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Wang X, Wu L, Zhang W, Qiu S, Xu Z, Wan H, He J, Wang W, Wang M, Yin Q, Shi Y, Gao R, Xiang L, Yang W. Multi-omics analysis reveals promiscuous O-glycosyltransferases involved in the diversity of flavonoid glycosides in Periploca forrestii (Apocynaceae). Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2024; 23:1106-1116. [PMID: 38495554 PMCID: PMC10940802 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2024.02.028] [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: 01/13/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Flavonoid glycosides are widespread in plants, and are of great interest owing to their diverse biological activities and effectiveness in preventing chronic diseases. Periploca forrestii, a renowned medicinal plant of the Apocynaceae family, contains diverse flavonoid glycosides and is clinically used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and traumatic injuries. However, the mechanisms underlying the biosynthesis of these flavonoid glycosides have not yet been elucidated. In this study, we used widely targeted metabolomics and full-length transcriptome sequencing to identify flavonoid diversity and biosynthetic genes in P. forrestii. A total of 120 flavonoid glycosides, including 21 C-, 96 O-, and 3 C/O-glycosides, were identified and annotated. Based on 24,123 full-length coding sequences, 99 uridine diphosphate sugar-utilizing glycosyltransferases (UGTs) were identified and classified into 14 groups. Biochemical assays revealed that four UGTs exhibited O-glycosyltransferase activity toward apigenin and luteolin. Among them, PfUGT74B4 and PfUGT92A8 were highly promiscuous and exhibited multisite O-glycosylation or consecutive glycosylation activities toward various flavonoid aglycones. These four glycosyltransferases may significantly contribute to the diversity of flavonoid glycosides in P. forrestii. Our findings provide a valuable genetic resource for further studies on P. forrestii and insights into the metabolic engineering of bioactive flavonoid glycosides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotong Wang
- Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration (Northeast Forestry University), Harbin 150006, China
| | - Lan Wu
- Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Wanran Zhang
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration (Northeast Forestry University), Harbin 150006, China
| | - Shi Qiu
- The SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources & Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zhichao Xu
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration (Northeast Forestry University), Harbin 150006, China
| | - Huihua Wan
- Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Jiang He
- Xinjiang Institute of Materia Medica/Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Uygur Medicine, Urumqi 830004, China
| | - Wenting Wang
- Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Mengyue Wang
- Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Qinggang Yin
- Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Yuhua Shi
- Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Ranran Gao
- Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Li Xiang
- Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
- Xinjiang Institute of Materia Medica/Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Uygur Medicine, Urumqi 830004, China
- Prescription Laboratory of Xinjiang Traditional Uyghur Medicine, Xinjiang Institute of Traditional Uyghur Medicine, Urmuqi 830000, China
| | - Weijun Yang
- Xinjiang Institute of Materia Medica/Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Uygur Medicine, Urumqi 830004, China
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2
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Dorjjugder N, Taguchi G. Production of Flavonoid 7-O-glucosides by Bioconversion Using Escherichia coli Expressing a 7-O-glucosyltransferase from Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2022; 194:3320-3329. [PMID: 35347669 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-022-03880-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Flavonoid 7-O-glucosides exhibit various biological activities; however, some are not abundant in nature. Therefore, a method to produce flavonoid 7-O-glucosides was investigated. Escherichia coli expressing tobacco-derived glucosyltransferase (Ec-NtGT2) converted several flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, quercetin, kaempferol, and naringenin) to their 7-O-glucosides with conversion rates of 67-98%. In scaled-up production, Ec-NtGT2 yielded 24 mg/L of apigenin 7-O-glucoside, 41 mg/L of luteolin 7-O-glucoside, 118 mg/L of quercetin 7-O-glucoside, 40 mg/L of kaempferol 7-O-glucoside, and 75 mg/L of naringenin 7-O-glucoside through sequential administration of substrates in 4-9 h. The conversion rates of apigenin, luteolin, quercetin, kaempferol, and naringenin were 97%, 72%, 77%, 98%, and 96%, respectively. These results indicated that Ec-NtGT2 is a simple and efficient bioconversion system for the production of flavonoid 7-O-glucosides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasanjargal Dorjjugder
- Department of Applied Biology, Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Ueda, 386-8567, Japan
| | - Goro Taguchi
- Department of Applied Biology, Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Ueda, 386-8567, Japan.
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3
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Dai X, Shi X, Yang C, Zhao X, Zhuang J, Liu Y, Gao L, Xia T. Two UDP-Glycosyltransferases Catalyze the Biosynthesis of Bitter Flavonoid 7- O-Neohesperidoside through Sequential Glycosylation in Tea Plants. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2022; 70:2354-2365. [PMID: 35133826 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.1c07342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Flavonoid glycosides are typical bitter and astringent tasting compounds that contribute to the taste of tea beverages. However, the genes that contribute to the biosynthesis of bitter compounds (e.g., flavanone 7-O-neohesperidoside) in tea plants have yet to be identified. In this study, we identified 194 UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) from the tea transcriptome database. Among them, two genes, CsUGT75L12 and CsUGT79B28, encoding flavonoid 7-O-glycosyltransferase and 7-O-glucoside(1→2)rhamnosyltransferase, respectively, were identified from Camellia sinensis. In vitro, the purified recombinant enzyme rCsUGT75L12 specifically transports the glucose unit from UDP-glucose to the 7-OH position of the flavonoid to produce the respective 7-O-glucoside. rCsUGT79B28 regiospecifically transfers a rhamnose unit from UDP-rhamnose to the 2″-OH position of flavonoid 7-O-glucosides to produce flavonoid 7-O-di-glycosides. Additionally, the expression profiles of the two CsUGTs were correlated with the accumulation patterns of 7-O-glucoside and 7-O-neohesperidoside, respectively, in tea plants. These results indicated that the two CsUGTs are involved in the biosynthesis of bitter flavonoid 7-O-neohesperidoside through the sequential glucosylation and rhamnosylation of flavonoids in C. sinensis. Taken together, our findings provided not only molecular insights into flavonoid di-glycoside metabolism in tea plants but also crucial molecular markers for controlling the bitterness and astringent taste of tea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlong Dai
- College of Tea Science, Guizhou University, 550025 Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, 230036 Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xingxing Shi
- School of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, 230036 Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Changli Yang
- College of Tea Science, Guizhou University, 550025 Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Xinyu Zhao
- College of Tea Science, Guizhou University, 550025 Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Juhua Zhuang
- College of Tea Science, Guizhou University, 550025 Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Yajun Liu
- School of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, 230036 Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Liping Gao
- School of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, 230036 Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Tao Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, 230036 Hefei, Anhui, China
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4
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Xu X, Yan Y, Huang W, Mo T, Wang X, Wang J, Li J, Shi S, Liu X, Tu P. Molecular cloning and biochemical characterization of a new coumarin glycosyltransferase CtUGT1 from Cistanche tubulosa. Fitoterapia 2021; 153:104995. [PMID: 34293438 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2021.104995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) are an important and functionally diverse family of enzymes involved in secondary metabolite biosynthesis. Coumarin is one of the most common skeletons of natural products with candidate pharmacological activities. However, to date, many reported GTs from plants mainly recognized flavonoids as sugar acceptors. Only limited GTs could catalyze the glycosylation of coumarins. In this study, a new UGT was cloned from Cistanche tubulosa, a valuable traditional tonic Chinese herb, which is abundant with diverse glycosides such as phenylethanoid glycosides, lignan glycosides, and iridoid glycosides. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis showed that CtUGT1 is phylogenetically distant from most of the reported flavonoid UGTs and adjacent to phenylpropanoid UGTs. Extensive in vitro enzyme assays found that although CtUGT1 was not involved in the biosynthesis of bioactive glycosides in C. tubulosa, it could catalyze the glucosylation of coumarins umbelliferone 1, esculetine 2, and hymecromone 3 in considerable yield. The glycosylated products were identified by comparison with the reference standards or NMR spectroscopy, and the results indicated that CtUGT1 can regiospecifically catalyze the glucosylation of hydroxyl coumarins at the C7-OH position. The key residues that determined CtUGT1's activity were further discussed based on homology modeling and molecular docking analyses. Combined with site-directed mutagenesis results, it was found that H19 played an irreplaceable role as the crucial catalysis basis. CtUGT1 could be used in the enzymatic preparation of bioactive coumarin glycosides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiping Xu
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaru Yan
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenqian Huang
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Mo
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaohui Wang
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Juan Wang
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Li
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Shepo Shi
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiao Liu
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China.
| | - Pengfei Tu
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China.
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Birchfield AS, McIntosh CA. The Effect of Recombinant Tags on Citrus paradisi Flavonol-Specific 3-O Glucosyltransferase Activity. PLANTS 2020; 9:plants9030402. [PMID: 32213838 PMCID: PMC7154896 DOI: 10.3390/plants9030402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant tags are used extensively in protein expression systems to allow purification through IMAC (Immobilized Metal Affinity Chromatography), identification through Western blot, and to facilitate crystal formation for structural analysis. While widely used, their role in enzyme characterization has raised concerns with respect to potential impact on activity. In this study, a flavonol-specific 3-O glucosyltransferase (Cp3GT) from grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) was expressed in Pichia pastoris, and was assayed in its untagged form and with a C-terminal c-myc/6x His tag under various conditions to determine the effect of tags. Prior characterization of pH optima for Cp3GT obtained through expression in Escherichia coli, containing an N-terminal thioredoxin/6x His tag, indicated an optimal pH of 7-7.5, which is indicative of a normal physiological pH and agrees with other glucosyltransferase (GT) pH optima. However, characterization of Cp3GT expressed using P. pastoris with a C-terminal c-myc-6x His tag showed a higher optimal pH of 8.5-9. This suggests a possible tag effect or an effect related to physiological differences between the cell expression systems. Results testing recombinant Cp3GT expressed in Pichia with and without C-terminal tags showed a possible tag effect with regard to substrate preference and interactions with metals, but no apparent effect on enzymatic kinetics or pH optima.
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Yang Y, Liu M, Zhang W, Cao Y, Li C, Wang W. Identification and Characterization of Two New 1- O-Acyl-glucose-ester Forming Glucosyltransferases from Erigeron breviscapus. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2019; 67:2848-2855. [PMID: 30821967 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.8b07215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Two versatile UDP-glucosyltransferases, UGT75L25 and UGT75X1, were isolated from Erigeron breviscapus. The enzymes display high sequence identity to flavonoid 7- O-glucosyltransferase from Malus species and cluster to the phylogenetic group L of plant glucosyltransferases, also involved in the formation of hydroxycinnamoyl glucose esters, which are used as bifunctional donors in the glucosylation or acylation of anthocyanins. The enzymes, functionally expressed in Escherichia coli, exhibit broad substrate specificity toward 21 structurally diverse types of phenolic acids, including (hydroxy)cinnamates, vanillic acid, 3-hydroxycoumarin, and 7-hydroxyflavonoids. The catalytic characteristics of UGT75L25 and UGT75X1 were exploited to generate the corresponding acyl-glucose-esters or glucosides with high efficiency. These findings demonstrate the significant potential of acyl-glucose-esters in the further enzymatic synthesis of bioactive anthocyanins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica , Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College , Beijing 100050 , China
- Key Laboratory of Biosynthesis of Natural Products of National Health Commission of the Peoplés Republic of China, Institute of Materia Medica , Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College , Beijing 100050 , China
| | - Minzhi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Biosynthesis of Natural Products of National Health Commission of the Peoplés Republic of China, Institute of Materia Medica , Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College , Beijing 100050 , China
| | - Wenxuan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biosynthesis of Natural Products of National Health Commission of the Peoplés Republic of China, Institute of Materia Medica , Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College , Beijing 100050 , China
| | - Yunsong Cao
- Key Laboratory of Biosynthesis of Natural Products of National Health Commission of the Peoplés Republic of China, Institute of Materia Medica , Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College , Beijing 100050 , China
| | - Changkun Li
- Beijing Branch , Shimadzu (China) Co., Ltd. , Beijing 100020 , China
| | - Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica , Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College , Beijing 100050 , China
- Key Laboratory of Biosynthesis of Natural Products of National Health Commission of the Peoplés Republic of China, Institute of Materia Medica , Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College , Beijing 100050 , China
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7
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Okitsu N, Matsui K, Horikawa M, Sugahara K, Tanaka Y. Identification and Characterization of Novel Nemophila menziesii Flavone Glucosyltransferases that Catalyze Biosynthesis of Flavone 7,4'-O-Diglucoside, a Key Component of Blue Metalloanthocyanins. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 59:2075-2085. [PMID: 29986079 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcy129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The brilliant blue color of the Nemophila menziesii flower is derived from metalloanthocyanin, which consists of anthocyanin {petunidin 3-O-[6-O-(trans-p-coumaroyl)-β-glucoside]-5-O-[6-O-(malonyl)-β-glucoside]}, flavone [apigenin 7-O-β-glucoside-4'-O-(6-O-malonyl)-O-β-glucoside] and metal ions (Mg2+, Fe3+). Although the two glucosyl moieties at the apigenin 7-O and 4'-O positions are essential for metalloanthocyanin formation, the mechanism of glucosylation has not yet been clarified. In this study, we used crude protein extract prepared from N. menziesii petals to determine that apigenin is sequentially glucosylated by the catalysis of UDP-glucose:flavone 4'-O-glucosyltrasferase (F4'GT) and UDP-glucose:flavone 4'-O-glucoside 7-O-glucosyltransferase (F4'G7GT). We identified 150 contigs exhibiting homology with a UDP-glucose-dependent GT in the N. menziesii petal transcriptome and isolated 24 putative full-length GT cDNAs which were then subjected to functional analysis. Two GT cDNAs, NmF4'GT and NmF4'G7GT, which are highly expressed during the early stages of petal development and rarely in leaves, were shown to encode F4'GT and F4'G7GT activities, respectively. Biochemical characterization of the recombinant enzymes revealed that NmF4'GT specifically catalyzed 4'-glucosylation of flavonoids and that NmF4'G7GT specifically catalyzed 7-glucosylation of flavone 4'-O-glucosides and flavones. Apigenin 7,4'-O-diglucoside was efficiently synthesized from apigenin in the presence of recombinant NmF4'GT and NmF4'G7GT. Transgenic tobacco BY-2 cells expressing NmF4'GT and NmF4'G7GT converted apigenin into apigenin 7,4'-O-diglucoside, confirming their activities in vivo. Based on these results, we conclude that these two GTs act co-ordinately to catalyze apigenin 7,4'-O-diglucoside biosynthesis in N. menziesii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoko Okitsu
- Research Institute, Suntory Global Innovation Center Ltd, 8-1-1 Seikadai, Seika-cho, Soraku-Gun, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Keisuke Matsui
- Research Institute, Suntory Global Innovation Center Ltd, 8-1-1 Seikadai, Seika-cho, Soraku-Gun, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Manabu Horikawa
- Bioorganic Research Institute, Suntory Foundation for Life Sciences, 8-1-1 Seikadai, Seika-cho, Soraku-Gun, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kohtaro Sugahara
- Bioorganic Research Institute, Suntory Foundation for Life Sciences, 8-1-1 Seikadai, Seika-cho, Soraku-Gun, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Tanaka
- Research Institute, Suntory Global Innovation Center Ltd, 8-1-1 Seikadai, Seika-cho, Soraku-Gun, Kyoto, Japan
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8
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Dai X, Zhuang J, Wu Y, Wang P, Zhao G, Liu Y, Jiang X, Gao L, Xia T. Identification of a Flavonoid Glucosyltransferase Involved in 7-OH Site Glycosylation in Tea plants (Camellia sinensis). Sci Rep 2017; 7:5926. [PMID: 28725058 PMCID: PMC5517534 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-06453-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Flavonol glycosides, which are often converted from aglycones in a process catalyzed by UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs), play an important role for the health of plants and animals. In the present study, a gene encoding a flavonoid 7-O-glycosyltransferase (CsUGT75L12) was identified in tea plants. Recombinant CsUGT75L12 protein displayed glycosyltransferase activity on the 7-OH position of multiple phenolic compounds. In relative comparison to wild-type seeds, the levels of flavonol-glucosides increased in Arabidopsis seeds overexpressing CsUGT75L12. In order to determine the key amino acid residues responsible for the catalytic activity of the protein, a series of site-directed mutagenesis and enzymatic assays were performed based on the 3D structural modeling and docking analyses. These results suggested that residue Q54 is a double binding site that functions as both a sugar receptor and donor. Residues H56 and T151, corresponding to the basic active residues H20 and D119 of VvGT1, were not irreplaceable for CsUGT75L12. In addition, residues Y182, S223, P238, T239, and F240 were demonstrated to be responsible for a ‘reversed’ sugar receptor binding model. The results of single and triple substitutions confirmed that the function of residues P238, T239, and F240 may substitute or compensate with each other for the flavonoid 7-O-glycosyltransferase activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlong Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China.,School of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Juhua Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Yingling Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Peiqiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Guifu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Yajun Liu
- School of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Xiaolan Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Liping Gao
- School of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China.
| | - Tao Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China.
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9
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Devaiah SP, Owens DK, Sibhatu MB, Sarkar TR, Strong CL, Mallampalli VKPS, Asiago J, Cooke J, Kiser S, Lin Z, Wamucho A, Hayford D, Williams BE, Loftis P, Berhow M, Pike LM, McIntosh CA. Identification, Recombinant Expression, and Biochemical Analysis of Putative Secondary Product Glucosyltransferases from Citrus paradisi. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2016; 64:1957-1969. [PMID: 26888166 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5b05430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Flavonoid and limonoid glycosides influence taste properties as well as marketability of Citrus fruit and products, particularly grapefruit. In this work, nine grapefruit putative natural product glucosyltransferases (PGTs) were resolved by either using degenerate primers against the semiconserved PSPG box motif, SMART-RACE RT-PCR, and primer walking to full-length coding regions; screening a directionally cloned young grapefruit leaf EST library; designing primers against sequences from other Citrus species; or identifying PGTs from Citrus contigs in the harvEST database. The PGT proteins associated with the identified full-length coding regions were recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli and/or Pichia pastoris and then tested for activity with a suite of substrates including flavonoid, simple phenolic, coumarin, and/or limonoid compounds. A number of these compounds were eliminated from the predicted and/or potential substrate pool for the identified PGTs. Enzyme activity was detected in some instances with quercetin and catechol glucosyltransferase activities having been identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivakumar P Devaiah
- Department of Biological Sciences, East Tennessee State University , P.O. Box 70703, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614, United States
| | - Daniel K Owens
- Natural Products Utilization Research Unit, ARS, U.S. Department of Agriculture , P.O. Box 1848, University, Mississippi 38677, United States
| | - Mebrahtu B Sibhatu
- Department of Biological Sciences, East Tennessee State University , P.O. Box 70703, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614, United States
| | - Tapasree Roy Sarkar
- Department of Biological Sciences, East Tennessee State University , P.O. Box 70703, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614, United States
| | - Christy L Strong
- Department of Biological Sciences, East Tennessee State University , P.O. Box 70703, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614, United States
| | - Venkata K P S Mallampalli
- Department of Biological Sciences, East Tennessee State University , P.O. Box 70703, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614, United States
| | - Josephat Asiago
- Department of Biological Sciences, East Tennessee State University , P.O. Box 70703, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614, United States
| | - Jennifer Cooke
- Department of Biological Sciences, East Tennessee State University , P.O. Box 70703, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614, United States
| | - Starla Kiser
- Department of Biological Sciences, East Tennessee State University , P.O. Box 70703, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614, United States
| | - Zhangfan Lin
- Department of Biological Sciences, East Tennessee State University , P.O. Box 70703, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614, United States
| | - Anye Wamucho
- Department of Biological Sciences, East Tennessee State University , P.O. Box 70703, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614, United States
| | - Deborah Hayford
- Department of Biological Sciences, East Tennessee State University , P.O. Box 70703, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614, United States
| | - Bruce E Williams
- Department of Biological Sciences, East Tennessee State University , P.O. Box 70703, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614, United States
| | - Peri Loftis
- Department of Biological Sciences, East Tennessee State University , P.O. Box 70703, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614, United States
| | - Mark Berhow
- Functional Foods Research Unit, ARS, U.S. Department of Agriculture , Peoria, Illinois 61604, United States
| | - Lee M Pike
- Department of Biological Sciences, East Tennessee State University , P.O. Box 70703, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614, United States
| | - Cecilia A McIntosh
- Department of Biological Sciences, East Tennessee State University , P.O. Box 70703, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614, United States
- School of Graduate Studies, East Tennessee State University , P.O. Box 70720, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614, United States
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10
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Ghose K, Selvaraj K, McCallum J, Kirby CW, Sweeney-Nixon M, Cloutier SJ, Deyholos M, Datla R, Fofana B. Identification and functional characterization of a flax UDP-glycosyltransferase glucosylating secoisolariciresinol (SECO) into secoisolariciresinol monoglucoside (SMG) and diglucoside (SDG). BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2014; 14:82. [PMID: 24678929 PMCID: PMC3986616 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2229-14-82] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2013] [Accepted: 03/19/2014] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lignans are a class of diphenolic nonsteroidal phytoestrogens often found glycosylated in planta. Flax seeds are a rich source of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) lignans. Glycosylation is a process by which a glycosyl group is covalently attached to an aglycone substrate and is catalyzed by uridine diphosphate glycosyltransferases (UGTs). Until now, very little information was available on UGT genes that may play a role in flax SDG biosynthesis. Here we report on the identification, structural and functional characterization of 5 putative UGTs potentially involved in secoisolariciresinol (SECO) glucosylation in flax. RESULTS Five UGT genes belonging to the glycosyltransferases' family 1 (EC 2.4.x.y) were cloned and characterized. They fall under four UGT families corresponding to five sub-families referred to as UGT74S1, UGT74T1, UGT89B3, UGT94H1, UGT712B1 that all display the characteristic plant secondary product glycosyltransferase (PSPG) conserved motif. However, diversity was observed within this 44 amino acid sequence, especially in the two peptide sequences WAPQV and HCGWNS known to play a key role in the recognition and binding of diverse aglycone substrates and in the sugar donor specificity. In developing flax seeds, UGT74S1 and UGT94H1 showed a coordinated gene expression with that of pinoresinol-lariciresinol reductase (PLR) and their gene expression patterns correlated with SDG biosynthesis. Enzyme assays of the five heterologously expressed UGTs identified UGT74S1 as the only one using SECO as substrate, forming SECO monoglucoside (SMG) and then SDG in a sequential manner. CONCLUSION We have cloned and characterized five flax UGTs and provided evidence that UGT74S1 uses SECO as substrate to form SDG in vitro. This study allowed us to propose a model for the missing step in SDG lignan biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaushik Ghose
- Crops and Livestock Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 440 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4 N6, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3, Canada
| | - Kumarakurubaran Selvaraj
- Crops and Livestock Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 440 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4 N6, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3, Canada
| | - Jason McCallum
- Crops and Livestock Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 440 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4 N6, Canada
| | - Chris W Kirby
- Crops and Livestock Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 440 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4 N6, Canada
| | - Marva Sweeney-Nixon
- Department of Biology, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3, Canada
| | - Sylvie J Cloutier
- Cereal Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 195 Dafoe Road, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2 M9, Canada
| | - Michael Deyholos
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Raju Datla
- National Research Council, 110 Gymnasium Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0 W9, Canada
| | - Bourlaye Fofana
- Crops and Livestock Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 440 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4 N6, Canada
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11
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Kostyn K, Czemplik M, Kulma A, Bortniczuk M, Skała J, Szopa J. Genes of phenylpropanoid pathway are activated in early response to Fusarium attack in flax plants. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2012; 190:103-15. [PMID: 22608524 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2012.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2012] [Revised: 03/16/2012] [Accepted: 03/30/2012] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Fusarium is the most common flax pathogen causing serious plant diseases and in most cases leading to plant death. To protect itself, the plant activates a number of genes and metabolic pathways, both to counteract the effects of the pathogen, and to eliminate the threat. The identification of the plant genes which respond to infection is the approach, that has been used in this study. Forty-seven flax genes have been identified by means of cDNA subtraction method as those, which respond to pathogen infection. Subtracted genes were classified into several classes and the prevalence of the genes involved in the broad spectrum of antioxidants biosynthesis has been noticed. By means of semi-quantitative RT-PCR and metabolite profiling, the involvement of subtracted genes controlling phenylpropanoid pathway in flax upon infection was positively verified. We identified the key genes of the synthesis of these compounds. At the same time we determined the level of the metabolites produced in the phenylpropanoid pathway (flavonoids, phenolic acids) in early response to Fusarium attack by means of GC-MS technique. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report to describe genes and metabolites of early flax response to pathogens studied in a comprehensive way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamil Kostyn
- Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wrocław, Przybyszewskiego 63, 51-148 Wrocław, Poland.
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12
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Chaturvedi P, Mishra M, Akhtar N, Gupta P, Mishra P, Tuli R. Sterol glycosyltransferases-identification of members of gene family and their role in stress in Withania somnifera. Mol Biol Rep 2012; 39:9755-64. [PMID: 22744427 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-012-1841-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2012] [Accepted: 06/11/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Sterol glycosyltransferases (SGTs) catalyze the transfer of sugar molecules to diverse sterol molecules, leading to a change in their participation in cellular metabolism. Withania somnifera is a medicinal plant rich in sterols, sterol glycosides and steroidal lactones. Sterols and their modified counterparts are medicinally important and play a role in adaptation of the plant to stress conditions. We have identified 3 members of SGT gene family through RACE (Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends) in addition to sgtl1 reported earlier. The amino acid sequence deduced from the ORF's showed homology (45-67 %) to the reported plant SGTs. The expression of the genes was differentially modulated in different organs in W. somnifera and in response to external stimuli. Salicylic acid and methyl jasmonate treatments showed up to 10 fold increase in the expression of sgt genes suggesting their role in defense. The level of expression increased in heat and cold stress indicating the role of sterol modifications in abiotic stress. One of the members, was expressed in E. coli and the enzyme assay showed that the crude enzyme glycosylated stigmasterol. W. somnifera expresses a family of sgt genes and there is a functional recruitment of these genes under stress conditions. The genes which are involved in sterol modification are important in view of medicinal value and understanding stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pankaj Chaturvedi
- Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, UP, India
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13
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Nagatoshi M, Terasaka K, Owaki M, Sota M, Inukai T, Nagatsu A, Mizukami H. UGT75L6 and UGT94E5 mediate sequential glucosylation of crocetin to crocin in Gardenia jasminoides. FEBS Lett 2012; 586:1055-61. [PMID: 22569263 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2012.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2012] [Revised: 03/03/2012] [Accepted: 03/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Crocin is an apocarotenoid glycosyl ester accumulating in fruits of Gardenia jasminoides and used as a food coloring and nutraceutical. For the first time, the two glucosyltransferases UGT75L6 and UGT94E5 that sequentially mediate the final glucosylation steps in crocin biosynthesis in G. jasminoides have been identified and functionally characterized. UGT75L6 preferentially glucosylates the carboxyl group of crocetin yielding crocetin glucosyl esters, while UGT94E5 glucosylates the 6' hydroxyl group of the glucose moiety of crocetin glucosyl esters. The expression pattern of neither UGT75L6 nor UGT94E5 correlated with the pattern of crocin accumulation in G. jasminoides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai Nagatoshi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
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14
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Hall D, Kim KH, De Luca V. Molecular cloning and biochemical characterization of three Concord grape (Vitis labrusca) flavonol 7-O-glucosyltransferases. PLANTA 2011; 234:1201-14. [PMID: 21755362 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-011-1474-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2011] [Accepted: 06/24/2011] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Grapes berries produce and accumulate many reactive secondary metabolites, and encounter a wide range of pathogen- and human-derived xenobiotic compounds. The enzymatic glucosylation of these metabolites changes their reactivity, stability and subcellular location. Two ESTs with more than 90% nucleotide sequence identity to three full-length glucosyltransferases are expressed in several grape tissues. The full-length clones have more than 60% amino acid sequence similarity to previously characterized flavonoid 7-O-glucosyltransferases, catechin O-glucosyltransferases and anthocyanin 5-O-glucosyltransferases. In vitro, these enzymes glucosylate flavonols and the xenobiotic 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (TCP). Kinetic analysis indicates that TCP is the preferred substrate for these enzymes, while expression analysis reveals variable transcription of these genes in grape leaves, flowers and berry tissues. The in vivo role of these Vitis labrusca glucosyltransferases is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn Hall
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, 500 Glenridge Ave, St. Catharines, ON, L2S 3A1, Canada
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15
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Predicting Flavonoid UGT Regioselectivity. Adv Bioinformatics 2011; 2011:506583. [PMID: 21747849 PMCID: PMC3130495 DOI: 10.1155/2011/506583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2010] [Revised: 03/06/2011] [Accepted: 04/18/2011] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
MACHINE LEARNING WAS APPLIED TO A CHALLENGING AND BIOLOGICALLY SIGNIFICANT PROTEIN CLASSIFICATION PROBLEM: the prediction of avonoid UGT acceptor regioselectivity from primary sequence. Novel indices characterizing graphical models of residues were proposed and found to be widely distributed among existing amino acid indices and to cluster residues appropriately. UGT subsequences biochemically linked to regioselectivity were modeled as sets of index sequences. Several learning techniques incorporating these UGT models were compared with classifications based on standard sequence alignment scores. These techniques included an application of time series distance functions to protein classification. Time series distances defined on the index sequences were used in nearest neighbor and support vector machine classifiers. Additionally, Bayesian neural network classifiers were applied to the index sequences. The experiments identified improvements over the nearest neighbor and support vector machine classifications relying on standard alignment similarity scores, as well as strong correlations between specific subsequences and regioselectivities.
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16
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Chiou SJ, Liu WY, Fang CL, Lin TY. Characterization of the Scutellaria barbata glycosyltransferase gene and its promoter. PLANTA 2010; 232:963-974. [PMID: 20652309 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-010-1229-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2010] [Accepted: 07/07/2010] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The conversion of flavonoid aglycones to their glycosides by plant glycosyltransferases may affect a wide range of outcomes, including stability, solubility and bioavailability. Scutellaria barbata, rich in flavonoid glycosides, is widely used as a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. In this study, a flavonoid glycosyltransferase cDNA (SbUGT) and its promoter from S. barbata were cloned and characterized as a flavonoid glycosyltransferase using whole-cell biotransformation. Fragments of different lengths of the 5'-flanking region of the SbUGT gene were fused to the beta-glucuronidase (GUS) gene and analyzed with transgenic Arabidopsis plants using histochemical and fluorometric assays. GUS activity in transgenic plants carrying the SbP-850U construct (-850 to +86 relative to the transcription start site) displayed the highest level and was enhanced by salt and methyl jasmonate, similar to the expression patterns of the endogenous SbUGT. GUS activity disappeared when the promoter was deleted to -98, and deletion analyses indicated the existence of positive and negative regulatory element(s). Unexpectedly, plants carrying the construct SbP-102U (-102 to +86) exhibited strong GUS activity exclusively in the roots. Our experiments revealed that the specific expression is mediated by different promoter regions and the unique region driving root-preferred expression can be used as a root-specific promoter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Jiau Chiou
- Department of Life Science, Institute of Bioinformatics and Structural Biology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan, ROC
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17
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Moraga ÁR, Mozos AT, Ahrazem O, Gómez-Gómez L. Cloning and characterization of a glucosyltransferase from Crocus sativus stigmas involved in flavonoid glucosylation. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2009; 9:109. [PMID: 19695093 PMCID: PMC2736960 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2229-9-109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2009] [Accepted: 08/20/2009] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Flavonol glucosides constitute the second group of secondary metabolites that accumulate in Crocus sativus stigmas. To date there are no reports of functionally characterized flavonoid glucosyltransferases in C. sativus, despite the importance of these compounds as antioxidant agents. Moreover, their bitter taste makes them excellent candidates for consideration as potential organoleptic agents of saffron spice, the dry stigmas of C. sativus. RESULTS Using degenerate primers designed to match the plant secondary product glucosyltransferase (PSPG) box we cloned a full length cDNA encoding CsGT45 from C. sativus stigmas. This protein showed homology with flavonoid glucosyltransferases. In vitro reactions showed that CsGT45 catalyses the transfer of glucose from UDP_glucose to kaempferol and quercetin. Kaempferol is the unique flavonol present in C. sativus stigmas and the levels of its glucosides changed during stigma development, and these changes, are correlated with the expression levels of CsGT45 during these developmental stages. CONCLUSION Findings presented here suggest that CsGT45 is an active enzyme that plays a role in the formation of flavonoid glucosides in C. sativus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángela Rubio Moraga
- Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología Agroforestal y Genética, ETSIA, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Campus Universitario s/n, Albacete, 02071, Spain
| | - Almudena Trapero Mozos
- Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología Agroforestal y Genética, ETSIA, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Campus Universitario s/n, Albacete, 02071, Spain
- Current address: Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomedicas, C/Almansa 14, Albacete, 02006, Spain
| | - Oussama Ahrazem
- Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología Agroforestal y Genética, ETSIA, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Campus Universitario s/n, Albacete, 02071, Spain
| | - Lourdes Gómez-Gómez
- Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología Agroforestal y Genética, ETSIA, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Campus Universitario s/n, Albacete, 02071, Spain
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18
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Owens DK, McIntosh CA. Identification, recombinant expression, and biochemical characterization of a flavonol 3-O-glucosyltransferase clone from Citrus paradisi. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2009; 70:1382-91. [PMID: 19733370 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2009.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2009] [Revised: 05/23/2009] [Accepted: 07/22/2009] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Glucosylation is a predominant flavonoid modification reaction affecting the solubility, stability, and subsequent bioavailability of these metabolites. Flavonoid glycosides affect taste characteristics in citrus making the associated glucosyltransferases particularly interesting targets for biotechnology applications in these species. In this work, a Citrus paradisi glucosyltransferase gene was identified, cloned, and introduced into the pET recombinant protein expression system utilizing primers designed against a predicted flavonoid glucosyltransferase gene (AY519364) from Citrus sinensis. The encoded C. paradisi protein is 51.2 kDa with a predicted pI of 6.27 and is 96% identical to the C. sinensis homologue. A number of compounds from various flavonoid subclasses were tested, and the enzyme glucosylated only the flavonol aglycones quercetin (K(m)(app)=67 microM; V(max)=20.45 pKat/microg), kaempferol (K(m)(app)=12 microM; V(max)=11.63 pKat/microg), and myricetin (K(m)(app)=33 microM; V(max)=12.21 pKat/microg) but did not glucosylate the anthocyanidin, cyanidin. Glucosylation occurred at the 3 hydroxyl position as confirmed by HPLC and TLC analyses with certified reference compounds. The optimum pH was 7.5 with a pronounced buffer effect noted for reactions performed in Tris-HCl buffer. The enzyme was inhibited by Cu(2+), Fe(2+), and Zn(2+) as well as UDP (K(i)(app)=69.5 microM), which is a product of the reaction. Treatment of the enzyme with a variety of amino acid modifying compounds suggests that cysteine, histidine, arginine, tryptophan, and tyrosine residues are important for activity. The thorough characterization of this C. paradisi flavonol 3-O-glucosyltransferase adds to the growing base of glucosyltransferase knowledge, and will be used to further investigate structure-function relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel K Owens
- School of Graduate Studies and Department of Biological Sciences, P.O. Box 70703, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, United States
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Aksamit-Stachurska A, Korobczak-Sosna A, Kulma A, Szopa J. Glycosyltransferase efficiently controls phenylpropanoid pathway. BMC Biotechnol 2008; 8:25. [PMID: 18321380 PMCID: PMC2294120 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6750-8-25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2007] [Accepted: 03/05/2008] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In a previous study, anthocyanin levels in potato plants were increased by manipulating genes connected with the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. However, starch content and tuber yield were dramatically reduced in the transgenic plants, which over-expressed dihydroflavonol reductase (DFR). RESULTS Transgenic plants over-expressing dihydroflavonol reductase (DFR) were subsequently transformed with the cDNA coding for the glycosyltransferase (UGT) of Solanum sogarandinum in order to obtain plants with a high anthocyanin content without reducing tuber yield and quality. Based on enzyme studies, the recombinant UGT is a 7-O-glycosyltransferase whose natural substrates include both anthocyanidins and flavonols such as kaempferol and quercetin. In the super-transformed plants, tuber production was much higher than in the original transgenic plants bearing only the transgene coding for DFR, and was almost the same as in the control plants. The anthocyanin level was lower than in the initial plants, but still higher than in the control plants. Unexpectedly, the super-transformed plants also produced large amounts of kaempferol, chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid, sinapic acid and proanthocyanins. CONCLUSION In plants over-expressing both the transgene for DFR and the transgene for UGT, the synthesis of phenolic acids was diverted away from the anthocyanin branch. This represents a novel approach to manipulating phenolic acids synthesis in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Aksamit-Stachurska
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Wroclaw University, Przybyszewskiego 63/77, 51-148 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Alina Korobczak-Sosna
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Wroclaw University, Przybyszewskiego 63/77, 51-148 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Anna Kulma
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Wroclaw University, Przybyszewskiego 63/77, 51-148 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Jan Szopa
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Wroclaw University, Przybyszewskiego 63/77, 51-148 Wroclaw, Poland
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Griesser M, Vitzthum F, Fink B, Bellido ML, Raasch C, Munoz-Blanco J, Schwab W. Multi-substrate flavonol O-glucosyltransferases from strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) achene and receptacle. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2008; 59:2611-25. [PMID: 18487633 PMCID: PMC2486459 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/ern117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2008] [Accepted: 04/02/2008] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
In an effort to characterize fruit ripening-related genes functionally, two glucosyltransferases, FaGT6 and FaGT7, were cloned from a strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) cDNA library and the full-length open reading frames were amplified by rapid amplification of cDNA ends. FaGT6 and FaGT7 were expressed heterologously as fusion proteins in Escherichia coli and target protein was purified using affinity chromatography. Both recombinant enzymes exhibited a broad substrate tolerance in vitro, accepting numerous flavonoids, hydroxycoumarins, and naphthols. FaGT6 formed 3-O-glucosides and minor amounts of 7-O-, 4'-O-, and 3'-O-monoglucosides and one diglucoside from flavonols such as quercetin. FaGT7 converted quercetin to the 3-O-glucoside and 4'-O-glucoside and minor levels of the 7- and 3'-isomers but formed no diglucoside. Gene expression studies showed that both genes are strongly expressed in achenes of small-sized green fruits, while the expression levels were generally lower in the receptacle. Significant levels of quercetin 3-O-, 7-O-, and 4'-O-glucosides, kaempferol 3-O- and 7-O-glucosides, as well as isorhamnetin 7-O-glucoside, were identified in achenes and the receptacle. In the receptacle, the expression of both genes is negatively controlled by auxin which correlates with the ripening-related gene expression in this tissue. Salicylic acid, a known signal molecule in plant defence, induces the expression of both genes. Thus, it appears that FaGT6 and FaGT7 are involved in the glucosylation of flavonols and may also participate in xenobiotic metabolism. The latter function is supported by the proven ability of strawberries to glucosylate selected unnatural substrates injected in ripe fruits. This report presents the first biochemical characterization of enzymes mainly expressed in strawberry achenes and provides the foundation of flavonoid metabolism in the seeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Griesser
- Biomolecular Food Technology, Technical University Munich, Lise-Meitner-Str. 34, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Florian Vitzthum
- Biomolecular Food Technology, Technical University Munich, Lise-Meitner-Str. 34, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Barbara Fink
- Biomolecular Food Technology, Technical University Munich, Lise-Meitner-Str. 34, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Mari Luz Bellido
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Edificio Severo Ochoa (C-6), Campus Universitario de Rabanales, Universidad de Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Constanze Raasch
- Biomolecular Food Technology, Technical University Munich, Lise-Meitner-Str. 34, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Juan Munoz-Blanco
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Edificio Severo Ochoa (C-6), Campus Universitario de Rabanales, Universidad de Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Wilfried Schwab
- Biomolecular Food Technology, Technical University Munich, Lise-Meitner-Str. 34, 85354 Freising, Germany
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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Noguchi A, Saito A, Homma Y, Nakao M, Sasaki N, Nishino T, Takahashi S, Nakayama T. A UDP-glucose:isoflavone 7-O-glucosyltransferase from the roots of soybean (glycine max) seedlings. Purification, gene cloning, phylogenetics, and an implication for an alternative strategy of enzyme catalysis. J Biol Chem 2007; 282:23581-90. [PMID: 17565994 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m702651200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Isoflavones, a class of flavonoids, play very important roles in plant-microbe interactions in certain legumes such as soybeans (Glycine max L. Merr.). G. max UDP-glucose:isoflavone 7-O-glucosyltransferase (GmIF7GT) is a key enzyme in the synthesis of isoflavone conjugates, which accumulate in large amounts in vacuoles and serve as an isoflavonoid pool that allows for interaction with microorganisms. In this study, the 14,000-fold purification of GmIF7GT from the roots of G. max seedlings was accomplished. The purified enzyme is a monomeric protein of 46 kDa, catalyzing regiospecific glucosyl transfer from UDP-glucose to isoflavones to produce isoflavone 7-O-beta-D-glucosides (k(cat) = 0.74 s(-1), K(m) for genistein = 3.6 microM, and K(m) for UDP-glucose = 190 microM). The GmIF7GT cDNA was isolated based on the amino acid sequence of the purified enzyme. Phylogenetic analysis showed that GmIF7GT is a novel member of glycosyltransferase family 1 and is distantly related to Glycyrrhiza echinata UDP-glucose:isoflavonoid 7-O-glucosyltransferase. The purified enzyme was unexpectedly devoid of the N-terminal 49-residue segment and thus lacks the histidine residue corresponding to the proposed catalytic residue of glycosyltransferases from Medicago truncatula (UGT71G1) and Vitis vinifera (VvGT1). The results of kinetic studies of site-directed mutants of GmIF7GT showed that both His-15 and Asp-125, which correspond to the catalytic residues of UGT71G1 and VvGT1, are not important for GmIF7GT activity. The results also suggest that an acidic residue at position 392 is very important for primary catalysis of GmIF7GT. These results led to the proposal that GmIF7GT utilizes a strategy of catalysis that is distinct from those proposed for UGT71G1 and VvGT1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akio Noguchi
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Aoba-yama 6-6-11, Sendai 980-8579, Japan
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Bowles D, Isayenkova J, Lim EK, Poppenberger B. Glycosyltransferases: managers of small molecules. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2005; 8:254-63. [PMID: 15860422 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2005.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 327] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Studies of the glycosyltransferases (GTs) of small molecules have greatly increased in recent years as new approaches have been used to identify their genes and characterize their catalytic activities. These enzymes recognize diverse acceptors, including plant metabolites, phytotoxins and xenobiotics. Glycosylation alters the hydrophilicity of the acceptors, their stability and chemical properties, their subcellular localisation and often their bioactivity. Considerable progress has been made in understanding the role of GTs in the plant and the utility of GTs as biocatalysts, the latter arising from their regio- and enantioselectivity and their ability to recognize substrates that are not limited to plant metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianna Bowles
- Centre for Novel Agricultural Products (CNAP), Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK.
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Taguchi G, Shitchi Y, Shirasawa S, Yamamoto H, Hayashida N. Molecular cloning, characterization, and downregulation of an acyltransferase that catalyzes the malonylation of flavonoid and naphthol glucosides in tobacco cells. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2005; 42:481-91. [PMID: 15860007 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-313x.2005.02387.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Tobacco cells (Nicotiana tabacum L. Bright Yellow T-13) exposed to harmful naphthols accumulate them as glucosylated and further modified compounds [Taguchi et al. (2003a) Plant Sci. 164, 231-240]. In this study, we identified the accumulated compounds to be 6'-O-malonylated glucosides of naphthols. Cells treated with various phenolic compounds accumulated the flavonoids mainly as malonylglucosides. To clarify the function of this malonylation in tobacco, we isolated the cDNA encoding a malonyltransferase (NtMaT1) from a cDNA library derived from tobacco cells. The heterologous expression of the gene in Escherichia coli revealed that the recombinant enzyme had malonyltransferase activity against several phenolic glucosides such as flavonoid 7-O-glucosides, flavonoid 3-O-glucosides and naphthol glucosides. The substrate preference of the enzyme was similar to that of the tobacco cell extract. Malonylation activity in the transgenic cells markedly decreased with the suppression of the expression of NtMaT1 mRNA in tobacco BY-2 cells by RNA interference. The compounds administered to the transgenic cells were accumulated in the cells as glucosides or other modified compounds in place of malonylglucosides. These results show that NtMaT1 is the main catalyst of malonylation on glucosides of xenobiotic flavonoids and naphthols in tobacco plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goro Taguchi
- Division of Gene Research, Department of Life Sciences, Research Center for Human and Environmental Sciences, Shinshu University, 3-15-1 Tokida, Ueda 386-8567, Japan.
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Gachon CMM, Langlois-Meurinne M, Henry Y, Saindrenan P. Transcriptional co-regulation of secondary metabolism enzymes in Arabidopsis: functional and evolutionary implications. PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2005; 58:229-45. [PMID: 16027976 DOI: 10.1007/s11103-005-5346-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2005] [Accepted: 04/12/2005] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The combined knowledge of the Arabidopsis genome and transcriptome now allows to get an integrated view of the dynamics and evolution of metabolic pathways in plants. We used publicly available sets of microarray data obtained in a wide range of different stress and developmental conditions to investigate the co-expression of genes encoding enzymes of secondary metabolism pathways, in particular indoles, phenylpropanoids, and flavonoids. We performed hierarchical clustering of gene expression profiles and found that major enzymes of each pathway display a clear and robust co-expression throughout all the conditions studied. Moreover, detailed analysis evidenced that some genes display co-regulation in particular physiological conditions only, certainly reflecting their modular recruitment into stress- or developmentally regulated biosynthetic pathways. The combination of these microarray data with sequence analysis allows to draw very precise hypotheses on the function of otherwise uncharacterized genes. To illustrate this approach, we focused our analysis on secondary metabolism glycosyltransferases (UGTs), a multigenic family involved in the conjugation of small molecules to sugars like glucose. We propose that UGT74B1 and UGT74C1 may be involved in aromatic and aliphatic glucosinolates synthesis, respectively. We also suggest that UGT75C1 may function as an anthocyanin-5-O-glucosyltransferase in planta. Therefore, this data-mining approach appears very powerful for the functional prediction of unknown genes, and could be transposed to virtually any other gene family. Finally, we suggest that analysis of expression pattern divergence of duplicated genes also provides some insight into the mechanisms of metabolic pathway evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire M M Gachon
- Institut de Biotechnologie des Plantes, CNRS-Université Paris-Sud, UMR8618, Orsay, France.
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Lim EK, Bowles DJ. A class of plant glycosyltransferases involved in cellular homeostasis. EMBO J 2004; 23:2915-22. [PMID: 15241472 PMCID: PMC514916 DOI: 10.1038/sj.emboj.7600295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2003] [Accepted: 06/03/2004] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Many small lipophilic compounds in living cells can be modified by glycosylation. These processes can regulate the bioactivity of the compounds, their intracellular location and their metabolism. The glycosyltransferases involved in biotransformations of small molecules have been grouped into Family 1 of the 69 families that are classified on the basis of substrate recognition and sequence relatedness. In plants, these transfer reactions generally use UDP-glucose with acceptors that include hormones such as auxins and cytokinins, secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, and foreign compounds including herbicides and pesticides. In mammalian organisms, UDP-glucuronic acid is typically used in the transfer reactions to endogenous acceptors, such as steroid and thyroid hormones, bile acids and retinoids, and to xenobiotics, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and dietary metabolites. There is widespread interest in this class of enzyme since they are known to function both in the regulation of cellular homeostasis and in detoxification pathways. This review outlines current knowledge of these glycosyltransferases drawing on information gained from studies of plant and mammalian enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eng-Kiat Lim
- CNAP, Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK
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Hans J, Brandt W, Vogt T. Site-directed mutagenesis and protein 3D-homology modelling suggest a catalytic mechanism for UDP-glucose-dependent betanidin 5-O-glucosyltransferase from Dorotheanthus bellidiformis. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2004; 39:319-33. [PMID: 15255862 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-313x.2004.02133.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
In livingstone daisy (Dorotheanthus bellidiformis), betanidin 5-O-glucosyltransferase (UGT73A5) is involved in the regiospecific glucosylation of betanidin and various flavonols. Based on sequence alignments several amino acid candidates which might be essential for catalysis were identified. The selected amino acids of the functionally expressed protein, suggested to be involved in substrate binding and turnover, were substituted via site-directed mutagenesis. The substitution of two highly conserved amino acids, Glu378, located in the proposed UDP-glucose binding site, and His22, located close to the N-terminus, led to the complete loss of enzyme activity. A 3D model of this regiospecific betanidin and flavonoid glucosyltransferase was constructed and the active site modelled. This model was based on the crystallographic structure of a bacterial UDP-glucose-dependent glucosyltransferase from Amycolatopsis orientalis used as a template and the generated null mutations. To explain the observed inversion in the configuration of the bound sugar, semiempirical calculations favour an SN-1 reaction, as one plausible alternative to the generally proposed SN-2 mechanism discussed for plant natural product glucosyltransferases. The calculated structural data do not only explain the abstraction of a proton from the acceptor betanidin, but further imply that the reaction mechanism might also involve a catalytic triad, with similarities described for the serine protease family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Hans
- Department of Secondary Metabolism, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, D-06120 Halle/Saale, Germany
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