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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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2
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Wang S, Xu X, Lv X, Liu Y, Li J, Du G, Liu L. Construction and Optimization of the de novo Biosynthesis Pathway of Mogrol in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:919526. [PMID: 35711645 PMCID: PMC9197265 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.919526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mogrol plays important roles in antihyperglycemic and antilipidemic through activating the AMP-activated protein kinase pathway. Although the synthesis pathway of mogrol in Siraitia grosvenorii has been clarified, few studies have focused on improving mogrol production. This study employed a modular engineerin g strategy to improve mogrol production in a yeast chassis cell. First, a de novo synthesis pathway of mogrol in Saccharomyces cerevisiae was constructed. Then, the metabolic flux of each synthetic module in mogrol metabolism was systematically optimized, including the enhancement of the precursor supply, inhibition of the sterol synthesis pathway using the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats Interference system (CRISPRi), and optimization of the expression and reduction system of P450 enzymes. Finally, the mogrol titer was increased to 9.1 μg/L, which was 455-fold higher than that of the original strain. The yeast strains engineered in this work can serve as the basis for creating an alternative way for mogrol production in place of extraction from S. grosvenorii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.,Science Center for Future Foods, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Xianhao Xu
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.,Science Center for Future Foods, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Xueqin Lv
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.,Science Center for Future Foods, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Yanfeng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.,Science Center for Future Foods, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Jianghua Li
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.,Science Center for Future Foods, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Guocheng Du
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.,Science Center for Future Foods, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Long Liu
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.,Science Center for Future Foods, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
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Arnesen JA, Belmonte Del Ama A, Jayachandran S, Dahlin J, Rago D, Andersen AJC, Borodina I. Engineering of Yarrowia lipolytica for the production of plant triterpenoids: Asiatic, madecassic, and arjunolic acids. Metab Eng Commun 2022; 14:e00197. [PMID: 35433265 PMCID: PMC9011116 DOI: 10.1016/j.mec.2022.e00197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Several plant triterpenoids have valuable pharmaceutical properties, but their production and usage is limited since extraction from plants can burden natural resources, and result in low yields and purity. Here, we engineered oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica to produce three valuable plant triterpenoids (asiatic, madecassic, and arjunolic acids) by fermentation. First, we established the recombinant production of precursors, ursolic and oleanolic acids, by expressing plant enzymes in free or fused versions in a Y. lipolytica strain previously optimized for squalene production. Engineered strains produced up to 11.6 mg/g DCW ursolic acid or 10.2 mg/g DCW oleanolic acid. The biosynthetic pathway from ursolic acid was extended by expressing the Centella asiatica cytochrome P450 monoxygenases CaCYP716C11p, CaCYP714E19p, and CaCYP716E41p, resulting in the production of trace amounts of asiatic acid and 0.12 mg/g DCW madecassic acid. Expressing the same C. asiatica cytochromes P450 in oleanolic acid-producing strain resulted in the production of oleanane triterpenoids. Expression of CaCYP716C11p in the oleanolic acid-producing strain yielded 8.9 mg/g DCW maslinic acid. Further expression of a codon-optimized CaCYP714E19p resulted in 4.4 mg/g DCW arjunolic acid. Lastly, arjunolic acid production was increased to 9.1 mg/g DCW by swapping the N-terminal domain of CaCYP714E19p with the N-terminal domain from a Kalopanax septemlobus cytochrome P450. In summary, we have demonstrated the production of asiatic, madecassic, and arjunolic acids in a microbial cell factory. The strains and fermentation processes need to be further improved before the production of these molecules by fermentation can be industrialized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Asmund Arnesen
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 220, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Arian Belmonte Del Ama
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 220, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Sidharth Jayachandran
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 220, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jonathan Dahlin
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 220, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Daniela Rago
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 220, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Aaron John Christian Andersen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts plads 221, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Irina Borodina
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 220, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
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Jin K, Xia H, Liu Y, Li J, Du G, Lv X, Liu L. Compartmentalization and transporter engineering strategies for terpenoid synthesis. Microb Cell Fact 2022; 21:92. [PMID: 35599322 PMCID: PMC9125818 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-022-01819-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial cell factories for terpenoid synthesis form a less expensive and more environment-friendly approach than chemical synthesis and extraction, and are thus being regarded as mainstream research recently. Organelle compartmentalization for terpenoid synthesis has received much attention from researchers owing to the diverse physiochemical characteristics of organelles. In this review, we first systematically summarized various compartmentalization strategies utilized in terpenoid production, mainly plant terpenoids, which can provide catalytic reactions with sufficient intermediates and a suitable environment, while bypassing competing metabolic pathways. In addition, because of the limited storage capacity of cells, strategies used for the expansion of specific organelle membranes were discussed. Next, transporter engineering strategies to overcome the cytotoxic effects of terpenoid accumulation were analyzed. Finally, we discussed the future perspectives of compartmentalization and transporter engineering strategies, with the hope of providing theoretical guidance for designing and constructing cell factories for the purpose of terpenoid production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Jin
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
- Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Hongzhi Xia
- Richen Bioengineering Co., Ltd, Nantong, 226000, China
| | - Yanfeng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
- Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Jianghua Li
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
- Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Guocheng Du
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
- Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Xueqin Lv
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China.
- Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China.
| | - Long Liu
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China.
- Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China.
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Dudley QM, Cai YM, Kallam K, Debreyne H, Carrasco Lopez JA, Patron NJ. Biofoundry-assisted expression and characterization of plant proteins. Synth Biol (Oxf) 2021; 6:ysab029. [PMID: 34693026 PMCID: PMC8529701 DOI: 10.1093/synbio/ysab029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Many goals in synthetic biology, including the elucidation and refactoring of biosynthetic pathways and the engineering of regulatory circuits and networks, require knowledge of protein function. In plants, the prevalence of large gene families means it can be particularly challenging to link specific functions to individual proteins. However, protein characterization has remained a technical bottleneck, often requiring significant effort to optimize expression and purification protocols. To leverage the ability of biofoundries to accelerate design-built-test-learn cycles, we present a workflow for automated DNA assembly and cell-free expression of plant proteins that accelerates optimization and enables rapid screening of enzyme activity. First, we developed a phytobrick-compatible Golden Gate DNA assembly toolbox containing plasmid acceptors for cell-free expression using Escherichia coli or wheat germ lysates as well as a set of N- and C-terminal tag parts for detection, purification and improved expression/folding. We next optimized automated assembly of miniaturized cell-free reactions using an acoustic liquid handling platform and then compared tag configurations to identify those that increase expression. We additionally developed a luciferase-based system for rapid quantification that requires a minimal 11-amino acid tag and demonstrate facile removal of tags following synthesis. Finally, we show that several functional assays can be performed with cell-free protein synthesis reactions without the need for protein purification. Together, the combination of automated assembly of DNA parts and cell-free expression reactions should significantly increase the throughput of experiments to test and understand plant protein function and enable the direct reuse of DNA parts in downstream plant engineering workflows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quentin M Dudley
- Engineering Biology, Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk UK
| | - Yao-Min Cai
- Engineering Biology, Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk UK
| | - Kalyani Kallam
- Engineering Biology, Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk UK
| | - Hubert Debreyne
- Engineering Biology, Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk UK
| | | | - Nicola J Patron
- Engineering Biology, Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk UK
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Guo H, Wang H, Huo YX. Engineering Critical Enzymes and Pathways for Improved Triterpenoid Biosynthesis in Yeast. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:2214-2227. [PMID: 32786348 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Triterpenoids represent a diverse group of phytochemicals that are widely distributed in the plant kingdom and have many biological activities. The heterologous production of triterpenoids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been successfully implemented by introducing various triterpenoid biosynthetic pathways. By engineering related enzymes as well as through yeast metabolism, the yield of various triterpenoids is significantly improved from the milligram per liter scale to the gram per liter scale. This achievement demonstrates that engineering critical enzymes is considered a potential strategy to overcome the main hurdles of the industrial application of these potent natural products. Here, we review strategies for designing enzymes to improve the yield of triterpenoids in S. cerevisiae in terms of three main aspects: 1, elevating the supply of the precursor 2,3-oxidosqualene; 2, optimizing triterpenoid-involved reactions; and 3, lowering the competition of the native sterol pathway. Then, we provide challenges and prospects for further enhancing triterpenoid production in S. cerevisiae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Guo
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China
| | - Huiyan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China
| | - Yi-Xin Huo
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China
- SIP-UCLA Institute for Technology Advancement, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
- Tobacco Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qingdao, 266101, P. R. China
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Dienst D, Wichmann J, Mantovani O, Rodrigues JS, Lindberg P. High density cultivation for efficient sesquiterpenoid biosynthesis in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Sci Rep 2020; 10:5932. [PMID: 32246065 PMCID: PMC7125158 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62681-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteria and microalgae are attractive photoautotrophic host systems for climate-friendly production of fuels and other value-added biochemicals. However, for economic applications further development and implementation of efficient and sustainable cultivation strategies are essential. Here, we present a comparative study on cyanobacterial sesquiterpenoid biosynthesis in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 using a commercial lab-scale High Density Cultivation (HDC) platform in the presence of dodecane as in-situ extractant. Operating in a two-step semi-batch mode over a period of eight days, volumetric yields of (E)-α-bisabolene were more than two orders of magnitude higher than previously reported for cyanobacteria, with final titers of 179.4 ± 20.7 mg * L−1. Likewise, yields of the sesquiterpene alcohols (−)-patchoulol and (−)-α-bisabolol were many times higher than under reference conditions, with final titers of 17.3 ± 1.85 mg * L−1 and 96.3 ± 2.2 mg * L−1, respectively. While specific productivity was compromised particularly for (E)-α-bisabolene in the HDC system during phases of high biomass accumulation rates, volumetric productivity enhancements during linear growth at high densities were more pronounced for (E)-α-bisabolene than for the hydroxylated terpenoids. Together, this study provides additional insights into cell density-related process characteristics, introducing HDC as highly efficient strategy for phototrophic terpenoid production in cyanobacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Dienst
- Department of Chemistry - Ångström, Uppsala University, Box 523, Uppsala, 75120, Sweden
| | - Julian Wichmann
- Faculty of Biology - Center for Biotechnology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Oliver Mantovani
- Department of Chemistry - Ångström, Uppsala University, Box 523, Uppsala, 75120, Sweden
| | - João S Rodrigues
- Department of Chemistry - Ångström, Uppsala University, Box 523, Uppsala, 75120, Sweden
| | - Pia Lindberg
- Department of Chemistry - Ångström, Uppsala University, Box 523, Uppsala, 75120, Sweden.
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Kuhnert E, Li Y, Lan N, Yue Q, Chen L, Cox RJ, An Z, Yokoyama K, Bills GF. Enfumafungin synthase represents a novel lineage of fungal triterpene cyclases. Environ Microbiol 2018; 20:3325-3342. [PMID: 30051576 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Enfumafungin is a glycosylated fernene-type triterpenoid produced by the fungus Hormonema carpetanum. Its potent antifungal activity, mediated by its interaction with β-1,3-glucan synthase and the fungal cell wall, has led to its development into the semi-synthetic clinical candidate, ibrexafungerp (=SCY-078). We report on the preliminary identification of the enfumafungin biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) based on genome sequencing, phylogenetic reconstruction, gene disruption, and cDNA sequencing studies. Enfumafungin synthase (efuA) consists of a terpene cyclase domain (TC) fused to a glycosyltransferase (GT) domain and thus represents a novel multifunctional enzyme. Moreover, the TC domain bears a phylogenetic relationship to bacterial squalene-hopene cyclases (SHC) and includes a typical DXDD motif within the active centre suggesting that efuA evolved from SHCs. Phylogenetic reconstruction of the GT domain indicated that this portion of the fusion gene originated from fungal sterol GTs. Eleven genes flanking efuA are putatively involved in the biosynthesis, regulation, transport and self-resistance of enfumafungin and include an acetyltransferase, three P450 monooxygenases, a dehydrogenase, a desaturase and a reductase. A hypothetical scheme for enfumafungin assembly is proposed in which the E-ring is oxidatively cleaved to yield the four-ring system of enfumafungin. EfuA represents the first member of a widespread lineage of fungal SHCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Kuhnert
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, the Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.,Leibniz University Hannover, Institute for Organic Chemistry and BMWZ, Hannover, Germany
| | - Yan Li
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, the Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.,Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Nan Lan
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, the Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Qun Yue
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, the Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.,Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li Chen
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, the Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Russell J Cox
- Leibniz University Hannover, Institute for Organic Chemistry and BMWZ, Hannover, Germany
| | - Zhiqiang An
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, the Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kenichi Yokoyama
- Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Gerald F Bills
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, the Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
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Zhang X, Wang TT, Xu QL, Xiong Y, Zhang L, Han H, Xu K, Guo WJ, Xu Q, Tan RX, Ge HM. Genome Mining and Comparative Biosynthesis of Meroterpenoids from Two Phylogenetically Distinct Fungi. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018; 57:8184-8188. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.201804317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Revised: 05/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Ting Ting Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Qin Lan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Ying Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Li Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Hao Han
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Kuang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Wen Jie Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Qiang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Ren Xiang Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base for TCM Quality and EfficacyNanjing University of Chinese Medicine Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Hui Ming Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
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10
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Zhang X, Wang TT, Xu QL, Xiong Y, Zhang L, Han H, Xu K, Guo WJ, Xu Q, Tan RX, Ge HM. Genome Mining and Comparative Biosynthesis of Meroterpenoids from Two Phylogenetically Distinct Fungi. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201804317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Ting Ting Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Qin Lan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Ying Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Li Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Hao Han
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Kuang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Wen Jie Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Qiang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Ren Xiang Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base for TCM Quality and EfficacyNanjing University of Chinese Medicine Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Hui Ming Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
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Loeschcke A, Dienst D, Wewer V, Hage-Hülsmann J, Dietsch M, Kranz-Finger S, Hüren V, Metzger S, Urlacher VB, Gigolashvili T, Kopriva S, Axmann IM, Drepper T, Jaeger KE. The photosynthetic bacteria Rhodobacter capsulatus and Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 as new hosts for cyclic plant triterpene biosynthesis. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0189816. [PMID: 29281679 PMCID: PMC5744966 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0189816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclic triterpenes constitute one of the most diverse groups of plant natural products. Besides the intriguing biochemistry of their biosynthetic pathways, plant triterpenes exhibit versatile bioactivities, including antimicrobial effects against plant and human pathogens. While prokaryotes have been extensively used for the heterologous production of other classes of terpenes, the synthesis of cyclic triterpenes, which inherently includes the two-step catalytic formation of the universal linear precursor 2,3-oxidosqualene, is still a major challenge. We thus explored the suitability of the metabolically versatile photosynthetic α-proteobacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus SB1003 and cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 as alternative hosts for biosynthesis of cyclic plant triterpenes. Therefore, 2,3-oxidosqualene production was implemented and subsequently combined with different cyclization reactions catalyzed by the representative oxidosqualene cyclases CAS1 (cycloartenol synthase), LUP1 (lupeol synthase), THAS1 (thalianol synthase) and MRN1 (marneral synthase) derived from model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. While successful accumulation of 2,3-oxidosqualene could be detected by LC-MS analysis in both hosts, cyclase expression resulted in differential production profiles. CAS1 catalyzed conversion to only cycloartenol, but expression of LUP1 yielded lupeol and a triterpenoid matching an oxidation product of lupeol, in both hosts. In contrast, THAS1 expression did not lead to cyclic product formation in either host, whereas MRN1-dependent production of marnerol and hydroxymarnerol was observed in Synechocystis but not in R. capsulatus. Our findings thus indicate that 2,3-oxidosqualene cyclization in heterologous phototrophic bacteria is basically feasible but efficient conversion depends on both the respective cyclase enzyme and individual host properties. Therefore, photosynthetic α-proteo- and cyanobacteria are promising alternative candidates for providing new bacterial access to the broad class of triterpenes for biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Loeschcke
- Institute of Molecular Enzyme Technology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS)
| | - Dennis Dienst
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS)
- Institute for Synthetic Microbiology, Department of Biology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Vera Wewer
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS)
- MS Platform, Department of Biology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jennifer Hage-Hülsmann
- Institute of Molecular Enzyme Technology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS)
| | - Maximilian Dietsch
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS)
- Institute for Synthetic Microbiology, Department of Biology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Sarah Kranz-Finger
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS)
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Department of Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Vanessa Hüren
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS)
- Institute for Synthetic Microbiology, Department of Biology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Sabine Metzger
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS)
- MS Platform, Department of Biology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Vlada B. Urlacher
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS)
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Department of Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Tamara Gigolashvili
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS)
- Botanical Institute, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Stanislav Kopriva
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS)
- Botanical Institute, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Ilka M. Axmann
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS)
- Institute for Synthetic Microbiology, Department of Biology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- * E-mail: (IMA); (TD)
| | - Thomas Drepper
- Institute of Molecular Enzyme Technology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS)
- * E-mail: (IMA); (TD)
| | - Karl-Erich Jaeger
- Institute of Molecular Enzyme Technology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS)
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences (IBG-1), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
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Rabelo VWH, Romeiro NC, Abreu PA. Design strategies of oxidosqualene cyclase inhibitors: Targeting the sterol biosynthetic pathway. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2017; 171:305-317. [PMID: 28479228 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2017.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Revised: 04/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Targeting the sterol biosynthesis pathway has been explored for the development of new bioactive compounds. Among the enzymes of this pathway, oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC) which catalyzes lanosterol cyclization from 2,3-oxidosqualene has emerged as an attractive target. In this work, we reviewed the most promising OSC inhibitors from different organisms and their potential for the development of new antiparasitic, antifungal, hypocholesterolemic and anticancer drugs. Different strategies have been adopted for the discovery of new OSC inhibitors, such as structural modifications of the natural substrate or the reaction intermediates, the use of the enzyme's structural information to discover compounds with novel chemotypes, modifications of known inhibitors and the use of molecular modeling techniques such as docking and virtual screening to search for new inhibitors. This review brings new perspectives on structural insights of OSC from different organisms and reveals the broad structural diversity of OSC inhibitors which may help evidence lead compounds for further investigations with various therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitor Won-Held Rabelo
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular e Pesquisa em Ciências Farmacêuticas, LaMCiFar, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - Campus Macaé, Av. São José do Barreto, Macaé 27965-045, RJ, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Produtos Bioativos e Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Campus Macaé Professor Aloísio Teixeira, Macaé, RJ, Brazil
| | - Nelilma Correia Romeiro
- Laboratório Integrado de Computação Científica, LICC, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Campus Macaé, Macaé, RJ, 27965-045, Brazil
| | - Paula Alvarez Abreu
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular e Pesquisa em Ciências Farmacêuticas, LaMCiFar, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - Campus Macaé, Av. São José do Barreto, Macaé 27965-045, RJ, Brazil.
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An endoplasmic reticulum-engineered yeast platform for overproduction of triterpenoids. Metab Eng 2017; 40:165-175. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2017.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Revised: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Keller M, Wolfgardt A, Müller C, Wilcken R, Böckler FM, Oliaro-Bosso S, Ferrante T, Balliano G, Bracher F. Arylpiperidines as a new class of oxidosqualene cyclase inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2016; 109:13-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2015.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2014] [Revised: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 12/12/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Gas-Pascual E, Berna A, Bach TJ, Schaller H. Plant oxidosqualene metabolism: cycloartenol synthase-dependent sterol biosynthesis in Nicotiana benthamiana. PLoS One 2014; 9:e109156. [PMID: 25343375 PMCID: PMC4208727 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0109156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2014] [Accepted: 09/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The plant sterol pathway exhibits a major biosynthetic difference as compared with that of metazoans. The committed sterol precursor is the pentacyclic cycloartenol (9β,19-cyclolanost-24-en-3β-ol) and not lanosterol (lanosta-8,24-dien-3β-ol), as it was shown in the late sixties. However, plant genome mining over the last years revealed the general presence of lanosterol synthases encoding sequences (LAS1) in the oxidosqualene cyclase repertoire, in addition to cycloartenol synthases (CAS1) and to non-steroidal triterpene synthases that contribute to the metabolic diversity of C30H50O compounds on earth. Furthermore, plant LAS1 proteins have been unambiguously identified by peptidic signatures and by their capacity to complement the yeast lanosterol synthase deficiency. A dual pathway for the synthesis of sterols through lanosterol and cycloartenol was reported in the model Arabidopsis thaliana, though the contribution of a lanosterol pathway to the production of 24-alkyl-Δ(5)-sterols was quite marginal (Ohyama et al. (2009) PNAS 106, 725). To investigate further the physiological relevance of CAS1 and LAS1 genes in plants, we have silenced their expression in Nicotiana benthamiana. We used virus induced gene silencing (VIGS) based on gene specific sequences from a Nicotiana tabacum CAS1 or derived from the solgenomics initiative (http://solgenomics.net/) to challenge the respective roles of CAS1 and LAS1. In this report, we show a CAS1-specific functional sterol pathway in engineered yeast, and a strict dependence on CAS1 of tobacco sterol biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabet Gas-Pascual
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes du CNRS & Université de Strasbourg, Institut de Botanique, Strasbourg, France
| | - Anne Berna
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes du CNRS & Université de Strasbourg, Institut de Botanique, Strasbourg, France
| | - Thomas J. Bach
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes du CNRS & Université de Strasbourg, Institut de Botanique, Strasbourg, France
| | - Hubert Schaller
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes du CNRS & Université de Strasbourg, Institut de Botanique, Strasbourg, France
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Dronedarone, an amiodarone analog with improved anti-Leishmania mexicana efficacy. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2014; 58:2295-303. [PMID: 24492373 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01240-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Dronedarone and amiodarone are cationic lipophilic benzofurans used to treat cardiac arrhythmias. They also have activity against the parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas' disease. They function by disrupting intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis of the parasite and by inhibiting membrane sterol (ergosterol) biosynthesis. Amiodarone also has activity against Leishmania mexicana, suggesting that dronedarone might likewise be active against this organism. This might be of therapeutic interest, since dronedarone is thought to have fewer side effects in humans than does amiodarone. We show here that dronedarone effectively inhibits the growth of L. mexicana promastigotes in culture and, more importantly, has excellent activity against amastigotes inside infected macrophages (the clinically relevant form) without affecting the host cell, with the 50% inhibitory concentrations against amastigotes being 3 orders of magnitude lower than those obtained previously with T. cruzi amastigotes (0.65 nM versus 0.75 μM). As with amiodarone, dronedarone affects intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis in the parasite, inducing an elevation of intracellular Ca2+ levels. This is achieved by rapidly collapsing the mitochondrial membrane potential and inducing an alkalinization of acidocalcisomes at a rate that is faster than that observed with amiodarone. We also show that dronedarone inhibits parasite oxidosqualene cyclase, a key enzyme in ergosterol biosynthesis known to be vital for survival. Overall, our results suggest the possibility of repurposing dronedarone as a treatment for cutaneous, and perhaps other, leishmaniases.
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Lange S, Keller M, Müller C, Oliaro-Bosso S, Balliano G, Bracher F. Aminopropylindenes derived from Grundmann's ketone as a novel chemotype of oxidosqualene cyclase inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2013; 63:758-64. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2013.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2012] [Revised: 02/15/2013] [Accepted: 03/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Go YS, Lee SB, Kim HJ, Kim J, Park HY, Kim JK, Shibata K, Yokota T, Ohyama K, Muranaka T, Arseniyadis S, Suh MC. Identification of marneral synthase, which is critical for growth and development in Arabidopsis. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2012; 72:791-804. [PMID: 22882494 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-313x.2012.05120.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Plants produce structurally diverse triterpenoids, which are important for their life and survival. Most triterpenoids and sterols share a common biosynthetic intermediate, 2,3-oxidosqualene (OS), which is cyclized by 2,3-oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC). To investigate the role of an OSC, marneral synthase 1 (MRN1), in planta, we characterized a Arabidopsis mrn1 knock-out mutant displaying round-shaped leaves, late flowering, and delayed embryogenesis. Reduced growth of mrn1 was caused by inhibition of cell expansion and elongation. Marnerol, a reduced form of marneral, was detected in Arabidopsis overexpressing MRN1, but not in the wild type or mrn1. Alterations in the levels of sterols and triterpenols and defects in membrane integrity and permeability were observed in the mrn1. In addition, GUS expression, under the control of the MRN1 gene promoter, was specifically detected in shoot and root apical meristems, which are responsible for primary growth, and the mRNA expression of Arabidopsis clade II OSCs was preferentially observed in roots and siliques containing developing seeds. The eGFP:MRN1 was localized to the endoplasmic reticulum in tobacco protoplasts. Taken together, this report provides evidence that the unusual triterpenoid pathway via marneral synthase is important for the growth and development of Arabidopsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young S Go
- Department of Plant Biotechnology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 500-757, Korea
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Liang YL, Zhao SJ, Xu LX, Zhang XY. Heterologous expression of dammarenediol synthase gene in an engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Lett Appl Microbiol 2012; 55:323-9. [PMID: 22897704 DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-765x.2012.03295.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Dammarenediol production by an engineered yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS A dammarenediol-producing engineered yeast was constructed by heterologous expression of the dammarenediol synthase gene from Panax ginseng hairy roots through RT-PCR. Fermentation was carried out in a 5-L GRJY-bioreactor with an inoculum size of 1% v/v at 30°C. Dammarenediol detection was performed with silica gel chromatography and HPLC. Determination of dammarenediol synthase activity subcellular distribution was carried out by surveying the enzyme activity in microsomes, lipid particles and total yeast homogenate. When cultured under aerobic conditions, the engineered yeast could produce dammarenediol up to 250μgl(-1). However, when an anaerobic shift strategy was employed, dammarenediol accumulated at a level as twice as that under aerobic condition. The dammarenediol synthase and dammarenediol were mainly localized in lipid particles. CONCLUSIONS Dammarenediol could be heterologously produced in engineered yeast. The heterologously expressed dammarenediol synthase is mainly localized in lipid particles. Anaerobic shift strategy could enhance the dammarenediol level in the engineered yeast. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY This study showed that the high-value plant product dammarenediol could be produced by heterologous expression of the according gene in yeast. Furthermore, the anaerobic shift strategy could be potentially applied in oxidosqualene-derived compounds production in yeast. Here, the information about subcellular distribution of heterologously expressed dammarenediol synthase in the engineered yeast was also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y-L Liang
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Jilin University, ChangChun, China
| | - S-J Zhao
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Jilin University, ChangChun, China
| | - L-X Xu
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Jilin University, ChangChun, China
| | - X-Y Zhang
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Jilin University, ChangChun, China
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20
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Racolta S, Juhl PB, Sirim D, Pleiss J. The triterpene cyclase protein family: a systematic analysis. Proteins 2012; 80:2009-19. [PMID: 22488823 DOI: 10.1002/prot.24089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2012] [Revised: 03/16/2012] [Accepted: 03/20/2012] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Triterpene cyclases catalyze a broad range of cyclization reactions to form polycyclic triterpenes. Triterpene cyclases that convert squalene to hopene are named squalene-hopene cyclases (SHC) and triterpene cyclases that convert oxidosqualene are named oxidosqualene cyclases (OSC). Many sequences have been published, but there is only one structure available for each of SHCs and OSCs. Although they catalyze a similar reaction, the sequence similarity between SHCs and OSCs is low. A family classification based on phylogenetic analysis revealed 20 homologous families which are grouped into two superfamilies, SHCs and OSCs. Based on this family assignment, the Triterpene Cyclase Engineering Database (TTCED) was established. It integrates available information on sequence and structure of 639 triterpene cyclases as well as on structurally and functionally relevant amino acids. Family specific multiple sequence alignments were generated to identify the functionally relevant residues. Based on sequence alignments, conserved residues in SHCs and OSCs were analyzed and compared to experimentally confirmed mutational data. Functional schematic models of the central cavities of OSCs and SHCs were derived from structure comparison and sequence conservation analysis. These models demonstrate the high similarity of the substrate binding cavity of SHCs and OSCs and the equivalences of the respective residues. The TTCED is a novel source for comprehensive information on the triterpene cyclase family, including a compilation of previously described mutational data. The schematic models present the conservation analysis in a readily available fashion and facilitate the correlation of residues to a specific function or substrate interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Racolta
- Institute of Technical Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
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21
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NKININ STEPHENSONW, STRINGER JAMESR, KEELY SCOTTP, SETCHELL KENNETHD, GINER JOSÉLUIS, KANESHIRO EDNAS. Pneumocystis carinii Sterol 14α-Demethylase Activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae erg11 Knockout Mutant: Sterol Biochemistry. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2011; 58:383-92. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1550-7408.2011.00556.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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22
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Joffrion TM, Cushion MT. Sterol biosynthesis and sterol uptake in the fungal pathogen Pneumocystis carinii. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2010; 311:1-9. [PMID: 20528942 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2010.02007.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Members of the fungal genus Pneumocystis colonize healthy mammalian hosts without causing apparent disease, but colonization in immunocompromised hosts may result in a potentially fatal pneumonia known as Pneumocystis pneumonia. Although Pneumocystis are fungi, this genus has characteristics that make it atypical among other fungi. Pneumocystis do not appear to synthesize the major fungal sterol, ergosterol, and biochemical analyses have shown that they utilize cholesterol rather than ergosterol as the bulk sterol. Pneumocystis carinii appears to scavenge exogenous sterols, including cholesterol, from its mammalian host. As a result, it has long been held that their ability to scavenge cholesterol from their hosts, and their inability to undergo sterol biosynthesis, makes them resistant to antifungal drugs that target ergosterol or ergosterol biosynthesis. However, genome scans and in vitro assays indicate the presence of sterol biosynthetic genes within the P. carinii genome, and targeted inhibition of these enzymes resulted in reduced viability of P. carinii, suggesting that these enzymes are functional within the organism. Heterologous expression of P. carinii sterol genes, along with biochemical analyses of the lipid content of P. carinii cellular membranes, have provided an insight into sterol biosynthesis and the sterol-scavenging mechanisms used by these fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany M Joffrion
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
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23
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Functional characterization and localization of Pneumocystis carinii lanosterol synthase. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2009; 9:107-15. [PMID: 19897737 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00264-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Organisms in the genus Pneumocystis are ubiquitous, opportunistic pathogenic fungi capable of causing a lethal pneumonia in immunocompromised mammalian hosts. Pneumocystis spp. are unique members of the fungal kingdom due to the absence of ergosterol in their cellular membranes. Although these organisms were thought to obtain cholesterol by scavenging, transcriptional analyses indicate that Pneumocystis carinii encodes gene homologs involved in sterol biosynthesis. To better understand the sterol pathway in these uncultivable fungi, yeast deletion strains were used to interrogate the function and localization of P. carinii lanosterol synthase (ERG7). The expression of PcErg7p in an ERG7-null mutant of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae did not alter its growth rate and produced a functional lanosterol synthase, as evidenced by the presence of lanosterol detected by gas chromatographic analysis in levels comparable to that produced by the yeast enzyme. Western blotting and fluorescence microscopy revealed that, like the S. cerevisiae Erg7p, the PcErg7p localized to lipid particles in yeast. Using fluorescence microscopy, we show for the first time the presence of apparent lipid particles in P. carinii and the localization of PcErg7p to lipid particles in P. carinii. The detection of lipid particles in P. carinii and their association with PcErg7p therein provide strong evidence that the enzyme serves a similar function in P. carinii. Moreover, the yeast heterologous system should be a useful tool for further analysis of the P. carinii sterol pathway.
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Cushion MT, Smulian AG, Slaven BE, Sesterhenn T, Arnold J, Staben C, Porollo A, Adamczak R, Meller J. Transcriptome of Pneumocystis carinii during fulminate infection: carbohydrate metabolism and the concept of a compatible parasite. PLoS One 2007; 2:e423. [PMID: 17487271 PMCID: PMC1855432 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0000423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2006] [Accepted: 04/08/2007] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the genus Pneumocystis are fungal pathogens that cause pneumonia in a wide variety of mammals with debilitated immune systems. Little is known about their basic biological functions, including life cycle, since no species can be cultured continuously outside the mammalian lung. To better understand the pathological process, about 4500 ESTS derived from sequencing of the poly(A) tail ends of P. carinii mRNAs during fulminate infection were annotated and functionally characterized as unassembled reads, and then clustered and reduced to a unigene set with 1042 members. Because of the presence of sequences from other microbial genomes and the rat host, the analysis and compression to a unigene set was necessarily an iterative process. BLASTx analysis of the unassembled reads (UR) vs. the Uni-Prot and TREMBL databases revealed 56% had similarities to existing polypeptides at E values of<or=10(-6), with the remainder lacking any significant homology. The most abundant transcripts in the UR were associated with stress responses, energy production, transcription and translation. Most (70%) of the UR had similarities to proteins from filamentous fungi (e.g., Aspergillus, Neurospora) and existing P. carinii gene products. In contrast, similarities to proteins of the yeast-like fungi, Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, predominated in the unigene set. Gene Ontology analysis using BLAST2GO revealed P. carinii dedicated most of its transcripts to cellular and physiological processes ( approximately 80%), molecular binding and catalytic activities (approximately 70%), and were primarily derived from cell and organellar compartments (approximately 80%). KEGG Pathway mapping showed the putative P. carinii genes represented most standard metabolic pathways and cellular processes, including the tricarboxylic acid cycle, glycolysis, amino acid biosynthesis, cell cycle and mitochondrial function. Several gene homologs associated with mating, meiosis, and sterol biosynthesis in fungi were identified. Genes encoding the major surface glycoprotein family (MSG), heat shock (HSP70), and proteases (PROT/KEX) were the most abundantly expressed of known P. carinii genes. The apparent presence of many metabolic pathways in P. carinii, sexual reproduction within the host, and lack of an invasive infection process in the immunologically intact host suggest members of the genus Pneumocystis may be adapted parasites and have a compatible relationship with their mammalian hosts. This study represents the first characterization of the expressed genes of a non-culturable fungal pathogen of mammals during the infective process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie T Cushion
- University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America.
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Oliaro-Bosso S, Viola F, Taramino S, Tagliapietra S, Barge A, Cravotto G, Balliano G. Inhibitory Effect of Umbelliferone Aminoalkyl Derivatives on Oxidosqualene Cyclases fromS. cerevisiae,T. cruzi,P. carinii,H. sapiens, andA. thaliana: a Structure–Activity Study. ChemMedChem 2007; 2:226-33. [PMID: 17154325 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.200600234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Eighteen coumarin derivatives were tested as inhibitors of oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Trypanosoma cruzi, Pneumocystis carinii, Homo sapiens, and Arabidopsis thaliana, all expressed in an OSC-defective strain of S. cerevisiae.35 All the compounds have an aminoalkyl chain bound to an aromatic nucleus; unconventional synthetic procedures (microwave- and ultrasound-promoted reactions) were successfully used to prepare some of them. The most interesting structure-dependent difference in inhibitory activities was observed with an N-oxide group replacement of the tertiary amino group at the end of the side chain. An interesting species specificity also emerged: T. cruzi OSC was the least sensitive enzyme; P. carinii and A. thaliana OSCs were the most sensitive. The remarkable activities of three compounds on the T. cruzi enzyme and of five of them on the P. carinii enzyme suggest the present series as a promising compound family for the development of novel antiparasitic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simonetta Oliaro-Bosso
- Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Torino, via P. Giuria 9, 10125 Turin, Italy
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Oliaro-Bosso S, Ceruti M, Balliano G, Milla P, Rocco F, Viola F. Analogs of squalene and oxidosqualene inhibit oxidosqualene cyclase of Trypanosoma cruzi expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Lipids 2005; 40:1257-62. [PMID: 16477810 DOI: 10.1007/s11745-005-1493-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Recently, a number of inhibitors of the enzyme oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC; EC 5.4.99.7), a key enzyme in sterol biosynthesis, were shown to inhibit in mammalian cells the multiplication of Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite agent of Chagas' disease. The gene coding for the OSC of T. cruzi has been cloned and expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The expression in yeast cells could be a safe and easy model for studying the activity and the selectivity of the potential inhibitors of T. cruzi OSC. Using a homogenate of S. cerevisiae cells expressing T. cruzi OSC, we have tested 19 inhibitors: aza, methylidene, vinyl sulfide, and conjugated vinyl sulfide derivatives of oxidosqualene and squalene, selected as representative of different classes of substrate analog inhibitors of OSC. The IC50 values of inhibition (the compound concentration at which the enzyme is inhibited by 50%) are compared with the values obtained using OSC of pig liver and S. cerevisiae. Many inhibitors of pig liver and S. cerevisiae OSC show comparable IC50 for T. cruzi OSC, but some phenylthiovinyl derivatives are 10-100 times more effective on the T. cruzi enzyme than on the pig or S. cerevisiae enzymes. The expression of proteins of pathogenic organisms in yeast seems very promising for preliminary screening of compounds that have potential therapeutic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simonetta Oliaro-Bosso
- Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, Università di Torino, 10125 Turin, Italy
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Abstract
Pneumocystis can transiently colonize healthy individuals without causing adverse symptoms, and most people test positive for exposure to this organism early in life. However, it can cause Pneumocystis pneumonia (PcP) in people with impaired immune systems and is a major cause of death in HIV/AIDS. Although it has close affinities to the Ascomycetes, Pneumocystis has features unlike those of any single group of fungi. For example, Pneumocystis does not synthesize ergosterol, which is consistent with the inefficacy of amphotericin B and some triazoles in clearing PcP. Pneumocystis sterols include distinct delta7 24-alkylsterols. Metabolic radiolabeling experiments demonstrated that P. carinii synthesizes sterols de novo. Cholesterol is the most abundant sterol in Pneumocystis; most, if not all, is scavenged from the mammalian host lung by the pathogen. The P. carinii erg7, erg6, and erg11 genes have been cloned, sequenced, and expressed in heterologous systems. The recombinant P. carinii S-adenosyl-L-methionine:C-24 sterol methyl transferase (SAM:SMT) has a preference for lanosterol over zymosterol as substrate, and the enzyme can catalyze the transfer of either one or two methyl groups to the C-24 position of the sterol side chain. Two different sterol compositions were detected among human-derived P. jirovecii; one was dominated by C28 and C29 sterols, and the other had high proportions of higher molecular mass components, notably the C32 sterol pneumocysterol. The latter phenotype apparently represents organisms blocked at 14alpha-demethylation of the sterol nucleus. These studies suggest that SAM:SMT is an attractive drug target for developing new chemotherapy for PcP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edna S Kaneshiro
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221, USA.
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29
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Oliaro-Bosso S, Viola F, Matsuda S, Cravotto G, Tagliapietra S, Balliano G. Umbelliferone aminoalkyl derivatives as inhibitors of oxidosqualene cyclases from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Tripanosoma cruzi, and Pneumocystis carinii. Lipids 2004; 39:1007-12. [PMID: 15691023 DOI: 10.1007/s11745-004-1323-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A series of umbelliferone aminoalkyl derivatives, previously studied as inhibitors of squalene-hopene cyclase, were tested as inhibitors of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC) and OSC from Trypanosoma cruzi and Pneumocystis carinii expressed in yeast. Enzymes from these pathogens were included in this study to provide a preliminary screening for antiparasitic activity. Tests were carried out both on cell homogenates incubated with radiolabeled oxidosqualene and on spheroplasts incubated with radiolabeled acetate. Derivatives bearing a methylallylamino group were the most effective on all of the three enzymes. The P. carinii enzyme was the most susceptible to the action of the inhibitors, with IC50 values for almost all of them ranging from 0.1 to 1 microM. The T. cruzi enzyme was appreciably inhibited (IC50 4-5 microM) only by derivatives bearing a methylallylaminoalkyl flexible chain. Results identify a particularly promising new family of OSC inhibitors, for the development of novel antiparasitic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simonetta Oliaro-Bosso
- Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, Università di Torino, 10125 Turin, Italy
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30
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Abstract
The triterpenoids are a large group of natural products derived from C(30) precursors. Nearly 200 different triterpene skeletons are known from natural sources or enzymatic reactions that are structurally consistent with being cyclization products of squalene, oxidosqualene, or bis-oxidosqualene. This review categorizes each of these structures and provides mechanisms for their formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Xu
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, 6100 S Main Street, Houston, TX 77005, USA
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31
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Hinshaw JC, Suh DY, Garnier P, Buckner FS, Eastman RT, Matsuda SPT, Joubert BM, Coppens I, Joiner KA, Merali S, Nash TE, Prestwich GD. Oxidosqualene cyclase inhibitors as antimicrobial agents. J Med Chem 2003; 46:4240-3. [PMID: 13678402 DOI: 10.1021/jm034126t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Small-molecule oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC) inhibitors were found to be effective in assays against cloned OSC-like enzymes from human pathogens. A combinatorial library was prepared and used to identify lead compounds that inhibit the growth of Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania mexicana amazonensis, and Pneumocystis carinii in culture. Selectivity for the microorganisms in preference to mammalian cells was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerald C Hinshaw
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Utah, 419 Wakara Way, Suite 205, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108-1257, USA
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32
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Segura MJR, Jackson BE, Matsuda SPT. Mutagenesis approaches to deduce structure-function relationships in terpene synthases. Nat Prod Rep 2003; 20:304-17. [PMID: 12828369 DOI: 10.1039/b008338k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
This review highlights mutagenesis studies of terpene synthases, specifically sesquiterpene synthases and oxidosqualene cyclases. Mutagenesis studies of these enzymes have provided mechanistic insights, structure-function relationships for specific enzymatic residues, novel terpene structures and enzymes with novel activities. The literature through 2002 is reviewed and 113 references cited.
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