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Yu J, Wang X, Yuan Q, Shi J, Cai J, Li Z, Ma H. Elucidating the impact of in vitro cultivation on Nicotiana tabacum metabolism through combined in silico modeling and multiomics analysis. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1281348. [PMID: 38023876 PMCID: PMC10655011 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1281348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
The systematical characterization and understanding of the metabolic behaviors are the basis of the efficient plant metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. Genome-scale metabolic networks (GSMNs) are indispensable tools for the comprehensive characterization of overall metabolic profile. Here we first constructed a GSMN of tobacco, which is one of the most widely used plant chassis, and then combined the tobacco GSMN and multiomics analysis to systematically elucidate the impact of in-vitro cultivation on the tobacco metabolic network. In-vitro cultivation is a widely used technique for plant cultivation, not only in the field of basic research but also for the rapid propagation of valuable horticultural and pharmaceutical plants. However, the systemic effects of in-vitro cultivation on overall plant metabolism could easily be overlooked and are still poorly understood. We found that in-vitro tobacco showed slower growth, less biomass and suppressed photosynthesis than soil-grown tobacco. Many changes of metabolites and metabolic pathways between in-vitro and soil-grown tobacco plants were identified, which notably revealed a significant increase of the amino acids content under in-vitro condition. The in silico investigation showed that in-vitro tobacco downregulated photosynthesis and primary carbon metabolism, while significantly upregulated the GS/GOGAT cycle, as well as producing more energy and less NADH/NADPH to acclimate in-vitro growth demands. Altogether, the combination of experimental and in silico analyses offers an unprecedented view of tobacco metabolism, with valuable insights into the impact of in-vitro cultivation, enabling more efficient utilization of in-vitro techniques for plant propagation and metabolic engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yu
- National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
- Biodesign Center, Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaowei Wang
- National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Qianqian Yuan
- National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
- Biodesign Center, Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Jiaxin Shi
- National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Jingyi Cai
- National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
- Biodesign Center, Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhichao Li
- National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Hongwu Ma
- National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
- Biodesign Center, Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
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Wang Y, Yu L, Shao J, Zhu Z, Zhang L. Structure-driven protein engineering for production of valuable natural products. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 28:460-470. [PMID: 36473772 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2022.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Proteins are the most frequently used biocatalysts, and their structures determine their functions. Modifying the functions of proteins on the basis of their structures lies at the heart of protein engineering, opening a new horizon for metabolic engineering by efficiently generating stable enzymes. Many attempts at classical metabolic engineering have focused on improving specific metabolic fluxes and producing more valuable natural products by increasing gene expression levels and enzyme concentrations. However, most naturally occurring enzymes show limitations, and such limitations have hindered practical applications. Here we review recent advances in protein engineering in synthetic biology, chemoenzymatic synthesis, and plant metabolic engineering and describe opportunities for designing and constructing novel enzymes or proteins with desirable properties to obtain more active natural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Wang
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; Biomedical Innovation R&D Centre, School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Luyao Yu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jie Shao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Zhanpin Zhu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; Biomedical Innovation R&D Centre, School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China; Innovative Drug R&D Center, College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei 235000, China.
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Using systems metabolic engineering strategies for high-oil maize breeding. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2023; 79:102847. [PMID: 36446144 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2022.102847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Maize oil, which is a blend of fatty acid esters generated from triacylglycerol (TAG), is an important component of maize-derived food, feed, and biofuel. The kernel oil content in commercial high-oil maize hybrids averages ∼8%, which is far lower than that in developed high-oil maize lines (as high as 20%). Advances in high-oil maize genomics and genetics and the development of systems metabolic engineering technologies provide new opportunities for high-oil maize breeding. In this review, we discuss the possibility of using kernels and vegetative tissues as factories to produce TAG, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid. We further propose specific implementation strategies based on the metabolic engineering of other species to develop transgenic and gene-editing products, as well as traditional breeding strategies, for application in high-oil maize breeding programs.
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Sethi A, Bhandawat A, Pati PK. Engineering medicinal plant-derived CYPs: a promising strategy for production of high-valued secondary metabolites. PLANTA 2022; 256:119. [PMID: 36378350 PMCID: PMC9664027 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-022-04024-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Cytochorme P450s (CYPs) play a critical role in the catalysis of secondary metabolite biosynthetic pathways. For their commercial use, various strategies for metabolic pathway engineering using CYP as a potential target have been explored. Plants produce a vast diversity of secondary metabolites which are being used to treat various ailments and diseases. Some of these metabolites are difficult to obtain in large quantities limiting their industrial use. Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) are important catalysts in the biosynthesis of highly valued secondary metabolites, and are found in all domains of life. With the development of high-throughput sequencing and high-resolution mass spectrometry, new biosynthetic pathways and associated CYPs are being identified. In this review, we present CYPs identified from medicinal plants as a potential game changer in the metabolic engineering of secondary metabolic pathways. We present the achievements made so far in enhancing the production of important bioactivities through pathway engineering, giving some popular examples. At last, current challenges and possible strategies to overcome the limitations associated with CYP engineering to enhance the biosynthesis of target secondary metabolites are also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anshika Sethi
- Department of Biotechnology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, 143 005, India
| | - Abhishek Bhandawat
- Department of Biotechnology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, 143 005, India
| | - Pratap Kumar Pati
- Department of Biotechnology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, 143 005, India.
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Kurzbach E, Strieker M, Wittstock U. Production of benzylglucosinolate in genetically engineered carrot suspension cultures. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY (TOKYO, JAPAN) 2022; 39:241-250. [PMID: 36349242 PMCID: PMC9592945 DOI: 10.5511/plantbiotechnology.22.0509a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Glucosinolates, a group of sulfur-containing specialized metabolites of the Brassicales, have attracted a lot of interest in nutrition, medicine and agriculture due to their positive health effects and their involvement in plant defense. Their biological activities and the extensive knowledge of their biosynthesis have inspired research into development of crops with enhanced glucosinolate contents as well as their biotechnological production in homologous and heterologous systems. Here, we provide proof-of-concept for transgenic suspension cultures of carrot (Daucus carota, Apiacae) as a scalable production platform for plant specialized metabolites using benzylglucosinolate as a model. Two T-DNAs carrying in total six genes of the benzylglucosinolate biosynthesis pathway from Arabidopsis thaliana as well as NPTII and BAR as selectable markers were transferred to carrot cells by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. Putative transformants selected based on their kanamycin and BASTA resistances were subjected to HPLC-MS analysis. Of 79 putative transformants, 17 produced benzylglucosinolate. T-DNA-integration was confirmed for the five best producers. Callus from these transformants was used to establish suspension cultures for quantitative analysis. When grown in 60-ml-cultures, the best transformants produced roughly 2.5 nmol (g fw)-1 benzylglucosinolate, together with up to 10 nmol (g fw)-1 desulfobenzylglucosinolate. Only one transformant produced more benzylglucosinolate than desulfobenzylglucosinolate. The concentration of sulfate in the medium was not a major limiting factor. High production seemed to be associated with poor growth and vice versa. Therefore, future research should try to optimize medium and cultivation process and to separate growth and production phase by using an inducible promoter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Kurzbach
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Matthias Strieker
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Ute Wittstock
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
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The ease and complexity of identifying and using specialized metabolites for crop engineering. Emerg Top Life Sci 2022; 6:153-162. [PMID: 35302160 PMCID: PMC9023015 DOI: 10.1042/etls20210248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Plants produce a broad variety of specialized metabolites with distinct biological activities and potential applications. Despite this potential, most biosynthetic pathways governing specialized metabolite production remain largely unresolved across the plant kingdom. The rapid advancement of genetics and biochemical tools has enhanced our ability to identify plant specialized metabolic pathways. Further advancements in transgenic technology and synthetic biology approaches have extended this to a desire to design new pathways or move existing pathways into new systems to address long-running difficulties in crop systems. This includes improving abiotic and biotic stress resistance, boosting nutritional content, etc. In this review, we assess the potential and limitations for (1) identifying specialized metabolic pathways in plants with multi-omics tools and (2) using these enzymes in synthetic biology or crop engineering. The goal of these topics is to highlight areas of research that may need further investment to enhance the successful application of synthetic biology for exploiting the myriad of specialized metabolic pathways.
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Nogia P, Pati PK. Plant Secondary Metabolite Transporters: Diversity, Functionality, and Their Modulation. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:758202. [PMID: 34777438 PMCID: PMC8580416 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.758202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Secondary metabolites (SMs) play crucial roles in the vital functioning of plants such as growth, development, defense, and survival via their transportation and accumulation at the required site. However, unlike primary metabolites, the transport mechanisms of SMs are not yet well explored. There exists a huge gap between the abundant presence of SM transporters, their identification, and functional characterization. A better understanding of plant SM transporters will surely be a step forward to fulfill the steeply increasing demand for bioactive compounds for the formulation of herbal medicines. Thus, the engineering of transporters by modulating their expression is emerging as the most viable option to achieve the long-term goal of systemic metabolic engineering for enhanced metabolite production at minimum cost. In this review article, we are updating the understanding of recent advancements in the field of plant SM transporters, particularly those discovered in the past two decades. Herein, we provide notable insights about various types of fully or partially characterized transporters from the ABC, MATE, PUP, and NPF families including their diverse functionalities, structural information, potential approaches for their identification and characterization, several regulatory parameters, and their modulation. A novel perspective to the concept of "Transporter Engineering" has also been unveiled by highlighting its potential applications particularly in plant stress (biotic and abiotic) tolerance, SM accumulation, and removal of anti-nutritional compounds, which will be of great value for the crop improvement program. The present study creates a roadmap for easy identification and a better understanding of various transporters, which can be utilized as suitable targets for transporter engineering in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pratap Kumar Pati
- Department of Biotechnology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, India
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