Nonradioactive assay for detecting isoprenyl diphosphate synthase activity in crude plant extracts using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry

Transcriptome-informed identification and characterization of Planococcus citri cis- and trans-isoprenyl diphosphate synthase genes

Insect physiology and reproduction depend on several terpenoid compounds, whose biosynthesis is mainly unknown. One enigmatic group of insect monoterpenoids are mealybug sex pheromones, presumably resulting from the irregular coupling activity of unidentified isoprenyl diphosphate synthases (IDSs). Here, we performed a comprehensive search for IDS coding sequences of the pest mealybug Planococcus citri. We queried the available genomic and newly generated short- and long-read P. citri transcriptomic data and identified 18 putative IDS genes, whose phylogenetic analysis indicates several gene family expansion events. In vitro testing confirmed regular short-chain coupling activity with five gene products. With the candidate with highest IDS activity, we also detected low amounts of irregular coupling products, and determined amino acid residues important for chain-length preference and irregular coupling activity. This work therefore provides an important foundation for deciphering terpenoid biosynthesis in mealybugs, including the sex pheromone biosynthesis in P. citri.

Molecular characterization of cyanobacterial short-chain prenyltransferases and discovery of a novel GGPP phosphatase

Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic prokaryotes with strong potential to be used for industrial terpenoid production. However, the key enzymes forming the principal terpenoid building blocks, called short-chain prenyltransferases (SPTs), are insufficiently characterized. Here, we examined SPTs in the model cyanobacteria Synechococcus elongatus sp. PCC 7942 and Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Each species has a single putative SPT (SeCrtE and SyCrtE, respectively). Sequence analysis identified these as type-II geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthases (GGPPSs) with high homology to GGPPSs found in the plastids of green plants and other photosynthetic organisms. In vitro analysis demonstrated that SyCrtE is multifunctional, producing geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP; C₂₀ ) primarily but also significant amounts of farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP, C₁₅ ) and geranyl pyrophosphate (GPP, C₁₀ ); whereas SeCrtE appears to produce only GGPP. The crystal structures were solved to 2.02 and 1.37 Å, respectively, and the superposition of the structures against the GGPPS of Synechococcus elongatus sp. PCC 7002 yield a root mean square deviation of 0.8 Å (SeCrtE) and 1.1 Å (SyCrtE). We also discovered that SeCrtE is co-encoded in an operon with a functional GGPP phosphatase, suggesting metabolic pairing of these two activities and a putative function in tocopherol biosynthesis. This work sheds light on the activity of SPTs and terpenoid synthesis in cyanobacteria. Understanding native prenyl phosphate metabolism is an important step in developing approaches to engineering the production of different chain-length terpenoids in cyanobacteria.

Functional Prediction of trans-Prenyltransferases Reveals the Distribution of GFPPSs in Species beyond the Brassicaceae Clade

Terpenoids are the most diverse class of plant primary and specialized metabolites, and trans-prenyltransferases (trans-PTs) are the first branch point to synthesize precursors of various chain lengths for further metabolism. Whereas the catalytic mechanism of the enzyme is known, there is no reliable method for precisely predicting the functions of trans-PTs. With the exponentially increasing number of available trans-PTs genes in public databases, an in silico functional prediction method for this gene family is urgently needed. Here, we present PTS-Pre, a web tool developed on the basis of the “three floors” model, which shows an overall 86% prediction accuracy for 141 experimentally determined trans-PTs. The method was further validated by in vitro enzyme assays for randomly selected trans-PTs. In addition, using this method, we identified nine new GFPPSs from different plants which are beyond the previously reported Brassicaceae clade, suggesting these genes may have occurred via convergent evolution and are more likely lineage-specific. The high accuracy of our blind prediction validated by enzymatic assays suggests that PTS-Pre provides a convenient and reliable method for genome-wide functional prediction of trans-PTs enzymes and will surely benefit the elucidation and metabolic engineering of terpenoid biosynthetic pathways.

Bark Beetle Attack History Does Not Influence the Induction of Terpene and Phenolic Defenses in Mature Norway Spruce (Picea abies) Trees by the Bark Beetle-Associated Fungus Endoconidiophora polonica

Terpenes and phenolics are important constitutive and inducible conifer defenses against bark beetles and their associated fungi. In this study, the inducible defenses of mature Norway spruce (Picea abies) trees with different histories of attack by the spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus were tested by inoculation with the I. typographus-associated fungus Endoconidiophora polonica. We compared trees that had been under previous attack with those under current attack and those that had no record of attack. After fungal inoculation, the concentrations of mono-, sesqui-, and diterpenes in bark increased 3- to 9-fold. For the phenolics, the flavan-3-ols, catechin, and gallocatechin, increased significantly by 2- and 5-fold, respectively, while other flavonoids and stilbenes did not. The magnitudes of these inductions were not influenced by prior bark beetle attack history for all the major compounds and compound classes measured. Before fungal inoculation, the total amounts of monoterpenes, diterpenes, and phenolics (constitutive defenses) were greater in trees that had been previously attacked compared to those under current attack, possibly a result of previous induction. The transcript levels of many genes involved in terpene formation (isoprenyl diphosphate synthases and terpene synthases) and phenolic formation (chalcone synthases) were significantly enhanced by fungal inoculation suggesting de novo biosynthesis. Similar inductions were found for the enzymatic activity of isoprenyl diphosphate synthases and the concentration of their prenyl diphosphate products after fungal inoculation. Quantification of defense hormones revealed a significant induction of the jasmonate pathway, but not the salicylic acid pathway after fungal inoculation. Our data highlight the coordinated induction of terpenes and phenolics in spruce upon infection by E. polonica, a fungal associate of the bark beetle I. typographus, but provide no evidence for the priming of these defense responses by prior beetle attack.

Analysis of isoprenyl-phosphates by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Isoprenoids in plants are synthesized following the plastidial methylerythritol-4-phosphate (MEP) pathway or the mevalonate pathway localized to the cytosol and peroxisomes. Isoprenyl-diphosphates (isoprenyl-PP) are important intermediates for the synthesis of chlorophyll, carotenoids, sterols, and other isoprenoids in plants. The quantification of isoprenyl-PP is challenging due to the amphipathic structure, the low abundance, and the susceptibility to hydrolysis during extraction and storage. Different methods for the measurement of isoprenyl-phosphates have been developed. Isoprenyl-phosphates can be measured after radioactive labeling or after derivatization. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) methods provide enhanced sensitivity, but still require the extraction from large amounts of sample material. In the protocol presented here, the monophosphates and diphosphates of farnesol, geranylgeraniol and phytol are isolated from plant material with an isopropanol-containing buffer and quantified by LC-MS using citronellyl-P and citronellyl-PP as internal standards. With a low limit of detection for phytyl-P, geranylgeranyl-P, phytyl-PP, and geranylgeranyl-PP, isoprenyl-phosphates can be accurately measured in Arabidopsis leaves or seeds starting with only 20mg of fresh weight.

An improved method for sensitive quantification of isoprenoid diphosphates in the astaxanthin-accumulating Haematococcus pluvialis

A sensitive method has been established to simultaneously determine the concentrations of isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP), geranyl diphosphate (GPP), farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) and geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) in H. pluvialis under different environments. This method increased the extraction efficiency of isoprenoid diphosphates through releasing isoprenoid diphosphates using Tissue Lyser. This is the first report on the efficient extraction method of metabolites in H. pluvialis cells, being suitable for all algae and plants with thick cell wall. The concentrations of isoprenoid diphosphates were measured on poroshell EC-C18 column by UHPLC-MS/MS with the LODs of 0.015, 0.027, 0.022 and 0.076 pmol for DMAPP, GPP, FPP and GGPP, respectively. It is the most sensitive method for the determination of isoprenoid diphosphates in any sample to date. Using this method, the profile of isoprenoid diphosphates was analyzed and cisoid isomers of FPP and GGPP, (Z, Z)-FPP and (Z, Z, Z-GGPP) were found firstly in H. pluvialis.

Non-radioactive Assay to Determine Product Profile of Short-chain Isoprenyl Diphosphate Synthases

Isoprenoids represent the largest class of metabolites with amazing diversities in structure and function. They are involved in protecting plants against pathogens or herbivores or involved in attracting pollinators. Isoprenoids are derived from geranyl diphosphate (GPP; C₁₀), farnesyl diphosphate (FPP; C₁₅), geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP; C₂₀), and geranylfarnesyl diphosphate (GFPP; C₂₅) that are in turn formed by sequential condensations of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP; C₅) with an allylic acceptor such as dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP; C₅), GPP, FPP, or GGPP in a reaction catalyzed by isoprenyl diphosphate synthases (IDSs). IDS enzyme assay for determination of prenyl diphosphate products is generally performed using radiolabelled substrates, and the products formed are identified by employing expensive instruments such as phosphor imager, radio-GC, or radio-HPLC. Though a non-radioactive assay for measuring IDS activity in crude plant extract has been reported, it requires a complex methodology utilizing chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS). Here, we describe a non-radioactive and simple inexpensive assay for determining the IDS assay products using non-radiolabeled IPP and its co-allylic substrates DMAPP, GPP, and FPP. The detection of prenyl diphosphate products generated in the assay was highly efficient and spots corresponding to prenyl alcohols were visible at >40 µM concentrations of IPP and DMAPP/GPP/FPP substrates. The protocol described here is sensitive, reliable, and technically simple, which could be used for functional characterization of IDS candidates.

Analysis of the isoprenoid pathway intermediates, dimethylallyl diphosphate and isopentenyl diphosphate, from crude plant extracts by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

OBJECTIVE

We sought to develop a sensitive and accurate analytical method for the detection and quantification of IDP and DMADP as well as their monophosphate derivatives in crude plant extracts.

METHODS

A liquid chromatography method coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) was established to measure the amounts of IDP and DMADP down to low picogram levels, which was linear over at least three orders of magnitude. Extracts were enriched using an anion exchanger, and chromatographic separation was achieved using a β-cyclodextrin column. A S-thiolodiphosphate analog of DMADP was employed as an internal standard.

RESULTS

Dilution series of authentic compounds were used to determine the limits of detection and quantification for IDP, DMADP and their corresponding monophosphates. A survey of plant species producing varying amounts of isoprenoids showed a corresponding variation in IDP and DMADP with the ratio of DMADP/IDP ranging from 4:1 to 2:1. Trace levels of isopentenyl monophosphate (IP) and dimethylallyl monophosphate (DMAP) were also detected.

CONCLUSION

The LC-MS/MS method described enables absolute quantification of in planta levels of IDP and DMADP for the first time. The method is also suitable for analysing bacterial and animal samples as well as enzyme assays.

De Novo High-Titer Production of Delta-Tocotrienol in Recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Delta-tocotrienol as a vitamin E isomer has received much attention because of its diverse biomedical applications. Microbial biosynthesis of delta-tocotrienol is a promising strategy for its economic and environmental advantages. Here, we accomplished complete biosynthesis of delta-tocotrienol in Saccharomyces cerevisiae from glucose. We first constructed and incorporated a heterologous pathway into the genome of S. cerevisiae by incorporating the genes hpd (from Pseudomonas putida KT2440), hpt (from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803), and vte1 (from Arabidopsis thaliana) for the biosynthesis of delta-tocotrienol. We further enhanced the biosynthesis of the precursor geranylgeranyl diphosphate by overexpressing the thmg1 and ggppssa (from Sulfolobus acidocaldarius) genes, leading to a production titer of delta-tocotrienol of 1.39 ± 0.01 mg/L. Finally, we optimized the fermentation medium using the response surface methodology, enabling a high-titer production of delta-tocotrienol (3.56 ± 0.25 mg/L), ∼2.6-fold of that of the initial culture medium. Fed-batch fermentation in a 2 L fermenter was further used to enhance the production titer of delta-tocotrienol (4.10 ± 0.10 mg/L). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the de novo biosynthesis of delta-tocotrienol in S. cerevisiae, and the highest titer obtained for microbial production of delta-tocotrienol.

Optimization of extraction solvents, solid phase extraction and decoupling for quantitation of free isoprenoid diphosphates in Haematococcus pluvialis by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

Isoprenoid diphosphates are important precursors actively participating in many downstream metabolisms; they are often in modified forms, e.g., protein-coupled or esterified form. Therefore, in vivo level of free isoprenoid diphosphates is quite low, ˜0.07 nmol/g fresh weight in plants. In order to directly measure the isoprenoid diphosphate pool during stress-induced accumulation of astaxanthin in Haematococcus pluvialis, the present study optimized several pretreatment procedures to enrich free isoprenoid diphosphates for high-pressure liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) detection. Specifically, different extraction solvents, e.g., water, methanol, chloroform, and mixture of water, methanol, and chloroform (1:1:1, V/V/V), and solid phase extraction (SPE) columns (OASIS@ WAX and HLB Cartridges) were compared; and gentle decoupling by NaOH or trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) was introduced to release free isoprenoid diphosphates. Results found that solvent mixture of water, methanol and chloroform (1:1:1, V/V/V) showed the highest extraction efficiency (R_E) for five isoprenoid diphosphates, ranging from 76.83% to 92.43%; HLB column showed the balanced recoveries ranging from 75.29% to 87.54%; and incubation with low NaOH (˜4.7 mmol/L) at 4 °C significantly increased detectable isoprenoid diphosphates in algal cells, some of which were undetectable or in trace level before NaOH decoupling. The method was applied to H. pluvialis cells under various stresses. Low levels of isoprenoid diphosphates were determined in most of the stresses used, e.g., 0.19 ± 0.09 to 0.98 ± 0.06 mg/g fresh weight (FW) for IPP/DMAPP, 0.35 ± 0.07 mg/g FW for GGPP and undetectable for FPP and GPP; while isoprenoid diphosphates were significantly accumulated in the dark to 3.27 ± 0.05, 0.17 ± 0.09, 1.81 ± 0.16 and 0.58 ± 0.07 mg/g FW for IPP/DMAPP, GPP, FPP and GGPP, respectively. These results implied that isoprenoid diphosphates were exhausted by downstream carotenogenesis under stress. Our work emphasizes NaOH decoupling for exact quantitation of in vivo isoprenoid diphosphates.

Isoprenyl diphosphate synthases: the chain length determining step in terpene biosynthesis

This review summarizes the recent developments in the study of isoprenyl diphosphate synthases with an emphasis on analytical techniques, product length determination, and the physiological consequences of manipulating expression in planta. The highly diverse structures of all terpenes are synthesized from the five carbon precursors dimethylallyl diphosphate and a varying number of isopentenyl diphosphate units through 1'-4 alkylation reactions. These elongation reactions are catalyzed by isoprenyl diphosphate synthases (IDS). IDS are classified depending on the configuration of the ensuing double bond as trans- and cis-IDS. In addition, IDS are further stratified by the length of their prenyl diphosphate product. This review discusses analytical techniques for the determination of product length and the factors that control product length, with an emphasis on alternative mechanisms. With recent advances in analytics, multiple IDS of Arabidopsis thaliana have been recently reinvestigated and demonstrated to yield products of different lengths than originally reported, which is summarized here. As IDS dictate prenyl diphosphate length and thereby which class of terpenes is ultimately produced, another focus of this review is the impact that altering IDS expression has on terpenoid natural product accumulation. Finally, recent findings regarding the ability of a few IDS to not catalyze 1'-4 alkylation reactions, but instead produce irregular products, with unusual connectivity, or act as terpene synthases, are also discussed.

A homomeric geranyl diphosphate synthase-encoding gene from Camptotheca acuminata and its combinatorial optimization for production of geraniol in Escherichia coli

Geranyl diphosphate (GPP), the unique precursor for all monoterpenoids, is biosynthesized from isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate via the head-to-tail condensation reaction catalyzed by GPP synthase (GPPS). Herein a homomeric GPPS from Camptotheca acuminata, a camptothecin-producing plant, was obtained from 5'- and 3'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends and subsequent overlap extension and convenient PCR amplifications. The truncate CaGPPS was introduced to replace ispA of pBbA5c-MevT(CO)-MBIS(CO, ispA), a de novo biosynthetic construct for farnesyl diphosphate generation, and overexpressed in Escherichia coli, together with the truncate geraniol synthase-encoding gene from C. acuminata (tCaGES), to confirm CaGPPS-catalyzed reaction in vivo. A 24.0 ± 1.3 mg L^-1 of geraniol was produced in the recombinant E. coli. The production of GPP was also validated by the direct UPLC-HRMS^E analyses. The tCaGPPS and tCaGES genes with different copy numbers were introduced into E. coli to balance their catalytic potential for high-yield geraniol production. A 1.6-fold increase of geraniol production was obtained when four copies of tCaGPPS and one copy of tCaGES were introduced into E. coli. The following fermentation conditions optimization, including removal of organic layers and addition of new n-decane, led to a 74.6 ± 6.5 mg L^-1 of geraniol production. The present study suggested that the gene copy number optimization, i.e., the ratio of tCaGPPS and tCaGES, plays an important role in geraniol production in the recombinant E. coli. The removal and addition of organic solvent are very useful for sustainable high-yield production of geraniol in the recombinant E. coli in view of that the solubility of geraniol is limited in the fermentation broth and/or n-decane.

Two Eucommia farnesyl diphosphate synthases exhibit distinct enzymatic properties leading to end product preferences

Farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPS) is an essential enzyme in the biosynthesis of prenyl precursors for the production of primary and secondary metabolites, including sterols, dolichols, carotenoids and ubiquinones, and for the modification of proteins. Here we identified and characterized two FPSs (EuFPS1 and EuFPS2) from the plant Eucommia ulmoides. The EuFPSs had seven highly conserved prenyltransferase-specific domains that are critical for activity. Complementation and biochemical analyses using bacterially produced recombinant EuFPS isoforms showed that the EuFPSs had FPP synthesis activities both in vivo and in vitro. In addition to the typical reaction mechanisms of FPS, EuFPSs utilized farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) as an allylic substrate and participated in further elongation of the isoprenyl chain, resulting in the synthesis of geranylgeranyl diphosphate. However, despite the high amino acid similarities between the two EuFPS isozymes, their specific activities, substrate preferences, and final reaction products were different. The use of dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP) as an allylic substrate highlighted the differences between the two enzymes: depending on the pH, the metal ion cofactor, and the cofactor concentration, EuFPS2 accumulated geranyl diphosphate as an intermediate product at a constant rate, whereas EuFPS1 synthesized little geranyl diphosphate. The reaction kinetics of the EuFPSs demonstrated that isopentenyl diphosphate and DMAPP were used both as substrates and as inhibitors of EuFPS activity. Taken together, the results indicate that the biosynthesis of FPP is highly regulated by various factors indispensable for EuFPS reactions in plants.

Engineering of Tomato Glandular Trichomes for the Production of Specialized Metabolites

Glandular trichomes are specialized tissues on the epidermis of many plant species. On tomato they synthesize, store, and emit a variety of metabolites such as terpenoids, which play a role in the interaction with insects. Glandular trichomes are excellent tissues for studying the biosynthesis of specialized plant metabolites and are especially suitable targets for metabolic engineering. Here we describe the strategy for engineering tomato glandular trichomes, first with a transient expression system to provide proof of trichome specificity of selected promoters. Using microparticle bombardment, the trichome specificity of a terpene-synthase promoter could be validated in a relatively fast way. Second, we describe a method for stable expression of genes of interest in trichomes. Trichome-specific expression of another terpene-synthase promoter driving the yellow-fluorescence protein-gene is presented. Finally, we describe a case of the overexpression of farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPS), specifically in tomato glandular trichomes, providing an important precursor in the biosynthetic pathway of sesquiterpenoids. FPS was targeted to the plastid aiming to engineer sesquiterpenoid production, but interestingly leading to a loss of monoterpenoid production in the transgenic tomato trichomes. With this example we show that trichomes are amenable to engineering though, even with knowledge of a biochemical pathway, the result of such engineering can be unexpected.

Arabidopsis thaliana isoprenyl diphosphate synthases produce the C25 intermediate geranylfarnesyl diphosphate

Isoprenyl diphosphate synthases (IDSs) catalyze some of the most basic steps in terpene biosynthesis by producing the prenyl diphosphate precursors of each of the various terpenoid classes. Most plants investigated have distinct enzymes that produce the short-chain all-trans (E) prenyl diphosphates geranyl diphosphate (GDP, C10 ), farnesyl diphosphate (FDP, C15 ) or geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGDP, C20 ). In the genome of Arabidopsis thaliana, 15 trans-product-forming IDSs are present. Ten of these have recently been shown to produce GGDP by genetic complementation of a carotenoid pathway engineered into Escherichia coli. When verifying the product pattern of IDSs producing GGDP by a new LC-MS/MS procedure, we found that five of these IDSs produce geranylfarnesyl diphosphate (GFDP, C25 ) instead of GGDP as their major product in enzyme assays performed in vitro. Over-expression of one of the GFDP synthases in A. thaliana confirmed the production of GFDP in vivo. Enzyme assays with A. thaliana protein extracts from roots but not other organs showed formation of GFDP. Furthermore, GFDP itself was detected in root extracts. Subcellular localization studies in leaves indicated that four of the GFDP synthases were targeted to the plastoglobules of the chloroplast and one was targeted to the mitochondria. Sequence comparison and mutational studies showed that the size of the R group of the 5th amino acid residue N-terminal to the first aspartate-rich motif is responsible for C25 versus C20 product formation, with smaller R groups (Ala and Ser) resulting in GGDP (C20 ) as a product and a larger R group (Met) resulting in GFDP (C25 ).

A small, differentially regulated family of farnesyl diphosphate synthases in maize (Zea mays) provides farnesyl diphosphate for the biosynthesis of herbivore-induced sesquiterpenes

Of the three functional FPPS identified in maize, fpps3 is induced by herbivory to produce FDP important for the formation of the volatile sesquiterpenes of plant defense. Sesquiterpenes are not only crucial for the growth and development of a plant but also for its interaction with the environment. The biosynthesis of sesquiterpenes proceeds over farnesyl diphosphate (FDP), which is either used as a substrate for protein prenylation, converted to squalene, or to volatile sesquiterpenes. To elucidate the regulation of sesquiterpene biosynthesis in maize, we identified and characterized the farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPPS) gene family which consists of three genes. Synteny analysis indicates that fpps2 and fpps3 originate from a genome duplication in an ancient tetraploid ancestor. The three FPPSs encode active enzymes that produce predominantly FDP from the isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate substrates. Only fpps1 and fpps3 are induced by elicitor treatment, but induced fpps1 levels are much lower and only increased to the amounts of fpps3 levels in intact leaves. Elicitor-induced fpps3 levels in leaves increase to more than 15-fold of background levels. In undamaged roots, transcript levels of fpps1 are higher than those of fpps3, but only fpps3 transcripts are induced in response to herbivory by Diabrotica virgifera virgifera. A kinetic of transcript abundance in response to herbivory in leaves provided further evidence that the regulation of fpps3 corresponds to that of tps23, a terpene synthase, that converts FDP to the volatile (E)-ß-caryophyllene. Our study indicates that the differential expression of fpps1 and fpps3 provides maize with FDP for both primary metabolism and terpene-based defenses. The expression of fpps3 seems to coincide with the herbivore-induced emission of volatile sesquiterpenes that were demonstrated to be important defense signals.

Cloning and characterization of farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase from the highly branched isoprenoid producing diatom Rhizosolenia setigera

The diatom Rhizosolenia setigera Brightwell produces highly branched isoprenoid (HBI) hydrocarbons that are ubiquitously present in marine environments. The hydrocarbon composition of R. setigera varies between C₂₅ and C₃₀ HBIs depending on the life cycle stage with regard to auxosporulation. To better understand how these hydrocarbons are biosynthesized, we characterized the farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) synthase (FPPS) enzyme of R. setigera. An isolated 1465-bp cDNA clone contained an open reading frame spanning 1299-bp encoding a protein with 432 amino acid residues. Expression of the RsFPPS cDNA coding region in Escherichia coli produced a protein that exhibited FPPS activity in vitro. A reduction in HBI content from diatoms treated with an FPPS inhibitor, risedronate, suggested that RsFPPS supplies precursors for HBI biosynthesis. Product analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry also revealed that RsFPPS produced small amounts of the cis-isomers of geranyl pyrophosphate and FPP, candidate precursors for the cis-isomers of HBIs previously characterized. Furthermore, RsFPPS gene expression at various life stages of R. setigera in relation to auxosporulation were also analyzed. Herein, we present data on the possible role of RsFPPS in HBI biosynthesis, and it is to our knowledge the first instance that an FPPS was cloned and characterized from a diatom.

Metabolic engineering of monoterpene biosynthesis in tomato fruits via introduction of the non-canonical substrate neryl diphosphate

Recently it was shown that monoterpenes in tomato trichomes (Solanum lycopersicum) are synthesized by phellandrene synthase 1 (PHS1) from the non-canonical substrate neryl diphosphate (NPP), the cis-isomer of geranyl diphosphate (GPP). As PHS1 accepts both NPP and GPP substrates forming different monoterpenes, it was overexpressed in tomato fruits to test if NPP is also available in a tissue highly active in carotenoid production. However, transgenic fruits overexpressing PHS1 produced only small amounts of GPP-derived PHS1 monoterpene products, indicating the absence of endogenous NPP. Therefore, NPP formation was achieved by diverting the metabolic flux from carotenoids via expression of tomato neryl diphosphate synthase 1 (NDPS1). NDPS1 transgenic fruits produced NPP-derived monoterpenes, including nerol, neral and geranial, while displaying reduced lycopene content. NDPS1 co-expression with PHS1 resulted in a monoterpene blend, including β-phellandrene, similar to that produced from NPP by PHS1 in vitro and in trichomes. Unexpectedly, PHS1×NDPS1 fruits showed recovery of lycopene levels compared to NDPS1 fruits, suggesting that redirection of metabolic flux is only partially responsible for the reduction in carotenoids. In vitro assays demonstrated that NPP serves as an inhibitor of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase, thus its consumption by PHS1 leads to recovery of lycopene levels. Monoterpenes produced in PHS1×NDPS1 fruits contributed to direct plant defense negatively affecting feeding behavior of the herbivore Helicoverpa zea and displaying antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea. These results show that NPP-derived terpenoids can be produced in plant tissues; however, NPP has to be consumed to avoid negative impacts on plant metabolism.

Overexpression of an isoprenyl diphosphate synthase in spruce leads to unexpected terpene diversion products that function in plant defense

Spruce (Picea spp.) and other conifers employ terpenoid-based oleoresin as part of their defense against herbivores and pathogens. The short-chain isoprenyl diphosphate synthases (IDS) are situated at critical branch points in terpene biosynthesis, producing the precursors of the different terpenoid classes. To determine the role of IDS and to create altered terpene phenotypes for assessing the defensive role of terpenoids, we overexpressed a bifunctional spruce IDS, a geranyl diphosphate and geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase in white spruce (Picea glauca) saplings. While transcript level (350-fold), enzyme activity level (7-fold), and in planta geranyl diphosphate and geranylgeranyl diphosphate levels (4- to 8-fold) were significantly increased in the needles of transgenic plants, there was no increase in the major monoterpenes and diterpene acids of the resin and no change in primary isoprenoids, such as sterols, chlorophylls, and carotenoids. Instead, large amounts of geranylgeranyl fatty acid esters, known from various gymnosperm and angiosperm plant species, accumulated in needles and were shown to act defensively in reducing the performance of larvae of the nun moth (Lymantria monacha), a conifer pest in Eurasia. These results show the impact of overexpression of an IDS and the defensive role of an unexpected accumulation product of terpenoid biosynthesis with the potential for a broader function in plant protection.

Characterization of three novel isoprenyl diphosphate synthases from the terpenoid rich mango fruit

Mango (cv. Alphonso) is popular due to its highly attractive, terpenoid-rich flavor. Although Alphonso is clonally propagated, its fruit-flavor composition varies when plants are grown in different geo-climatic zones. Isoprenyl diphosphate synthases catalyze important branch-point reactions in terpenoid biosynthesis, providing precursors for common terpenoids such as volatile terpenes, sterols and carotenoids. Two geranyl diphosphate synthases and a farnesyl diphosphate synthase were isolated from Alphonso fruits, cloned for recombinant expression and found to produce the respective products. Although, one of the geranyl diphosphate synthases showed high sequence similarity to the geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthases, it did not exhibit geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthesizing activity. When modeled, this geranyl diphosphate synthase and farnesyl diphosphate synthase structures were found to be homologous with the reference structures, having all the catalytic side chains appropriately oriented. The optimum temperature for both the geranyl diphosphate synthases was 40 °C and that for farnesyl diphosphate synthase was 25 °C. This finding correlated well with the dominance of monoterpenes in comparison to sesquiterpenes in the fruits of Alphonso mango in which the mesocarp temperature is higher during ripening than development. The absence of activity of these enzymes with the divalent metal ion other than Mg(2+) indicated their adaptation to the Mg(2+) rich mesocarp. The typical expression pattern of these genes through the ripening stages of fruits from different cultivation localities depicting the highest transcript levels of these genes in the stage preceding the maximum terpene accumulation indicated the involvement of these genes in the biosynthesis of volatile terpenes.

Cytosolic monoterpene biosynthesis is supported by plastid-generated geranyl diphosphate substrate in transgenic tomato fruits

Geranyl diphosphate (GPP), the precursor of most monoterpenes, is synthesized in plastids from dimethylallyl diphosphate and isopentenyl diphosphate by GPP synthases (GPPSs). In heterodimeric GPPSs, a non-catalytic small subunit (GPPS-SSU) interacts with a catalytic large subunit, such as geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase, and determines its product specificity. Here, snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) GPPS-SSU was over-expressed in tomato fruits under the control of the fruit ripening-specific polygalacturonase promoter to divert the metabolic flux from carotenoid formation towards GPP and monoterpene biosynthesis. Transgenic tomato fruits produced monoterpenes, including geraniol, geranial, neral, citronellol and citronellal, while exhibiting reduced carotenoid content. Co-expression of the Ocimum basilicum geraniol synthase (GES) gene with snapdragon GPPS-SSU led to a more than threefold increase in monoterpene formation in tomato fruits relative to the parental GES line, indicating that the produced GPP can be used by plastidic monoterpene synthases. Co-expression of snapdragon GPPS-SSU with the O. basilicum α-zingiberene synthase (ZIS) gene encoding a cytosolic terpene synthase that has been shown to possess both sesqui- and monoterpene synthase activities resulted in increased levels of ZIS-derived monoterpene products compared to fruits expressing ZIS alone. These results suggest that re-direction of the metabolic flux towards GPP in plastids also increases the cytosolic pool of GPP available for monoterpene synthesis in this compartment via GPP export from plastids.

Syntheses of deuterium labeled prenyldiphosphate and prenylcysteine analogues for in vivo mass spectrometric quantification

A Wittig reaction employing Li(CD3)2CP(C6H5)3 was used to prepare d6-farnesol and d6-geranylgeraniol. Reductive amination of aniline-2,3,4,5,6-d5 was used to prepare the unnatural isoprenoid analogues d5-anilinogeraniol and d5-anilinofarnesol. All of these deuterated isoprenols were elaborated into their diphosphate and cysteine thioether derivatives suitable for use as stable-isotope labeled standards for quantitative mass spectrometric analysis.