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Martim DB, Brilhante AJVC, Lima AR, Paixão DAA, Martins-Junior J, Kashiwagi FM, Wolf LD, Costa MS, Menezes FF, Prata R, Gazolla MC, Aricetti JA, Persinoti GF, Rocha GJM, Giuseppe PO. Resolving the metabolism of monolignols and other lignin-related aromatic compounds in Xanthomonas citri. Nat Commun 2024; 15:7994. [PMID: 39266555 PMCID: PMC11393088 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52367-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Lignin, a major plant cell wall component, has an important role in plant-defense mechanisms against pathogens and is a promising renewable carbon source to produce bio-based chemicals. However, our understanding of microbial metabolism is incomplete regarding certain lignin-related compounds like p-coumaryl and sinapyl alcohols. Here, we reveal peripheral pathways for the catabolism of the three main lignin precursors (p-coumaryl, coniferyl, and sinapyl alcohols) in the plant pathogen Xanthomonas citri. Our study demonstrates all the necessary enzymatic steps for funneling these monolignols into the tricarboxylic acid cycle, concurrently uncovering aryl aldehyde reductases that likely protect the pathogen from aldehydes toxicity. It also shows that lignin-related aromatic compounds activate transcriptional responses related to chemotaxis and flagellar-dependent motility, which might play an important role during plant infection. Together our findings provide foundational knowledge to support biotechnological advances for both plant diseases treatments and conversion of lignin-derived compounds into bio-based chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damaris B Martim
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Brazilian Biorenewables National Laboratory (LNBR), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Anna J V C Brilhante
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Brazilian Biorenewables National Laboratory (LNBR), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Augusto R Lima
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Brazilian Biorenewables National Laboratory (LNBR), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Douglas A A Paixão
- Brazilian Biorenewables National Laboratory (LNBR), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Joaquim Martins-Junior
- Brazilian Biorenewables National Laboratory (LNBR), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda M Kashiwagi
- Brazilian Biorenewables National Laboratory (LNBR), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucia D Wolf
- Brazilian Biorenewables National Laboratory (LNBR), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mariany S Costa
- Brazilian Biorenewables National Laboratory (LNBR), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fabrícia F Menezes
- Brazilian Biorenewables National Laboratory (LNBR), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rafaela Prata
- Brazilian Biorenewables National Laboratory (LNBR), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Matheus C Gazolla
- Brazilian Biorenewables National Laboratory (LNBR), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juliana A Aricetti
- Brazilian Biorenewables National Laboratory (LNBR), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gabriela F Persinoti
- Brazilian Biorenewables National Laboratory (LNBR), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - George J M Rocha
- Brazilian Biorenewables National Laboratory (LNBR), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Priscila O Giuseppe
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Brazilian Biorenewables National Laboratory (LNBR), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Kumagawa E, Katsumata M, Nishimura H, Watanabe T, Ishii S, Ohta Y. The etherase system of Novosphingobium sp. MBES04 functions as a sensor of lignin fragments through phenylpropanone production to induce specific transcriptional responses. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2024; 16:e13210. [PMID: 37950419 PMCID: PMC10866074 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.13210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The MBES04 strain of Novosphingobium accumulates phenylpropanone monomers as end-products of the etherase system, which specifically and reductively cleaves the β-O-4 ether bond (a major bond in lignin molecules). However, it does not utilise phenylpropanone monomers as an energy source. Here, we studied the response to the lignin-related perturbation to clarify the physiological significance of its etherase system. Transcriptome analysis revealed two gene clusters, each consisting of four tandemly linked genes, specifically induced by a lignin preparation extracted from hardwood (Eucalyptus globulus) and a β-O-4-type lignin model biaryl compound, but not by vanillin. The most strongly induced gene was a 2,4'-dihydroxyacetophenone dioxygenase-like protein, which leads to energy production through oxidative degradation. The other cluster was related to multidrug resistance. The former cluster was transcriptionally regulated by a common promoter, where a phenylpropanone monomer acted as one of the effectors responsible for gene induction. These results indicate that the physiological significance of the etherase system of the strain lies in its function as a sensor for lignin fragments. This may be a survival strategy to detect nutrients and gain tolerance to recalcitrant toxic compounds, while the strain preferentially utilises easily degradable aromatic compounds with lower energy demands for catabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eri Kumagawa
- Gunma University Center for Food Science and Wellness, Gunma UniversityMaebashiGunmaJapan
| | - Madoka Katsumata
- Gunma University Center for Food Science and Wellness, Gunma UniversityMaebashiGunmaJapan
| | - Hiroshi Nishimura
- Research Institute for Sustainable HumanosphereKyoto UniversityUjiKyotoJapan
| | - Takashi Watanabe
- Research Institute for Sustainable HumanosphereKyoto UniversityUjiKyotoJapan
| | - Shun'ichi Ishii
- Institute for Extra‐cutting‐edge Science and Technology Avant‐garde Research (X‐star)Japan Agency for Marine‐Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC)YokosukaKanagawaJapan
| | - Yukari Ohta
- Gunma University Center for Food Science and Wellness, Gunma UniversityMaebashiGunmaJapan
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Weiland F, Kohlstedt M, Wittmann C. Guiding stars to the field of dreams: Metabolically engineered pathways and microbial platforms for a sustainable lignin-based industry. Metab Eng 2021; 71:13-41. [PMID: 34864214 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2021.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Lignin is an important structural component of terrestrial plants and is readily generated during biomass fractionation in lignocellulose processing facilities. Due to lacking alternatives the majority of technical lignins is industrially simply burned into heat and energy. However, regarding its vast abundance and a chemically interesting richness in aromatics, lignin is presently regarded as the most under-utilized and promising feedstock for value-added applications. Notably, microbes have evolved powerful enzymes and pathways that break down lignin and metabolize its various aromatic components. This natural pathway atlas meanwhile serves as a guiding star for metabolic engineers to breed designed cell factories and efficiently upgrade this global waste stream. The metabolism of aromatic compounds, in combination with success stories from systems metabolic engineering, as reviewed here, promises a sustainable product portfolio from lignin, comprising bulk and specialty chemicals, biomaterials, and fuels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabia Weiland
- Institute of Systems Biotechnology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Michael Kohlstedt
- Institute of Systems Biotechnology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Christoph Wittmann
- Institute of Systems Biotechnology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany.
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