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Yang HD, Hou BL, Yang YG, Tang ZS, Xu HB. Diterpenoids from Acanthopanacis Cortex and their anti-inflammatory activity studies. Fitoterapia 2024; 176:106021. [PMID: 38762074 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Acanthopanacis Cortex (A.-C) with a long history of more than1000 years, has been used to treat rheumatism effectively. Nineteen diterpenoids have been isolated from A.-C, including six new compounds (1-6). Among them, compounds 7, 9-11, 13, and 17 were discovered from A.-C for the first time. The structures of 1-6 were determined by analyzing their NMR data and comparing their experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism spectra. Moreover, the single-crystal X-ray diffraction data of 1, 2, 8, and 14 were provided. The anti-inflammatory activity of 1-5 and 7-18 on neutrophil elastase, cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) has been studied in vitro, and the results showed that 15 had almost no inhibitory effects on COX-1 at 200 μM but a significant activity against COX-2 with an IC50 of 0.73 ± 0.006 μΜ. It indicated that compound 15 can provide valuable information for the design of selective COX-2 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Dong Yang
- Co-construction Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine Resources Industrialization by Shaanxi & Education Ministry, State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang 712083, PR China
| | - Bao-Long Hou
- Co-construction Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine Resources Industrialization by Shaanxi & Education Ministry, State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang 712083, PR China
| | - Yuan-Gui Yang
- Co-construction Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine Resources Industrialization by Shaanxi & Education Ministry, State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang 712083, PR China
| | - Zhi-Shu Tang
- Co-construction Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine Resources Industrialization by Shaanxi & Education Ministry, State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang 712083, PR China; China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, PR China
| | - Hong-Bo Xu
- Co-construction Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine Resources Industrialization by Shaanxi & Education Ministry, State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang 712083, PR China
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2
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Papanikolaou AS, Papaefthimiou D, Matekalo D, Karakousi CV, Makris AM, Kanellis AK. Chemical and transcriptomic analyses of leaf trichomes from Cistus creticus subsp. creticus reveal the biosynthetic pathways of certain labdane-type diterpenoids and their acetylated forms. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2024; 75:3431-3451. [PMID: 38520311 PMCID: PMC11156806 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erae098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Labdane-related diterpenoids (LRDs), a subgroup of terpenoids, exhibit structural diversity and significant commercial and pharmacological potential. LRDs share the characteristic decalin-labdanic core structure that derives from the cycloisomerization of geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP). Labdanes derive their name from the oleoresin known as 'Labdanum', 'Ladano', or 'Aladano', used since ancient Greek times. Acetylated labdanes, rarely identified in plants, are associated with enhanced biological activities. Chemical analysis of Cistus creticus subsp. creticus revealed labda-7,13(E)-dien-15-yl acetate and labda-7,13(E)-dien-15-ol as major constituents. In addition, novel labdanes such as cis-abienol, neoabienol, ent-copalol, and one as yet unidentified labdane-type diterpenoid were detected for the first time. These compounds exhibit developmental regulation, with higher accumulation observed in young leaves. Using RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis of young leaf trichomes, it was possible to identify, clone, and eventually functionally characterize labdane-type diterpenoid synthase (diTPS) genes, encoding proteins responsible for the production of labda-7,13(E)-dien-15-yl diphosphate (endo-7,13-CPP), labda-7,13(E)-dien-15-yl acetate, and labda-13(E)-ene-8α-ol-15-yl acetate. Moreover, the reconstitution of labda-7,13(E)-dien-15-yl acetate and labda-13(E)-ene-8α-ol-15-yl acetate production in yeast is presented. Finally, the accumulation of LRDs in different plant tissues showed a correlation with the expression profiles of the corresponding genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antigoni S Papanikolaou
- Group of Biotechnology of Pharmaceutical Plants, Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece
| | - Dimitra Papaefthimiou
- Group of Biotechnology of Pharmaceutical Plants, Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece
| | - Dragana Matekalo
- Group of Biotechnology of Pharmaceutical Plants, Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece
| | - Christina-Vasiliki Karakousi
- Group of Biotechnology of Pharmaceutical Plants, Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece
| | - Antonios M Makris
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, Centre for Research & Technology, Hellas (CERTH), 57001 Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece
| | - Angelos K Kanellis
- Group of Biotechnology of Pharmaceutical Plants, Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece
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3
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Dixon RA, Dickinson AJ. A century of studying plant secondary metabolism-From "what?" to "where, how, and why?". PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 195:48-66. [PMID: 38163637 PMCID: PMC11060662 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Over the past century, early advances in understanding the identity of the chemicals that collectively form a living plant have led scientists to deeper investigations exploring where these molecules localize, how they are made, and why they are synthesized in the first place. Many small molecules are specific to the plant kingdom and have been termed plant secondary metabolites, despite the fact that they can play primary and essential roles in plant structure, development, and response to the environment. The past 100 yr have witnessed elucidation of the structure, function, localization, and biosynthesis of selected plant secondary metabolites. Nevertheless, many mysteries remain about the vast diversity of chemicals produced by plants and their roles in plant biology. From early work characterizing unpurified plant extracts, to modern integration of 'omics technology to discover genes in metabolite biosynthesis and perception, research in plant (bio)chemistry has produced knowledge with substantial benefits for society, including human medicine and agricultural biotechnology. Here, we review the history of this work and offer suggestions for future areas of exploration. We also highlight some of the recently developed technologies that are leading to ongoing research advances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A Dixon
- BioDiscovery Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, USA
| | - Alexandra Jazz Dickinson
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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4
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Frey M, Bathe U, Meink L, Balcke GU, Schmidt J, Frolov A, Soboleva A, Hassanin A, Davari MD, Frank O, Schlagbauer V, Dawid C, Tissier A. Combinatorial biosynthesis in yeast leads to over 200 diterpenoids. Metab Eng 2024; 82:193-200. [PMID: 38387676 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2024.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Diterpenoids form a diverse group of natural products, many of which are or could become pharmaceuticals or industrial chemicals. The modular character of diterpene biosynthesis and the promiscuity of the enzymes involved make combinatorial biosynthesis a promising approach to generate libraries of diverse diterpenoids. Here, we report on the combinatorial assembly in yeast of ten diterpene synthases producing (+)-copalyl diphosphate-derived backbones and four cytochrome P450 oxygenases (CYPs) in diverse combinations. This resulted in the production of over 200 diterpenoids. Based on literature and chemical database searches, 162 of these compounds can be considered new-to-Nature. The CYPs accepted most substrates they were given but remained regioselective with few exceptions. Our results provide the basis for the systematic exploration of the diterpenoid chemical space in yeast using sequence databases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Frey
- Department of Cell and Metabolic Biology, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Ulschan Bathe
- Department of Cell and Metabolic Biology, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany; Department of Horticultural Sciences, University of Florida, 2550 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Luca Meink
- Department of Cell and Metabolic Biology, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Gerd U Balcke
- Department of Cell and Metabolic Biology, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Jürgen Schmidt
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Andrej Frolov
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Alena Soboleva
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Ahmed Hassanin
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany; Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut 71526, Egypt
| | - Mehdi D Davari
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Oliver Frank
- Food Chemistry and Molecular Sensory Science, Technical University of Munich, Lise-Meitner-Straße 34, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Verena Schlagbauer
- Food Chemistry and Molecular Sensory Science, Technical University of Munich, Lise-Meitner-Straße 34, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Corinna Dawid
- Food Chemistry and Molecular Sensory Science, Technical University of Munich, Lise-Meitner-Straße 34, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Alain Tissier
- Department of Cell and Metabolic Biology, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany; Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Institute of Pharmacy, Kurt-Mothes-Strasse 3, 06120 Halle, Germany.
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5
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Zhao Y, Liang Y, Luo G, Li Y, Han X, Wen M. Sequence-Structure Analysis Unlocking the Potential Functional Application of the Local 3D Motifs of Plant-Derived Diterpene Synthases. Biomolecules 2024; 14:120. [PMID: 38254720 PMCID: PMC10813164 DOI: 10.3390/biom14010120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Plant-derived diterpene synthases (PdiTPSs) play a critical role in the formation of structurally and functionally diverse diterpenoids. However, the specificity or functional-related features of PdiTPSs are not well understood. For a more profound insight, we collected, constructed, and curated 199 functionally characterized PdiTPSs and their corresponding 3D structures. The complex correlations among their sequences, domains, structures, and corresponding products were comprehensively analyzed. Ultimately, our focus narrowed to the geometric arrangement of local structures. We found that local structural alignment can rapidly localize product-specific residues that have been validated by mutagenesis experiments. Based on the 3D motifs derived from the residues around the substrate, we successfully searched diterpene synthases (diTPSs) from the predicted terpene synthases and newly characterized PdiTPSs, suggesting that the identified 3D motifs can serve as distinctive signatures in diTPSs (I and II class). Local structural analysis revealed the PdiTPSs with more conserved amino acid residues show features unique to class I and class II, whereas those with fewer conserved amino acid residues typically exhibit product diversity and specificity. These results provide an attractive method for discovering novel or functionally equivalent enzymes and probing the product specificity in cases where enzyme characterization is limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalan Zhao
- National Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (G.L.); (X.H.)
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Diversity in Southwest China, Ministry of Education, Yunnan Institute of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China
| | - Yupeng Liang
- National Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (G.L.); (X.H.)
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Diversity in Southwest China, Ministry of Education, Yunnan Institute of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China
| | - Gan Luo
- National Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (G.L.); (X.H.)
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Diversity in Southwest China, Ministry of Education, Yunnan Institute of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China
| | - Yi Li
- College of Mathematics and Computer Science, Dali University, Dali 671003, China
| | - Xiulin Han
- National Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (G.L.); (X.H.)
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Diversity in Southwest China, Ministry of Education, Yunnan Institute of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China
| | - Mengliang Wen
- National Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (G.L.); (X.H.)
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Diversity in Southwest China, Ministry of Education, Yunnan Institute of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China
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6
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Bibik JD, Hamberger B. Plant Engineering to Enable Platforms for Sustainable Bioproduction of Terpenoids. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2760:3-20. [PMID: 38468079 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3658-9_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Terpenoids represent the most diverse class of natural products, with a broad spectrum of industrial relevance including applications in green solvents, flavors and fragrances, nutraceuticals, colorants, and therapeutics. They are typically challenging to extract from their natural sources, where they occur in small amounts and mixtures of related but unwanted byproducts. Formal chemical synthesis, where established, is reliant on petrochemistry. Hence, there is great interest in developing sustainable solutions to assemble biosynthetic pathways in engineered host organisms. Metabolic engineering for chemical production has largely focused on microbial hosts, yet plants offer a sustainable production platform. In addition to containing the precursor pathways that generate the terpenoid building blocks as well as the cell structures and compartments required, or tractable localization for the enzymes involved, plants may provide a low input system to produce these chemicals using carbon dioxide and sunlight only. There have been significant recent advancements in the discovery of pathways to terpenoids of interest as well as strategies to boost yields in host plants. While part of the phytochemical field is focusing on the discovery of biosynthetic pathways, this review will focus on advancements using the pathway toolbox and toward engineering plants for the production of terpenoids. We will highlight strategies currently used to produce target products, optimization of known pathways to improve yields, compartmentalization of pathways within cells, and genetic tools developed to facilitate complex engineering of biosynthetic pathways. These advancements in Synthetic Biology are bringing engineered plant systems closer to commercially relevant hosts for the bioproduction of terpenoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob D Bibik
- Department of Biochemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- MelaTech, LLC, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Björn Hamberger
- Department of Biochemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
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7
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Qiu T, Li Y, Wu H, Yang H, Peng Z, Du Z, Wu Q, Wang H, Shen Y, Huang L. Tandem duplication and sub-functionalization of clerodane diterpene synthase originate the blooming of clerodane diterpenoids in Scutellaria barbata. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 116:375-388. [PMID: 37395679 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Scutellaria barbata is a traditional Chinese herb medicine and a major source of bioactive clerodane diterpenoids. However, barely clerodanes have been isolated from the closely related S. baicalensis. Here we assembled a chromosome-level genome of S. barbata and identified three class II clerodane diterpene synthases (SbarKPS1, SbarKPS2 and SbaiKPS1) from these two organisms. Using in vitro and in vivo assays, SbarKPS1 was characterized as a monofunctional (-)-kolavenyl diphosphate synthases ((-)-KPS), while SbarKPS2 and SbaiKPS1 produced major neo-cleroda-4(18),13E-dienyl diphosphate with small amount of (-)-KPP. SbarKPS1 and SbarKPS2 shared a high protein sequence identity and formed a tandem gene pair, indicating tandem duplication and sub-functionalization probably led to the evolution of monofunctional (-)-KPS in S. barbata. Additionally, SbarKPS1 and SbarKPS2 were primarily expressed in the leaves and flowers of S. barbata, which was consistent with the distribution of major clerodane diterpenoids scutebarbatine A and B. In contrast, SbaiKPS1 was barely expressed in any tissue of S. baicalensis. We further explored the downstream class I diTPS by functional characterizing of SbarKSL3 and SbarKSL4. Unfortunately, no dephosphorylated product was detected in the coupled assays with SbarKSL3/KSL4 and four class II diTPSs (SbarKPS1, SbarKPS2, SbarCPS2 and SbarCPS4) when a phosphatase inhibitor cocktail was included. Co-expression of SbarKSL3/KSL4 with class II diTPSs in yeast cells did not increase the yield of the corresponding dephosphorylated products, either. Together, these findings elucidated the involvement of two class II diTPSs in clerodane biosynthesis in S. barbata, while the class I diTPS is likely not responsible for the subsequent dephosphorylation step.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Qiu
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Physiology and Ecology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - YangYan Li
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Physiology and Ecology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Haisheng Wu
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Physiology and Ecology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Hui Yang
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Physiology and Ecology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Ziqiu Peng
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Physiology and Ecology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Zuying Du
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Physiology and Ecology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Qingwen Wu
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Physiology and Ecology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Hongbin Wang
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Physiology and Ecology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yanting Shen
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Physiology and Ecology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Lili Huang
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Physiology and Ecology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
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8
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Li Z, Zhang L, Xu K, Jiang Y, Du J, Zhang X, Meng LH, Wu Q, Du L, Li X, Hu Y, Xie Z, Jiang X, Tang YJ, Wu R, Guo RT, Li S. Molecular insights into the catalytic promiscuity of a bacterial diterpene synthase. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4001. [PMID: 37414771 PMCID: PMC10325987 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39706-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Diterpene synthase VenA is responsible for assembling venezuelaene A with a unique 5-5-6-7 tetracyclic skeleton from geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate. VenA also demonstrates substrate promiscuity by accepting geranyl pyrophosphate and farnesyl pyrophosphate as alternative substrates. Herein, we report the crystal structures of VenA in both apo form and holo form in complex with a trinuclear magnesium cluster and pyrophosphate group. Functional and structural investigations on the atypical 115DSFVSD120 motif of VenA, versus the canonical Asp-rich motif of DDXX(X)D/E, reveal that the absent second Asp of canonical motif is functionally replaced by Ser116 and Gln83, together with bioinformatics analysis identifying a hidden subclass of type I microbial terpene synthases. Further structural analysis, multiscale computational simulations, and structure-directed mutagenesis provide significant mechanistic insights into the substrate selectivity and catalytic promiscuity of VenA. Finally, VenA is semi-rationally engineered into a sesterterpene synthase to recognize the larger substrate geranylfarnesyl pyrophosphate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, Shandong, 266237, China
| | - Lilan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430062, China
| | - Kangwei Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China
| | - Yuanyuan Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, Shandong, 266237, China
| | - Jieke Du
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, Shandong, 266237, China
| | - Xingwang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, Shandong, 266237, China
| | - Ling-Hong Meng
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanhai Road 7, Qingdao, Shandong, 266071, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong, 266237, China
| | - Qile Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, Shandong, 266237, China
| | - Lei Du
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, Shandong, 266237, China
| | - Xiaoju Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, Shandong, 266237, China
| | - Yuechan Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430062, China
| | - Zhenzhen Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430062, China
| | - Xukai Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, Shandong, 266237, China
| | - Ya-Jie Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, Shandong, 266237, China
| | - Ruibo Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China.
| | - Rey-Ting Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430062, China.
| | - Shengying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, Shandong, 266237, China.
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong, 266237, China.
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Lanier ER, Andersen TB, Hamberger B. Plant terpene specialized metabolism: complex networks or simple linear pathways? THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 114:1178-1201. [PMID: 36891828 PMCID: PMC11166267 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
From the perspectives of pathway evolution, discovery and engineering of plant specialized metabolism, the nature of the biosynthetic routes represents a critical aspect. Classical models depict biosynthesis typically from an end-point angle and as linear, for example, connecting central and specialized metabolism. As the number of functionally elucidated routes increased, the enzymatic foundation of complex plant chemistries became increasingly well understood. The perception of linear pathway models has been severely challenged. With a focus on plant terpenoid specialized metabolism, we review here illustrative examples supporting that plants have evolved complex networks driving chemical diversification. The completion of several diterpene, sesquiterpene and monoterpene routes shows complex formation of scaffolds and their subsequent functionalization. These networks show that branch points, including multiple sub-routes, mean that metabolic grids are the rule rather than the exception. This concept presents significant implications for biotechnological production.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Björn Hamberger
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, Molecular Plant Sciences Building, 1066 Bogue Street, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824, USA
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10
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Li H, Wu S, Lin R, Xiao Y, Malaco Morotti AL, Wang Y, Galilee M, Qin H, Huang T, Zhao Y, Zhou X, Yang J, Zhao Q, Kanellis AK, Martin C, Tatsis EC. The genomes of medicinal skullcaps reveal the polyphyletic origins of clerodane diterpene biosynthesis in the family Lamiaceae. MOLECULAR PLANT 2023; 16:549-570. [PMID: 36639870 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2023.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The presence of anticancer clerodane diterpenoids is a chemotaxonomic marker for the traditional Chinese medicinal plant Scutellaria barbata, although the molecular mechanisms behind clerodane biosynthesis are unknown. Here, we report a high-quality assembly of the 414.98 Mb genome of S. barbata into 13 pseudochromosomes. Using phylogenomic and biochemical data, we mapped the plastidial metabolism of kaurene (gibberellins), abietane, and clerodane diterpenes in three species of the family Lamiaceae (Scutellaria barbata, Scutellaria baicalensis, and Salvia splendens), facilitating the identification of genes involved in the biosynthesis of the clerodanes, kolavenol, and isokolavenol. We show that clerodane biosynthesis evolved through recruitment and neofunctionalization of genes from gibberellin and abietane metabolism. Despite the assumed monophyletic origin of clerodane biosynthesis, which is widespread in species of the Lamiaceae, our data show distinct evolutionary lineages and suggest polyphyletic origins of clerodane biosynthesis in the family Lamiaceae. Our study not only provides significant insights into the evolution of clerodane biosynthetic pathways in the mint family, Lamiaceae, but also will facilitate the production of anticancer clerodanes through future metabolic engineering efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haixiu Li
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Song Wu
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ruoxi Lin
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yiren Xiao
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ana Luisa Malaco Morotti
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ya Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Meytal Galilee
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Haowen Qin
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Tao Huang
- Novogene Bioinformatics Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Zhao
- Novogene Bioinformatics Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Xun Zhou
- Novogene Bioinformatics Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Yang
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Resources, Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden, Shanghai Chenshan Plant Science Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201602, China
| | - Qing Zhao
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Resources, Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden, Shanghai Chenshan Plant Science Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201602, China
| | - Angelos K Kanellis
- Group of Biotechnology of Pharmaceutical Plants, Lab. of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Evangelos C Tatsis
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; CEPAMS - CAS-JIC Centre of Excellence for Plant and Microbial Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China.
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11
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Wang Z, Nelson DR, Zhang J, Wan X, Peters RJ. Plant (di)terpenoid evolution: from pigments to hormones and beyond. Nat Prod Rep 2023; 40:452-469. [PMID: 36472136 PMCID: PMC9945934 DOI: 10.1039/d2np00054g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Covering: up to 2014-2022.Diterpenoid biosynthesis in plants builds on the necessary production of (E,E,E)-geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) for photosynthetic pigment production, with diterpenoid biosynthesis arising very early in land plant evolution, enabling stockpiling of the extensive arsenal of (di)terpenoid natural products currently observed in this kingdom. This review will build upon that previously published in the Annual Review of Plant Biology, with a stronger focus on enzyme structure-function relationships, as well as additional insights into the evolution of (di)terpenoid metabolism since generated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhibiao Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.,Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50014, USA.
| | - David R Nelson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Juan Zhang
- Zhongzhi International Institute of Agricultural Biosciences, Shunde Innovation School, Research Center of Biology and Agriculture, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100024, China.
| | - Xiangyuan Wan
- Zhongzhi International Institute of Agricultural Biosciences, Shunde Innovation School, Research Center of Biology and Agriculture, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100024, China.
| | - Reuben J Peters
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50014, USA.
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12
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Ninkuu V, Yan J, Zhang L, Fu Z, Yang T, Li S, Li B, Duan J, Ren J, Li G, Yang X, Zeng H. Hrip1 mediates rice cell wall fortification and phytoalexins elicitation to confer immunity against Magnaporthe oryzae. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:980821. [PMID: 36212323 PMCID: PMC9546723 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.980821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Magnaporthe oryzae is a potent fungus that adversely affects rice yield. Combinatorial techniques of prevention, toxic chemicals, and fungicide are used to remedy rice blast infection. We reported the role of Hrip1 in cell death elicitation and expression of systematic acquired resistance that could potentially stifle M. oryzae infection. In this study, transcriptome and metabolomic techniques were used to investigate the mechanism by which Hrip1 reprogramed the transcriptome of rice seedlings to confer immunity against M. oryzae. Our results showed that Hrip1 induces cell wall thickening and phytoalexin elicitation to confer immunity against M. oryzae infection. Hrip1 activates key lignin biosynthetic genes and myeloblastosis transcription factors that act as molecular switches for lignin production. Lignin content was increased by 68.46% and more after 48 h onwards in Hrip1-treated seedlings compared to the control treatment. Further analysis of cell wall morphology using the transmission electron microscopy technique revealed over 100% cell wall robustness. Hrip1 also induced the expression of 24 diterpene synthases. These include class I and II terpene synthases, cytochrome P450 subfamilies (OsCYP76M and OsCYP71Z), and momilactones synthases. The relationship between the expression of these genes and metabolic elicitation was analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Enhanced amounts of momilactones A and B, oryzalactone, and phytocassane A and G were detected in the Hrip1-treated leaves. We also identified seven benzoxazinoid genes (BX1-BX7) that could improve rice immunity. Our findings show that Hrip1 confers dual immunity by leveraging lignin and phytoalexins for physical and chemical resistance. This study provides novel insights into the mechanisms underlying Hrip1-treated plant immunity.
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13
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Sarkar A, Foderaro T, Kramer L, Markley AL, Lee J, Traylor MJ, Fox JM. Evolution-Guided Biosynthesis of Terpenoid Inhibitors. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:3015-3027. [PMID: 35984356 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Terpenoids, the largest and most structurally diverse group of natural products, include a striking variety of biologically active compounds, from flavors to medicines. Despite their well-documented biochemical versatility, the evolutionary processes that generate new functional terpenoids are poorly understood and difficult to recapitulate in engineered systems. This study uses a synthetic biochemical objective─a transcriptional system that links the inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), a human drug target, to the expression of a gene for antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli (E. coli)─to evolve a terpene synthase to produce enzyme inhibitors. Site saturation mutagenesis of poorly conserved residues on γ-humulene synthase (GHS), a promicuous enzyme, yielded mutants that improved fitness (i.e., the antibiotic resistance of E. coli) by reducing GHS toxicity and/or by increasing inhibitor production. Intriguingly, a combination of two mutations enhanced the titer of a minority product─a terpene alcohol that inhibits PTP1B─by over 50-fold, and a comparison of similar mutants enabled the identification of a site where mutations permit efficient hydroxylation. Findings suggest that the plasticity of terpene synthases enables an efficient sampling of structurally distinct starting points for building new functional molecules and provide an experimental framework for exploiting this plasticity in activity-guided screens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankur Sarkar
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, 3415 Colorado Avenue, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - Tom Foderaro
- Think Bioscience, Inc., A1B43 MCDB, 1945 Colorado Avenue, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Levi Kramer
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, 3415 Colorado Avenue, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - Andrew L Markley
- Think Bioscience, Inc., A1B43 MCDB, 1945 Colorado Avenue, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Jessica Lee
- Think Bioscience, Inc., A1B43 MCDB, 1945 Colorado Avenue, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Matthew J Traylor
- Think Bioscience, Inc., A1B43 MCDB, 1945 Colorado Avenue, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Jerome M Fox
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, 3415 Colorado Avenue, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
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14
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Lemke C, Roach K, Ortega T, Tantillo DJ, Siegel JB, Peters RJ. Investigation of Acid–Base Catalysis in Halimadienyl Diphosphate Synthase Involved in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Virulence. ACS BIO & MED CHEM AU 2022; 2:490-498. [PMID: 36281298 PMCID: PMC9585517 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomedchemau.2c00023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
![]()
The devastating human
pathogenMycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)
is able to parasitize phagosomal compartments within alveolar
macrophage cells due, in part, to the activity of its cell-surface
lipids. Prominent among these is 1-tuberculosinyl-adenosine (1-TbAd),
a derivative of the diterpenoid tuberculosinyl (halima-5,13-dienyl)
diphosphate produced by the class II diterpene cyclase encoded by
Rv3377c, termed here MtHPS. Given the demonstrated ability of 1-TbAd
to act as a virulence factor for Mtb and the necessity for Rv3377c
for its production, there is significant interest in MtHPS activity.
Class II diterpene cyclases catalyze a general acid–base-mediated
carbocation cascade reaction initiated by protonation of the terminal
alkene in the general diterpenoid precursor (E,E,E)-geranylgeranyl diphosphate and terminated by deprotonation of the
final cyclized (and sometimes also rearranged) intermediate. Here,
structure-guided mutagenesis was applied to characterize the various
residues contributing to activation of the enzymatic acid, as well
as identify the enzymatic base in MtHPS. Particularly given the ability
of conservative substitution for the enzymatic base (Y479F) to generate
an alternative product (labda-7,13-dienyl diphosphate) via deprotonation
of an earlier unrearranged intermediate, further mutational analysis
was carried out to introduce potential alternative catalytic bases.
The results were combined with mechanistic molecular modeling to elucidate
how these mutations affect the catalytic activity of this important
enzyme. This not only provided detailed structure–function
insight into MtHPS but also further emphasized the inert nature of
the active site of MtHPS and class II diterpene cyclases more generally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody Lemke
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Kristin Roach
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Teresa Ortega
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Dean J. Tantillo
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Justin B. Siegel
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
- Genome Center, University of California-Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Reuben J. Peters
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
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15
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Wang Z, Peters RJ. Tanshinones: Leading the way into Lamiaceae labdane-related diterpenoid biosynthesis. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 66:102189. [PMID: 35196638 PMCID: PMC8940693 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2022.102189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Tanshinones are the bioactive diterpenoid constituents of the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza), and are examples of the phenolic abietanes widely found within the Lamiaceae plant family. Due to the significant interest in these labdane-related diterpenoid natural products, their biosynthesis has been intensively investigated. In addition to providing the basis for metabolic engineering efforts, this work further yielded pioneering insights into labdane-related diterpenoid biosynthesis in the Lamiaceae more broadly. This includes stereochemical foreshadowing of aromatization, with novel protein domain loss in the relevant diterpene synthase, as well as broader phylogenetic conservation of the relevant enzymes. Beyond such summary of more widespread metabolism, formation of the furan ring that characterizes the tanshinones also has been recently elucidated. Nevertheless, the biocatalysts for the pair of demethylations remain unknown, and the intriguing potential connection of these reactions to the further aromatization observed in the tanshinones are speculated upon here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhibiao Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China; Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Reuben J Peters
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
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16
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Xing B, Yu J, Chi C, Ma X, Xu Q, Li A, Ge Y, Wang Z, Liu T, Jia H, Yin F, Guo J, Huang L, Yang D, Ma M. Functional characterization and structural bases of two class I diterpene synthases in pimarane-type diterpene biosynthesis. Commun Chem 2021; 4:140. [PMID: 36697656 PMCID: PMC9814573 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-021-00578-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Pimarane-type diterpenoids are widely distributed in all domains of life, but no structures or catalytic mechanisms of pimarane-type diterpene synthases (DTSs) have been characterized. Here, we report that two class I DTSs, Sat1646 and Stt4548, each accept copalyl diphosphate (CPP) as the substrate to produce isopimara-8,15-diene (1). Sat1646 can also accept syn-CPP and produce syn-isopimaradiene/pimaradiene analogues (2-7), among which 2 possesses a previously unreported "6/6/7" ring skeleton. We solve the crystal structures of Sat1646, Sat1646 complexed with magnesium ions, and Stt4548, thereby revealing the active sites of these pimarane-type DTSs. Substrate modeling and subsequent site-directed mutagenesis experiments demonstrate different structural bases of Sat1646 and Stt4548 for 1 production. Comparisons with previously reported DTSs reveal their distinct carbocation intermediate stabilization mechanisms, which control the conversion of a single substrate CPP into structurally diverse diterpene products. These results illustrate the structural bases for enzymatic catalyses of pimarane-type DTSs, potentially facilitating future DTS engineering and combinatorial biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baiying Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Jiahui Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Changbiao Chi
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Xueyang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Qingxia Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Annan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yuanjie Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Zhengdong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Tan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Hongli Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Fuling Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Juan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Luqi Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Donghui Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Ming Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China.
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17
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Tong Y, Hu T, Tu L, Chen K, Liu T, Su P, Song Y, Liu Y, Huang L, Gao W. Functional characterization and substrate promiscuity of sesquiterpene synthases from Tripterygium wilfordii. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 185:949-958. [PMID: 34237366 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Acyclic terpenes, commonly found in plants, are of high physiological importance and commercial value, and their diversity was controlled by different terpene synthases. During the screen of sesquiterpene synthases from Tripterygium wilfordii, we observed that Ses-TwTPS1-1 and Ses-TwTPS2 promiscuously accepted GPP, FPP, and GGPP to produce corresponding terpene alcohols (linalool/nerolidol/geranyllinalool). The Ses-TwTPS1-2, Ses-TwTPS3, and Ses-TwTPS4 also showed unusual substrate promiscuity by catalyzing GGPP or GPP in addition to FPP as substrate. Furthermore, key residues for the generation of diterpene product, (E, E)-geranyllinalool, were screened depending on mutagenesis studies. The functional analysis of Ses-TwTPS1-1:V199I and Ses-TwTPS1-2:I199V showed that Val in 199 site assisted the produce of diterpene product geranyllinalool by enzyme mutation studies, which indicated that subtle differences away from the active site could alter the product outcome. Moreover, an engineered sesquiterpene high-yielding yeast that produced 162 mg/L nerolidol in shake flask conditions was constructed to quickly identify the function of sesquiterpene synthases in vivo and develop potential applications in microbial fermentation. Our functional characterization of acyclic sesquiterpene synthases will give some insights into the substrate promiscuity of diverse acyclic terpene synthases and provide key residues for expanding the product portfolio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuru Tong
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China.
| | - Tianyuan Hu
- College of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, PR China
| | - Lichan Tu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China
| | - Kang Chen
- National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, PR China
| | - Tiezheng Liu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China
| | - Ping Su
- Department of Chemistry, the Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Yadi Song
- Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100038, PR China
| | - Yuan Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China
| | - Luqi Huang
- National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, PR China.
| | - Wei Gao
- Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100038, PR China; School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China.
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18
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Katsimpouras C, Stephanopoulos G. Enzymes in biotechnology: Critical platform technologies for bioprocess development. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2021; 69:91-102. [PMID: 33422914 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2020.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Enzymes are core elements of biosynthetic pathways employed in the synthesis of numerous bioproducts. Here, we review enzyme promiscuity, enzyme engineering, enzyme immobilization, and cell-free systems as fundamental strategies of bioprocess development. Initially, promiscuous enzymes are the first candidates in the quest for new activities to power new, artificial, or bypass pathways that expand substrate range and catalyze the production of new products. If the activity or regulation of available enzymes is unsuitable for a process, protein engineering can be applied to improve them to the required level. When cell toxicity and low productivity cannot be engineered away, cell-free systems are an attractive option, especially in combination with enzyme immobilization that allows extended enzyme use. Overall, the above methods support powerful platforms for bioprocess development and optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantinos Katsimpouras
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, 02139 MA, USA
| | - Gregory Stephanopoulos
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, 02139 MA, USA.
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19
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Abstract
Cold-active enzymes increase their catalytic efficiency at low-temperature, introducing structural flexibility at or near the active sites. Inevitably, this feat seems to be accompanied by lower thermal stability. These characteristics have made cold-active enzymes into attractive targets for the industrial applications, since they could reduce the energy cost in the reaction, attenuate side-reactions, and simply be inactivated. In addition, the increased structural flexibility could result in broad substrate specificity for various non-native substrates, which is called substrate promiscuity. In this perspective, we deal with a less addressed aspect of cold-active enzymes, substrate promiscuity, which has enormous potential for semi-synthesis or enzymatic modification of fine chemicals and drugs. Further structural and directed-evolutional studies on substrate promiscuity of cold-active enzymes will provide a new workhorse in white biotechnology.
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20
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Schuurink R, Tissier A. Glandular trichomes: micro-organs with model status? THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2020; 225:2251-2266. [PMID: 31651036 DOI: 10.1111/nph.16283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Glandular trichomes are epidermal outgrowths that are the site of biosynthesis and storage of large quantities of specialized metabolites. Besides their role in the protection of plants against biotic and abiotic stresses, they have attracted interest owing to the importance of the compounds they produce for human use; for example, as pharmaceuticals, flavor and fragrance ingredients, or pesticides. Here, we review what novel concepts investigations on glandular trichomes have brought to the field of specialized metabolism, particularly with respect to chemical and enzymatic diversity. Furthermore, the next challenges in the field are understanding the metabolic network underlying the high productivity of glandular trichomes and the transport and storage of metabolites. Another emerging area is the development of glandular trichomes. Studies in some model species, essentially tomato, tobacco, and Artemisia, are now providing the first molecular clues, but many open questions remain: How is the distribution and density of different trichome types on the leaf surface controlled? When is the decision for an epidermal cell to differentiate into one type of trichome or another taken? Recent advances in gene editing make it now possible to address these questions and promise exciting discoveries in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Schuurink
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Green Life Science Research Cluster, University of Amsterdam, Postbus 1210, 1000 BE, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Alain Tissier
- Department of Cell and Metabolic Biology, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
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Gericke O, Hansen NL, Pedersen GB, Kjaerulff L, Luo D, Staerk D, Møller BL, Pateraki I, Heskes AM. Nerylneryl diphosphate is the precursor of serrulatane, viscidane and cembrane-type diterpenoids in Eremophila species. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2020; 20:91. [PMID: 32111159 PMCID: PMC7049213 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-020-2293-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Eremophila R.Br. (Scrophulariaceae) is a diverse genus of plants with species distributed across semi-arid and arid Australia. It is an ecologically important genus that also holds cultural significance for many Indigenous Australians who traditionally use several species as sources of medicines. Structurally unusual diterpenoids, particularly serrulatane and viscidane-types, feature prominently in the chemical profile of many species and recent studies indicate that these compounds are responsible for much of the reported bioactivity. We have investigated the biosynthesis of diterpenoids in three species: Eremophila lucida, Eremophila drummondii and Eremophila denticulata subsp. trisulcata. RESULTS In all studied species diterpenoids were localised to the leaf surface and associated with the occurrence of glandular trichomes. Trichome-enriched transcriptome databases were generated and mined for candidate terpene synthases (TPS). Four TPSs with diterpene biosynthesis activity were identified: ElTPS31 and ElTPS3 from E. lucida were found to produce (3Z,7Z,11Z)-cembratrien-15-ol and 5-hydroxyviscidane, respectively, and EdTPS22 and EdtTPS4, from E. drummondii and E. denticulata subsp. trisulcata, respectively, were found to produce 8,9-dihydroserrulat-14-ene which readily aromatized to serrulat-14-ene. In all cases, the identified TPSs used the cisoid substrate, nerylneryl diphosphate (NNPP), to form the observed products. Subsequently, cis-prenyl transferases (CPTs) capable of making NNPP were identified in each species. CONCLUSIONS We have elucidated two biosynthetic steps towards three of the major diterpene backbones found in this genus. Serrulatane and viscidane-type diterpenoids are promising candidates for new drug leads. The identification of an enzymatic route to their synthesis opens up the possibility of biotechnological production, making accessible a ready source of scaffolds for further modification and bioactivity testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Gericke
- Plant Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
- Center for Synthetic Biology "bioSYNergy", Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Nikolaj Lervad Hansen
- Plant Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
- Center for Synthetic Biology "bioSYNergy", Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Gustav Blichfeldt Pedersen
- Plant Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
- Center for Synthetic Biology "bioSYNergy", Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Louise Kjaerulff
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dan Luo
- Plant Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
- Center for Synthetic Biology "bioSYNergy", Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Dan Staerk
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Birger Lindberg Møller
- Plant Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
- Center for Synthetic Biology "bioSYNergy", Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Irini Pateraki
- Plant Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
- Center for Synthetic Biology "bioSYNergy", Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Allison Maree Heskes
- Plant Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
- Center for Synthetic Biology "bioSYNergy", Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
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Helfrich EJN, Lin GM, Voigt CA, Clardy J. Bacterial terpene biosynthesis: challenges and opportunities for pathway engineering. Beilstein J Org Chem 2019; 15:2889-2906. [PMID: 31839835 PMCID: PMC6902898 DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.15.283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Terpenoids are the largest and structurally most diverse class of natural products. They possess potent and specific biological activity in multiple assays and against diseases, including cancer and malaria as notable examples. Although the number of characterized terpenoid molecules is huge, our knowledge of how they are biosynthesized is limited, particularly when compared to the well-studied thiotemplate assembly lines. Bacteria have only recently been recognized as having the genetic potential to biosynthesize a large number of complex terpenoids, but our current ability to associate genetic potential with molecular structure is severely restricted. The canonical terpene biosynthetic pathway uses a single enzyme to form a cyclized hydrocarbon backbone followed by modifications with a suite of tailoring enzymes that can generate dozens of different products from a single backbone. This functional promiscuity of terpene biosynthetic pathways renders terpene biosynthesis susceptible to rational pathway engineering using the latest developments in the field of synthetic biology. These engineered pathways will not only facilitate the rational creation of both known and novel terpenoids, their development will deepen our understanding of a significant branch of biosynthesis. The biosynthetic insights gained will likely empower a greater degree of engineering proficiency for non-natural terpene biosynthetic pathways and pave the way towards the biotechnological production of high value terpenoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric J N Helfrich
- Harvard Medical School, Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Boston, United States
| | - Geng-Min Lin
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biological Engineering, Cambridge, United States
| | - Christopher A Voigt
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biological Engineering, Cambridge, United States
| | - Jon Clardy
- Harvard Medical School, Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Boston, United States
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Jia M, Peters RJ. Correction: cis or trans with class II diterpene cyclases. Org Biomol Chem 2019; 17:8259-8260. [DOI: 10.1039/c9ob90139f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Correction for ‘cis or trans with class II diterpene cyclases’ by Meirong Jia, et al., Org. Biomol. Chem., 2017, 15, 3158–3160.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meirong Jia
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry
- Biophysics & Molecular Biology
- Iowa State University
- Ames
- USA
| | - Reuben J. Peters
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry
- Biophysics & Molecular Biology
- Iowa State University
- Ames
- USA
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