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Umar AW, Ahmad N, Xu M. Reviving Natural Rubber Synthesis via Native/Large Nanodiscs. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1468. [PMID: 38891415 PMCID: PMC11174458 DOI: 10.3390/polym16111468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2024] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural rubber (NR) is utilized in more than 40,000 products, and the demand for NR is projected to reach $68.5 billion by 2026. The primary commercial source of NR is the latex of Hevea brasiliensis. NR is produced by the sequential cis-condensation of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) through a complex known as the rubber transferase (RTase) complex. This complex is associated with rubber particles, specialized organelles for NR synthesis. Despite numerous attempts to isolate, characterize, and study the RTase complex, definitive results have not yet been achieved. This review proposes an innovative approach to overcome this longstanding challenge. The suggested method involves isolating the RTase complex without using detergents, instead utilizing the native membrane lipids, referred to as "natural nanodiscs", and subsequently reconstituting the complex on liposomes. Additionally, we recommend the adaptation of large nanodiscs for the incorporation and reconstitution of the RTase complex, whether it is in vitro transcribed or present within the natural nanodiscs. These techniques show promise as a viable solution to the current obstacles. Based on our experimental experience and insights from published literature, we believe these refined methodologies can significantly enhance our understanding of the RTase complex and its role in in vitro NR synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Wakeel Umar
- BNU-HKUST Laboratory of Green Innovation, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai (BNUZ), Zhuhai 519087, China
| | - Naveed Ahmad
- Joint Center for Single Cell Biology, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center of Agri-Seeds, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China;
| | - Ming Xu
- BNU-HKUST Laboratory of Green Innovation, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai (BNUZ), Zhuhai 519087, China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Carbon Neutrality, Jiangmen Laboratory of Carbon Science and Technology, Jiangmen 529199, China
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Tan Y, Cao J, Tang C, Liu K. Advances in Genome Sequencing and Natural Rubber Biosynthesis in Rubber-Producing Plants. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:9342-9353. [PMID: 38132431 PMCID: PMC10741621 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45120585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural rubber (cis-1,4-polyisoprene, NR) is an important raw material utilized widely in the manufacturing of medical, agricultural, and industrial products. Rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) and several alternative rubber-producing plants (Taraxacum kok-saghyz, Lactuca sativa, and Parthenium argentatum) have the capability to produce high-quality NR. With the progress of genome sequencing, similar rubber biosynthesis pathways have been discovered among different rubber-producing plant species. NR is synthesized and stored in rubber particles, which are specialized organelles comprising a hydrophobic NR core surrounded by a lipid monolayer and membrane-bound proteins. The rubber transferase complex is considered to be the pivotal enzyme involved in catalyzing NR biosynthesis. However, the exact compositions of the RT complex in rubber-producing plants remain elusive and poorly understood. Here, we review the progress of genome sequencing, natural rubber biosynthesis, and the components of the RT complex in rubber-producing plants. We emphasize that identifying the detailed components of the RT complex holds great significance for exploring the mechanism of NR biosynthesis and accelerating molecular breeding in rubber-producing plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingchao Tan
- National Key Laboratory for Biological Breeding of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China; (Y.T.); (J.C.); (C.T.)
- School of Breeding and Multiplication (Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), Hainan University, Sanya 572025, China
- Natural Rubber Cooperative Innovation Center of Hainan Province and Ministry of Education of P.R. China, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Jie Cao
- National Key Laboratory for Biological Breeding of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China; (Y.T.); (J.C.); (C.T.)
- School of Breeding and Multiplication (Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), Hainan University, Sanya 572025, China
- Natural Rubber Cooperative Innovation Center of Hainan Province and Ministry of Education of P.R. China, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Chaorong Tang
- National Key Laboratory for Biological Breeding of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China; (Y.T.); (J.C.); (C.T.)
- School of Breeding and Multiplication (Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), Hainan University, Sanya 572025, China
- Natural Rubber Cooperative Innovation Center of Hainan Province and Ministry of Education of P.R. China, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
- Yunnan Institute of Tropical Crops, Xishuangbanna 666100, China
| | - Kaiye Liu
- National Key Laboratory for Biological Breeding of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China; (Y.T.); (J.C.); (C.T.)
- School of Breeding and Multiplication (Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), Hainan University, Sanya 572025, China
- Natural Rubber Cooperative Innovation Center of Hainan Province and Ministry of Education of P.R. China, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
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Gutensohn M, Hartzell E, Dudareva N. Another level of complex-ity: The role of metabolic channeling and metabolons in plant terpenoid metabolism. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:954083. [PMID: 36035727 PMCID: PMC9399743 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.954083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Terpenoids constitute one of the largest and most diverse classes of plant metabolites. While some terpenoids are involved in essential plant processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, growth, and development, others are specialized metabolites playing roles in the interaction of plants with their biotic and abiotic environment. Due to the distinct functions and properties of specific terpenoid compounds, there is a growing interest to introduce or modify their production in plants by metabolic engineering for agricultural, pharmaceutical, or industrial applications. The MVA and MEP pathways and the prenyltransferases providing the general precursors for terpenoid formation, as well as the enzymes of the various downstream metabolic pathways leading to the formation of different groups of terpenoid compounds have been characterized in detail in plants. In contrast, the molecular mechanisms directing the metabolic flux of precursors specifically toward one of several potentially competing terpenoid biosynthetic pathways are still not well understood. The formation of metabolons, multi-protein complexes composed of enzymes catalyzing sequential reactions of a metabolic pathway, provides a promising concept to explain the metabolic channeling that appears to occur in the complex terpenoid biosynthetic network of plants. Here we provide an overview about examples of potential metabolons involved in plant terpenoid metabolism that have been recently characterized and the first attempts to utilize metabolic channeling in terpenoid metabolic engineering. In addition, we discuss the gaps in our current knowledge and in consequence the need for future basic and applied research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Gutensohn
- Division of Plant and Soil Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Erin Hartzell
- Division of Plant and Soil Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Natalia Dudareva
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
- Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
- Purdue Center for Plant Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
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Habib MAH, Ismail MN. Hevea brasiliensis latex proteomics: a review of analytical methods and the way forward. JOURNAL OF PLANT RESEARCH 2021; 134:43-53. [PMID: 33108557 DOI: 10.1007/s10265-020-01231-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Natural rubber or latex from the Hevea brasiliensis is an important commodity in various economic sectors in today's modern society. Proteins have been detected in latex since the early twentieth century, and they are known to regulate various biological pathways within the H. brasiliensis trees such as the natural rubber biosynthesis, defence against pathogens, wound healing, and stress tolerance. However, the exact mechanisms of the pathways are still not clear. Proteomic analyses on latex have found various proteins and revealed how they fit into the mechanisms of the biological pathways. In the past three decades, there has been rapid latex protein identification due to the improvement of latex protein extraction methods, as well as the emergence of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and mass spectrometry (MS). In this manuscript, we reviewed the methods of latex protein extraction that keeps on improving over the past three decades as well as the results of numerous latex protein identification and quantitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Afiq Hazlami Habib
- Analytical Biochemistry Research Centre, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), 11800, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Nazri Ismail
- Analytical Biochemistry Research Centre, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), 11800, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), 11800, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
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Cherian S, Ryu SB, Cornish K. Natural rubber biosynthesis in plants, the rubber transferase complex, and metabolic engineering progress and prospects. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2019; 17:2041-2061. [PMID: 31150158 PMCID: PMC6790360 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Natural rubber (NR) is a nonfungible and valuable biopolymer, used to manufacture ~50 000 rubber products, including tires and medical gloves. Current production of NR is derived entirely from the para rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). The increasing demand for NR, coupled with limitations and vulnerability of H. brasiliensis production systems, has induced increasing interest among scientists and companies in potential alternative NR crops. Genetic/metabolic pathway engineering approaches, to generate NR-enriched genotypes of alternative NR plants, are of great importance. However, although our knowledge of rubber biochemistry has significantly advanced, our current understanding of NR biosynthesis, the biosynthetic machinery and the molecular mechanisms involved remains incomplete. Two spatially separated metabolic pathways provide precursors for NR biosynthesis in plants and their genes and enzymes/complexes are quite well understood. In contrast, understanding of the proteins and genes involved in the final step(s)-the synthesis of the high molecular weight rubber polymer itself-is only now beginning to emerge. In this review, we provide a critical evaluation of recent research developments in NR biosynthesis, in vitro reconstitution, and the genetic and metabolic pathway engineering advances intended to improve NR content in plants, including H. brasiliensis, two other prospective alternative rubber crops, namely the rubber dandelion and guayule, and model species, such as lettuce. We describe a new model of the rubber transferase complex, which integrates these developments. In addition, we highlight the current challenges in NR biosynthesis research and future perspectives on metabolic pathway engineering of NR to speed alternative rubber crop commercial development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Cherian
- Plant Systems Engineering Research CentreKorea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB)Yuseong‐guDaejeonKorea
- Research & Development CenterDRB Holding Co. LTDBusanKorea
| | - Stephen Beungtae Ryu
- Plant Systems Engineering Research CentreKorea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB)Yuseong‐guDaejeonKorea
- Department of Biosystems and BioengineeringKRIBB School of BiotechnologyKorea University of Science and Technology (UST)DaejeonKorea
| | - Katrina Cornish
- Department of Horticulture and Crop ScienceThe Ohio State UniversityWoosterOHUSA
- Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological EngineeringThe Ohio State UniversityWoosterOHUSA
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Lakusta AM, Kwon M, Kwon EJG, Stonebloom S, Scheller HV, Ro DK. Molecular Studies of the Protein Complexes Involving Cis-Prenyltransferase in Guayule ( Parthenium argentatum), an Alternative Rubber-Producing Plant. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 10:165. [PMID: 30858856 PMCID: PMC6397875 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.00165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Guayule (Parthenium argentatum) is a perennial shrub in the Asteraceae family and synthesizes a high quality, hypoallergenic cis-1,4-polyisoprene (or natural rubber; NR). Despite its potential to be an alternative NR supplier, the enzymes for cis-polyisoprene biosynthesis have not been comprehensively studied in guayule. Recently, implications of the protein complex involving cis-prenyltransferases (CPTs) and CPT-Binding Proteins (CBPs) in NR biosynthesis were shown in lettuce and dandelion, but such protein complexes have yet to be examined in guayule. Here, we identified four guayule genes - three PaCPTs (PaCPT1-3) and one PaCBP, whose protein products organize PaCPT/PaCBP complexes. Co-expression of both PaCBP and each of the PaCPTs could complemented the dolichol (a short cis-polyisoprene)-deficient yeast, whereas the individual expressions could not. Microsomes from the PaCPT/PaCBP-expressing yeast efficiently incorporated 14C-isopentenyl diphosphate into dehydrodolichyl diphosphates; however, NR with high molecular weight could not be synthesized in in vitro assays. Furthermore, co-immunoprecipitation and split-ubiquitin yeast 2-hybrid assays using PaCPTs and PaCBP confirmed the formation of protein complexes. Of the three PaCPTs, guayule transcriptomics analysis indicated that the PaCPT3 is predominantly expressed in stem and induced by cold-stress, suggesting its involvement in NR biosynthesis. The comprehensive analyses of these PaCPTs and PaCBP here provide the foundational knowledge to generate a high NR-yielding guayule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam M. Lakusta
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Moonhyuk Kwon
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Plus), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center, College of Natural Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, South Korea
| | - Eun-Joo G. Kwon
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Solomon Stonebloom
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, Emeryville, CA, United States
| | - Henrik V. Scheller
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, Emeryville, CA, United States
| | - Dae-Kyun Ro
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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