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Katsavou E, Sarafoglou C, Balabanidou V, Skoufa E, Nauen R, Linka M, Geibel S, Denecke S, Vontas J. Characterisation of lepidopteran geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase as a putative pesticide target. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 33:147-156. [PMID: 37962063 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (diphosphate) synthase (GGPPS) plays an important role in various physiological processes in insects, such as isoprenoid biosynthesis and protein prenylation. Here, we functionally characterised the GGPPS from the major agricultural lepidopteran pests Spodoptera frugiperda and Helicoverpa armigera. Partial disruption of GGPPS by CRISPR in S. frugiperda decreased embryo hatching rate and larval survival, suggesting that this gene is essential. Functional expression in vitro of Helicoverpa armigera GGPPS in Escherichia coli revealed a catalytically active enzyme. Next, we developed and optimised an enzyme assay to screen for potential inhibitors, such as the zoledronate and the minodronate, which showed a dose-dependent inhibition. Phylogenetic analysis of GGPPS across insects showed that GGPPS is highly conserved but also revealed several residues likely to be involved in substrate binding, which were substantially different in bee pollinator and human GGPPS. Considering the essentiality of GGPPS and its putative binding residue variability qualifies a GGPPS as a novel pesticide target. The developed assay may contribute to the identification of novel insecticide leads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelia Katsavou
- Pesticide Science Laboratory, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Chara Sarafoglou
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Crete, Greece
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Vasileia Balabanidou
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Evangelia Skoufa
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Ralf Nauen
- R&D Pest Control, Crop Science Division, Bayer AG, Monheim am Rhein, Germany
| | - Marc Linka
- R&D Pest Control, Crop Science Division, Bayer AG, Monheim am Rhein, Germany
| | - Sven Geibel
- R&D Pest Control, Crop Science Division, Bayer AG, Monheim am Rhein, Germany
| | - Shane Denecke
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Crete, Greece
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - John Vontas
- Pesticide Science Laboratory, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Crete, Greece
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2
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Song X, Liu C, Dhiloo KH, Yi CQ, Zhang TT, Zhang YJ. Functional characterization of a geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase in the leaf beetle Monolepta hieroglyphica. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 115:e22088. [PMID: 38349673 DOI: 10.1002/arch.22088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (GGPPS) as the short-chain prenyltransferases for catalyzing the formation of the acyclic precursor (E)-GGPP has been extensively investigated in mammals, plants, and microbes, but its functional plasticity is poorly understood in insect species. Here, a single GGPPS in leaf beetle Monolepta hieroglyphica, MhieGGPPS, was functionally investigated. Phylogenetic analysis showed that MhieGGPPS was clustered in one clade with homologs and had six conserved motifs. Molecular docking results indicated that binding sites of dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP), (E)-geranyl pyrophosphate (GPP), and (E)-farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) were in the chain-length determination region of MhieGGPPS, respectively. In vitro, recombiant MhieGGPPS could catalyze the formation of (E)-geranylgeraniol against different combinations of substrates including isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP)/DMAPP, IPP/(E)-GPP, and IPP/(E)-FPP, suggesting that MhieGGPPS could not only use (E)-FPP but also (E)-GPP and DMAPP as the allylic cosubstrates. In kinetic analysis, the (E)-FPP was most tightly bound to MhieGGPPS than that of others. It was proposed that MhieGGPPS as a multifunctional enzyme is differentiated from the other GGPPSs in the animals and plants, which only accepted (E)-FPP as the allylic cosubstrate. These findings provide valuable insights into understanding the functional plasticity of GGPPS in M. hieroglyphica and the novel biosynthesis mechanism in the isoprenoid pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Song
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Institute of Plant Protection, Ningxia Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Yinchuan, China
| | - Khalid H Dhiloo
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Crop Protection, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Pakistan
| | - Chao-Qun Yi
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tian-Tao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yong-Jun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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Ducker C, French S, Pathak M, Taylor H, Sainter A, Askem W, Dreveny I, Santana AEG, Pickett JA, Oldham NJ. Characterisation of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase from the sandfly Lutzomyia longipalpis. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 161:104001. [PMID: 37619821 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.104001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a debilitating and often fatal neglected tropical disease. Males from sub-populations of the Leishmania-harbouring sandfly, Lutzomyia longipalpis, produce the diterpene sex and aggregation pheromone, sobralene, for which geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) is the likely isoprenoid precursor. We have identified a GGPP synthase (lzGGPPS) from L. longipalpis, which was recombinantly expressed in bacteria and purified for functional and kinetic analysis. In vitro enzymatic assays using LC-MS showed that lzGGPPS is an active enzyme, capable of converting substrates dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP), (E)-geranyl diphosphate (GPP), (E,E)-farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) with co-substrate isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) into (E,E,E)-GGPP, while (Z,E)-FPP was also accepted with low efficacy. Comparison of metal cofactors for lzGGPPS highlighted Mg2+ as most efficient, giving increased GGPP output when compared against other divalent metal ions tested. In line with previously characterised GGPPS enzymes, GGPP acted as an inhibitor of lzGGPPS activity. The molecular weight in solution of lzGGPPS was determined to be ∼221 kDa by analytical SEC, suggesting a hexameric assembly, as seen in the human enzyme, and representing the first assessment of GGPPS quaternary structure in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Ducker
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Stanley French
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Monika Pathak
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Harry Taylor
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Adam Sainter
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - William Askem
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Ingrid Dreveny
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | | | - John A Pickett
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Pl, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Neil J Oldham
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
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Yang Z, Xie C, Zhan T, Li L, Liu S, Huang Y, An W, Zheng X, Huang S. Genome-Wide Identification and Functional Characterization of the Trans-Isopentenyl Diphosphate Synthases Gene Family in Cinnamomum camphora. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:708697. [PMID: 34589098 PMCID: PMC8475955 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.708697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Trans-isopentenyl diphosphate synthases (TIDSs) genes are known to be important determinants for terpene diversity and the accumulation of terpenoids. The essential oil of Cinnamomum camphora, which is rich in monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and other aromatic compounds, has a wide range of pharmacological activities and has therefore attracted considerable interest. However, the TIDS gene family, and its relationship to the camphor tree (C. camphora L. Presl.), has not yet been characterized. In this study, we identified 10 TIDS genes in the genome of the C. camphora borneol chemotype that were unevenly distributed on chromosomes. Synteny analysis revealed that the TIDS gene family in this species likely expanded through segmental duplication events. Furthermore, cis-element analyses demonstrated that C. camphora TIDS (CcTIDS) genes can respond to multiple abiotic stresses. Finally, functional characterization of eight putative short-chain TIDS proteins revealed that CcTIDS3 and CcTIDS9 exhibit farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPPS) activity, while CcTIDS1 and CcTIDS2 encode geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthases (GGPPS). Although, CcTIDS8 and CcTIDS10 were found to be catalytically inactive alone, they were able to bind to each other to form a heterodimeric functional geranyl diphosphate synthase (GPPS) in vitro, and this interaction was confirmed using a yeast two-hybrid assay. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis revealed that the CcTIDS3, CcTIDS8, CcTIDS9, and CcTIDS10 genes were found to be more active in C. camphora roots as compared to stems and leaves, which were verified by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). These novel results provide a foundation for further exploration of the role of the TIDS gene family in camphor trees, and also provide a potential mechanism by which the production of camphor tree essential oil could be increased for pharmacological purposes through metabolic engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zerui Yang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Healthcare Devices, Institute of Medicine and Health, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China,
- National Engineering Research Center for Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chunzhu Xie
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ting Zhan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Linhuan Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shanshan Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuying Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenli An
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiasheng Zheng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Song Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
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Barja MV, Ezquerro M, Beretta S, Diretto G, Florez-Sarasa I, Feixes E, Fiore A, Karlova R, Fernie AR, Beekwilder J, Rodríguez-Concepción M. Several geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase isoforms supply metabolic substrates for carotenoid biosynthesis in tomato. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2021; 231:255-272. [PMID: 33590894 DOI: 10.1111/nph.17283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) produced by GGPP synthase (GGPPS) serves as a precursor for many plastidial isoprenoids, including carotenoids. Phytoene synthase (PSY) converts GGPP into phytoene, the first committed intermediate of the carotenoid pathway. Here we used biochemical, molecular, and genetic tools to characterise the plastidial members of the GGPPS family in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and their interaction with PSY isoforms. The three tomato GGPPS isoforms found to localise in plastids (SlG1, 2 and 3) exhibit similar kinetic parameters. Gene expression analyses showed a preferential association of individual GGPPS and PSY isoforms when carotenoid biosynthesis was induced during root mycorrhization, seedling de-etiolation and fruit ripening. SlG2, but not SlG3, physically interacts with PSY proteins. By contrast, CRISPR-Cas9 mutants defective in SlG3 showed a stronger impact on carotenoid levels and derived metabolic, physiological and developmental phenotypes compared with those impaired in SlG2. Double mutants defective in both genes could not be rescued. Our work demonstrates that the bulk of GGPP production in tomato chloroplasts and chromoplasts relies on two cooperating GGPPS paralogues, unlike other plant species such as Arabidopsis thaliana, rice or pepper, which produce their essential plastidial isoprenoids using a single GGPPS isoform.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Victoria Barja
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Campus UAB Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
| | - Miguel Ezquerro
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Campus UAB Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
| | - Stefano Beretta
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Campus UAB Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
| | - Gianfranco Diretto
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy, and Sustainable Development, Casaccia Research Centre, Rome, 00123, Italy
| | - Igor Florez-Sarasa
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Campus UAB Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
| | - Elisenda Feixes
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Campus UAB Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
| | - Alessia Fiore
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy, and Sustainable Development, Casaccia Research Centre, Rome, 00123, Italy
| | - Rumyana Karlova
- Laboratory of Plant Physiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, 6700AA, the Netherlands
| | - Alisdair R Fernie
- Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Potsdam-Golm, 14476, Germany
| | - Jules Beekwilder
- BU Bioscience, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, 6700AA, the Netherlands
| | - Manuel Rodríguez-Concepción
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Campus UAB Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
- Institute for Plant Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMCP), CSIC-Universitat Politècnica de València, València, 46022, Spain
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6
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Malico AA, Calzini MA, Gayen AK, Williams GJ. Synthetic biology, combinatorial biosynthesis, and chemo‑enzymatic synthesis of isoprenoids. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 47:675-702. [PMID: 32880770 PMCID: PMC7666032 DOI: 10.1007/s10295-020-02306-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Isoprenoids are a large class of natural products with myriad applications as bioactive and commercial compounds. Their diverse structures are derived from the biosynthetic assembly and tailoring of their scaffolds, ultimately constructed from two C5 hemiterpene building blocks. The modular logic of these platforms can be harnessed to improve titers of valuable isoprenoids in diverse hosts and to produce new-to-nature compounds. Often, this process is facilitated by the substrate or product promiscuity of the component enzymes, which can be leveraged to produce novel isoprenoids. To complement rational enhancements and even re-programming of isoprenoid biosynthesis, high-throughput approaches that rely on searching through large enzymatic libraries are being developed. This review summarizes recent advances and strategies related to isoprenoid synthetic biology, combinatorial biosynthesis, and chemo-enzymatic synthesis, focusing on the past 5 years. Emerging applications of cell-free biosynthesis and high-throughput tools are included that culminate in a discussion of the future outlook and perspective of isoprenoid biosynthetic engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Miles A Calzini
- Department of Chemistry, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Anuran K Gayen
- Department of Chemistry, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Gavin J Williams
- Department of Chemistry, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA.
- Comparative Medicine Institute, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA.
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