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Sun W, Yin Q, Wan H, Gao R, Xiong C, Xie C, Meng X, Mi Y, Wang X, Wang C, Chen W, Xie Z, Xue Z, Yao H, Sun P, Xie X, Hu Z, Nelson DR, Xu Z, Sun X, Chen S. Characterization of the horse chestnut genome reveals the evolution of aescin and aesculin biosynthesis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6470. [PMID: 37833361 PMCID: PMC10576086 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42253-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Horse chestnut (Aesculus chinensis) is an important medicinal tree that contains various bioactive compounds, such as aescin, barrigenol-type triterpenoid saponins (BAT), and aesculin, a glycosylated coumarin. Herein, we report a 470.02 Mb genome assembly and characterize an Aesculus-specific whole-genome duplication event, which leads to the formation and duplication of two triterpenoid biosynthesis-related gene clusters (BGCs). We also show that AcOCS6, AcCYP716A278, AcCYP716A275, and AcCSL1 genes within these two BGCs along with a seed-specific expressed AcBAHD6 are responsible for the formation of aescin. Furthermore, we identify seven Aesculus-originated coumarin glycoside biosynthetic genes and achieve the de novo synthesis of aesculin in E. coli. Collinearity analysis shows that the collinear BGC segments can be traced back to early-diverging angiosperms, and the essential gene-encoding enzymes necessary for BAT biosynthesis are recruited before the splitting of Aesculus, Acer, and Xanthoceras. These findings provide insight on the evolution of gene clusters associated with medicinal tree metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Sun
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 100700, Beijing, China
- Institute of Herbgenomics, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 611137, Chengdu, China
| | - Qinggang Yin
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 100700, Beijing, China
- Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 100700, Beijing, China
| | - Huihua Wan
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 100700, Beijing, China
| | - Ranran Gao
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 100700, Beijing, China
- Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 100700, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 100700, Beijing, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, 430023, Wuhan, China
| | - Chong Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 100029, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangxiao Meng
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 100700, Beijing, China
| | - Yaolei Mi
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 100700, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaotong Wang
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, 150040, Harbin, China
| | - Caixia Wang
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 100700, Beijing, China
| | - Weiqiang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 100700, Beijing, China
| | - Ziyan Xie
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, 150040, Harbin, China
| | - Zheyong Xue
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, 150040, Harbin, China
| | - Hui Yao
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 100193, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Sun
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 100700, Beijing, China
- Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 100700, Beijing, China
| | - Xuehua Xie
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 100700, Beijing, China
| | - Zhigang Hu
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, 430065, Wuhan, China
| | - David R Nelson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Zhichao Xu
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, 150040, Harbin, China.
| | - Xinxiao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 100029, Beijing, China.
| | - Shilin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 100700, Beijing, China.
- Institute of Herbgenomics, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 611137, Chengdu, China.
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Aesculus hippocastanum L.: A Simple Ornamental Plant or a Source of Compelling Molecules for Industry? SEPARATIONS 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/separations10030160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Aesculus hippocastanum L., also known as horse chestnut, is an ornamental tree whose seeds are mostly discarded in landfills in the regions where they are grown. However, recent studies have shown that these seeds can be a source of interesting compounds for several industries. This work aimed to chemically characterize horse chestnut seeds at the level of compounds recognized for their wide bioactivity, i.e., organic acids, including phenolic compounds, using chromatographic methodologies (UFLC-DAD and LC-DAD-ESI/MSn). In addition, the bioactivity of these seeds was evaluated by in vitro methodologies, seeking to relate the respective (bio)activity to the compounds present in the endocarp (husk), seed coat (skin), and peeled seed (pulp). The antioxidant activity (lipid peroxidation inhibition and oxidative haemolysis inhibition), antibacterial potential (against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria) and cytotoxicity (in human tumour cell lines and porcine liver primary cells) were evaluated. Kaempferol-O-pentoside-O-hexoside-O-hexoside was the main phenolic identified in the pulp. At the same time, (-)-epicatechin and β-type (epi)catechin dimer were the major phenolics present in husk and skin, respectively. In general, A. hippocastanum extracts presented antioxidant and antibacterial potential, without toxicity up to the maximal tested dose. Overall, these findings anticipate potential applications of A. hippocastanum seeds in food- or pharmaceutical-related uses.
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Potential Activity Mechanisms of Aesculus hippocastanum Bark: Antioxidant Effects in Chemical and Biological In Vitro Models. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10070995. [PMID: 34206691 PMCID: PMC8300635 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10070995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The bark of Aesculus hippocastanum is an herbal remedy used in conditions connected with vascular insufficiency; however, there is a lack of data concerning its mechanisms of action. The present work is a preliminary investigation into some of the potential directions of the bark activity. The phytochemically (qualitative UHPLC-PDA-MS/MS and quantitative UHPLC-PDA assays) characterized extract and its four main constituents (esculin, fraxin, (‒)-epicatechin and procyanidin A2) were first evaluated in terms of their antioxidant capacity. All analytes demonstrated dose-dependent scavenging potential towards the most common in vivo oxidants, with particularly advantageous capacity of the extract and its flavan-3-ol constituents against peroxynitrite (3.37–13.26 mmol AA/g), hydroxyl radical (5.03–8.91 mmol AA/g) and superoxide radical (3.50–5.50 mmol AA/g). Moreover, even at low concentrations (1–5 µg/mL), they protected components of human plasma against oxidative damage inflicted by peroxynitrite, preventing oxidation of plasma protein thiols and diminishing the tyrosine nitration and lipid peroxidation. High efficiency of the analytes was also demonstrated in preventing the peroxynitrite-induced nitrative changes of fibrinogen (up to 80% inhibition for (‒)-epicatechin at 50 µg/mL), an important protein of coagulation cascade. Additionally, the extract and its constituents had, at most, moderate inhibitory activity towards platelet aggregation induced by ADP and only negligible influence on clotting times. The results show that, among the investigated properties, the antioxidant activity might, to the highest extent, be responsible for the bark efficacy in vascular disorders, thus supporting its application in those conditions; they also indicate the directions for future research that would allow for better understanding of the bark activity.
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Betinol IO, Nader S, Mansy SS. Spectral decomposition of iron-sulfur clusters. Anal Biochem 2021; 629:114269. [PMID: 34089700 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2021.114269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The near universal availability of UV-Visible spectrophotometers makes this instrument a highly exploited tool for the inexpensive, rapid examination of iron-sulfur clusters. Yet, the analysis of iron-sulfur cluster reconstitution experiments by UV-Vis spectroscopy is notoriously difficult due to the presence of broad, ill-defined peaks. Other types of spectroscopies, such as electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and Mössbauer spectroscopy, are superior in characterizing the type of cluster present and their associated electronic transitions but require expensive, less readily available equipment. Here, we describe a tool that utilizes the accessible and convenient platform of Microsoft Excel to allow for the semi-quantitative analysis of iron-sulfur clusters by UV-Vis spectroscopy. This tool, which we call Fit-FeS, could potentially be used to additionally decompose spectra of solutions containing chromophores other than iron-sulfur clusters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaiah O Betinol
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, 11227 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2G2, Canada.
| | - Serge Nader
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, 11227 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2G2, Canada.
| | - Sheref S Mansy
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, 11227 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2G2, Canada.
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