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Saha P, Ajgaonkar S, Maniar D, Sahare S, Mehta D, Nair S. Current insights into transcriptional role(s) for the nutraceutical Withania somnifera in inflammation and aging. Front Nutr 2024; 11:1370951. [PMID: 38765810 PMCID: PMC11099240 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1370951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The health-beneficial effects of nutraceuticals in various diseases have received enhanced attention in recent years. Aging is a continuous process wherein physiological activity of an individual declines over time and is characterized by various indefinite hallmarks which contribute toward aging-related comorbidities in an individual which include many neurodegenerative diseases, cardiac problems, diabetes, bone-degeneration, and cancer. Cellular senescence is a homeostatic biological process that has an important function in driving aging. Currently, a growing body of evidence substantiates the connection between epigenetic modifications and the aging process, along with aging-related diseases. These modifications are now being recognized as promising targets for emerging therapeutic interventions. Considering that almost all the biological processes are modulated by RNAs, numerous RNA-binding proteins have been found to be linked to aging and age-related complexities. Currently, studies have shed light on the ability of the nutraceutical Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) to influence RNA expression, stability, and processing, offering insights into its mechanisms of action. By targeting RNA-related pathways, Withania somnifera may exhibit promising effects in ameliorating age-associated molecular changes, which include modifications in gene expression and signaling networks. This review summarizes the potential role of Withania somnifera as a nutraceutical in modulating RNA-level changes associated with aging, encompassing both in vitro and in vivo studies. Taken together, the putative role(s) of Withania in modulation of key RNAs will provide insights into understanding the aging process and facilitate the development of various preventive and therapeutic strategies employing nutraceuticals for healthy aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praful Saha
- PhytoVeda Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India
- Viridis Biopharma Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India
| | - Saiprasad Ajgaonkar
- PhytoVeda Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India
- Viridis Biopharma Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India
| | - Dishant Maniar
- PhytoVeda Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India
- Viridis Biopharma Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India
| | - Simran Sahare
- PhytoVeda Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India
- Viridis Biopharma Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India
| | - Dilip Mehta
- PhytoVeda Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India
- Viridis Biopharma Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India
| | - Sujit Nair
- PhytoVeda Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India
- Viridis Biopharma Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India
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Mishra B, Bansal S, Tripathi S, Mishra S, Yadav RK, Sangwan NS. Differential regulation of key triterpene synthase gene under abiotic stress in Withania somnifera L. Dunal and its co-relation to sterols and withanolides. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2024; 208:108419. [PMID: 38377888 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.108419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), is one of the most reputed Indian medicinal plants, having immense pharmacological activities due to the occurrence of withanolides. The withanolides are biosynthesized through triterpenoid biosynthetic pathway with the involvement of WsCAS leading to cyclization of 2, 3 oxidosqualene, which is a key metabolite to further diversify to a myriad of phytochemicals. In contrast to the available reports on the studies of WsCAS in withanolide biosynthesis, its involvement in phytosterol biosynthesis needs investigation. Present work deals with the understanding of role of WsCAS triterpenoid synthase gene in the regulation of biosynthesis of phytosterols & withanolides. Docking studies of WsCAS protein revealed Conserved amino acids, DCATE motif, and QW motif which are involved in efficient substrate binding, structure stabilization, and catalytic activity. Overexpression/silencing of WsCAS leading to increment/decline of phytosterols confers its stringent regulation in phytosterols biosynthesis. Differential regulation of WsCAS on the metabolic flux towards phytosterols and withanolide biosynthesis was observed under abiotic stress conditions. The preferential channelization of 2, 3 oxidosqualene towards withanolides and/or phytosterols occurred under heat/salt stress and cold/water stress, respectively. Stigmasterol and β-sitosterol showed major contribution in high/low temperature and salt stress, and campesterol in water stress management. Overexpression of WsCAS in Arabidopsis thaliana led to the increment in phytosterols in general. Thus, the WsCAS plays important regulatory role in the biosynthetic pathway of phytosterols and withanolides under abiotic stress conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhawana Mishra
- CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Department of Metabolic and Structural Biology, Uttar Pradesh, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) (An Institution of National Importance by an Act of Parliament), AcSIR Campus, CSIR-HRDC, Sector-19, Kamla Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad, Ghaziabad, 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Shilpi Bansal
- CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Department of Metabolic and Structural Biology, Uttar Pradesh, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) (An Institution of National Importance by an Act of Parliament), AcSIR Campus, CSIR-HRDC, Sector-19, Kamla Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad, Ghaziabad, 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sandhya Tripathi
- CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Department of Metabolic and Structural Biology, Uttar Pradesh, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) (An Institution of National Importance by an Act of Parliament), AcSIR Campus, CSIR-HRDC, Sector-19, Kamla Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad, Ghaziabad, 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Smrati Mishra
- CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Department of Metabolic and Structural Biology, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Ritesh K Yadav
- CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Department of Metabolic and Structural Biology, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Neelam S Sangwan
- CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Department of Metabolic and Structural Biology, Uttar Pradesh, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) (An Institution of National Importance by an Act of Parliament), AcSIR Campus, CSIR-HRDC, Sector-19, Kamla Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad, Ghaziabad, 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India; School of Interdisciplinary and Applied Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh, Haryana 123031, India.
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Thorat SA, Srivaishnavi M, Kaniyassery A, Padikkal S, Rai PS, Botha AM, Muthusamy A. Physiological and biochemical traits positively modulate tissue-specific withanolides and untargeted metabolites in Withania somnifera (L.) dunal under salinity stress. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2023; 203:108011. [PMID: 37714025 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.108011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Ashwagandha) has been used in herbal medicines worldwide and in the Indian traditional medicinal system for 3000 years. It is a member of the Solanaceae family distributed across Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe. Its bioactive secondary metabolite (withanolide) biosynthesis is sensitive to salinity stress, though the mechanism remains unexplored. Therefore, we investigated the effect of Sodium chloride (NaCl) on growth, photosynthesis, biochemical traits, tissue-specific withanolide, and untargeted metabolites in W. somnifera. Ashwagandha plants were raised in pots containing soil mixture and treated with different NaCl concentrations (0 as control, 10, 30, and 50 mM) for one month inside the greenhouse. NaCl stress significantly enhanced withaferin A (WFA) (3.79 mg/g), withanolide A (WA) (0.51 mg/g), and withanone (WN) (0.022 mg/g) at 50 mM NaCl groups in the shoot. Similarly, in the root, a significant increase in WFA (0.19 mg/g) and WN (0.0016 mg/g) were observed at 10 mM, WA (0.059 mg/g) at 30 mM, and withanolide B (WB) (0.013 mg/g) at 50 mM NaCl groups compared to control. LC-MS-based untargeted metabolite profiling revealed 37 differentially accumulated metabolites in all groups. Maximum abundance of glycyl-hydroxyproline (8X) followed by tyrosyl-valine (2X) and 3-hydroxy-beta-ionone (2X) were recorded at 50 mM NaCl groups compared to the control. This study showed for the first time that low NaCl stress enhances the biosynthesis of tissue-specific withanolides through physio-biochemical and metabolites adjustment. Overall, we demonstrated a multifaceted approach for cultivating medicinal crops in salt-affected areas with enhanced bioactive metabolites for healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachin Ashok Thorat
- Department of Plant Sciences, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India
| | - Muthyala Srivaishnavi
- Department of Plant Sciences, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India
| | - Arya Kaniyassery
- Department of Plant Sciences, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India
| | - Soujanya Padikkal
- Department of Plant Sciences, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India
| | - Padmalatha S Rai
- Department of Biotechnology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India
| | - Anna-Maria Botha
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, 7601, South Africa
| | - Annamalai Muthusamy
- Department of Plant Sciences, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India.
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Kaushal N, Verma D, Alok A, Pandey A, Singh K. Heterologous expression of Chlorophytum borivilianum Squalene epoxidase in tobacco modulates stigmasterol production and alters vegetative and reproductive growth. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2023; 42:909-919. [PMID: 36894686 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-023-03000-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
KEYMESSAGE CbSE overexpression increased stigmasterol levels and altered plant morphology. The genes upstream and downstream of CbSE were found to be upregulated, which confirms its regulatory role in the saponin biosynthetic pathway. Chlorophytum borivilianum is a high-value medicinal plant with many promising preclinical applications that include saponins as a major active ingredient. Squalene epoxidase (SE) is one of the major rate-limiting enzymes of the saponin biosynthetic pathway. Here, we functionally characterized C. borivilianum SE (CbSE) by over-expressing heterologously in Nicotiana tabacum. The heterologous expression of CbSE resulted in stunted pant growth with altered leaf and flower morphology. Next, RT-qPCR analysis of transgenic plants overexpressing CbSE revealed increased expression levels of Cycloartenol synthase (CAS), Beta amyrin synthase (βAS), and cytochrome P450 monooxygenase 51 (CYP51) (Cytochrome P450), which encode key enzymes for triterpenoid and phytosterol biosynthesis in C. borivilianum. Further, Methyl Jasmonate (MeJa) treatment upregulated Squalene synthase (SQS), SE, and Oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs) to a significant level. GC-MS analysis of the leaf and hairy roots of the transformants showed an increased stigmasterol content (0.5-1.0 fold) compared to wild type (WT) plants. These results indicate that CbSE is a rate-limiting gene, which encodes an efficient enzyme responsible for phytosterol and triterpenoid production in C. borivilianum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishant Kaushal
- Department of Biotechnology, BMS Block I, Panjab University, Sector 25, Chandigarh, 160014, India
| | - Deepika Verma
- Department of Biotechnology, BMS Block I, Panjab University, Sector 25, Chandigarh, 160014, India
| | - Anshu Alok
- Department of Biotechnology, BMS Block I, Panjab University, Sector 25, Chandigarh, 160014, India
- UMN · College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Ashutosh Pandey
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Kashmir Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, BMS Block I, Panjab University, Sector 25, Chandigarh, 160014, India.
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Srivastava Y, Tripathi S, Mishra B, Sangwan NS. Cloning and homologous characterization of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase (GGPPS) from Withania somnifera revealed alterations in metabolic flux towards gibberellic acid biosynthesis. PLANTA 2022; 256:4. [PMID: 35648276 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-022-03912-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Overexpression of a novel geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase gene (WsGGPPS) in planta resulted in increased levels of gibberellic acid and decrease in withanolide content. Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, the herb from family Solanaceae is one of the most treasured medicinal plant used in traditional medicinal systems owing to its unique stockpile of pharmaceutically active secondary metabolites. Phytochemical and pharmacological studies in this plant were well established, but the genes affecting the regulation of biosynthesis of major metabolites were not well elucidated. In this study cloning and functional characterization of a key enzyme in terpenoid biosynthetic pathway viz. geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase (EC 2.5.1.29) gene from Withania somnifera was performed. The full length WsGGPPS gene contained 1,104 base pairs that encode a polypeptide of 365 amino acids. The quantitative expression analysis suggested that WsGGPPS transcripts were expressed maximally in flower tissues followed by berry tissues. The expression levels of WsGGPPS were found to be regulated by methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and salicylic acid (SA). Amino acid sequence alignment and phylogenetic studies suggested that WsGGPPS had close similarities with GGPPS of Solanum tuberosum and Solanum pennellii. The structural analysis provided basic information about three dimensional features and physicochemical parameters of WsGGPPS protein. Overexpression of WsGGPPS in planta for its functional characterization suggested that the WsGGPPS was involved in gibberellic acid biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yashdeep Srivastava
- Department of Metabolic and Structural Biology, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Lucknow, 226015, India
| | - Sandhya Tripathi
- Department of Metabolic and Structural Biology, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Lucknow, 226015, India
| | | | - Neelam S Sangwan
- Department of Metabolic and Structural Biology, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Lucknow, 226015, India.
- School of Interdisciplinary and Applied Sciences, Central University of Haryana, Jant-Pali, Mahendragarh, Haryana, 123031, India.
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cDNA cloning, prokaryotic expression, and functional analysis of squalene synthase (SQS) in Camellia vietnamensis Huang. Protein Expr Purif 2022; 194:106078. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2022.106078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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Molecular characterization of three CYP450 genes reveals their role in withanolides formation and defense in Withania somnifera, the Indian Ginseng. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1602. [PMID: 35102209 PMCID: PMC8803918 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05634-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The medicinal properties of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) are attributed to triterpenoid steroidal lactones, withanolides, which are proposed to be derived from phytosterol pathway, through the action of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes. Here, we report the characterization of three transcriptome-mined CYP450 genes (WsCYP749B1, WsCYP76 and WsCYP71B10), which exhibited induced expression in response to methyl jasmonate treatment indicating their role in secondary metabolism. All three WsCYP450s had the highest expression in leaf compared to other tissues. In planta characterization of WsCYP450s through virus induced gene silencing (VIGS) and transient overexpression approaches and subsequent metabolite analysis indicated differential modulation in the accumulation of certain withanolides in W. somnifera leaves. While WsCYP749B1-vigs significantly enhanced withaferin A (~ 450%) and reduced withanolide A (~ 50%), its overexpression drastically led to enhanced withanolide A (> 250%) and withanolide B (> 200%) levels and reduced 12-deoxywithastramonolide (~ 60%). Whereas WsCYP76-vigs led to reduced withanolide A (~ 60%) and its overexpression increased withanolide A (~ 150%) and reduced 12-deoxywithastramonolide (~ 60%). Silencing and overexpression of WsCYP71B10 resulted in significant reduction of withanolide B (~ 50%) and withanolide A (~ 60%), respectively. Further, while VIGS of WsCYP450s negatively affected the expression of pathogenesis-related (PR) genes and compromised tolerance to bacteria P. syringae DC3000, their overexpression in W. somnifera and transgenic tobacco led to improved tolerance to the bacteria. Overall, these results showed that the identified WsCYP450s have a role in one or several steps of withanolides biosynthetic pathway and are involved in conferring tolerance to biotic stress.
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Recent Advances in the Chemistry and Therapeutic Evaluation of Naturally Occurring and Synthetic Withanolides. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27030886. [PMID: 35164150 PMCID: PMC8840339 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27030886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural products are a major source of biologically active compounds that make promising lead molecules for developing efficacious drug-like molecules. Natural withanolides are found in many flora and fauna, including plants, algae, and corals, that traditionally have shown multiple health benefits and are known for their anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-leishmaniasis, and many other medicinal properties. Structures of these withanolides possess a few reactive sites that can be exploited to design and synthesize more potent and safe analogs. In this review, we discuss the literature evidence related to the medicinal implications, particularly anticancer properties of natural withanolides and their synthetic analogs, and provide perspectives on the translational potential of these promising compounds.
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Abstract
Covering: March 2010 to December 2020. Previous review: Nat. Prod. Rep., 2011, 28, 705This review summarizes the latest progress and perspectives on the structural classification, biological activities and mechanisms, metabolism and pharmacokinetic investigations, biosynthesis, chemical synthesis and structural modifications, as well as future research directions of the promising natural withanolides. The literature from March 2010 to December 2020 is reviewed, and 287 references are cited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gui-Yang Xia
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin State Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyanghu Road, Jinghai District, Tianjin, 301617, China. .,Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Shi-Jie Cao
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin State Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyanghu Road, Jinghai District, Tianjin, 301617, China.
| | - Li-Xia Chen
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Feng Qiu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin State Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyanghu Road, Jinghai District, Tianjin, 301617, China.
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Das R, Rauf A, Akhter S, Islam MN, Emran TB, Mitra S, Khan IN, Mubarak MS. Role of Withaferin A and Its Derivatives in the Management of Alzheimer's Disease: Recent Trends and Future Perspectives. Molecules 2021; 26:3696. [PMID: 34204308 PMCID: PMC8234716 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26123696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Globally, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most prevalent age-related neurodegenerative disorders associated with cognitive decline and memory deficits due to beta-amyloid deposition (Aβ) and tau protein hyperphosphorylation. To date, approximately 47 million people worldwide have AD. This figure will rise to an estimated 75.6 million by 2030 and 135.5 million by 2050. According to the literature, the efficacy of conventional medications for AD is statistically substantial, but clinical relevance is restricted to disease slowing rather than reversal. Withaferin A (WA) is a steroidal lactone glycowithanolides, a secondary metabolite with comprehensive biological effects. Biosynthetically, it is derived from Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) and Acnistus breviflorus (Gallinero) through the mevalonate and non-mevalonate pathways. Mounting evidence shows that WA possesses inhibitory activities against developing a pathological marker of Alzheimer's diseases. Several cellular and animal models' particulates to AD have been conducted to assess the underlying protective effect of WA. In AD, the neuroprotective potential of WA is mediated by reduction of beta-amyloid plaque aggregation, tau protein accumulation, regulation of heat shock proteins, and inhibition of oxidative and inflammatory constituents. Despite the various preclinical studies on WA's therapeutic potentiality, less is known regarding its definite efficacy in humans for AD. Accordingly, the present study focuses on the biosynthesis of WA, the epidemiology and pathophysiology of AD, and finally the therapeutic potential of WA for the treatment and prevention of AD, highlighting the research and augmentation of new therapeutic approaches. Further clinical trials are necessary for evaluating the safety profile and confirming WA's neuroprotective potency against AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajib Das
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh; (R.D.); (S.M.)
| | - Abdur Rauf
- Department of Chemistry, University of Swabi, Anbar 23561, Pakistan;
| | - Saima Akhter
- Department of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Chittagong, Chittagong 4318, Bangladesh;
| | - Mohammad Nazmul Islam
- Department of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Chittagong, Chittagong 4318, Bangladesh;
| | - Talha Bin Emran
- Department of Pharmacy, BGC Trust University Bangladesh, Chittagong 4381, Bangladesh
| | - Saikat Mitra
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh; (R.D.); (S.M.)
| | - Ishaq N. Khan
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar 25100, Pakistan;
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Saggam A, Tillu G, Dixit S, Chavan-Gautam P, Borse S, Joshi K, Patwardhan B. Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal: A potential therapeutic adjuvant in cancer. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2020; 255:112759. [PMID: 32173425 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.112759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (WS) is one of the moststudied Rasayana botanicals used in Ayurveda practice for its immunomodulatory, anti-aging, adaptogenic, and rejuvenating effects. The botanical is being used for various clinical indications, including cancer. Several studies exploring molecular mechanisms of WS suggest its possible role in improving clinical outcomes in cancer management. Therefore, research on WS may offer new insights in rational development of therapeutic adjuvants for cancer. AIM OF THIS REVIEW The review aims at providing a detailed analysis of in silico, in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies related to WS and cancer. It suggests possible role of WS in regulating molecular mechanisms associated with carcinogenesis. The review discusses potential of WS in cancer management in terms of cancer prevention, anti-cancer activity, and enhancing efficacy of cancer therapeutics. MATERIAL AND METHODS The present narrative review offers a critical analysis of published literature on WS studies in cancer. The reported studies were analysed in the context of pathophysiology of cancer, commonly referred as 'cancer hallmarks'. The review attempts to bridge Ayurveda knowledge with biological insights into molecular mechanisms of cancer. RESULTS Critical analysisof the published literature suggests an anti-cancer potential of WS with a key role in cancer prevention. The possible mechanisms for these effects are associated with the modulation of apoptotic, proliferative, and metastatic markers in cancer. WS can attenuate inflammatory responses and enzymes involved in invasion and metastatic progression of cancer.The properties of WS are likely to be mediated through withanolides, which may activate tumor suppressor proteins to restrict proliferation of cancer cells. Withanolides also regulate the genomic instability, and energy metabolism of cancer cells. The reported studies indicate the need for deeper understanding of molecular mechanisms of WS in inhibiting angiogenesis and promoting immunosurveillance. Additionally, WS can augment efficacy and safety of cancer therapeutics. CONCLUSION The experimentally-supported evidence of immunomodulatory, anti-cancer, adaptogenic, and regenerative attributes of WS suggest its therapeutic adjuvant potential in cancer management. The adjuvant properties of withanolides can modulate multidrug resistance and reverse chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression. These mechanisms need to be further explored in systematically designed translational and clinical studies that will pave the way for integration of WS as a therapeutic adjuvant in cancer management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akash Saggam
- AYUSH Center of Excellence, Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India
| | - Girish Tillu
- AYUSH Center of Excellence, Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India
| | | | - Preeti Chavan-Gautam
- AYUSH Center of Excellence, Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India
| | - Swapnil Borse
- AYUSH Center of Excellence, Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India
| | - Kalpana Joshi
- Department of Biotechnology, Sinhgad College of Engineering, Pune, India
| | - Bhushan Patwardhan
- AYUSH Center of Excellence, Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India.
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Aminfar Z, Rabiei B, Tohidfar M, Mirjalili MH. Identification of key genes involved in the biosynthesis of triterpenic acids in the mint family. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15826. [PMID: 31676750 PMCID: PMC6825174 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52090-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Triterpenic acids (TAs), a large group of natural compounds with diverse biological activity, are produced by several plant taxa. Betulinic, oleanolic, and ursolic acids are the most medicinally important TAs and are mainly found in plants of the mint family. Metabolic engineering is strongly dependent on identifying the key genes in biosynthetic pathways toward the products of interest. In this study, gene expression tracking was performed by transcriptome mining, co-expression network analysis, and tissue-specific metabolite-expression analysis in order to identify possible key genes involved in TAs biosynthetic pathways. To this end, taxa-specific degenerate primers of six important genes were designed using an effective method based on the MEME algorithm in a phylogenetically related group of sequences and successfully applied in three members of the Lamiaceae (Rosmarinus officinalis, Salvia officinalis, and Thymus persicus). Based on the results of in-depth data analysis, genes encoding squalene epoxidase and oxido squalene cyclases are proposed as targets for boosting triterpene production. The results emphasize the importance of identifying key genes in triterpene biosynthesis, which may facilitate genetic manipulation or overexpression of target genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Aminfar
- Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agricultural science, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
| | - Babak Rabiei
- Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agricultural science, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.
| | - Masoud Tohidfar
- Department of Plant Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences & Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University G.C., Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Mirjalili
- Department of Agriculture, Medicinal Plants and Drugs Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, G. C., Tehran, Iran.
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Kang J, Zhang Q, Jiang X, Zhang T, Long R, Yang Q, Wang Z. Molecular Cloning and Functional Identification of a Squalene Synthase Encoding Gene from Alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.). Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20184499. [PMID: 31514406 PMCID: PMC6770234 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20184499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The quality of alfalfa, a main forage legume worldwide, is of great importance for the dairy industry and is affected by the content of triterpene saponins. These natural terpenoid products of triterpene aglycones are catalyzed by squalene synthase (SQS), a highly conserved enzyme present in eukaryotes. However, there is scare information on alfalfa SQS. Here, an open reading frame (ORF) of SQS was cloned from alfalfa. Sequence analysis showed MsSQS had the same exon/intron composition and shared high homology with its orthologs. Bioinformatic analysis revealed the deduced MsSQS had two transmembrane domains. When transiently expressed, GFP-MsSQS fusion protein was localized on the plasma membrane of onion epidermal cells. Removal of the C-terminal transmembrane domain of MsSQS improved solubility in Escherichia coli. MsSQS was preferably expressed in roots, followed by leaves and stems. MeJA treatment induced MsSQS expression and increased the content of total saponins. Overexpression of MsSQS in alfalfa led to the accumulation of total saponins, suggesting a correlation between MsSQS expression level with saponins content. Therefore, MsSQS is a canonical squalene synthase and contributes to saponin synthesis in alfalfa. This study provides a key candidate gene for genetic manipulation of the synthesis of triterpene saponins, which impact both plant and animal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junmei Kang
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Qiaoyan Zhang
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Xu Jiang
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Tiejun Zhang
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Ruicai Long
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Qingchuan Yang
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Zhen Wang
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
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Sharma A, Rather GA, Misra P, Dhar MK, Lattoo SK. Jasmonate responsive transcription factor WsMYC2 regulates the biosynthesis of triterpenoid withanolides and phytosterol via key pathway genes in Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal. PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 100:543-560. [PMID: 31090025 DOI: 10.1007/s11103-019-00880-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Functional characterization of WsMYC2 via artificial microRNA mediated silencing and transient over-expression displayed significant regulatory role vis-à-vis withanolides and stigmasterol biosyntheses in Withania somnifera. Further, metabolic intensification corroborated well with higher expression levels of putative pathway genes. Additionally, copious expression of WsMYC2 in response to exogenous elicitors resulted in enhanced withanolides production. Withania somnifera, a high value multipurpose medicinal plant, is a rich reservoir of structurally diverse and biologically active triterpenoids known as withanolides. W. somnifera has been extensively pursued vis-à-vis pharmacological and chemical studies. Nonetheless, there exists fragmentary knowledge regarding the metabolic pathway and the regulatory aspects of withanolides biosynthesis. Against this backdrop, a jasmonate-responsive MYC2 transcription factor was identified and functionally characterized from W. somnifera. In planta transient over-expression of WsMYC2 showed significant enhancement of mRNA transcript levels which corroborated well with the enhanced content of withanolides and stigmasterol. Further, a comparative analysis of expression levels of some of the genes of triterpenoid pathway viz. WsCAS, WsCYP85A, WsCYP90B and WsCYP710A in corroboration with the over-expression and silencing of WsMYC2 suggested its positive influence on their regulation. These corroboratory approaches suggest that WsMYC2 has cascading effect on over-expression of multiple pathway genes leading to the increased triterpenoid biosynthesis in infiltered plants. Further, the functional validation of WsMYC2 was carried out by artificial micro-RNA mediated silencing. It resulted in significant reduction of withanolides and stigmasterol levels, indicative of crucial role of WsMYC2 in the regulation of their biosyntheses. Taken together, these non-complementary approaches provided unambiguous understanding of the regulatory role of WsMYC2 in context to withanolides and stigmasterol biosyntheses. Furthermore, the upstream promoter of WsMYC2 presented several cis-regulatory elements primarily related to phytohormone responsiveness. WsMYC2 displayed inducible nature in response to MeJA. It had substantial influence on the higher expression of WsMYC2 which was in consonance with enhanced accumulation of withanolides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arti Sharma
- Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu Tawi, 180001, India
| | - Gulzar A Rather
- Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu Tawi, 180001, India
| | - Prashant Misra
- Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu Tawi, 180001, India
| | - Manoj K Dhar
- School of Biotechnology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Jammu, Jammu Tawi, 180006, India.
| | - Surrinder K Lattoo
- Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu Tawi, 180001, India.
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Sharma A, Rather GA, Misra P, Dhar MK, Lattoo SK. Gene Silencing and Over-Expression Studies in Concurrence With Promoter Specific Elicitations Reveal the Central Role of WsCYP85A69 in Biosynthesis of Triterpenoids in Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 10:842. [PMID: 31333694 PMCID: PMC6624744 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.00842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) synthesizes a wide spectrum of triterpenoids that are produced via an intricate isoprenoid pathway whose biosynthetic and regulatory mechanism remains elusive. Their pharmacological examination position them as potent bioactive molecules, hence demanding their copious production. Previous investigations have revealed that P450 monooxygenases are pivotal enzymes involved in the biosynthetic machinery of various metabolites and assist in decorating their core skeletal structures. The present study entails the isolation and functional characterization of castasterone synthase (CYP85A69) from W. somnifera. The full length WsCYP85A69, having an open reading frame of 1413 bp, encodes 470 amino acid residues. Further, in vitro conversion of 6-deoxocastasterone into castasterone validated its oxidative functionality. Product formation was confirmed using LC-PDA-MS with a m/z value of 506 [M+ACN]+. In planta transient over-expression of WsCYP85A69 significantly enhanced castasterone, stigmasterol and withanolides (WS-I, WS-II, WS-III). Artificial micro-RNA mediated silencing of WsCYP85A69 resulted in the reduced accumulation of castasterone, stigmasterol and withanolides (WS-I, WS-II, WS-III). Altogether, these non-complementary approaches plausibly suggest a key role of WsCYP85A69 in the biosynthesis of castasterone and the accumulation of withanolides and stigmasterol. Furthermore, a promoter analysis of WsCYP85A69 resulted in the identification of several potential cis-regulatory elements. Elicitations, given on the basis of identified cis-regulatory elements, demonstrated methyl jasmonate as an effective inducer of WsCYP85A69. Overall, these empirical findings suggest that functional characterization of WsCYP85A69 may conceivably be helpful to unravel the mechanism of brassinosteroids biosynthesis and could also pave the way for targeted metabolic engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arti Sharma
- Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, India
| | - Gulzar A. Rather
- Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, India
| | - Prashant Misra
- Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, India
| | - Manoj K. Dhar
- School of Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Jammu, Jammu, India
- *Correspondence: Manoj K. Dhar,
| | - Surrinder K. Lattoo
- Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, India
- Surrinder K. Lattoo, ;
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Zu Y, Li Z, Mei X, Wu J, Cheng S, Jiang Y, Li Y. Transcriptome analysis of main roots of Panax notoginseng identifies genes involved in saponin biosynthesis under arsenic stress. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.plgene.2018.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Tripathi N, Shrivastava D, Ahmad Mir B, Kumar S, Govil S, Vahedi M, Bisen PS. Metabolomic and biotechnological approaches to determine therapeutic potential of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal: A review. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2018; 50:127-136. [PMID: 30466971 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2017.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2017] [Revised: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Withania somnifera, a high value medicinal plant is a major source of pharmaceutically important active compounds withanolides. Withania somnifera has been used in ayurveda as health restorative and anabolic agent besides having anti-arthritic, antidepressant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-stress, neuroprotective and cardio-protective activities. HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE The mining of the compound(s) of interest offers opportunity to identify desired attributes in the therapeutic area of interest. Metabolomic has become an important tool in the field of pharmacological and functional genomics of medicinal plants. The analysis supports the information regarding differential outline of the gene expression for increasing important withanolides viz. withanolide A and withaferin A in W. somnifera. STUDY DESIGN The bioinformatics and biotechnological approaches viz. tissue culture, genetic transformation, genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, gene mining and metabolomic studies have opened new windows about engineering of withanolide production. METHODS Target and network analysis for maximum therapeutic potential of Withania somnifera have been determined by employing Genemania software for finding interactions among various human genes that are being affected by active constituents. RESULTS Some of the major bioactive compounds of Withania somnifera have been discussed on protein-protein, protein-DNA and genetic interactions with respect to gene and protein expression data, protein domains, metabolic profiling, root organ culture, genetic transformation and phenotypic screening profiles CONCLUSION: The implementation of latest bioinformatic tools in combination with biotechnological techniques for breeding platforms are important in conservation of medicinal plant species in danger. The current review is based on molecular and in vitro methodologies employed in W. somnifera for accepting their importance in the improvement of this valuable medicinal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niraj Tripathi
- Biotechnology Centre, Jawaharlal Nehru Agriculture University, Jabalpur 482004, India
| | - Divya Shrivastava
- School of Life Sciences, Jaipur National University, Jaipur 302017, India
| | - Bilal Ahmad Mir
- Department of Botany, Satellite Campus Kargil, University of Kashmir, J&K, Srinagar-190006, India
| | - Shailesh Kumar
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Rajasthan, Jaipur 303002, India
| | - Sumit Govil
- School of Life Sciences, Jaipur National University, Jaipur 302017, India
| | - Maryam Vahedi
- Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agricultural Science & Engineering, University of Tehran 3391653755, Iran
| | - Prakash S Bisen
- School of Life Sciences, Jaipur National University, Jaipur 302017, India; School of Studies in Biotechnology, Jiwaji University, Gwalior 474001, India.
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18
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Cloning and expression analysis of three critical triterpenoid pathway genes in Osmanthus fragrans. ELECTRON J BIOTECHN 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejbt.2018.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Singh R, Gupta P, Khan F, Singh SK, Mishra T, Kumar A, Dhawan SS, Shirke PA. Modulations in primary and secondary metabolic pathways and adjustment in physiological behaviour of Withania somnifera under drought stress. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2018; 272:42-54. [PMID: 29807605 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2018.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Revised: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
In general medicinal plants grown under water limiting conditions show much higher concentrations of secondary metabolites in comparison to control plants. In the present study, Withania somnifera plants were subjected to water stress and data related to drought tolerance phenomenon was collected and a putative mechanistic concept considering growth responses, physiological behaviour, and metabolite content and gene expression aspects is presented. Drought induced metabolic and physiological responses as well as drastic decrease in CO2 uptake due to stomatal limitations. As a result, the consumption of reduction equivalents (NADPH2+) for CO2 assimilation via the calvin cycle declines significantly resulting in the generation of a large oxidative stress and an oversupply of antioxidant enzymes. Drought also results in the shifting of metabolic processes towards biosynthetic activities that consume reduction equivalents. Thus, biosynthesis of reduced compounds (isoprenoids, phenols and alkaloids) is enhanced. The dynamics of various metabolites have been discussed in the light of gene expression analysis of control and drought treated leaves. Gene encoding enzymes of pathways leading to glucose, fructose and fructan production, conversion of triose phosphates to hexoses and hexose phosphorylation were up-regulated in the drought stressed leaves. The down-regulated Calvin cycle genes were co-ordinately regulated with the down-regulation of chloroplast triosephosphate/phosphate translocator, cytoplasmic fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase and fructose bisphosphatase. Expression of gene encoding Squalene Synthase (SQS) was highly upregulated under drought stress which is responsible for the diversion of carbon flux towards withanolides biosynthesis from isoprenoid pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruchi Singh
- CSIR - Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, 226015, India.
| | - Pankhuri Gupta
- CSIR - Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, 226015, India
| | - Furqan Khan
- CSIR - National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, 226001, India
| | - Susheel Kumar Singh
- CSIR - Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, 226015, India
| | - Tripti Mishra
- CSIR - National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, 226001, India
| | - Anil Kumar
- CSIR - National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, 226001, India
| | - Sunita Singh Dhawan
- CSIR - Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, 226015, India
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Unland K, Pütter KM, Vorwerk K, van Deenen N, Twyman RM, Prüfer D, Schulze Gronover C. Functional characterization of squalene synthase and squalene epoxidase in Taraxacum koksaghyz. PLANT DIRECT 2018; 2:e00063. [PMID: 31245726 PMCID: PMC6508512 DOI: 10.1002/pld3.63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Revised: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The Russian dandelion Taraxacum koksaghyz produces high-value isoprenoids such as pentacyclic triterpenes and natural rubber in the latex of specialized cells known as laticifers. Squalene synthase (SQS) and squalene epoxidase (SQE) catalyze key steps in the biosynthesis of cyclic terpenoids, but neither enzyme has yet been characterized in T. koksaghyz. Genomic analysis revealed the presence of two genes (TkSQS1 and TkSQS2) encoding isoforms of SQS, and four genes (TkSQE1-4) encoding isoforms of SQE. Spatial expression analysis in different T. koksaghyz tissues confirmed that TkSQS1 and TkSQE1 are the latex-predominant isoforms, with highly similar mRNA expression profiles. The TkSQS1 and TkSQE1 proteins colocalized in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane and their enzymatic functions were confirmed by in vitro activity assays and yeast complementation studies, respectively. The functions of TkSQS1 and TkSQE1 were further characterized in the latex of T. koksaghyz plants with depleted TkSQS1 or TkSQE1 mRNA levels, produced by RNA interference. Comprehensive expression analysis revealed the coregulation of TkSQS1 and TkSQE1, along with a downstream gene in the triterpene biosynthesis pathway encoding the oxidosqualene cyclase TkOSC1. This indicates that the coregulation of TkSQS1, TkSQE1, and TkOSC1 could be used to optimize the flux toward specific terpenoids during development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Unland
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME)MuensterGermany
| | - Katharina M. Pütter
- Institute of Plant Biology and BiotechnologyUniversity of MuensterMuensterGermany
| | - Kirsten Vorwerk
- Institute of Plant Biology and BiotechnologyUniversity of MuensterMuensterGermany
| | - Nicole van Deenen
- Institute of Plant Biology and BiotechnologyUniversity of MuensterMuensterGermany
| | | | - Dirk Prüfer
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME)MuensterGermany
- Institute of Plant Biology and BiotechnologyUniversity of MuensterMuensterGermany
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Mishra A, Singh SP, Mahfooz S, Bhattacharya A, Mishra N, Shirke PA, Nautiyal CS. Bacterial endophytes modulates the withanolide biosynthetic pathway and physiological performance in Withania somnifera under biotic stress. Microbiol Res 2018; 212-213:17-28. [PMID: 29853165 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2018.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Revised: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 04/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Despite the vast exploration of endophytic microbes for growth enhancement in various crops, knowledge about their impact on the production of therapeutically important secondary metabolites is scarce. In the current investigation, chitinolytic bacterial endophytes were isolated from selected medicinal plants and assessed for their mycolytic as well as plant growth promoting potentials. Among them the two most efficient bacterial endophytes namely Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (MPE20) and Pseudomonas fluorescens (MPE115) individually as well as in combination were able to modulate withanolide biosynthetic pathway and tolerance against Alternaria alternata in Withania somnifera. Interestingly, the expression level of withanolide biosynthetic pathway genes (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl co-enzyme A reductase, 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate reductase, farnesyl di-phosphate synthase, squalene synthase, cytochrome p450, sterol desaturase, sterol Δ-7 reductase and sterol glycosyl transferases) were upregulated in plants treated with the microbial consortium under A. alternata stress. In addition, application of microbes not only augmented withaferin A, withanolide A and withanolide B content (1.52-1.96, 3.32-5.96 and 12.49-21.47 fold, respectively) during A. alternata pathogenicity but also strengthened host resistance via improvement in the photochemical efficiency, normalizing the oxidized and non-oxidized fraction, accelerating photochemical and non-photochemical quantum yield, and electron transport rate. Moreover, reduction in the passively dissipated energy of PSI and PSII in microbial combination treated plants corroborate well with the above findings. Altogether, the above finding highlights novel insights into the underlying mechanisms in application of endophytes and emphasizes their capability to accelerate biosynthesis of withanolides in W. somnifera under biotic stress caused by A. alternata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aradhana Mishra
- Division of Plant Microbe Interaction, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, 226001, India.
| | - Satyendra Pratap Singh
- Division of Plant Microbe Interaction, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, 226001, India; Department of Microbiology, Mewar University, Gangrar, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, 312901, India
| | - Sahil Mahfooz
- Division of Plant Microbe Interaction, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, 226001, India
| | - Arpita Bhattacharya
- Division of Plant Microbe Interaction, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, 226001, India
| | - Nishtha Mishra
- Division of Plant Microbe Interaction, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, 226001, India
| | - Pramod Arvind Shirke
- Plant Physiology Lab, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow, 226001, India.
| | - C S Nautiyal
- Division of Plant Microbe Interaction, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, 226001, India.
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Pandey SS, Singh S, Pandey H, Srivastava M, Ray T, Soni S, Pandey A, Shanker K, Babu CSV, Banerjee S, Gupta MM, Kalra A. Endophytes of Withania somnifera modulate in planta content and the site of withanolide biosynthesis. Sci Rep 2018; 8:5450. [PMID: 29615668 PMCID: PMC5882813 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-23716-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Tissue specific biosynthesis of secondary metabolites is a distinguished feature of medicinal plants. Withania somnifera, source of pharmaceutically important withanolides biosynthesizes withaferin-A in leaves and withanolide-A in roots. To increase the in planta withanolides production, a sustainable approach needs to be explored. Here, we isolated endophytes from different parts of W. somnifera plants and their promising role in in planta withanolide biosynthesis was established in both in-vivo grown as well in in-vitro raised composite W. somnifera plants. Overall, the fungal endophytes improved photosynthesis, plant growth and biomass, and the root-associated bacterial endophytes enhanced the withanolide content in both in-vivo and in-vitro grown plants by modulating the expression of withanolide biosynthesis genes in leaves and roots. Surprisingly, a few indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)-producing and nitrogen-fixing root-associated endophytes could induce the biosynthesis of withaferin-A in roots by inducing in planta IAA-production and upregulating the expression of withanolide biosynthesis genes especially MEP-pathway genes (DXS and DXR) in roots as well. Results indicate the role of endophytes in modulating the synthesis and site of withanolides production and the selected endophytes can be used for enhancing the in planta withanolide production and enriching roots with pharmaceutically important withaferin-A which is generally absent in roots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiv S Pandey
- Microbial Technology Department, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, 226015, India
| | - Sucheta Singh
- Microbial Technology Department, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, 226015, India
| | - Harshita Pandey
- Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, 226015, India
| | - Madhumita Srivastava
- Analytical Chemistry Department, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, 226015, India
| | - Tania Ray
- Microbial Technology Department, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, 226015, India
| | - Sumit Soni
- Microbial Technology Department, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, 226015, India
| | - Alok Pandey
- Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, 226015, India
| | - Karuna Shanker
- Analytical Chemistry Department, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, 226015, India
| | - C S Vivek Babu
- CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Research Centre, Allalasandra, GKVK Post, Bangalore, 560065, India
| | - Suchitra Banerjee
- Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, 226015, India
| | - M M Gupta
- Analytical Chemistry Department, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, 226015, India
| | - Alok Kalra
- Microbial Technology Department, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, 226015, India.
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Comparative Study of Withanolide Biosynthesis-Related miRNAs in Root and Leaf Tissues of Withania somnifera. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2018; 185:1145-1159. [PMID: 29476318 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-018-2702-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Withania somnifera, popularly known as Indian ginseng, is one of the most important medicinal plants. The plant is well studied in terms of its pharmaceutical activities and genes involved in biosynthetic pathways. However, not much is known about the regulatory mechanism of genes responsible for the production of secondary metabolites. The idea was to identify miRNA transcriptome responsible for the regulation of withanolide biosynthesis, specifically of root and leaf tissues individually. The transcriptome data of in vitro culture of root and leaf tissues of the plant was considered for miRNA identification. A total of 24 and 39 miRNA families were identified in root and leaf tissues, respectively. Out of these, 15 and 27 miRNA families have shown their involvement in different biological functions in root and leaf tissues, respectively. We report here, specific miRNAs and their corresponding target genes for corresponding root and leaf tissues. The target genes have also been analyzed for their role in withanolide metabolism. Endogenous root-miR5140, root-miR159, leaf-miR477, and leaf-miR530 were reported for regulation of withanolide biosynthesis.
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Agarwal AV, Singh D, Dhar YV, Michael R, Gupta P, Chandra D, Trivedi PK. Virus-Induced Silencing of Key Genes Leads to Differential Impact on Withanolide Biosynthesis in the Medicinal Plant, Withania somnifera. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 59:262-274. [PMID: 29165715 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcx179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Withanolides are a collection of naturally occurring, pharmacologically active, secondary metabolites synthesized in the medicinally important plant, Withania somnifera. These bioactive molecules are C28-steroidal lactone triterpenoids and their synthesis is proposed to take place via the mevalonate (MVA) and 2-C-methyl-d-erythritol-4-phosphate (MEP) pathways through the sterol pathway using 24-methylene cholesterol as substrate flux. Although the phytochemical profiles as well as pharmaceutical activities of Withania extracts have been well studied, limited genomic information and difficult genetic transformation have been a major bottleneck towards understanding the participation of specific genes in withanolide biosynthesis. In this study, we used the Tobacco rattle virus (TRV)-mediated virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) approach to study the participation of key genes from MVA, MEP and triterpenoid biosynthesis for their involvement in withanolide biosynthesis. TRV-infected W. somnifera plants displayed unique phenotypic characteristics and differential accumulation of total Chl as well as carotenoid content for each silenced gene suggesting a reduction in overall isoprenoid synthesis. Comprehensive expression analysis of putative genes of withanolide biosynthesis revealed transcriptional modulations conferring the presence of complex regulatory mechanisms leading to withanolide biosynthesis. In addition, silencing of genes exhibited modulated total and specific withanolide accumulation at different levels as compared with control plants. Comparative analysis also suggests a major role for the MVA pathway as compared with the MEP pathway in providing substrate flux for withanolide biosynthesis. These results demonstrate that transcriptional regulation of selected Withania genes of the triterpenoid biosynthetic pathway critically affects withanolide biosynthesis, providing new horizons to explore this process further, in planta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya Vikram Agarwal
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow 226001, India
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lucknow, Lucknow 226007, India
| | - Deeksha Singh
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow 226001, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi 110001, India
| | - Yogeshwar Vikram Dhar
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow 226001, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi 110001, India
| | - Rahul Michael
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow 226001, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi 110001, India
| | - Parul Gupta
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow 226001, India
| | - Deepak Chandra
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lucknow, Lucknow 226007, India
| | - Prabodh Kumar Trivedi
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow 226001, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi 110001, India
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Zhang B, Liu Y, Chen M, Feng J, Ma Z, Zhang X, Zhu C. Cloning, Expression Analysis and Functional Characterization of Squalene Synthase (SQS) from Tripterygium wilfordii. Molecules 2018; 23:E269. [PMID: 29382150 PMCID: PMC6017275 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23020269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Celastrol is an active triterpenoid compound derived from Tripterygium wilfordii which is well-known as a traditional Chinese medicinal plant. Squalene synthase has a vital role in condensing two molecules of farnesyl diphosphate to form squalene, a key precursor of triterpenoid biosynthesis. In the present study, T. wilfordii squalene synthase (TwSQS) was cloned followed by prokaryotic expression and functional verification. The open reading frame cDNA of TwSQS was 1242 bp encoding 413 amino acids. Bioinformatic and phylogenetic analysis showed that TwSQS had high homology with other plant SQSs. To obtain soluble protein, the truncated TwSQS without the last 28 amino acids of the carboxy terminus was inductively expressed in Escherichia coliTransetta (DE3). The purified protein was detected by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. Squalene was detected in the product of in vitro reactions by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry, which meant that TwSQS did have catalytic activity. Organ-specific and inducible expression levels of TwSQS were detected by quantitative real-time PCR. The results indicated that TwSQS was highly expressed in roots, followed by the stems and leaves, and was significantly up-regulated upon MeJA treatment. The identification of TwSQS is important for further studies of celastrol biosynthesis in T. wilfordii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zhang
- Research & Development Center of Biorational Pesticides, Northwest A & F University, Yangling 712100, China.
| | - Yan Liu
- Research & Development Center of Biorational Pesticides, Northwest A & F University, Yangling 712100, China.
| | - Mengmeng Chen
- Research & Development Center of Biorational Pesticides, Northwest A & F University, Yangling 712100, China.
| | - Juntao Feng
- Research & Development Center of Biorational Pesticides, Northwest A & F University, Yangling 712100, China.
- Biopesticide Technology and Engineering Center of Shaanxi Province, Yangling 712100, China.
| | - Zhiqing Ma
- Research & Development Center of Biorational Pesticides, Northwest A & F University, Yangling 712100, China.
- Biopesticide Technology and Engineering Center of Shaanxi Province, Yangling 712100, China.
| | - Xing Zhang
- Research & Development Center of Biorational Pesticides, Northwest A & F University, Yangling 712100, China.
- Biopesticide Technology and Engineering Center of Shaanxi Province, Yangling 712100, China.
| | - Chuanshu Zhu
- Research & Development Center of Biorational Pesticides, Northwest A & F University, Yangling 712100, China.
- Biopesticide Technology and Engineering Center of Shaanxi Province, Yangling 712100, China.
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Singh AK, Kumar SR, Dwivedi V, Rai A, Pal S, Shasany AK, Nagegowda DA. A WRKY transcription factor from Withania somnifera regulates triterpenoid withanolide accumulation and biotic stress tolerance through modulation of phytosterol and defense pathways. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2017. [PMID: 28649699 DOI: 10.1111/nph.14663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Withania somnifera produces pharmacologically important triterpenoid withanolides that are derived via phytosterol pathway; however, their biosynthesis and regulation remain to be elucidated. A jasmonate- and salicin-inducible WRKY transcription factor from W. somnifera (WsWRKY1) exhibiting correlation with withaferin A accumulation was functionally characterized employing virus-induced gene silencing and overexpression studies combined with transcript and metabolite analyses, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. WsWRKY1 silencing resulted in stunted plant growth, reduced transcripts of phytosterol pathway genes with corresponding reduction in phytosterols and withanolides in W. somnifera. Its overexpression elevated the biosynthesis of triterpenoids in W. somnifera (phytosterols and withanolides), as well as tobacco and tomato (phytosterols). Moreover, WsWRKY1 binds to W-box sequences in promoters of W. somnifera genes encoding squalene synthase and squalene epoxidase, indicating its direct regulation of triterpenoid pathway. Furthermore, while WsWRKY1 silencing in W. somnifera compromised the tolerance to bacterial growth, fungal infection, and insect feeding, its overexpression in tobacco led to improved biotic stress tolerance. Together these findings demonstrate that WsWRKY1 has a positive regulatory role on phytosterol and withanolides biosynthesis, and defense against biotic stress, highlighting its importance as a metabolic engineering tool for simultaneous improvement of triterpenoid biosynthesis and plant defense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anup Kumar Singh
- Molecular Plant Biology and Biotechnology Lab, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research Centre, Allalasandra, GKVK Post, Bengaluru, 560065, India
| | - Sarma Rajeev Kumar
- Molecular Plant Biology and Biotechnology Lab, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research Centre, Allalasandra, GKVK Post, Bengaluru, 560065, India
| | - Varun Dwivedi
- Molecular Plant Biology and Biotechnology Lab, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research Centre, Allalasandra, GKVK Post, Bengaluru, 560065, India
| | - Avanish Rai
- Molecular Plant Biology and Biotechnology Lab, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research Centre, Allalasandra, GKVK Post, Bengaluru, 560065, India
| | - Shaifali Pal
- Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, 226015, India
| | - Ajit K Shasany
- Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, 226015, India
| | - Dinesh A Nagegowda
- Molecular Plant Biology and Biotechnology Lab, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research Centre, Allalasandra, GKVK Post, Bengaluru, 560065, India
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Ahlawat S, Saxena P, Ali A, Khan S, Abdin MZ. Comparative study of withanolide production and the related transcriptional responses of biosynthetic genes in fungi elicited cell suspension culture of Withania somnifera in shake flask and bioreactor. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2017; 114:19-28. [PMID: 28249222 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2017.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2016] [Revised: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is one of the most reputed medicinal plants in the traditional medicinal system. In this study, cell suspension culture of W. somnifera was elicited with cell homogenates of fungi (A. alternata, F. solani, V. dahliae and P. indica) in shake flask and the major withanolides like withanolide A, withaferin A and withanone were analysed. Simultaneously expression levels of key pathway genes from withanolides biosynthetic pathways were also checked via quantitative PCR in shake flask as well as in bioreactor. The results show that highest gene expression of 10.8, 5.8, 4.9, and 3.3 folds were observed with HMGR among all the expressed genes in cell suspension cultures with cell homogenates of 3% P. indica, 5% V. dahliae, 3% A. alternata and 3% F. solani, respectively, in comparison to the control in shake flask. Optimized concentration of cell homogenate of P. indica (3% v/v) was added to the growing culture in 5.0-l bioreactor under optimized up-scaling conditions and harvested after 22 days. The genes of MVA, MEP and withanolides biosynthetic pathways like HMGR, SS, SE, CAS, FPPS, DXR and DXS were up-regulated by 12.5, 4.9, 2.18, 4.65, 2.34, 1.89 and 1.4 folds, respectively in bioreactor. The enhancement of biomass (1.13 fold) and withanolides [withanolide A (1.7), withaferin A (1.5), and withanone (1.5) folds] in bioreactor in comparison to shake flask was also found to be in line with the up-regulation of genes of withanolide biosynthetic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seema Ahlawat
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Centre for Transgenic Plant Development, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Parul Saxena
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Centre for Transgenic Plant Development, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Athar Ali
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Centre for Transgenic Plant Development, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Shazia Khan
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Centre for Transgenic Plant Development, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Malik Z Abdin
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Centre for Transgenic Plant Development, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India.
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Comprehensive assessment of the genes involved in withanolide biosynthesis from Withania somnifera: chemotype-specific and elicitor-responsive expression. Funct Integr Genomics 2017; 17:477-490. [PMID: 28285413 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-017-0548-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2016] [Revised: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Family, Solanaceae), is among the most valuable medicinal plants used in Ayurveda owing to its rich reservoir of pharmaceutically active secondary metabolites known as withanolides. Withanolides are C28-steroidal lactones having a triterpenoidal metabolic origin synthesised via mevalonate (MVA) pathway and methyl-D-erythritol-4-phosphate (MEP) pathway involving metabolic intermediacy of 24-methylene (C30-terpenoid) cholesterol. Phytochemical studies suggest differences in the content and/or nature of withanolides in different tissues of different chemotypes. Though development of genomic resources has provided information about putative genes encoding enzymes for biosynthesis of intermediate steps of terpenoid backbone, not much is known about their regulation and response to elicitation. In this study, we generated detailed molecular information about genes catalysing key regulatory steps of withanolide biosynthetic pathway. The full-length sequences of genes encoding enzymes for intermediate steps of terpenoid backbone biosynthesis and their paralogs have been characterized for their functional and structural properties as well as phylogeny using bioinformatics approach. The expression analysis suggests that these genes are differentially expressed in different tissues (with maximal expression in young leaf), chemotypes and in response to salicylic acid (SA) and methyl jasmonate (MJ) treatments. Sub-cellular localization studies suggest that both paralogs of sterol ∆-7 reductase (WsDWF5-1 and WsDWF5-2) are localized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) thus supporting their indispensible role in withanolide biosynthesis. Comprehensive information developed, in this study, will lead to elucidation of chemotype- as well as tissue-specific withanolide biosynthesis and development of new tools for functional genomics in this important medicinal plant.
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Singh V, Singh B, Sharma A, Kaur K, Gupta A, Salar R, Hallan V, Pati P. Leaf spot disease adversely affects human health-promoting constituents and withanolide biosynthesis inWithania somnifera(L.) Dunal. J Appl Microbiol 2016; 122:153-165. [DOI: 10.1111/jam.13314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2016] [Revised: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- V. Singh
- Department of Biotechnology; Guru Nanak Dev University; Amritsar Punjab India
| | - B. Singh
- Department of Biotechnology; Guru Nanak Dev University; Amritsar Punjab India
| | - A. Sharma
- Department of Biotechnology; Guru Nanak Dev University; Amritsar Punjab India
| | - K. Kaur
- Department of Biotechnology; Guru Nanak Dev University; Amritsar Punjab India
| | - A.P. Gupta
- QC & QA; Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine; Jammu Tawi Jammu and Kashmir India
| | - R.K. Salar
- Department of Biotechnology; Chaudhary Devi Lal University; Sirsa Haryana India
| | - V. Hallan
- Biotechnology Division; CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology; Palampur Himachal Pradesh India
| | - P.K. Pati
- Department of Biotechnology; Guru Nanak Dev University; Amritsar Punjab India
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Zhang M, Wang S, Yin J, Li C, Zhan Y, Xiao J, Liang T, Li X. Molecular cloning and promoter analysis of squalene synthase and squalene epoxidase genes from Betula platyphylla. PROTOPLASMA 2016; 253:1347-1363. [PMID: 26464187 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-015-0893-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Accepted: 09/30/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Betula platyphylla is a rich repository of pharmacologically active secondary metabolites known as birch triterpenoids (TBP). Here, we cloned the squalene synthase (SS) and squalene epoxidase genetic (SE) sequences from B. platyphylla that encode the key enzymes that are involved in triterpenoid biosynthesis and analyzed the conserved domains and phylogenetics of their corresponding proteins. The full-length sequence of BpSS is 1588 bp with a poly-A tail, which contained an open reading frame (ORF) of 1241 bp that encoded a protein of 413 amino acids. Additionally, the BpSE full-length sequence of 2040 bp with a poly-A tail was also obtained, which contained an ORF of 1581 bp encoding a protein of 526 amino acids. Their organ-specific expression patterns in 4-week-old tissue culture seedlings of B. platyphylla were detected by real-time PCR and showed that they were all highly expressed in leaves, as compared to stem and root tissues. Additionaly, both BpSS and BpSE were enhanced following stimulation with ethephon and MeJA. The expression of BpSS was enhanced by ABA, whereas BpSE was not. The SA treatment did not affect the BpSS and BpSE transcripts notably. Using a genome walking approach, promoter sequences of 965 and 1193 bp, respectively, for BpSS and BpSE were isolated, and they revealed several key cis-regulatory elements known to be involved in the response to phytohormone and abiotic plant stress. We also found that the BpSS protein is localized in the cytoplasm. Opening reading frames of BpSS and BpSE were ligated into yeast expression plasmid pYES2 under control of GAL1 promoter and introduced into the yeast INVScl1 strain. The transformants were cultured for 12 h, the squalene content of galactose-induced BpSS expression yeast cells was 13.2 times of control (empty vector control yeast cells) by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) test method. And, the squalene epoxidase activity of induced BpSE expression yeast cell was about 11.8 times of control. These indicated that we cloned birch BpSS and BpSE that were indeed involved in the synthesis of triteropenoids. This is the first report wherein SS and SE from B. platyphylla were cloned and may be of significant interest to understand the regulatory role of SS and SE in the triterpenoids biosynthesis of B. platyphylla. This is the first report wherein SS and SE from B. platyphylla were cloned and may be of significant interest to understand the regulatory role of SS and SE in the biosynthesis of birch triterpenoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyan Zhang
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Siyao Wang
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Jing Yin
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetic Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China.
| | - Chunxiao Li
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Yaguang Zhan
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetic Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Jialei Xiao
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agriculture University, Harbin, 150010, China
| | - Tian Liang
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Xin Li
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China
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Saxena P, Ahlawat S, Ali A, Khan S, Abdin MZ. Gene expression analysis of the withanolide biosynthetic pathway in hairy root cultures of Withania somnifera elicited with methyl jasmonate and the fungus Piriformospora indica. Symbiosis 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s13199-016-0416-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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RNAi and Homologous Over-Expression Based Functional Approaches Reveal Triterpenoid Synthase Gene-Cycloartenol Synthase Is Involved in Downstream Withanolide Biosynthesis in Withania somnifera. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0149691. [PMID: 26919744 PMCID: PMC4769023 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0149691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Withania somnifera Dunal, is one of the most commonly used medicinal plant in Ayurvedic and indigenous medicine traditionally owing to its therapeutic potential, because of major chemical constituents, withanolides. Withanolide biosynthesis requires the activities of several enzymes in vivo. Cycloartenol synthase (CAS) is an important enzyme in the withanolide biosynthetic pathway, catalyzing cyclization of 2, 3 oxidosqualene into cycloartenol. In the present study, we have cloned full-length WsCAS from Withania somnifera by homology-based PCR method. For gene function investigation, we constructed three RNAi gene-silencing constructs in backbone of RNAi vector pGSA and a full-length over-expression construct. These constructs were transformed in Agrobacterium strain GV3101 for plant transformation in W. somnifera. Molecular and metabolite analysis was performed in putative Withania transformants. The PCR and Southern blot results showed the genomic integration of these RNAi and overexpression construct(s) in Withania genome. The qRT-PCR analysis showed that the expression of WsCAS gene was considerably downregulated in stable transgenic silenced Withania lines compared with the non-transformed control and HPLC analysis showed that withanolide content was greatly reduced in silenced lines. Transgenic plants over expressing CAS gene displayed enhanced level of CAS transcript and withanolide content compared to non-transformed controls. This work is the first full proof report of functional validation of any metabolic pathway gene in W. somnifera at whole plant level as per our knowledge and it will be further useful to understand the regulatory role of different genes involved in the biosynthesis of withanolides.
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Saema S, Rahman LU, Singh R, Niranjan A, Ahmad IZ, Misra P. Ectopic overexpression of WsSGTL1, a sterol glucosyltransferase gene in Withania somnifera, promotes growth, enhances glycowithanolide and provides tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2016; 35:195-211. [PMID: 26518426 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-015-1879-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Revised: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Overexpression of sterol glycosyltransferase (SGTL1) gene of Withania somnifera showing its involvement in glycosylation of withanolide that leads to enhanced growth and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Withania somnifera is widely used in Ayurvedic medicines for over 3000 years due to its therapeutic properties. It contains a variety of glycosylated steroids called withanosides that possess neuroregenerative, adaptogenic, anticonvulsant, immunomodulatory and antioxidant activities. The WsSGTL1 gene specific for 3β-hydroxy position has a catalytic specificity to glycosylate withanolide and sterols. Glycosylation not only stabilizes the products but also alters their physiological activities and governs intracellular distribution. To understand the functional significance and potential of WsSGTL1 gene, transgenics of W. somnifera were generated using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. Stable integration and overexpression of WsSGTL1 gene were confirmed by Southern blot analysis followed by quantitative real-time PCR. The WsGTL1 transgenic plants displayed number of alterations at phenotypic and metabolic level in comparison to wild-type plants which include: (1) early and enhanced growth with leaf expansion and increase in number of stomata; (2) increased production of glycowithanolide (majorly withanoside V) and campesterol, stigmasterol and sitosterol in glycosylated forms with reduced accumulation of withanolides (withaferin A, withanolide A and withanone); (3) tolerance towards biotic stress (100 % mortality of Spodoptera litura), improved survival capacity under abiotic stress (cold stress) and; (4) enhanced recovery capacity after cold stress, as indicated by better photosynthesis performance, chlorophyll, anthocyanin content and better quenching regulation of PSI and PSII. Our data demonstrate overexpression of WsSGTL1 gene which is responsible for increase in glycosylated withanolide and sterols, and confers better growth and tolerance to both biotic and abiotic stresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Saema
- Tissue Culture and Plant Transformation Laboratory, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow, 226001, India
- Department of Bioscience, Integral University, Lucknow, India
| | - Laiq Ur Rahman
- Department of Biotechnology, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, India
| | - Ruchi Singh
- Tissue Culture and Plant Transformation Laboratory, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow, 226001, India
| | - Abhishek Niranjan
- Tissue Culture and Plant Transformation Laboratory, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow, 226001, India
| | | | - Pratibha Misra
- Tissue Culture and Plant Transformation Laboratory, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow, 226001, India.
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Dhar N, Razdan S, Rana S, Bhat WW, Vishwakarma R, Lattoo SK. A Decade of Molecular Understanding of Withanolide Biosynthesis and In vitro Studies in Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal: Prospects and Perspectives for Pathway Engineering. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2015; 6:1031. [PMID: 26640469 PMCID: PMC4661287 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2015.01031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 11/06/2015] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Withania somnifera, a multipurpose medicinal plant is a rich reservoir of pharmaceutically active triterpenoids that are steroidal lactones known as withanolides. Though the plant has been well-characterized in terms of phytochemical profiles as well as pharmaceutical activities, limited attempts have been made to decipher the biosynthetic route and identification of key regulatory genes involved in withanolide biosynthesis. This scenario limits biotechnological interventions for enhanced production of bioactive compounds. Nevertheless, recent emergent trends vis-à-vis, the exploration of genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomics, and in vitro studies have opened new vistas regarding pathway engineering of withanolide production. During recent years, various strategic pathway genes have been characterized with significant amount of regulatory studies which allude toward development of molecular circuitries for production of key intermediates or end products in heterologous hosts. Another pivotal aspect covering redirection of metabolic flux for channelizing the precursor pool toward enhanced withanolide production has also been attained by deciphering decisive branch point(s) as robust targets for pathway modulation. With these perspectives, the current review provides a detailed overview of various studies undertaken by the authors and collated literature related to molecular and in vitro approaches employed in W. somnifera for understanding various molecular network interactions in entirety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niha Dhar
- Plant Biotechnology, CSIR - Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine Jammu Tawi, India
| | - Sumeer Razdan
- Plant Biotechnology, CSIR - Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine Jammu Tawi, India
| | - Satiander Rana
- Plant Biotechnology, CSIR - Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine Jammu Tawi, India
| | - Wajid W Bhat
- Plant Biotechnology, CSIR - Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine Jammu Tawi, India
| | - Ram Vishwakarma
- Medicinal Chemistry, CSIR - Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine Jammu Tawi, India
| | - Surrinder K Lattoo
- Plant Biotechnology, CSIR - Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine Jammu Tawi, India
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Jiang Y, Chen H, Chen X, Köllner TG, Jia Q, Wymore TW, Wang F, Chen F. Volatile squalene from a nonseed plant Selaginella moellendorffii: Emission and biosynthesis. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2015. [PMID: 26209752 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2015.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The triterpene squalene is a key metabolic intermediate for sterols, hopanoids and various other triterpenoids. The biosynthesis of squalene is catalyzed by squalene synthase (SQS), which converts two molecules of farnesyl diphosphate to squalene. In this study, a lycophyte Selaginella moellendorffii was found to emit squalene as a volatile compound under a number of conditions that mimic biotic stresses. Searching the genome sequence of S. moellendorffii led to the identification of a putative squalene synthase gene. It was designated as SmSQS. SmSQS is homologous to known squalene synthases from other plants and animals at both the amino acid level and structural level. Recombinant SmSQS expressed in Escherichia coli catalyzed the formation of squalene using farnesyl diphosphate as substrate. The expression of SmSQS was significantly induced by the same set of stress factors that induced the emission of volatile squalene from S. moellendorffii plants. Taken together, these results support that SmSQS is responsible for the biosynthesis of volatile squalene and volatile squalene may have a role in the defense of S. moellendorffii plants against biotic stresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Jiang
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, 252 Ellington Plant Science Bldg, 2431 Joe Johnson Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA; College of Horticulture, Northwest Agricultural and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China; College of Art, Changzhou University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, 252 Ellington Plant Science Bldg, 2431 Joe Johnson Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Xinlu Chen
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, 252 Ellington Plant Science Bldg, 2431 Joe Johnson Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Tobias G Köllner
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knoell-Strasse 8, D-07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Qidong Jia
- Graduate School of Genome Science and Technology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Troy W Wymore
- Department of Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology and UT/ORNL Center for Molecular Biophysics, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Fei Wang
- College of Horticulture, Northwest Agricultural and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Feng Chen
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, 252 Ellington Plant Science Bldg, 2431 Joe Johnson Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA; Graduate School of Genome Science and Technology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
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Directed optimization of a newly identified squalene synthase from Mortierella alpine based on sequence truncation and site-directed mutagenesis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 42:1341-52. [DOI: 10.1007/s10295-015-1668-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Terpenoids, a class of isoprenoids usually isolated from plants, are always used as commercial flavor and anticancer drugs. As a key precursor for triterpenes and sterols, biosynthesis of squalene (SQ) can be catalyzed by squalene synthase (SQS) from two farnesyl diphosphate molecules. In this work, the key SQS gene involved in sterols synthesis by Mortierella alpine, an industrial strain often used to produce unsaturated fatty acid such as γ-linolenic acid and arachidonic acid, was identified and characterized. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that MaSQS contained 416 amino acid residues involved in four highly conserved regions. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the closest relationship of MaSQS with Ganoderma lucidum and Aspergillus, which also belonged to the member of the fungus. Subsequently, the recombinant protein was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) and detected by SDS-PAGE. To improve the expression and solubility of protein, 17 or 27 amino acids in the C-terminal were deleted. In vitro activity investigation based on gas chromatography–mass spectrometry revealed that both the truncated enzymes could functionally catalyze the reaction from FPP to SQ and the enzymatic activity was optimal at 37 °C, pH 7.2. Moreover, based on the site-directed mutagenesis, the mutant enzyme mMaSQSΔC17 (E186K) displayed a 3.4-fold improvement in catalytic efficiency (k cat/K m) compared to the control. It was the first report of characterization and modification of SQS from M. alpine, which facilitated the investigation of isoprenoid biosynthesis in the fungus. The engineered mMaSQSΔC17 (E186K) can be a potential candidate of the terpenes and steroids synthesis employed for synthetic biology.
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Sivanandhan G, Kapil Dev G, Theboral J, Selvaraj N, Ganapathi A, Manickavasagam M. Sonication, Vacuum Infiltration and Thiol Compounds Enhance the Agrobacterium-Mediated Transformation Frequency of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0124693. [PMID: 25927703 PMCID: PMC4416026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0124693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2014] [Accepted: 03/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present study, we have established a stable transformation protocol via Agrobacterium tumafacines for the pharmaceutically important Withania somnifera. Six day-old nodal explants were used for 3 day co-cultivation with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 harbouring the vector pCAMIBA2301. Among the different injury treatments, sonication, vacuum infiltration and their combination treatments tested, a vacuum infiltration for 10 min followed by sonication for 10 sec with A. tumefaciens led to a higher transient GUS expression (84% explants expressing GUS at regenerating sites). In order to improve gene integration, thiol compounds were added to co-cultivation medium. A combined treatment of L-Cys at 100 mg/l, STS at 125 mg/l, DTT at 75 mg/l resulted in a higher GUS expression (90%) in the nodal explants. After 3 days of co-cultivation, the explants were subjected to three selection cycles with increasing concentrations of kanamycin [100 to 115 mg/l]. The integration and expression of gusA gene in T0 and T1 transgenic plants were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and Southern blott analysis. These transformed plants (T0 and T1) were fertile and morphologically normal. From the present investigation, we have achieved a higher transformation efficiency of (10%). Withanolides (withanolide A, withanolide B, withanone and withaferin A) contents of transformed plants (T0 and T1) were marginally higher than control plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganeshan Sivanandhan
- Plant Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, School of Biotechnology, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli 620 024, Tamil Nadu, India
- Molecular Genetics and Genomics Laboratory, Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 305 764, South Korea
| | - Gnajothi Kapil Dev
- Plant Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, School of Biotechnology, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli 620 024, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Jeevaraj Theboral
- Plant Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, School of Biotechnology, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli 620 024, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Natesan Selvaraj
- Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory, Department of Botany, Periyar E.V.R College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli 620 023, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Andy Ganapathi
- Plant Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, School of Biotechnology, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli 620 024, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Markandan Manickavasagam
- Plant Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, School of Biotechnology, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli 620 024, Tamil Nadu, India
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Singh P, Guleri R, Singh V, Kaur G, Kataria H, Singh B, Kaur G, Kaul SC, Wadhwa R, Pati PK. Biotechnological interventions inWithania somnifera(L.) Dunal. Biotechnol Genet Eng Rev 2015; 31:1-20. [DOI: 10.1080/02648725.2015.1020467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Rana S, Bhat WW, Dhar N, Pandith SA, Razdan S, Vishwakarma R, Lattoo SK. Molecular characterization of two A-type P450s, WsCYP98A and WsCYP76A from Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal: expression analysis and withanolide accumulation in response to exogenous elicitations. BMC Biotechnol 2014; 14:89. [PMID: 25416924 PMCID: PMC4247701 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-014-0089-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2014] [Accepted: 10/06/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pharmacological investigations position withanolides as important bioactive molecules demanding their enhanced production. Therefore, one of the pivotal aims has been to gain knowledge about complete biosynthesis of withanolides in terms of enzymatic and regulatory genes of the pathway. However, the pathway remains elusive at the molecular level. P450s monooxygenases play a crucial role in secondary metabolism and predominantly help in functionalizing molecule core structures including withanolides. RESULTS In an endeavor towards identification and characterization of different P450s, we here describe molecular cloning, characterization and expression analysis of two A-type P450s, WsCYP98A and WsCYP76A from Withania somnifera. Full length cDNAs of WsCYP98A and WsCYP76A have open reading frames of 1536 and 1545 bp encoding 511 (58.0 kDa) and 515 (58.7 kDa) amino acid residues, respectively. Entire coding sequences of WsCYP98A and WsCYP76A cDNAs were expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) using pGEX4T-2 expression vector. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis indicated that both genes express widely in leaves, stalks, roots, flowers and berries with higher expression levels of WsCYP98A in stalks while WsCYP76A transcript levels were more obvious in roots. Further, transcript profiling after methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid, and gibberellic acid elicitations displayed differential transcriptional regulation of WsCYP98A and WsCYP76A. Copious transcript levels of both P450s correlated positively with the higher production of withanolides. CONCLUSIONS Two A-types P450 WsCYP98A and WsCYP76A were isolated, sequenced and heterologously expressed in E. coli. Both P450s are spatially regulated at transcript level showing differential tissue specificity. Exogenous elicitors acted as both positive and negative regulators of mRNA transcripts. Methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid resulted in copious expression of WsCYP98A and WsCYP76A. Enhanced mRNA levels also corroborated well with the increased accumulation of withanolides in response to elicitations. The empirical findings suggest that elicitors possibly incite defence or stress responses of the plant by triggering higher accumulation of withanolides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satiander Rana
- Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu, Tawi-180001, India.
| | - Wajid Waheed Bhat
- Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu, Tawi-180001, India.
| | - Niha Dhar
- Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu, Tawi-180001, India.
| | - Shahzad A Pandith
- Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu, Tawi-180001, India.
| | - Sumeer Razdan
- Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu, Tawi-180001, India.
| | - Ram Vishwakarma
- Medicinal Chemistry Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu, Tawi-180001, India.
| | - Surrinder K Lattoo
- Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu, Tawi-180001, India.
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In silico study of binding motifs in squalene synthase enzyme of secondary metabolic pathway of solanaceae [corrected]. Mol Biol Rep 2014; 41:7201-8. [PMID: 25106523 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-014-3603-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2014] [Accepted: 07/07/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Solanaceae is an important family with several plants of medicinal importance. These medicinal plants have distinctive pathways for secondary metabolite biosynthesis. In most of the plants, two important compounds, dimethylallyl diphosphate and isopentenyl diphosphate, synthesize isoprenoid or terpenoids. Squalene synthase (SQS) is a key enzyme of the biosynthesis of isoprenoid (farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) → squalene). Withania somnifera (ashwagandha), an important medicinal plant of family solanaceae produces withanolides. Withanolides are secondary metabolites synthesized through isoprenoid pathway. In this study, 13 SQS protein sequences from the plants of solanacae family and Arabidopsis thaliana were analyzed. The conserved domains in corresponding sequences were searched. The multiple sequence alignment of conserved domains revealed the important motifs and identified the residue substitution in each motif. Our result further indicated that residue substitution in motifs might not lead to functional variation, although it may affect the binding affinity of Mg(++), FPP and NAD(P)H. In addition, the homology modelling of SQS enzyme of W. somnifera was done for the prediction of three-dimensional structure. Molecular docking study of considered substrates with WsSQS was performed and the docked structure were analyzed further. The docked structures showed binding affinity for motif 2 of WsSQS. Our analysis revealed that 29 residues of motif 2 might be important for catalytic/functional activity of SQS enzyme of W. somnifera. This study may provide an understanding of metabolic pathways responsible for the production of secondary metabolites. The motifs may play a key role in regulating the pathway towards enhanced production of metabolites.
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Zhu L, Zhang X, Chang L, Wang A, Feng P, Han L. Molecular cloning, prokaryotic expression and promoter analysis of squalene synthase gene from Schizochytrium Limacinum. APPL BIOCHEM MICRO+ 2014. [DOI: 10.1134/s0003683814040140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Bhat WW, Razdan S, Rana S, Dhar N, Wani TA, Qazi P, Vishwakarma R, Lattoo SK. A phenylalanine ammonia-lyase ortholog (PkPAL1) from Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle ex. Benth: molecular cloning, promoter analysis and response to biotic and abiotic elicitors. Gene 2014; 547:245-56. [PMID: 24979341 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2014.06.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2013] [Revised: 05/16/2014] [Accepted: 06/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle ex Benth. is a highly reputed medicinal herb utilised in the preparation of a number of herbal drug formulations, principally due to the presence of novel monoterpene iridoid glycosides kenned as picrosides. Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase catalyses an important rate-limiting step in phenylpropanoid pathway and supplies precursors like cinnamic acid, vanillic acid, ferulic acid, etc., to a variety of secondary metabolites including picrosides. The imperilled status of P. kurrooa coupled with lack of information regarding biogenesis of picrosides necessitates deciphering the biosynthetic pathway for picrosides. In the present study, a PAL gene, designated PkPAL1 was isolated from P. kurrooa. The cDNA is 2312 bp in length, consisting of an ORF of 2142 bp encoding for a 713 amino acid protein having a predicted molecular weight of 77.66 kDa and an isoelectric point of pH 6.82. qRT-PCR analysis of various tissues of P. kurrooa showed that PkPAL1 transcript levels were highest in the leaves, consistent with picroside accumulation pattern. Using Genome walking, a 718 bp promoter region was also isolated resulting in identification of distinct cis-regulatory elements including TGA-element, TGACG-motif, CGTCA-motif, etc. qRT-PCR indicated up-regulation of PkPAL1 by methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid, 2,4-dicholorophenoxy acetic acid and UV-B elicitations that corroborated positively with the identified cis-elements within the promoter region. Moreover, altitude was found to have a positive effect on the PkPAL1 transcript levels, driving the expression of PkPAL1 abundantly. Based on docking analysis, we identified eight residues as potentially essential for substrate binding in PkPAL1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wajid Waheed Bhat
- Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR - Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu Tawi-180001, India
| | - Sumeer Razdan
- Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR - Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu Tawi-180001, India
| | - Satiander Rana
- Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR - Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu Tawi-180001, India
| | - Niha Dhar
- Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR - Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu Tawi-180001, India
| | - Tariq Ahmad Wani
- Genetic Resources and Agrotechnology Division, CSIR - Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu Tawi, 180001, India
| | - Parvaiz Qazi
- Microbial Biotechnology Division, CSIR - Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Sanat Nagar, Srinagar 190005, India
| | - Ram Vishwakarma
- Medicinal Chemistry Division, CSIR - Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu Tawi, 180001, India
| | - Surrinder K Lattoo
- Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR - Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu Tawi-180001, India.
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Dhar N, Rana S, Razdan S, Bhat WW, Hussain A, Dhar RS, Vaishnavi S, Hamid A, Vishwakarma R, Lattoo SK. Cloning and functional characterization of three branch point oxidosqualene cyclases from Withania somnifera (L.) dunal. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:17249-67. [PMID: 24770414 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.571919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs) positioned at a key metabolic subdividing junction execute indispensable enzymatic cyclization of 2,3-oxidosqualene for varied triterpenoid biosynthesis. Such branch points present favorable gene targets for redirecting metabolic flux toward specific secondary metabolites. However, detailed information regarding the candidate OSCs covering different branches and their regulation is necessary for the desired genetic manipulation. The aim of the present study, therefore, was to characterize members of OSC superfamily from Withania somnifera (Ws), a medicinal plant of immense repute known to synthesize a large array of biologically active steroidal lactone triterpenoids called withanolides. Three full-length OSC cDNAs, β-amyrin synthase (WsOSC/BS), lupeol synthase (WsOSC/LS), and cycloartenol synthase (WsOSC/CS), having open reading frames of 2289, 2268, and 2277 bp, were isolated. Heterologous expression in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, LC-MS analyses, and kinetic studies confirmed their monofunctionality. The three WsOSCs were found to be spatially regulated at transcriptional level with WsOSC/CS being maximally expressed in leaf tissue. Promoter analysis of three WsOSCs genes resulted in identification of distinct cis-regulatory elements. Further, transcript profiling under methyl jasmonate, gibberellic acid, and yeast extract elicitations displayed differential transcriptional regulation of each of the OSCs. Changes were also observed in mRNA levels under elicitations and further substantiated with protein expression levels by Western blotting. Negative regulation by yeast extract resulted in significant increase in withanolide content. Empirical evidence suggests that repression of competitive branch OSCs like WsOSC/BS and WsOSC/LS possibly leads to diversion of substrate pool toward WsOSC/CS for increased withanolide production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niha Dhar
- From the Divisions of Plant Biotechnology
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Samantha Vaishnavi
- the School of Biotechnology, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra-182320, India
| | | | - Ram Vishwakarma
- Medicinal Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu Tawi-180001, India and
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Bhat WW, Rana S, Dhar N, Razdan S, Pandith SA, Vishwakarma R, Lattoo SK. An inducible NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase from Picrorhiza kurrooa - an imperative redox partner of cytochrome P450 enzymes. Funct Integr Genomics 2014; 14:381-99. [PMID: 24522789 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-014-0362-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2013] [Revised: 12/31/2013] [Accepted: 01/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Picrorhiza kurrooa synthesizes a large array of pharmacologically important monoterpenoid iridoid glycosides called picrosides. Although chemical profile and pharmacological activities of P. kurrooa have been extensively studied, limited attempts have been made to decipher the biosynthetic route and to identify the key regulatory genes involved in picroside biosynthesis. In the present study, NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase, a key enzyme involved in electron transfer to cytochrome P450s was identified from P. kurrooa. The full length cDNA (2679 bp) contained an open reading frame of 2133 bp, corresponding to 710 amino acids. PkCPR was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli and the kinetic parameters of the recombinant enzyme were determined. Specific activity, V max and K m of PkCPR were found to be 5.8 ± 0.05 μmol min(-1) mg(-1), 8.1 ± 0.12 μmol min(-1) mg(-1) and 7.8 μM, respectively. PkCPR was found to be spatially regulated at transcript level, being maximally expressed in leaf tissues. Altitude was found to have a positive effect on the picroside concentration and the picroside content positively correlated with the PkCPR transcript levels in samples collected at varied altitudes. Further, transcript profiling under methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid, 2,4-dicholorophenoxy acetic acid and UV-B elicitations displayed differential transcriptional regulation of PkCPR that fully corroborated with the identified cis-elements within the PkCPR promoter. Expression of PkCPR was inducible by UV-B and phytohormone elicitation, indicating that the PkCPR is possibly related to defence reactions, including biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Present study is so far the only report of identification and functional characterization of CPR ortholog from P. kurrooa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wajid Waheed Bhat
- Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu Tawi-180001, India
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Szarc vel Szic K, Op de Beeck K, Ratman D, Wouters A, Beck IM, Declerck K, Heyninck K, Fransen E, Bracke M, De Bosscher K, Lardon F, Van Camp G, Berghe WV. Pharmacological levels of Withaferin A (Withania somnifera) trigger clinically relevant anticancer effects specific to triple negative breast cancer cells. PLoS One 2014; 9:e87850. [PMID: 24498382 PMCID: PMC3912072 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0087850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2013] [Accepted: 01/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Withaferin A (WA) isolated from Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) has recently become an attractive phytochemical under investigation in various preclinical studies for treatment of different cancer types. In the present study, a comparative pathway-based transcriptome analysis was applied in epithelial-like MCF-7 and triple negative mesenchymal MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells exposed to different concentrations of WA which can be detected systemically in in vivo experiments. Whereas WA treatment demonstrated attenuation of multiple cancer hallmarks, the withanolide analogue Withanone (WN) did not exert any of the described effects at comparable concentrations. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed that WA targets specific cancer processes related to cell death, cell cycle and proliferation, which could be functionally validated by flow cytometry and real-time cell proliferation assays. WA also strongly decreased MDA-MB-231 invasion as determined by single-cell collagen invasion assay. This was further supported by decreased gene expression of extracellular matrix-degrading proteases (uPA, PLAT, ADAM8), cell adhesion molecules (integrins, laminins), pro-inflammatory mediators of the metastasis-promoting tumor microenvironment (TNFSF12, IL6, ANGPTL2, CSF1R) and concomitant increased expression of the validated breast cancer metastasis suppressor gene (BRMS1). In line with the transcriptional changes, nanomolar concentrations of WA significantly decreased protein levels and corresponding activity of uPA in MDA-MB-231 cell supernatant, further supporting its anti-metastatic properties. Finally, hierarchical clustering analysis of 84 chromatin writer-reader-eraser enzymes revealed that WA treatment of invasive mesenchymal MDA-MB-231 cells reprogrammed their transcription levels more similarly towards the pattern observed in non-invasive MCF-7 cells. In conclusion, taking into account that sub-cytotoxic concentrations of WA target multiple metastatic effectors in therapy-resistant triple negative breast cancer, WA-based therapeutic strategies targeting the uPA pathway hold promise for further (pre)clinical development to defeat aggressive metastatic breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Szarc vel Szic
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry, Proteomics and Epigenetic Signaling (PPES), Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ken Op de Beeck
- Center of Medical Genetics, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Laboratory of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Dariusz Ratman
- Nuclear Receptor Signaling Unit, Cytokine Receptor Laboratory, VIB Department of Medical Protein Research, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - An Wouters
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Laboratory of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ilse M. Beck
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research (LECR), Department of Radiation Therapy and Experimental Cancer Research, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ken Declerck
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry, Proteomics and Epigenetic Signaling (PPES), Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Karen Heyninck
- Laboratory of Eukaryotic Gene Expression and Signal Transduction (LEGEST), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Erik Fransen
- Center of Medical Genetics, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- StatUa Center for Statistics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Marc Bracke
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research (LECR), Department of Radiation Therapy and Experimental Cancer Research, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karolien De Bosscher
- Nuclear Receptor Signaling Unit, Cytokine Receptor Laboratory, VIB Department of Medical Protein Research, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Filip Lardon
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Laboratory of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Guy Van Camp
- Center of Medical Genetics, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Wim Vanden Berghe
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry, Proteomics and Epigenetic Signaling (PPES), Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- * E-mail:
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Secondary Metabolites of Traditional Medical Plants: A Case Study of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). PLANT CELL MONOGRAPHS 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-41787-0_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Dhar N, Rana S, Bhat WW, Razdan S, Pandith SA, Khan S, Dutt P, Dhar RS, Vaishnavi S, Vishwakarma R, Lattoo SK. Dynamics of withanolide biosynthesis in relation to temporal expression pattern of metabolic genes in Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal: a comparative study in two morpho-chemovariants. Mol Biol Rep 2013; 40:7007-16. [DOI: 10.1007/s11033-013-2820-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2013] [Accepted: 10/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Kalra S, Kumar S, Lakhanpal N, Kaur J, Singh K. Characterization of Squalene synthase gene from Chlorophytum borivilianum (Sant. and Fernand.). Mol Biotechnol 2013; 54:944-53. [PMID: 23338982 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-012-9645-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Saponins are important group of secondary metabolites known for their pharmacological properties. Chlorophytum borivilianum contains high amount of saponins and is thus, recognized as an important medicinal plant with aphrodisiac properties. Though the plant is well known for its pharmaceutical properties, there is meager information available about the genes and enzymes responsible for biosynthesis of saponins from this plant. Squalene synthase (SqS) is the key enzyme of saponin biosynthesis pathway and here, we report cloning and characterization of SqS gene from C. borivilianum. A full-length CbSqS cDNA consisting of 1,760 bp was cloned which contained an open reading frame (ORF) of 1,233 bp, encoding a protein of 411 amino acids. Analysis of deduced amino acid sequence of CbSqS predicted the presence of conserved isoprenoid family domain and catalytic sites. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that CbSqS is closer to Glycine max and monocotyledonous plants. 3D structure prediction using various programs showed CbSqS structure to be similar to SqS from other species. C-terminus truncated recombinant squalene synthase (TruncCbSqS) was expressed in E. coli M15 cells with optimum expression induced with 1 mM IPTG at 37 °C. The gene expression level was analyzed through semi-quantitative RT-PCR and was found to be higher in leaves as compared to the roots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shikha Kalra
- Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India.
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Molecular characterization of UGT94F2 and UGT86C4, two glycosyltransferases from Picrorhiza kurrooa: comparative structural insight and evaluation of substrate recognition. PLoS One 2013; 8:e73804. [PMID: 24066073 PMCID: PMC3774767 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2012] [Accepted: 07/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Uridine diphosphate glycosyltransferases (UGTs) are pivotal in the process of glycosylation for decorating natural products with sugars. It is one of the versatile mechanisms in determining chemical complexity and diversity for the production of suite of pharmacologically active plant natural products. Picrorhiza kurrooa is a highly reputed medicinal herb known for its hepato-protective properties which are attributed to a novel group of iridoid glycosides known as picrosides. Although the plant is well studied in terms of its pharmacological properties, very little is known about the biosynthesis of these important secondary metabolites. In this study, we identified two family-1 glucosyltransferases from P. kurrooa. The full length cDNAs of UGT94F4 and UGT86C4 contained open reading frames of 1455 and 1422 nucleotides, encoding polypeptides of 484 and 473 amino acids respectively. UGT94F2 and UGT86C4 showed differential expression pattern in leaves, rhizomes and inflorescence. To elucidate whether the differential expression pattern of the two Picrorhiza UGTs correlate with transcriptional regulation via their promoters and to identify elements that could be recognized by known iridoid-specific transcription factors, upstream regions of each gene were isolated and scanned for putative cis-regulatory elements. Interestingly, the presence of cis-regulatory elements within the promoter regions of each gene correlated positively with their expression profiles in response to different phytohormones. HPLC analysis of picrosides extracted from different tissues and elicitor-treated samples showed a significant increase in picroside levels, corroborating well with the expression profile of UGT94F2 possibly indicating its implication in picroside biosynthesis. Using homology modeling and molecular docking studies, we provide an insight into the donor and acceptor specificities of both UGTs identified in this study. UGT94F2 was predicted to be an iridoid-specific glucosyltransferase having maximum binding affinity towards 7-deoxyloganetin while as UGT86C4 was predicted to be a kaempferol-specific glucosyltransferase. These are the first UGTs being reported from P. kurrooa.
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Akhtar N, Gupta P, Sangwan NS, Sangwan RS, Trivedi PK. Cloning and functional characterization of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase gene from Withania somnifera: an important medicinal plant. PROTOPLASMA 2013; 250:613-22. [PMID: 22936023 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-012-0450-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2012] [Accepted: 08/17/2012] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal is one of the most valuable medicinal plants synthesizing a large number of pharmacologically active secondary metabolites known as withanolides, the C28-steroidal lactones derived from triterpenoids. Though the plant has been well characterized in terms of phytochemical profiles as well as pharmaceutical activities, not much is known about the biosynthetic pathway and genes responsible for biosynthesis of these compounds. In this study, we have characterized the gene encoding 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR; EC 1.1.1.34) catalyzing the key regulatory step of the isoprenoid biosynthesis. The 1,728-bp full-length cDNA of Withania HMGR (WsHMGR) encodes a polypeptide of 575 amino acids. The amino acid sequence homology and phylogenetic analysis suggest that WsHMGR has typical structural features of other known plant HMGRs. The relative expression analysis suggests that WsHMGR expression varies in different tissues as well as chemotypes and is significantly elevated in response to exposure to salicylic acid, methyl jasmonate, and mechanical injury. The functional color assay in Escherichia coli showed that WsHMGR could accelerate the biosynthesis of carotenoids, establishing that WsHMGR encoded a functional protein and may play a catalytic role by its positive influence in isoprenoid biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nehal Akhtar
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR-NBRI), Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow, 226 001, India
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