Biochemistry, molecular biology and regulation of starch synthesis

Genetic Effects of Grain Quality Enhancement in Indica Hybrid Rice: Insights for Molecular Design Breeding

Improving rice quality remains a crucial breeding objective, second only to enhancing yield, yet progress in quality improvement lags behind yield. The high temperature and ripening conditions in Southern China often result in poor rice quality, impacting hybrid rice production and utilization. Therefore, to address this challenge, analyzing the molecular basis of high-quality traits is essential for molecular design breeding of high-quality hybrid rice varieties. In this study, we investigated the molecular basis of grain shape, amylose content, gel consistency, gelatinization temperature, and aroma, which influence rice quality. We discovered that quality related alleles gs3, GW7TFA, gw8, chalk5, Wxb, ALKTT, and fgr can enhance rice quality when applied in breeding programs. Polymerization of gs3, GW7TFA, gw8, and chalk5 genes improves rice appearance quality. The gs3 and GW7TFA allele polymerization increasing the grain's length-width ratio, adding the aggregation of gw8 allele can further reducing grain width. The chalk5 gene regulates low chalkiness, but low correlation to chalkiness was exhibited with grain widths below 2.0 mm, with minimal differences between Chalk5 and chalk5 alleles. Enhancing rice cooking and eating quality is achieved through Wxb and ALKTT gene polymerization, while introducing the fgr(E7) gene significantly improved rice aroma. Using molecular marker-assisted technology, we aggregated these genes to develop a batch of indica hybrid rice parents with improved rice quality are obtained. Cross-combining these enhanced parents can generate new, high-quality hybrid rice varieties suitable for cultivation in Southern China. Therefore, our findings contribute to a molecular breeding model for grain quality improvement in high-quality indica hybrid rice. This study, along with others, highlights the potential of molecular design breeding for enhancing complex traits, particularly rice grain quality.

Light intensity-mediated auxin homeostasis in spikelets links carbohydrate metabolism enzymes with grain filling rate in rice

Low light (LL) stress during the grain-filling stage acutely impairs the quality and quantity of starch accumulation in rice grains. Here, we observed that LL-induced poor starch biosynthesis is modulated by auxin homeostasis, which regulates the activities of major carbohydrate metabolism enzymes such as starch synthase (SS) and ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) in rice. Further, during the grain-filling period under LL, the starch/sucrose ratio increased in leaves but significantly decreased in the developing spikelets. This suggests poor sucrose biosynthesis in leaves and starch in the grains of the rice under LL. A lower grain starch was found to be correlated with the depleted AGPase and SS activities in the developing rice grains under LL. Further, under LL, the endogenous auxin (IAA) level in the spikelets was found to be synchronized with the expression of a heteromeric G protein gene, RGB1. Interestingly, under LL, the expression of OsYUC11 was significantly downregulated, which subsequently resulted in reduced IAA in the developing rice spikelets, followed by poor activation of grain-filling enzymes. This resulted in lowered grain starch accumulation, grain weight, panicle number, spikelet fertility, and eventually grain yield, which was notably higher in the LL-susceptible (GR4, IR8) than in the LL-tolerant (Purnendu, Swarnaprabha) rice genotypes. Therefore, we hypothesize that depletion in auxin biosynthesis under LL stress is associated with the downregulation of RBG1, which discourages the expression and activities of grain-filling enzymes, resulting in lower starch production, panicle formation, and grain yield in rice.

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated editing of Wx and BADH2 genes created glutinous and aromatic two-line hybrid rice

Amylose content (AC) is one of the physicochemical indexes of rice quality, which is largely determined by the Waxy (Wx) gene. Fragrance in rice is favored because it adds good flavor and a faint scent. Loss of function of the BADH2 (FGR) gene promotes the biosynthesis of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2AP), which is the main compound responsible for aroma in rice. Here, we used a CRISPR/Cas9 system to simultaneously knock out Wx and FGR genes in 1892S and M858, which are the parents of an indica two-line hybrid rice, Huiliangyou 858 (HLY858). Four T-DNA-free homozygous mutants (1892Swxfgr-1, 1892Swxfgr-2, M858wxfgr-1, and M858wxfgr-2) were obtained. The 1892Swxfgr and M858wxfgr were crossed to generate double mutant hybrid lines HLY858wxfgr-1 and HLY858wxfgr-2. Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) data indicated that true AC of the wx mutant starches ranged from 0.22 to 1.63%, much lower than those of the wild types (12.93 to 13.76%). However, the gelatinization temperature (GT) of the wx mutants in backgrounds of 1892S, M858, and HLY858 were still high, and showed no significant differences with the wild type controls. The aroma compounds 2AP content in grains of HLY858wxfgr-1 and HLY858wxfgr-2 were 153.0 μg/kg and 151.0 μg/kg, respectively. In contrast, 2AP was not detected in grains of HLY858. There were no significant differences in major agronomic traits between the mutants and HLY858. This study provides guidelines for cultivation of ideal glutinous and aromatic hybrid rice by gene editing.

Phosphoglucoisomerase Is an Important Regulatory Enzyme in Partitioning Carbon out of the Calvin-Benson Cycle

Phosphoglucoisomerase (PGI) isomerizes fructose 6-phosphate (F6P) and glucose 6-phosphate (G6P) in starch and sucrose biosynthesis. Both plastidic and cytosolic isoforms are found in plant leaves. Using recombinant enzymes and isolated chloroplasts, we have characterized the plastidic and cytosolic isoforms of PGI. We have found that the Arabidopsis plastidic PGI K m for G6P is three-fold greater compared to that for F6P and that erythrose 4-phosphate is a key regulator of PGI activity. Additionally, the K m of spinach plastidic PGI can be dynamically regulated in the dark compared to the light and increases by 200% in the dark. We also found that targeting Arabidopsis cytosolic PGI into plastids of Nicotiana tabacum disrupts starch accumulation and degradation. Our results, in combination with the observation that plastidic PGI is not in equilibrium, indicates that PGI is an important regulatory enzyme that restricts flow and acts as a one-way valve preventing backflow of G6P into the Calvin-Benson cycle. We propose the PGI may be manipulated to improve flow of carbon to desired targets of biotechnology.

Starch accumulation in hulless barley during grain filling

BACKGROUND

Starch consists of two types of molecules: amylose and amylopectin. The objective of this study was increase understanding about mechanisms related to starch accumulation in hulless barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grain by measuring temporal changes in (i) grain amylose and amylopectin content, (ii) starch synthase activity, and (iii) the relative expressions of key starch-related genes.

RESULTS

The amylopectin/amylose ratio gradually declined in both Beiqing 6 and Kunlun 12. In both cultivars, the activities of adenosine diphosphate glucose pyrophosphorylase, soluble starch synthase (SSS), granule bound starch synthase (GBSS), and starch branching enzyme (SBE) increased steadily during grain filling, reaching their maximums 20-25 days after anthesis. The activities of SSS and SBE were greater in Ganken 5 than in either Beiqing 6 or Kunlun 12. The expression of GBSS I was greater in Beiqing 6 and Kunlun 12 than in Ganken 5. In contrast, the expression of SSS I, SSS II and SBE I was greater in Ganken 5 than in Beiqing 6 and Kunlun 12. The peak in GBSS I expression was later than that of SSS I, SSS II, SBE IIa and SBE IIb. The GBSS I transcript in Kunlun 12 was expressed on average 90 times more than the GBSS II transcript.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that SBE and SSS may control starch synthesis at the transcriptional level, whereas GBSS I may control starch synthesis at the post transcriptional level. GBSS I is mainly responsible for amylose synthesis whereas SSS I and SBE II are mainly responsible for amylopectin synthesis in amyloplasts.

Crystal structures of Escherichia coli branching enzyme in complex with cyclodextrins

Branching enzyme (BE) is responsible for the third step in glycogen/starch biosynthesis. It catalyzes the cleavage of α-1,4 glucan linkages and subsequent reattachment to form α-1,6 branch points. These branches are crucial to the final structure of glycogen and starch. The crystal structures of Escherichia coli BE (EcBE) in complex with α-, β- and γ-cyclodextrin were determined in order to better understand substrate binding. Four cyclodextrin-binding sites were identified in EcBE; they were all located on the surface of the enzyme, with none in the vicinity of the active site. While three of the sites were also identified as linear polysaccharide-binding sites, one of the sites is specific for cyclodextrins. In previous work three additional binding sites were identified as exclusively binding linear malto-oligosaccharides. Comparison of the binding sites shed light on this apparent specificity. Binding site IV is located in the carbohydrate-binding module 48 (CBM48) domain of EcBE and superimposes with the cyclodextrin-binding site found in the CBM48 domain of 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Comparison of these sites shows the similarities and differences in the two binding modes. While some of the binding sites were found to be conserved between branching enzymes of different organisms, some are quite divergent, indicating both similarities and differences between oligosaccharide binding in branching enzymes from various sources.

Transcriptome profiling of fruit development and maturation in Chinese white pear (Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd)

BACKGROUND

Pear (Pyrus spp) is an important fruit species worldwide; however, its genetics and genomic information is limited. Combining the Solexa/Illumina RNA-seq high-throughput sequencing approach (RNA-seq) with Digital Gene Expression (DGE) analysis would be a powerful tool for transcriptomic study. This paper reports the transcriptome profiling analysis of Chinese white pear (P. bretschneideri) using RNA-seq and DGE to better understand the molecular mechanisms in fruit development and maturation of Chinese white pear.

RESULTS

De novo transcriptome assembly and gene expression analysis of Chinese white pear were performed in an unprecedented depth (5.47 gigabase pairs) using high-throughput Illumina RNA-seq combined with a tag-based Digital Gene Expression (DGE) system. Approximately, 60.77 million reads were sequenced, trimmed, and assembled into 90,227 unigenes. These unigenes comprised 17,619 contigs and 72,608 singletons with an average length of 508 bp and had an N50 of 635 bp. Sequence similarity analyses against six public databases (Uniprot, NR, and COGs at NCBI, Pfam, InterPro, and KEGG) found that 61,636 unigenes can be annotated with gene descriptions, conserved protein domains, or gene ontology terms. By BLASTing all 61,636 unigenes in KEGG, a total of 31,215 unigenes were annotated into 121 known metabolic or signaling pathways in which a few primary, intermediate, and secondary metabolic pathways are directly related to pear fruit quality. DGE libraries were constructed for each of the five fruit developmental stages. Variations in gene expression among all developmental stages of pear fruit were significantly different in a large amount of unigenes.

CONCLUSION

Extensive transcriptome and DGE profiling data at five fruit developmental stages of Chinese white pear have been obtained from a deep sequencing, which provides comprehensive gene expression information at the transcriptional level. This could facilitate understanding of the molecular mechanisms in fruit development and maturation. Such a database can also be used as a public information platform for research on molecular biology and functional genomics in pear and other related species.

Modulation of allosteric regulation by E38K and G101N mutations in the potato tuber ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase

The higher plant ADP-glucose (ADPG) pyrophosphorylase (AGPase), composed of two small subunits and two large subunits (LSs), produces ADPG, the sole substrate for starch biosynthesis from α-D-glucose 1-phosphate and ATP. This enzyme controls a key step in starch synthesis as its catalytic activity is activated by 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA) and inhibited by orthophosphate (Pi). Previously, two mutations in the LS of potato AGPase (PLS), PLS-E38K and PLS-G101N, were found to increase sensitivity to 3-PGA activation and tolerance to Pi inhibition. In the present study, the double mutated enzyme (PLS-E38K/G101N) was evaluated. In a complementation assay of ADPG synthesis in an Escherichia coli mutant defective in the synthesis of ADPG, expression of PLS-E38K/G101N mediated higher glycogen production than wild-type potato AGPase (PLS-WT) and the single mutant enzymes, PLS-E38K and PLS-G101N, individually. Purified PLS-E38K/G101N showed higher sensitivity to 3-PGA activation and tolerance to Pi inhibition than PLS-E38K or PLS-G101N. Moreover, the enzyme activities of PLS-E38K, PLS-G101N, and PLS-E38K/G101N were more readily stimulated by other major phosphate-ester metabolites, such as fructose 6-phosphate, fructose 2,6-bisphosphate, and ribose 5-phosphate, than was that of PLS-WT. Hence, although the specific enzyme activities of the LS mutants toward 3-PGA were impaired to some extent by the mutations, our results suggest that their enhanced allosteric regulatory properties and the broadened effector selectivity gained by the same mutations not only offset the lowered enzyme catalytic turnover rates but also increase the net performance of potato AGPase in vivo in view of increased glycogen production in bacterial cells.

The starch-binding capacity of the noncatalytic SBD2 region and the interaction between the N- and C-terminal domains are involved in the modulation of the activity of starch synthase III from Arabidopsis thaliana

Starch synthase III from Arabidopsis thaliana contains an N-terminal region, including three in-tandem starch-binding domains, followed by a C-terminal catalytic domain. We have reported previously that starch-binding domains may be involved in the regulation of starch synthase III function. In this work, we analyzed the existence of protein interactions between both domains using pull-down assays, far western blotting and co-expression of the full and truncated starch-binding domains with the catalytic domain. Pull-down assays and co-purification analysis showed that the D(316-344) and D(495-535) regions in the D2 and D3 domains, respectively, but not the individual starch-binding domains, are involved in the interaction with the catalytic domain. We also determined that the residues W366 and Y394 in the D2 domain are important in starch binding. Moreover, the co-purified catalytic domain plus site-directed mutants of the D123 protein lacking these aromatic residues showed that W366 was key to the apparent affinity for the polysaccharide substrate of starch synthase III, whereas either of these amino acid residues altered ADP-glucose kinetics. In addition, the analysis of full-length and truncated proteins showed an almost complete restoration of the apparent affinity for the substrates and V(max) of starch synthase III. The results presented here suggest that the interaction of the N-terminal starch-binding domains, particularly the D(316-344) and D(495-535) regions, with the catalytic domains, as well as the full integrity of the starch-binding capacity of the D2 domain, are involved in the modulation of starch synthase III activity.

The evolution of putative starch-binding domains

The present bioinformatics analysis was focused on the starch-binding domains (SBDs) and SBD-like motifs sequentially related to carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) families CBM20 and CBM21. Originally, these SBDs were known from microbial amylases only. At present homologous starch- and glycogen-binding domains (or putative SBD sequences) have been recognised in various plant and animal proteins. The sequence comparison clearly showed that the SBD-like sequences in genethonin-1, starch synthase III and glucan branching enzyme should possess the real SBD function since the two tryptophans (or at least two aromatics) of the typical starch-binding site 1 are conserved in their sequences. The same should apply also for the sequences corresponding with the so-called KIS-domain of plant AKINbetagamma protein that is a homologue of the animal AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). The evolutionary tree classified the compared SBDs into three distinct groups: (i) the family CBM20 (the motifs from genethonins, laforins, starch excess 4 protein, beta-subunits of the animal AMPK and all plant and yeast homologues, and eventually from amylopullulanases); (ii) the family CBM21 (the motifs from regulatory subunits of protein phosphatase 1 together with those from starch synthase III); and (iii) the (CBM20+CBM21)-related group (the motifs from the pullulanase subfamily consisting of pullulanase, branching enzyme, isoamylase and maltooligosyl trehalohydrolase).

Domain swapping between a cyanobacterial and a plant subunit ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase

ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (ADP-Glc PPase) catalyzes the regulatory step in the pathway for synthesis of bacterial glycogen and starch in plants. ADP-Glc PPases from cyanobacteria (homotetramer) and from potato (Solanum tuberosum) tuber (heterotetramer) are activated by 3-phosphoglycerate and inhibited by inorganic orthophosphate. To study the function of two putative domains, chimeric enzymes were constructed. PSSANA contained the N-terminus (292 amino acids) of the potato tuber ADP-Glc PPase small subunit (PSS) and the C-terminus (159 residues) of the Anabaena PCC 7120 enzyme. ANAPSS was the inverse chimera. These constructs were expressed separately or together with the large subunit of the potato tuber ADP-Glc PPase (PLS), to obtain homo- and heterotetrameric chimeric proteins. Characterization of these forms showed that the N-terminus determines stability and regulatory redox-dependent properties. The chimeric forms exhibited intermediate 3-phosphoglycerate activation properties with respect to the wild-type homotetrameric enzymes, indicating that the interaction between the putative N- and C-domains determines the affinity for the activator. Characterization of the chimeric heterotetramers showed the functionality of the large subunit, mainly in modulating regulation of the enzyme by the coordinate action of 3-phosphoglycerate and inorganic orthophosphate.

Preliminary crystallographic analysis of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase from Agrobacterium tumefaciens

ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase catalyzes the conversion of glucose-1-phosphate and ATP to ADP-glucose and pyrophosphate, a key regulated step in both bacterial glycogen and plant starch biosynthesis. Crystals of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase from Agrobacterium tumefaciens (420 amino acids, 47 kDa) have been obtained by the sitting-drop vapor-diffusion method using lithium sulfate as a precipitant. A complete native X-ray diffraction data set was collected to a resolution of 2.0 A from a single crystal at 100 K. The crystals belong to space group I222, with unit-cell parameters a = 92.03, b = 141.251, c = 423.64 A. To solve the phase problem, a complete anomalous data set was collected from a selenomethionyl derivative. These crystals display one-fifth of the unit-cell volume of the wild-type crystals, with unit-cell parameters a = 85.38, b = 93.79, c = 140.29 A and space group I222.

Crystal structure of potato tuber ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase

ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase catalyzes the first committed and rate-limiting step in starch biosynthesis in plants and glycogen biosynthesis in bacteria. It is the enzymatic site for regulation of storage polysaccharide accumulation in plants and bacteria, being allosterically activated or inhibited by metabolites of energy flux. We report the first atomic resolution structure of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase. Crystals of potato tuber ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase alpha subunit were grown in high concentrations of sulfate, resulting in the sulfate-bound, allosterically inhibited form of the enzyme. The N-terminal catalytic domain resembles a dinucleotide-binding Rossmann fold and the C-terminal domain adopts a left-handed parallel beta helix that is involved in cooperative allosteric regulation and a unique oligomerization. We also report structures of the enzyme in complex with ATP and ADP-glucose. Communication between the regulator-binding sites and the active site is both subtle and complex and involves several distinct regions of the enzyme including the N-terminus, the glucose-1-phosphate-binding site, and the ATP-binding site. These structures provide insights into the mechanism for catalysis and allosteric regulation of the enzyme.

Estimation of binding constants for the substrate and activator of Rhodobacter sphaeroides adenosine 5'-diphosphate-glucose pyrophosphorylase using affinity capillary electrophoresis

Binding constants were determined for the activator fructose-6-phosphate (F6P) and substrate adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) (in the presence and absence of F6P) to the recombinant wild-type (WT) Rhodobacter sphaeroides adenosine 5'-diphosphate-(ADP)-glucose pyrophosphorylase (ADPGlc PPase) using affinity capillary electrophoresis (ACE). In these binding studies, the capillary is initially injected with a plug of sample containing ADPGlc PPase and noninteracting standards. The sample is then subjected to increasing concentrations of F6P or ATP in the running buffer and electrophoresed. Analysis of the change in the migration times of ADPGlc PPase, relative to those of the noninteracting standards, as a function of the varying concentration of F6P or ATP yields a binding constant. The values obtained were in good agreement with kinetic parameters obtained from steady state activity assays. The method was extended to examine the F6P binding constants for the R33A and R22A enzymes and the ATP binding constants for the R8A enzyme in the presence and absence of F6P. The R33A enzyme has been shown by activity assays to be insensitive to F6P activation, indicating a defect in binding or in downstream transmission of the allosteric signal required for full activation. ACE indicated no apparent binding of F6P, supporting the former hypothesis. The R22A enzyme was shown by activity assays to have a approximately 15-fold decrease in apparent affinity for F6P compared to that of WT while ACE indicated an affinity comparable to that of WT; potential reasons for this discrepancy are discussed. The R8A enzyme as measured by activity assays exhibits reduced fold-activation by F6P compared to that of WT but increased apparent affinity for ATP in the presence of F6P. The ACE results were in good agreement with the activity assay data, confirming the increased affinity for ATP in the presence of F6P. This method demonstrates the quantitative ability of ACE to study different binding sites/ligand interactions in allosteric enzymes.

An assay for adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP)-glucose pyrophosphorylase that measures the synthesis of radioactive ADP-glucose with glycogen synthase

Adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP)-glucose pyrophosphorylase (ADP-Glc PPase) catalyzes the conversion of glucose 1-phosphate and adenosine 5'-triphosphate to ADP-glucose and pyrophosphate. We present a radioactive assay of this enzyme with a higher signal/noise ratio. After stopping the reaction that uses [14C]glucose 1-phosphate as a substrate, the ADP-[14C]glucose formed as a product is converted to [14C]glycogen by the addition of glycogen synthase and nonradioactive glycogen as primer. The final product is precipitated and washed, and the radioactivity is measured in a scintillation counter. The [14C]glucose 1-phosphate that did not react is easily eliminated during the washes. We have found that this assay produces much lower blanks than previously described radioactive methods based on binding of ADP-[14C]glucose to O-(diethylaminoethyl)-cellulose paper. In addition, we tested the kinetic parameters for the effectors of the Escherichia coli ADP-Glc PPase and both assays yielded identical results. The presented method is more suitable for Km or S(0.5) determinations of ADP-Glc PPases having high apparent affinity for glucose 1-phosphate. It is possible to use a higher specific radioactivity to increase the sensitivity at lower concentrations of [14C]glucose 1-phosphate without compromising the blanks obtained at higher concentrations.

Characterization of the branching patterns of glycogen branching enzyme truncated on the N-terminus

Truncation of 112 amino acids at the N-terminus (Nd(1-112)) changes the chain transfer pattern of the Escherichia coli glycogen branching enzyme (GBE) [Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 397 (2002) 279]. We investigated further the role of the N-terminus by engineering other truncated GBEs and analyzing the branching pattern by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography. The wild type GBE transfers mainly chains with a degree of polymerization (d.p.) of 8-14, the Nd(1-112) enzyme transfers a greater proportion of chains with higher d.p. 15-20, whereas the 63- and 83-amino acid deleted enzymes had an intermediate pattern of transferred chains (d.p. 10-20). These data showed that a progressive shortening of the N-terminus leads to a gradual increase in the length of the transferred chains, suggesting that the N-terminus provides a support for the glucan substrate during the processes of cleavage and transfer of the alpha-(1-4) glucan chains.

ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, a regulatory enzyme for bacterial glycogen synthesis

The accumulation of alpha-1,4-polyglucans is an important strategy to cope with transient starvation conditions in the environment. In bacteria and plants, the synthesis of glycogen and starch occurs by utilizing ADP-glucose as the glucosyl donor for elongation of the alpha-1,4-glucosidic chain. The main regulatory step takes place at the level of ADP-glucose synthesis, a reaction catalyzed by ADP-Glc pyrophosphorylase (PPase). Most of the ADP-Glc PPases are allosterically regulated by intermediates of the major carbon assimilatory pathway in the organism. Based on specificity for activator and inhibitor, classification of ADP-Glc PPases has been expanded into nine distinctive classes. According to predictions of the secondary structure of the ADP-Glc PPases, they seem to have a folding pattern common to other sugar nucleotide pyrophosphorylases. All the ADP-Glc PPases as well as other sugar nucleotide pyrophosphorylases appear to have evolved from a common ancestor, and later, ADP-Glc PPases developed specific regulatory properties, probably by addition of extra domains. Studies of different domains by construction of chimeric ADP-Glc PPases support this hypothesis. In addition to previous chemical modification experiments, the latest random and site-directed mutagenesis experiments with conserved amino acids revealed residues important for catalysis and regulation.

Ultrasensitive behavior in the synthesis of storage polysaccharides in cyanobacteria

The glycogen synthetic pathway operates ultrasensitively as a function of the ADPglucose pyrophosphorylase (ADPGlcPPase) allosteric effectors, 3-phosphoglycerate and Pi, in permeabilized cells of the cyanobacterium Anabaena PCC 7120. In vitro data previously showed that the ultrasensitive behavior of ADPGlcPPase depends upon cross-talk between the two allosteric effectors, the enzyme's response being additionally modulated by molecular crowding [D.F. Gómez Casatiet al. (2000) Biochem J 350:139-147]. In the present work we show, experimentally and with a mathematical model, that alpha-1,4-glucan synthesis is also ultrasensitive in cells due to the propagation of the switch-like behavior of ADPGlcPPase to the synthetic pathway. Amplifications of up to 20-fold in storage-polysaccharide synthesis can be achieved with a modest 6.7-fold increase in 3-phosphoglycerate in the presence of 5 mM Pi in contrast to the 30-fold necessary in its absence. This is the first time that this phenomenon has been reported to occur in the glycogen synthetic pathway of a photosynthetic prokaryote. The implications of the results for plant cell physiology during light-dark transitions are discussed.

From bacterial glycogen to starch: understanding the biogenesis of the plant starch granule

Plants, green algae, and cyanobacteria synthesize storage polysaccharides by a similar ADPglucose-based pathway. Plant starch metabolism can be distinguished from that of bacterial glycogen by the presence of multiple forms of enzyme activities for each step of the pathway. This multiplicity does not coincide with any functional redundancy, as each form has seemingly acquired a distinctive and conserved role in starch metabolism. Comparisons of phenotypes generated by debranching enzyme-defective mutants in Escherichia coli and plants suggest that enzymes previously thought to be involved in polysaccharide degradation have been recruited during evolution to serve a particular purpose in starch biosynthesis. Speculations have been made that link this recruitment to the appearance of semicrystalline starch in photosynthetic eukaryotes. Besides the common core pathway, other enzymes of malto-oligosaccharide metabolism are required for normal starch metabolism. However, according to the genetic and physiological system under study, these enzymes may have acquired distinctive roles.

Granule-bound starch synthase I. A major enzyme involved in the biogenesis of B-crystallites in starch granules

Starch defines a semicrystalline polymer made of two different polysaccharide fractions. The A- and B-type crystalline lattices define the distinct structures reported in cereal and tuber starches, respectively. Amylopectin, the major fraction of starch, is thought to be chiefly responsible for this semicrystalline organization while amylose is generally considered as an amorphous polymer with little or no impact on the overall crystalline organization. STA2 represents a Chlamydomonas reinhardtii gene required for both amylose biosynthesis and the presence of significant granule-bound starch synthase I (GBSSI) activity. We show that this locus encodes a 69 kDa starch synthase and report the organization of the corresponding STA2 locus. This enzyme displays a specific activity an order of magnitude higher than those reported for most vascular plants. This property enables us to report a detailed characterization of amylose synthesis both in vivo and in vitro. We show that GBSSI is capable of synthesizing a significant number of crystalline structures within starch. Quantifications of amount and type of crystals synthesized under these conditions show that GBSSI induces the formation of B-type crystals either in close association with pre-existing amorphous amylopectin or by crystallization of entirely de novo synthesized material.

Transgenics in crops

With rapid world population growth and declining availability of fresh water and arable land, a new technology is urgently needed to enhance agricultural productivity. Recent discoveries in the field of crop transgenics clearly demonstrate the great potential of this technology for increasing food production and improving food quality while preserving the environment for future generations. In this review, we briefly discuss some of the recent achievements in crop improvement that have been made using gene transfer technology.

Truncation of the amino terminus of branching enzyme changes its chain transfer pattern

Previous work has reported the production of an Escherichia coli branching enzyme with a 112-residue deletion at the amino terminal by limited proteolysis. Here, we study the chain transfer pattern of this enzyme. Gel-permeation chromatography of in vitro branched amylose shows that the truncated branching enzyme transfers fewer short chains (degree of polymerization [d.p.] <20) and a greater proportion of intermediate size chains (d.p. 30-90) than the native enzyme. High-performance anion-exchange chromatography (HPAEC) of the branching limited alpha-glucan product indicates that the truncated branching enzyme transfers a smaller proportion of chains with d.p. 4-11 and more chains longer than d.p. 12. Also, the genes encoding native or truncated branching enzyme were individually expressed in a branching enzyme-deficient mutant, AC71 (glgB(-)). By HPAEC analysis of the purified alpha-glucans we find that truncated branching enzyme transfers fewer chains of d.p. 5-11 and more chains longer than d.p. 12 relative to the full-length enzyme. These observations allow us to conclude that truncation of the amino-terminal domain has altered the branching pattern of the enzyme. Our results are consistent with the construction of hybrid branching enzymes from the maize isoforms.

Regulation of starch accumulation by granule-associated plant 14-3-3 proteins

In higher plants the production of starch is orchestrated by chloroplast-localized biosynthetic enzymes, namely starch synthases, ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, and starch branching and debranching enzymes. Diurnal regulation of these enzymes, as well as starch-degrading enzymes, influences both the levels and composition of starch, and is dependent in some instances upon phosphorylation-linked regulation. The phosphoserine/threonine-binding 14-3-3 proteins participate in environmentally responsive phosphorylation-related regulatory functions in plants, and as such are potentially involved in starch regulation. We report here that reduction of the epsilon subgroup of Arabidopsis 14-3-3 proteins by antisense technology resulted in a 2- to 4-fold increase in leaf starch accumulation. Dark-governed starch breakdown was unaffected in these "antisense plants," indicating an unaltered starch-degradation pathway and suggesting a role for 14-3-3 proteins in regulation of starch synthesis. Absorption spectra and gelatinization properties indicate that the starch from the antisense plants has an altered branched glucan composition. Biochemical characterization of protease-treated starch granules from both Arabidopsis leaves and maize endosperm showed that 14-3-3 proteins are internal intrinsic granule proteins. These data suggest a direct role for 14-3-3 proteins in starch accumulation. The starch synthase III family is a possible target for 14-3-3 protein regulation because, uniquely among plastid-localized starch metabolic enzymes, all members of the family contain the conserved 14-3-3 protein phosphoserine/threonine-binding consensus motif. This possibility is strengthened by immunocapture using antibodies to DU1, a maize starch synthase III family member, and direct interaction with biotinylated 14-3-3 protein, both of which demonstrated an association between 14-3-3 proteins and DU1 or DU1-like proteins.

Regulation of starch accumulation by granule-associated plant 14-3-3 proteins

In higher plants the production of starch is orchestrated by chloroplast-localized biosynthetic enzymes, namely starch synthases, ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, and starch branching and debranching enzymes. Diurnal regulation of these enzymes, as well as starch-degrading enzymes, influences both the levels and composition of starch, and is dependent in some instances upon phosphorylation-linked regulation. The phosphoserine/threonine-binding 14-3-3 proteins participate in environmentally responsive phosphorylation-related regulatory functions in plants, and as such are potentially involved in starch regulation. We report here that reduction of the epsilon subgroup of Arabidopsis 14-3-3 proteins by antisense technology resulted in a 2- to 4-fold increase in leaf starch accumulation. Dark-governed starch breakdown was unaffected in these "antisense plants," indicating an unaltered starch-degradation pathway and suggesting a role for 14-3-3 proteins in regulation of starch synthesis. Absorption spectra and gelatinization properties indicate that the starch from the antisense plants has an altered branched glucan composition. Biochemical characterization of protease-treated starch granules from both Arabidopsis leaves and maize endosperm showed that 14-3-3 proteins are internal intrinsic granule proteins. These data suggest a direct role for 14-3-3 proteins in starch accumulation. The starch synthase III family is a possible target for 14-3-3 protein regulation because, uniquely among plastid-localized starch metabolic enzymes, all members of the family contain the conserved 14-3-3 protein phosphoserine/threonine-binding consensus motif. This possibility is strengthened by immunocapture using antibodies to DU1, a maize starch synthase III family member, and direct interaction with biotinylated 14-3-3 protein, both of which demonstrated an association between 14-3-3 proteins and DU1 or DU1-like proteins.

Starch-branching enzymes preferentially associated with A-type starch granules in wheat endosperm

Two starch granule-bound proteins (SGP), SGP-140 and SGP-145, were preferentially associated with A-type starch granules (>10 microm) in developing and mature wheat (Triticum aestivum) kernels. Immunoblotting and N-terminal sequencing suggested that the two proteins were different variants of SBEIc, a 152-kD isoform of wheat starch-branching enzyme. Both SGP-140 and SGP-145 were localized to the endosperm starch granules but were not found in the endosperm soluble fraction or pericarp starch granules younger than 15 d post anthesis (DPA). Small-size starch granules (<10 microm) initiated before 15 DPA incorporated SGP-140 and SGP-145 throughout endosperm development and grew into full-size A-type starch granules (>10 microm). In contrast, small-size starch granules harvested after 15 DPA contained only low amounts of SGP-140 and SGP-145 and developed mainly into B-type starch granules (<10 microm). Polypeptides of similar mass and immunologically related to SGP-140 and/or SGP-145 were also preferentially incorporated into A-type starch granules of barley (Hordeum vulgare), rye (Secale cereale), and triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack) endosperm, which like wheat endosperm have a bimodal starch granule size distribution.

NONPHOTOSYNTHETIC METABOLISM IN PLASTIDS

Nonphotosynthetic plastids are important sites for the biosynthesis of starch, fatty acids, and the assimilation of nitrogen into amino acids in a wide range of plant tissues. Unlike chloroplasts, all the metabolites for these processes have to be imported, or generated by oxidative metabolism within the organelle. The aim of this review is to summarize our present understanding of the anabolic pathways involved, the requirement for import of precursors from the cytosol, the provision of energy for biosynthesis, and the interaction between pathways that share common intermediates. We emphasize the temporal and developmental regulation of events, and the variation in mechanisms employed by different species that produce the same end products.

Cloning and sequencing of glycogen metabolism genes from Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1. Expression and characterization of recombinant ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase

A 6-kb DNA fragment of the Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1 glg operon was cloned from a genomic library using a polymerase chain reaction probe coding for part of the ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (glgC) gene. The DNA fragment was sequenced and found to harbor complete open reading frames for the glgC and glgA (glycogen synthase) genes and partial sequences corresponding to glgP (glycogen phosphorylase) and glgX (glucan hydrolase/transferase) genes. The genomic fragment also contained an apparent truncated sequence corresponding to the C-terminus of the glgB gene (branching enzyme). The presence of active branching enzyme activity in crude sonicates of Rb. sphaeroides cells indicates that the genome contains a full-length glgB at another location. The structure of this operon in relation to other glg operons is further discussed. The deduced sequence of the ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase enzyme is compared to other known ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase sequences and discussed in relation to the allosteric regulation of this enzyme family. The glgC gene was subcloned in the vector pSE420 (Invitrogen) for high-level expression in E. coli. The successful overexpression of the recombinant enzyme allowed for the purification of over 35 mg of protein from 10 g of cells, representing a dramatic improvement over enzyme isolation from the native strain. The recombinant enzyme was purified to near homogeneity and found to be physically, immunologically, and kinetically identical to the native enzyme, verifying the fidelity of the cloning step.

Characterization of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase from Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1: evidence for the involvement of arginine in allosteric regulation

ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (ADPGlc PPase, EC 2.7.7.27) from Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1 has been purified to near homogeneity. The enzyme reacted in Western blots to polyclonal antibodies raised against other bacterial ADPGlc PPases. The purified enzyme was found to be activated by fructose 6-phosphate, fructose 1,6-bisphosphate, and pyruvate and inhibited by phosphate, phosphoenolpyruvate, ADP, and pyridoxal phosphate. Kinetic studies indicate that AMP, while having little effect on kinetic parameters at pH 8 in the absence of effectors, is a specific ligand for an allosteric site(s). Treatment of the purified enzyme with the arginyl reagents 2,3-butanedione and phenylglyoxal resulted in desensitization of the enzyme to both activation and inhibition by metabolites. Phosphate, fructose 6-phosphate, and AMP were found to protect the enzyme against allosteric desensitization supportive of these metabolites interacting at common site(s) or with a common enzyme form. As a first step in cloning the gene coding for this enzyme, a polymerase chain reaction fragment was generated from genomic DNA using primers based on amino terminal sequencing data and a highly conserved region in known ADPGlc PPases. The sequence of this fragment and position of amino terminal arginines in comparison to other known ADPGlc PPases is discussed in relation to the kinetic and chemical modification data.