degenerate polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, the overall dataset supported our hypothesis, although correction was required with respect to plant coverage. Not only did the corrected hypothesis outline the distribution of SC genes throughout ferns, it provided insight into the molecular basis of the triterpene-based chemophenetics in ferns, which is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junichi Shinozaki
- Showa Pharmaceutical University, 3-3165 Higashi-Tamagawagakuen, Machida, Tokyo, 194-8543, Japan.
| | - Mizuki Ohtake
- Showa Pharmaceutical University, 3-3165 Higashi-Tamagawagakuen, Machida, Tokyo, 194-8543, Japan
| | - Mami Sato
- Showa Pharmaceutical University, 3-3165 Higashi-Tamagawagakuen, Machida, Tokyo, 194-8543, Japan
| | - Keisuke Ono
- Showa Pharmaceutical University, 3-3165 Higashi-Tamagawagakuen, Machida, Tokyo, 194-8543, Japan
| | - Shigeki Kamiyama
- Showa Pharmaceutical University, 3-3165 Higashi-Tamagawagakuen, Machida, Tokyo, 194-8543, Japan
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7
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Almeida A, Dong L, Appendino G, Bak S. Plant triterpenoids with bond-missing skeletons: biogenesis, distribution and bioactivity. Nat Prod Rep 2020; 37:1207-1228. [PMID: 32368768 DOI: 10.1039/c9np00030e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Covering: up to December 2018 The polycyclic ABCD(E) framework of triterpenoids can miss a single endocyclic C-C bond as a result of a modification of the cyclization cascade that triggers their formation (interrupted- or diverted cascades), or can be the result of post-cyclization ring cleavage by late-stage oxidative modifications (seco-triterpenoids). Because of mechanistic and biogenetic differences, ring opening associated with loss of a skeletal fragment, as in nor-seco-triterpenoids (limonoids, quassinoids), will not be covered, nor will compounds where ring opening is part of a fragmentation cascade or of a multiple diversion from it. Even with these limitations, 342 bond-missing triterpenoids could be retrieved from the literature, with transversal distribution in the plant kingdom. Their structural diversity translates into a variety of biological targets, with dominance of potential applications in the realm of cancer, neuroprotection, and anti-infective therapy. In addition to the bioactivity and chemotaxonomic relevance of bond-missing triterpenoids, current knowledge on the genetic basis of interrupted- and diverted oxidosqualene cyclases will be summarized. This untapped source of enzymes could be useful to selectively modify triterpenoids by metabolic engineering, circumventing the bottlenecks of their isolation (poor yield or inadequate supply chain) to explore new areas of their chemical space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldo Almeida
- Section of Plant Biochemistry, Department of Plant and Environmental Science, University of Copenhagen, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
| | - Lemeng Dong
- Section of Plant Biochemistry, Department of Plant and Environmental Science, University of Copenhagen, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
| | - Giovanni Appendino
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Largo Donegani 2, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Søren Bak
- Section of Plant Biochemistry, Department of Plant and Environmental Science, University of Copenhagen, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
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8
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Cárdenas PD, Almeida A, Bak S. Evolution of Structural Diversity of Triterpenoids. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 10:1523. [PMID: 31921225 PMCID: PMC6929605 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.01523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Plants have evolved to produce a blend of specialized metabolites that serve functional roles in plant adaptation. Among them, triterpenoids are one of the largest subclasses of such specialized metabolites, with more than 14,000 known structures. They play a role in plant defense and development and have potential applications within food and pharma. Triterpenoids are cyclized from oxidized squalene precursors by oxidosqualene cyclases, creating more than 100 different cyclical triterpene scaffolds. This limited number of scaffolds is the first step towards creating the vast structural diversity of triterpenoids followed by extensive diversification, in particular, by oxygenation and glycosylation. Gene duplication, divergence, and selection are major forces that drive triterpenoid structural diversification. The triterpenoid biosynthetic genes can be organized in non-homologous gene clusters, such as in Avena spp., Cucurbitaceae and Solanum spp., or scattered along plant chromosomes as in Barbarea vulgaris. Paralogous genes organized as tandem repeats reflect the extended gene duplication activities in the evolutionary history of the triterpenoid saponin pathways, as seen in B. vulgaris. We review and discuss examples of convergent and divergent evolution in triterpenoid biosynthesis, and the apparent mechanisms occurring in plants that drive their increasing structural diversity within and across species. Using B. vulgaris' saponins as examples, we discuss the impact a single structural modification can have on the structure of a triterpenoid and how this affect its biological properties. These examples provide insight into how plants continuously evolve their specialized metabolome, opening the way to study uncharacterized triterpenoid biosynthetic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Søren Bak
- Department of Plant and Environmental Science, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
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9
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Boonya-Udtayan S, Thasana N, Jarussophon N, Ruchirawat S. Serratene triterpenoids and their biological activities from Lycopodiaceae plants. Fitoterapia 2019; 136:104181. [PMID: 31145984 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2019.104181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Revised: 05/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The plants of Lycopodiaceae family, distributed across China, India and also Southeast Asia, have been used as folk medicines. The phytochemical constitutent studies of this family was widely reported. Serratene trierpenoids is one of phytochemical constitutent type, which have been mainly isolated from this plant family. To date, more than 100 serratene-type triterpenoids have been reported and several of them have been shown promising biological activities, especially cytotoxicity and chemopreventive activity. This review covers the structural classification, biological activities and hypotheses about biosynthetic pathways of serratene-type triterpenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasiwadee Boonya-Udtayan
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Science, Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand.
| | - Nopporn Thasana
- Chulabhorn Research Institute, Lak Si, Bangkok 10210, Thailand; Chulabhorn Graduate Institute, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Laksi, Bangkok 10210, Thailand
| | - Nongpanga Jarussophon
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Science, Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand
| | - Somsak Ruchirawat
- Chulabhorn Research Institute, Lak Si, Bangkok 10210, Thailand; Chulabhorn Graduate Institute, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Laksi, Bangkok 10210, Thailand
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10
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Bartels F, Hong YJ, Ueda D, Weber M, Sato T, Tantillo DJ, Christmann M. Bioinspired synthesis of pentacyclic onocerane triterpenoids. Chem Sci 2017; 8:8285-8290. [PMID: 29619174 PMCID: PMC5858022 DOI: 10.1039/c7sc03903d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The first chemical synthesis of pentacyclic onocerane triterpenoids (+)-cupacinoxepin and (+)-onoceranoxide is described.
The first chemical synthesis of pentacyclic onocerane triterpenoids has been achieved. A putative biomimetic tricyclization cascade is employed to forge a fused decalin-/oxepane ring system. The synthetic route proceeds to (+)-cupacinoxepin in seven steps and to (+)-onoceranoxide in eight steps in the longest linear sequence, when starting from geranyl chloride and (+)-sclareolide. The bioinspired epoxypolyene cyclization is supported by computational and enzymatic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Bartels
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry , Freie Universität Berlin , Takustraße 3 , 14195 Berlin , Germany .
| | - Young J Hong
- Department of Chemistry , University of California-Davis , Davis , California 95616 , USA .
| | - Daijiro Ueda
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry , Graduate School of Science and Technology , Niigata University , Ikarashi 2-8050, Nishi-ku , Niigata 950-2181 , Japan .
| | - Manuela Weber
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry , Freie Universität Berlin , Takustraße 3 , 14195 Berlin , Germany .
| | - Tsutomu Sato
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry , Graduate School of Science and Technology , Niigata University , Ikarashi 2-8050, Nishi-ku , Niigata 950-2181 , Japan .
| | - Dean J Tantillo
- Department of Chemistry , University of California-Davis , Davis , California 95616 , USA .
| | - Mathias Christmann
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry , Freie Universität Berlin , Takustraße 3 , 14195 Berlin , Germany .
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11
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Tenkovskaia L, Murakami M, Okuno K, Ueda D, Sato T. Analysis of the Catalytic Mechanism of Bifunctional Triterpene/Sesquarterpene Cyclase: Tyr167 Functions To Terminate Cyclization of Squalene at the Bicyclic Step. Chembiochem 2017; 18:1910-1913. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201700329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Liudmila Tenkovskaia
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry; Faculty of Agriculture, and; Graduate School of Science and Technology; Niigata University; Ikarashi 2-8050 Nishi-ku Niigata 950-2181 Japan
| | - Mizuki Murakami
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry; Faculty of Agriculture, and; Graduate School of Science and Technology; Niigata University; Ikarashi 2-8050 Nishi-ku Niigata 950-2181 Japan
| | - Kotone Okuno
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry; Faculty of Agriculture, and; Graduate School of Science and Technology; Niigata University; Ikarashi 2-8050 Nishi-ku Niigata 950-2181 Japan
| | - Daijiro Ueda
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry; Faculty of Agriculture, and; Graduate School of Science and Technology; Niigata University; Ikarashi 2-8050 Nishi-ku Niigata 950-2181 Japan
| | - Tsutomu Sato
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry; Faculty of Agriculture, and; Graduate School of Science and Technology; Niigata University; Ikarashi 2-8050 Nishi-ku Niigata 950-2181 Japan
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12
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Fujita Y, Koeduka T, Aida M, Suzuki H, Iijima Y, Matsui K. Biosynthesis of volatile terpenes that accumulate in the secretory cavities of young leaves of Japanese pepper ( Zanthoxylum piperitum): Isolation and functional characterization of monoterpene and sesquiterpene synthase genes. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY (TOKYO, JAPAN) 2017; 34:17-28. [PMID: 31275004 PMCID: PMC6543703 DOI: 10.5511/plantbiotechnology.16.1231a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2016] [Accepted: 12/31/2016] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Volatile terpenes are ones of the characteristic aromas of Japanese pepper (Zanthoxylum piperitum). It has been hypothesized that the specialized epithelial cells surrounding the secretory cavities of Japanese pepper fruits and leaves are responsible for the synthesis of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, which are generally produced by terpene synthases (TPSs); however, direct evidence for the formation of terpenes in Japanese pepper remains elusive. Here we report that monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes accumulate inside the secretory cavities of Japanese pepper leaves, but not in other parts of leaf tissues that do not include secretory cavities. We have obtained cDNAs for ZpTPS1 and ZpTPS2, which are responsible for biosynthesis of the sesquiterpenes β-caryophyllene and germacrene D, respectively, in Japanese pepper. In addition, we also identified a cDNA for the monoterpene synthase ZpTPS3. Expression of ZpTPS3 in Escherichia coli in addition to Agrobacterium-mediated transient ZpTPS3 expression in Nicotiana benthamiana demonstrated the catalytic activity of ZpTPS3 to form β-phellandrene as the major product. In situ hybridization in Japanese pepper leaf tissue revealed that ZpTPS3 transcript specifically accumulated in the epithelial cells surrounding secretory cavities. Expression of ZpTPS3 in epithelial cells was only detectable during early stages of cavity development, whereas the formation of volatile terpenes occurred at a constant rate throughout the expansion of secretory cavities. Our studies have improved the understanding of the currently uncharacterized processes controlling volatile terpene biosynthesis in Japanese pepper leaves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiyuki Fujita
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture and Division of Agricultural Sciences, Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Takao Koeduka
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture and Division of Agricultural Sciences, Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Aida
- Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Nara 630-0192, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Suzuki
- Department of Research and Development, Kazusa DNA Research Institute, Chiba 292-0818, Japan
| | - Yoko Iijima
- Department of Nutrition and Life Science, Kanagawa Institute of Technology, Kanagawa 243-0292, Japan
| | - Kenji Matsui
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture and Division of Agricultural Sciences, Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
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13
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14
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Hoshino T. β-Amyrin biosynthesis: catalytic mechanism and substrate recognition. Org Biomol Chem 2017; 15:2869-2891. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ob00238f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
In the past five years, there have been remarkable advances in the study of β-amyrin synthase. This review outlines the catalytic mechanism and substrate recognition in β-amyrin biosynthesis, which have been attained by the site-directed mutagenesis and substrate analog experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsutomu Hoshino
- Graduate School of Science and Technology and Department of Applied Biological Chemistry
- Faculty of Agriculture
- Niigata University
- Niigata 950-2181
- Japan
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15
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Koeduka T, Kajiyama M, Suzuki H, Furuta T, Tsuge T, Matsui K. Benzenoid biosynthesis in the flowers of Eriobotrya japonica: molecular cloning and functional characterization of p-methoxybenzoic acid carboxyl methyltransferase. PLANTA 2016; 244:725-736. [PMID: 27146420 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-016-2542-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2016] [Accepted: 04/29/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
p -Methoxybenzoic acid carboxyl methyltransferase (MBMT) was isolated from loquat flowers. MBMT displayed high similarity to jasmonic acid carboxyl methyltransferases, but exhibited high catalytic activity to form methyl p -methoxybenzoate from p -methoxybenzoic acid. Volatile benzenoids impart the characteristic fragrance of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) flowers. Here, we report that loquat produces methyl p-methoxybenzoate, along with other benzenoids, as the flowers bloom. Although the adaxial side of flower petals is covered with hairy trichomes, the trichomes are not the site of volatile benzenoid formation. Here we identified four carboxyl methyltransferase (EjMT1 to EjMT4) genes from loquat and functionally characterized EjMT1 which we found to encode a p-methoxybenzoic acid carboxyl methyltransferase (MBMT); an enzyme capable of converting p-methoxybenzoic acid to methyl p-methoxybenzoate via methylation of the carboxyl group. We found that transcript levels of MBMT continually increased throughout the flower development with peak expression occurring in fully opened flowers. Recombinant MBMT protein expressed in Escherichia coli showed the highest substrate preference toward p-methoxybenzoic acid with an apparent K m value of 137.3 µM. In contrast to benzoic acid carboxyl methyltransferase (BAMT) and benzoic acid/salicylic acid carboxyl methyltransferase, MBMT also displayed activity towards both benzoic acid and jasmonic acid. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that loquat MBMT forms a monophyletic group with jasmonic acid carboxyl methyltransferases (JMTs) from other plant species. Our results suggest that plant enzymes with same BAMT activity have evolved independently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takao Koeduka
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, 753-8515, Japan.
| | - Mami Kajiyama
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, 753-8515, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Suzuki
- Department of Research and Development, Kazusa DNA Research Institute, Chiba, 292-0818, Japan
| | - Takumi Furuta
- Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto, 611-0011, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Tsuge
- Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto, 611-0011, Japan
| | - Kenji Matsui
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, 753-8515, Japan
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