1
|
Kim TK, Slominski RM, Pyza E, Kleszczynski K, Tuckey RC, Reiter RJ, Holick MF, Slominski AT. Evolutionary formation of melatonin and vitamin D in early life forms: insects take centre stage. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024. [PMID: 38686544 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13091] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Melatonin, a product of tryptophan metabolism via serotonin, is a molecule with an indole backbone that is widely produced by bacteria, unicellular eukaryotic organisms, plants, fungi and all animal taxa. Aside from its role in the regulation of circadian rhythms, it has diverse biological actions including regulation of cytoprotective responses and other functions crucial for survival across different species. The latter properties are also shared by its metabolites including kynuric products generated by reactive oxygen species or phototransfomation induced by ultraviolet radiation. Vitamins D and related photoproducts originate from phototransformation of ∆5,7 sterols, of which 7-dehydrocholesterol and ergosterol are examples. Their ∆5,7 bonds in the B ring absorb solar ultraviolet radiation [290-315 nm, ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation] resulting in B ring opening to produce previtamin D, also referred to as a secosteroid. Once formed, previtamin D can either undergo thermal-induced isomerization to vitamin D or absorb UVB radiation to be transformed into photoproducts including lumisterol and tachysterol. Vitamin D, as well as the previtamin D photoproducts lumisterol and tachysterol, are hydroxylated by cyochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes to produce biologically active hydroxyderivatives. The best known of these is 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) for which the major function in vertebrates is regulation of calcium and phosphorus metabolism. Herein we review data on melatonin production and metabolism and discuss their functions in insects. We discuss production of previtamin D and vitamin D, and their photoproducts in fungi, plants and insects, as well as mechanisms for their enzymatic activation and suggest possible biological functions for them in these groups of organisms. For the detection of these secosteroids and their precursors and photoderivatives, as well as melatonin metabolites, we focus on honey produced by bees and on body extracts of Drosophila melanogaster. Common biological functions for melatonin derivatives and secosteroids such as cytoprotective and photoprotective actions in insects are discussed. We provide hypotheses for the photoproduction of other secosteroids and of kynuric metabolites of melatonin, based on the known photobiology of ∆5,7 sterols and of the indole ring, respectively. We also offer possible mechanisms of actions for these unique molecules and summarise differences and similarities of melatoninergic and secosteroidogenic pathways in diverse organisms including insects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tae-Kang Kim
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Radomir M Slominski
- Department of Genetics, Genomics, Bioinformatics and Informatics Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Elzbieta Pyza
- Department of Cell Biology and Imaging, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, Kraków, 30-387, Poland
| | - Konrad Kleszczynski
- Department of Dermatology, Münster, Von-Esmarch-Str. 58, Münster, 48161, Germany
| | - Robert C Tuckey
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Russel J Reiter
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, UT Health, Long School of Medicine, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | | | - Andrzej T Slominski
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cancer Chemoprevention Program, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
- VA Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lv J, He QH, Shi P, Zhou F, Zhang TT, Zhang M, Zhang XY. RNAi-mediated silencing of the neverland gene inhibits molting in the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 200:105845. [PMID: 38582577 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2024.105845] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) is a key intermediate product used for biosynthesis of molting hormone. This is achieved through a series of hydroxylation reactions catalyzed by the Halloween family of cytochrome P450s. Neverland is an enzyme catalyzes the first reaction of the ecdysteroidogenic pathway, which converts dietary cholesterol into 7-DHC. However, research on the physiological function of neverland in orthopteran insects is lacking. In this study, neverland from Locusta migratoria (LmNvd) was cloned and analyzed. LmNvd was mainly expressed in the prothoracic gland and highly expressed on days 6 and 7 of fifth instar nymphs. RNAi-mediated silencing of LmNvd resulted in serious molting delays and abnormal phenotypes, which could be rescued by 7-DHC and 20-hydroxyecdysone supplementation. Hematoxylin and eosin staining results showed that RNAi-mediated silencing of LmNvd disturbed the molting process by both promoting the synthesis of new cuticle and suppressing the degradation of the old cuticle. Quantitative real-time PCR results suggested that the mRNA expression of E75 early gene and chitinase 5 gene decreased and that of chitin synthase 1 gene was markedly upregulated after knockdown of LmNvd. Our results suggest that LmNvd participates in the biosynthesis process of molting hormone, which is involved in regulating chitin synthesis and degradation in molting cycles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jia Lv
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China; Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, China; Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, China
| | - Qi-Hui He
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China; Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, China; Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, China
| | - Peng Shi
- Shanxi Academy of Forestry and Grassland, China
| | - Feng Zhou
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China
| | - Ting-Ting Zhang
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China; Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, China; Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China; Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, China; Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, China.
| | - Xue-Yao Zhang
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China; Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, China; Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sun D, Zhang J, Li C, Wang TF, Qin HM. Biochemical and structural characterization of a novel thermophilic and acidophilic β-mannanase from Aspergillus calidoustus. Enzyme Microb Technol 2021; 150:109891. [PMID: 34489044 DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2021.109891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
β-Mannanases hydrolyze lignocellulosic biomass with the release of mannan oligosaccharides, which are considered as renewable resource in higher plants. Here, we cloned, expressed and characterized a novel endo-β-mannanase (ManAC) from Aspergillus calidoustus. Homology alignment analysis indicated that ManAC belonged to glycosyl hydrolase (GH) 5 family members. The analysis of structural homologous model revealed that five residues, Arg116, Asn231, His305, Tyr307, and Trp370, constituted the active site of ManAC. Glu232 and Glu340, proton donor and nucleophile, formed the catalytic residues of ManAC. The recombinant ManAC exhibited maximal activity at pH 2.5 and 70 °C, and it was acid tolerant at a pH range of 2.0-6.0 and thermostable under 60 °C. Meanwhile, the activity of ManAC was not significantly affected by various metal ions, except for Mg2+ and Ag2+. The recombinant ManAC exhibited the highest β-mannanase activity towards locust bean gum (669.7 U/mg) with the Km and Vmax values of 3.4 mg/mL and 982.4 μmol/min/mg, respectively. These thermophilic and acidophilicc characteristics is better than most extreme β-mannanase. As the first reported mannanse from Aspergillus calidoustus (ManAC), these excellent properties of ManAC strongly promote the synthesis of mannooligosaccharides which have potential for food and feed industrial applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dengyue Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, College of Bioengineering, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan, 250100, PR China
| | - Jie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, College of Bioengineering, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan, 250100, PR China
| | - Chao Li
- College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, PR China
| | - Teng-Fei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, College of Bioengineering, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan, 250100, PR China.
| | - Hui-Min Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, College of Bioengineering, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan, 250100, PR China; College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Proteome, bioinformatic and functional analyses reveal a distinct and conserved metabolic pathway for bile salt degradation in the Sphingomonadaceae. Appl Environ Microbiol 2021; 87:e0098721. [PMID: 34260303 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00987-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bile salts are amphiphilic steroids chain with digestive functions in vertebrates. Upon excretion, bile salts are degraded by environmental bacteria. Degradation of the bile-salt steroid skeleton resembles the well-studied pathway for other steroids like testosterone, while specific differences occur during side-chain degradation and the initiating transformations of the steroid skeleton. Of the latter, two variants via either Δ1,4- or Δ4,6-3-ketostructures of the steroid skeleton exist for 7-hydroxy bile salts. While the Δ1,4- variant is well-known from many model organisms, the Δ4,6-variant involving a 7-hydroxysteroid dehydratase as key enzyme has not been systematically studied. Here, combined proteomic, bioinformatic and functional analyses of the Δ4,6-variant in Sphingobium sp. strain Chol11 were performed. They revealed a degradation of the steroid rings similar to the Δ1,4-variant except for the elimination of the 7-OH as a key difference. In contrast, differential production of the respective proteins revealed a putative gene cluster degradation of the C5 carboxylic side chain encoding a CoA-ligase, an acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, a Rieske monooxygenase, and an amidase, but lacking most canonical genes known from other steroid-degrading bacteria. Bioinformatic analyses predicted the Δ4,6-variant to be widespread among the Sphingomonadaceae, which was verified for three type strains which also have the predicted side-chain degradation cluster. A second amidase in the side-chain degradation gene cluster of strain Chol11 was shown to cleave conjugated bile salts while having low similarity to known bile-salt hydrolases. This study signifies members of the Sphingomonadaceae remarkably well-adapted to the utilization of bile salts via a partially distinct metabolic pathway. Importance This study highlights the biochemical diversity of bacterial degradation of steroid compounds, in particular bile salts. Furthermore, it substantiates and advances knowledge of a variant pathway for degradation of steroids by sphingomonads, a group of environmental bacteria that are well-known for their broad metabolic capabilities. Biodegradation of bile salts is a critical process due to the high input of these compounds from manure into agricultural soils and wastewater treatment plants. In addition, these results may also be relevant for the biotechnological production of bile salts or other steroid compounds with pharmaceutical functions.
Collapse
|
5
|
Mao S, Song Z, Wu M, Wang X, Lu F, Qin HM. Expression, Purification, Refolding, and Characterization of a Neverland Protein From Caenorhabditis elegans. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:593041. [PMID: 33195160 PMCID: PMC7609953 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.593041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Steroid hormones that serve as vital compounds are necessary for the development and metabolism of a variety of organisms. The neverland (NVD) family genes encode the conserved Rieske-type oxygenases, which are accountable for the dehydrogenation during the synthesis and regulation of steroid hormones. However, the His-tagged NVD protein from Caenorhabditis elegans expresses as inclusion bodies in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). This bottleneck can be solved through refolding by urea or the introduction of a maltose-binding protein (MBP) tag at the N-terminus. Through further research on purification after the introduction of a MBP tag at the N-terminus, the CD measurement and fluorescence-based thermal shift assay indicated that MBP was favorable for the NVD proteins' solubility and stability, which may be beneficial for the large-scale manufacture of NVD protein for further research. The structural model contained the Rieske [2Fe-2S] domain and non-heme iron-binding motif, which were similar to 3-ketosteroid 9 α-hydroxylase.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuhong Mao
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
- College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Enzymes, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhan Song
- College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Mian Wu
- College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaorui Wang
- College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Fuping Lu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
- College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Enzymes, Tianjin, China
| | - Hui-Min Qin
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
- College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Enzymes, Tianjin, China
| |
Collapse
|