Predicting the substrates of cloned plant O-methyltransferases

Identification of a second 16-hydroxytabersonine-O-methyltransferase suggests an evolutionary relationship between alkaloid and flavonoid metabolisms in Catharanthus roseus

The medicinal plant Catharanthus roseus biosynthesizes many important drugs for human health, including the anticancer monoterpene indole alkaloids (MIAs) vinblastine and vincristine. Over the past decades, the continuous increase in pharmaceutical demand has prompted several research groups to characterize MIA biosynthetic pathways for considering future metabolic engineering processes of supply. In line with previous work suggesting that diversification can potentially occur at various steps along the vindoline branch, we were here interested in investigating the involvement of distinct isoforms of tabersonine-16-O-methyltransferase (16OMT) which plays a pivotal role in the MIA biosynthetic pathway. By combining homology searches based on the previously characterized 16OMT1, phylogenetic analyses, functional assays in yeast, and biochemical and in planta characterizations, we identified a second isoform of 16OMT, referred to as 16OMT2. 16OMT2 appears to be a multifunctional enzyme working on both MIA and flavonoid substrates, suggesting that a constrained evolution of the enzyme for accommodating the MIA substrate has probably occurred to favor the apparition of 16OMT2 from an ancestral specific flavonoid-O-methyltransferase. Since 16OMT1 and 16OMT2 displays a high sequence identity and similar kinetic parameters for 16-hydroxytabersonine, we postulate that 16OMT1 may result from a later 16OMT2 gene duplication accompanied by a continuous neofunctionalization leading to an almost complete loss of flavonoid O-methyltransferase activity. Overall, these results participate in increasing our knowledge on the evolutionary processes that have likely led to enzyme co-optation for MIA synthesis.

Two O-Methyltransferases from Phylogenetically Unrelated Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris) and Hinoki-Asunaro (Thujopsis dolabrata var. hondae) as a Signature of Lineage-Specific Evolution in Lignan Biosynthesis

O-Methyltransferases (OMTs) play important roles in antitumor lignan biosynthesis. To date, six OMTs catalyzing the methylation of dibenzylbutyrolactone lignans as biosynthetic precursors of antitumor lignans have been identified. However, there is still no systematic understanding of the diversity and regularity of the biosynthetic mechanisms among various plant lineages. Herein, we report the characterization of two OMTs from Anthriscus sylvestris and Thujopsis dolabrata var. hondae [designated as AsSecoNorYatein (SNY) OMT and TdSNYOMT] together with the six known OMTs to evaluate their diversity and regularity. Although A. sylvestris 5-O-methylthujaplicatin (SecoNorYatein) and 4-O-demethylyatein (NorYatein) OMT (AsSNYOMT) and TdSNYOMT accept 5-O-methylthujaplicatin and 4-O-demethylyatein as substrates, phylogenetic analysis indicated that these two OMTs shared low amino acid sequence identity, 33.8%, indicating a signature of parallel evolution. The OMTs and the six previously identified OMTs were found to be diverse in terms of their substrate specificity, regioselectivity and amino acid sequence identity, indicating independent evolution in each plant species. Meanwhile, two-entropy analysis detected four amino acid residues as being specifically acquired by dibenzylbutyrolactone lignan OMTs. Site-directed mutation of AsSNYOMT indicated that two of them contributed specifically to 5-O-methylthujaplicatin methylation. The results provide a new example of parallel evolution and the diversity and regularity of OMTs in plant secondary (specialized) metabolism.

Diversification of Chemical Structures of Methoxylated Flavonoids and Genes Encoding Flavonoid-O-Methyltransferases

The O-methylation of specialized metabolites in plants is a unique decoration that provides structural and functional diversity of the metabolites with changes in chemical properties and intracellular localizations. The O-methylation of flavonoids, which is a class of plant specialized metabolites, promotes their antimicrobial activities and liposolubility. Flavonoid O-methyltransferases (FOMTs), which are responsible for the O-methylation process of the flavonoid aglycone, generally accept a broad range of substrates across flavones, flavonols and lignin precursors, with different substrate preferences. Therefore, the characterization of FOMTs with the physiology roles of methoxylated flavonoids is useful for crop improvement and metabolic engineering. In this review, we summarized the chemodiversity and physiology roles of methoxylated flavonoids, which were already reported, and we performed a cross-species comparison to illustrate an overview of diversification and conserved catalytic sites of the flavonoid O-methyltransferases.

Characterization of a Flavonoid 3'/5'/7-O-Methyltransferase from Citrus reticulata and Evaluation of the In Vitro Cytotoxicity of Its Methylated Products

O-methylation of flavonoids is an important modification reaction that occurs in plants. O-methylation contributes to the structural diversity of flavonoids, which have several biological and pharmacological functions. In this study, an O-methyltransferase gene (CrOMT2) was isolated from the fruit peel of Citrus reticulata, which encoding a multifunctional O-methyltransferase and could effectively catalyze the methylation of 3’-, 5’-, and 7-OH of flavonoids with vicinal hydroxyl substitutions. Substrate preference assays indicated that this recombinant enzyme favored polymethoxylated flavones (PMF)-type substrates in vitro, thereby providing biochemical evidence for the potential role of the enzyme in plants. Additionally, the cytotoxicity of the methylated products from the enzymatic catalytic reaction was evaluated in vitro using human gastric cell lines SGC-7901 and BGC-823. The results showed that the in vitro cytotoxicity of the flavonoids with the unsaturated C2-C3 bond was increased after being methylated at position 3’. These combined results provide biochemical insight regarding CrOMT2 in vitro and indicate the in vitro cytotoxicity of the products methylated by its catalytic reaction.

Biosynthesis of cannflavins A and B from Cannabis sativa L

In addition to the psychoactive constituents that are typically associated with Cannabis sativa L., there exist numerous other specialized metabolites in this plant that are believed to contribute to its medicinal versatility. This study focused on two such compounds, known as cannflavin A and cannflavin B. These prenylated flavonoids specifically accumulate in C. sativa and are known to exhibit potent anti-inflammatory activity in various animal cell models. However, almost nothing is known about their biosynthesis. Using a combination of phylogenomic and biochemical approaches, an aromatic prenyltransferase from C. sativa (CsPT3) was identified that catalyzes the regiospecific addition of either geranyl diphosphate (GPP) or dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP) to the methylated flavone, chrysoeriol, to produce cannflavins A and B, respectively. Further evidence is presented for an O-methyltransferase (CsOMT21) encoded within the C. sativa genome that specifically converts the widespread plant flavone known as luteolin to chrysoeriol, both of which accumulate in C. sativa. These results therefore imply the following reaction sequence for cannflavins A and B biosynthesis: luteolin ► chrysoeriol ► cannflavin A and cannflavin B. Taken together, the identification of these two unique enzymes represent a branch point from the general flavonoid pathway in C. sativa and offer a tractable route towards metabolic engineering strategies that are designed to produce these two medicinally relevant Cannabis compounds.

Melatonin biosynthesis in plants: multiple pathways catalyze tryptophan to melatonin in the cytoplasm or chloroplasts

Melatonin is an animal hormone as well as a signaling molecule in plants. It was first identified in plants in 1995, and almost all enzymes responsible for melatonin biosynthesis had already been characterized in these species. Melatonin biosynthesis from tryptophan requires four-step reactions. However, six genes, that is, TDC, TPH, T5H, SNAT, ASMT, and COMT, have been implicated in the synthesis of melatonin in plants, suggesting the presence of multiple pathways. Two major pathways have been proposed based on the enzyme kinetics: One is the tryptophan/tryptamine/serotonin/N-acetylserotonin/melatonin pathway, which may occur under normal growth conditions; the other is the tryptophan/tryptamine/serotonin/5-methoxytryptamine/melatonin pathway, which may occur when plants produce large amounts of serotonin, for example, upon senescence. The melatonin biosynthetic capacity associated with conversion of tryptophan to serotonin is much higher than that associated with conversion of serotonin to melatonin, which yields a low level of melatonin synthesis in plants. Many melatonin intermediates are produced in various subcellular compartments, such as the cytoplasm, endoplasmic reticulum, and chloroplasts, which either facilitates or impedes the subsequent enzymatic steps. Depending on the pathways, the final subcellular sites of melatonin synthesis vary at either the cytoplasm or chloroplasts, which may differentially affect the mode of action of melatonin in plants.

Genome-wide transcriptional profiles of the berry skin of two red grape cultivars (Vitis vinifera) in which anthocyanin synthesis is sunlight-dependent or -independent

Global gene expression was analyzed in the berry skin of two red grape cultivars, which can ('Jingyan') or cannot ('Jingxiu') synthesize anthocyanins after sunlight exclusion from fruit set until maturity. Gene transcripts responding to sunlight exclusion in 'Jingyan' were less complex than in 'Jingxiu'; 528 genes were induced and 383 repressed in the former, whereas 2655 genes were induced and 205 suppressed in 'Jingxiu'. They were regulated either in the same or opposing manner in the two cultivars, or in only one cultivar. In addition to VvUFGT and VvMYBA1, some candidate genes (e.g. AOMT, GST, and ANP) were identified which are probably involved in the differential responses of 'Jingxiu' and 'Jingyan' to sunlight exclusion. In addition, 26 MYB, 14 bHLH and 23 WD40 genes responded differently to sunlight exclusion in the two cultivars. Interestingly, all of the 189 genes classified as being relevant to ubiquitin-dependent protein degradation were down-regulated by sunlight exclusion in 'Jingxiu', but the majority (162) remained unchanged in 'Jingyan' berry skin. It would be of interest to determine the precise role of the ubiquitin pathway following sunlight exclusion, particularly the role of COP9 signalosome, cullins, RING-Box 1, and COP1-interacting proteins. Only a few genes in the light signal system were found to be regulated by sunlight exclusion in either or both cultivars. This study provides a valuable overview of the transcriptome changes and gives insight into the genetic background that may be responsible for sunlight-dependent versus -independent anthocyanin biosynthesis in berry skin.

Architectures, mechanisms and molecular evolution of natural product methyltransferases

The addition of a methyl moiety to a small chemical is a common transformation in the biosynthesis of natural products across all three domains of life. These methylation reactions are most often catalysed by S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM)-dependent methyltransferases (MTs). MTs are categorized based on the electron-rich, methyl accepting atom, usually O, N, C, or S. SAM-dependent natural product MTs (NPMTs) are responsible for the modification of a wide array of structurally distinct substrates, including signalling and host defense compounds, pigments, prosthetic groups, cofactors, cell membrane and cell wall components, and xenobiotics. Most notably, methylation modulates the bioavailability, bioactivity, and reactivity of acceptor molecules, and thus exerts a central role on the functional output of many metabolic pathways. Our current understanding of the structural enzymology of NPMTs groups these phylogenetically diverse enzymes into two MT-superfamily fold classes (class I and class III). Structural biology has also shed light on the catalytic mechanisms and molecular bases for substrate specificity for over fifty NPMTs. These biophysical-based approaches have contributed to our understanding of NPMT evolution, demonstrating how a widespread protein fold evolved to accommodate chemically diverse methyl acceptors and to catalyse disparate mechanisms suited to the physiochemical properties of the target substrates. This evolutionary diversity suggests that NPMTs may serve as starting points for generating new biocatalysts.

Berry skin development in Norton grape: distinct patterns of transcriptional regulation and flavonoid biosynthesis

BACKGROUND

The complex and dynamic changes during grape berry development have been studied in Vitis vinifera, but little is known about these processes in other Vitis species. The grape variety 'Norton', with a major portion of its genome derived from Vitis aestivalis, maintains high levels of malic acid and phenolic acids in the ripening berries in comparison with V. vinifera varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon. Furthermore, Norton berries develop a remarkably high level of resistance to most fungal pathogens while Cabernet Sauvignon berries remain susceptible to those pathogens. The distinct characteristics of Norton and Cabernet Sauvignon merit a comprehensive analysis of transcriptional regulation and metabolite pathways.

RESULTS

A microarray study was conducted on transcriptome changes of Norton berry skin during the period of 37 to 127 days after bloom, which represents berry developmental phases from herbaceous growth to full ripeness. Samples of six berry developmental stages were collected. Analysis of the microarray data revealed that a total of 3,352 probe sets exhibited significant differences at transcript levels, with two-fold changes between at least two developmental stages. Expression profiles of defense-related genes showed a dynamic modulation of nucleotide-binding site-leucine-rich repeat (NBS-LRR) resistance genes and pathogenesis-related (PR) genes during berry development. Transcript levels of PR-1 in Norton berry skin clearly increased during the ripening phase. As in other grapevines, genes of the phenylpropanoid pathway were up-regulated in Norton as the berry developed. The most noticeable was the steady increase of transcript levels of stilbene synthase genes. Transcriptional patterns of six MYB transcription factors and eleven structural genes of the flavonoid pathway and profiles of anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins (PAs) during berry skin development were analyzed comparatively in Norton and Cabernet Sauvignon. Transcriptional patterns of MYB5A and MYB5B were similar during berry development between the two varieties, but those of MYBPA1 and MYBPA2 were strikingly different, demonstrating that the general flavonoid pathways are regulated under different MYB factors. The data showed that there were higher transcript levels of the genes encoding flavonoid-3'-O-hydroxylase (F3'H), flavonoid-3',5'-hydroxylase (F3'5'H), leucoanthocyanidin dioxygenase (LDOX), UDP-glucose:flavonoid 3'-O-glucosyltransferase (UFGT), anthocyanidin reductase (ANR), leucoanthocyanidin reductase (LAR) 1 and LAR2 in berry skin of Norton than in those of Cabernet Sauvignon. It was also found that the total amount of anthocyanins was markedly higher in Norton than in Cabernet Sauvignon berry skin at harvest, and five anthocyanin derivatives and three PA compounds exhibited distinctive accumulation patterns in Norton berry skin.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides an overview of the transcriptome changes and the flavonoid profiles in the berry skin of Norton, an important North American wine grape, during berry development. The steady increase of transcripts of PR-1 and stilbene synthase genes likely contributes to the developmentally regulated resistance during ripening of Norton berries. More studies are required to address the precise role of each stilbene synthase gene in berry development and disease resistance. Transcriptional regulation of MYBA1, MYBA2, MYB5A and MYBPA1 as well as expression levels of their putative targets F3'H, F3'5'H, LDOX, UFGT, ANR, LAR1, and LAR2 are highly correlated with the characteristic anthocyanin and PA profiles in Norton berry skin. These results reveal a unique pattern of the regulation of transcription and biosynthesis pathways underlying the viticultural and enological characteristics of Norton grape, and yield new insights into the understanding of the flavonoid pathway in non-vinifera grape varieties.

Variation in intron length in caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (COMT) in Vanilla species (Orchidaceae)

Variation in intron length in caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (COMT) in Vanilla was studied and demonstrated that COMT genes in Vanilla are organized with four exons and three introns. At least two to four different versions (either allelic or paralogous) of the COMT multigenic family in the genus Vanilla (in terms of intron sizes) were detected. The three introns were differentially variable, with intron-1 being the most length-polymorphic. Patterns of variations were in accordance with known phylogenetic relationships in the genus obtained with neutral markers. In particular, the genus displayed a strong Old World versus New World differentiation with American fragrant species being characterized by a specific 99bp intron-1 size-variant and a unique 226bp intron-3 variant. Conversely, leafless species of the genus displayed unexpected variations in intron lengths. Due to their role in primary (lignin) and secondary (phenolics, e.g., vanillin, alkaloids) metabolisms, COMT genes might not be neutral markers, and represent candidate functional markers for resistance, aromatic or medicinal properties of Vanilla species. Investigating the orthologous/paralogous status of the different genes revealed (in terms of intron size) will allow the evolution of the COMT genes to be studied.

Structural and expressional divergence of genes encoding O-methyltransferase in wheat

Enzymatic methylation, which is catalyzed by the large number of O-methyltransferases (OMTs), is one of the important reactions in the flow of primary and (or) secondary metabolism. In a previous study, the gene TaOMT1 was induced by Hessian fly infestation of a wheat–rye translocation line. In this study we considered other wheat OMT genes — TaOMT3, TaOMT4, and TaOMT5 —  using a bioinformatics approach and examined the TaOMT genes for their genomic organization, tissue-specific expression, responses to abiotic stresses and hormones, and cis-elements. There appeared to be a homoeologous relationship between TaOMT4 (6DS) and TaOMT5 (6BS), whereas TaOMT1 and TaOMT3 were placed on chromosome arms 7BL and 5DL, respectively. Differences in the tissue-specific, constitutive, and stress-inducible expression patterns among the TaOMT genes were found in both healthy and stressed plants. A number of cis-elements, which are potentially correlated with the responses of the TaOMT genes, were detected in the analysis of the TaOMT promoter sequences. In addition, evolutionary perspectives of the TaOMT genes are discussed. The nucleotide sequences have been deposited in the GenBank database under accession Nos. AAP23942 (TaCOMT1), EF423610 (TaOMT5), EF423611 (TaOMT4), EF423612 (TaOMT3), EU831287 (5′ upstream of TaOMT1), EU831288 (5′ upstream of TaOMT3), EU831289 (5′ upstream of TaOMT4), and EU831290 (5′ upstream of TaOMT5).

Scent evolution in Chinese roses

The phenolic methyl ether 3,5-dimethoxytoluene (DMT) is a major scent compound of many modern rose varieties, and its fragrance participates in the characteristic "tea scent" that gave their name to Tea and Hybrid Tea roses. Among wild roses, phenolic methyl ether (PME) biosynthesis is restricted to Chinese rose species, but the progenitors of modern roses included both European and Chinese species (e.g., Rosa chinensis cv Old Blush), so this trait was transmitted to their hybrid progeny. The last steps of the biosynthetic pathways leading to DMT involve two methylation reactions catalyzed by the highly similar orcinol O-methyltransferases (OOMT) 1 and 2. OOMT1 and OOMT2 enzymes exhibit different substrate specificities that are consistent with their operating sequentially in DMT biosynthesis. Here, we show that these different substrate specificities are mostly due to a single amino acid polymorphism in the phenolic substrate binding site of OOMTs. An analysis of the OOMT gene family in 18 species representing the diversity of the genus Rosa indicated that only Chinese roses possess both the OOMT2 and the OOMT1 genes. In addition, we provide evidence that the Chinese-rose-specific OOMT1 genes most probably evolved from an OOMT2-like gene that has homologues in the genomes of all extant roses. We propose that the emergence of the OOMT1 gene may have been a critical step in the evolution of scent production in Chinese roses.

Application of carborundum abrasion for investigating the leaf epidermis: molecular cloning of Catharanthus roseus 16-hydroxytabersonine-16-O-methyltransferase

The Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) produces the well-known and remarkably complex anti-cancer dimeric alkaloids vinblastine and vincristine that are derived from the coupling of vindoline and catharanthine monomers. This study describes the novel application of a carborundum abrasion (CA) technique for large-scale isolation of leaf epidermis-enriched proteins in order to purify to apparent homogeneity 16-hydroxytabersonine-16-O-methyltransferase (16OMT), which catalyses the second of six steps in the conversion of tabersonine into vindoline, and to clone the gene. Functional expression and biochemical characterization of recombinant 16OMT demonstrated its very narrow substrate specificity and high affinity for 16-hydroxytabersonine. In addition to allowing the cloning of this gene, the CA technique clearly showed that 16OMT is predominantly expressed in Catharanthus leaf epidermis. The results provide compelling evidence that most of the pathway for vindoline biosynthesis, including the O-methylation of 16-hydroxytabersonine, occurs exclusively in the leaf epidermis, with subsequent steps occurring in other leaf cell types.

Methyl allyl ether formation in plants: novel S-adenosyl L-methionine:coniferyl alcohol 9-O-methyltransferase from suspension cultures of three Linum species

A novel 41 kDa methyltransferase displaying high regiospecificity towards the allylic hydroxyl moiety of coniferyl alcohol was cloned from suspension cultures of Linum nodiflorum L. and expressed in E. coli. The apparent K (m) for coniferyl alcohol is 7.23 microM with a V (max) of 707.5 pkat mg(-1) protein at 30 degrees C, whereas the K (m) for the co-substrate S-adenosyl-L-methionine is 18.5 microM. Structure-function relationship studies revealed stringent structure requirements. Even minor substructure deviations as the side-chain saturation or changes in the phenyl ring substitution result in activities decreased by 75-90%. Crotyl and allyl alcohols are not substrates, confirming that the aromatic ring itself is indispensable, and solely the derivatives with a C(3) side-chain are accepted. The enzyme shares only similarities under 46% on amino acid level with other known methyltransferases. The designated reaction product, coniferyl alcohol 9-methyl ether, could be detected in suspension cells. The highest content of up to 0.02% of the dry mass is concurrent with an increase of the specific enzyme activity that reaches its maximum of 3.94 pkat mg(-1) on day 6 of the culture period. Transcript levels estimated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR remain constant until day 6 and recede thereafter. The corresponding methyltransferase from Linum flavum L. differs mainly by one short variable fragment. Biochemical characterization revealed a higher catalytic efficiency and a slightly broader substrate plasticity together with a lower sensitivity to the presence of Zn(2+), Cu(2+) and Co(2+). This is to our knowledge the first report of a regiospecific allylic O-methylation of phenylpropanoids in plants.

Aryltetralin-lignan formation in two different cell suspension cultures of Linum album: deoxypodophyllotoxin 6-hydroxylase, a key enzyme for the formation of 6-methoxypodophyllotoxin

Suspension cultures initiated from two different Linum album seedlings accumulate either podophyllotoxin (PTOX, 2.6 mg/g DW) or 6-methoxypodophyllotoxin (6MPTOX, 5.4 mg/g DW) as main lignans. Two molecules of coniferyl alcohol are dimerized to pinoresinol which is converted via several steps into deoxypodophyllotoxin (DOP) which seems to be the branching point to PTOX or 6MPTOX biosynthesis. DOP is hydroxylated at position 7 to give PTOX by deoxypodophyllotoxin 7-hydroxylase (DOP7H). In contrast, 6MPTOX biosynthesis is achieved by DOP hydroxylation at position 6 to beta-peltatin by the cytochrome P450 enzyme deoxypodophyllotoxin 6-hydroxylase (DOP6H). The following methylation to beta-peltatin-A-methylether is catalyzed by beta-peltatin 6-O-methyltransferase (betaP6OMT) from which 6MPTOX is formed by hydroxylation at position 7 by beta-peltatin-A-methylether 7-hydroxylase (PAM7H). DOP6H and betaP6OMT could be characterized in protein extracts from cell cultures of L. flavum and L. nodiflorum, respectively, and here in L. album for the first time. DOP7H and PAM7H activities could not yet be detected with protein extracts. Experiments of feeding DOP together with inhibitors of cytochrome P450 depending as well as dioxygenase enzymes were performed in order to shed light on the type of DOP7H and PAM7H. Growth parameters and specific activities of enzymes from the phenylpropane as well as the lignan specific biosynthetic pathway were measured during a culture period of 16 days. From the enzymes studied only the DOP6H showed a differential activity sustaining the hypothesis that this enzyme is responsible for the differential lignan accumulation in both cell lines.

Functional analysis of members of the isoflavone and isoflavanone O-methyltransferase enzyme families from the model legume Medicago truncatula

Previous studies have identified two distinct O-methyltransferases (OMTs) implicated in isoflavonoid biosynthesis in Medicago species, a 7-OMT methylating the A-ring 7-hydroxyl of the isoflavone daidzein and a 4'-OMT methylating the B-ring 4'-hydroxyl of 2,7,4'-trihydroxyisoflavanone. Genes related to these OMTs from the model legume Medicago truncatula cluster as separate branches of the type I plant small molecule OMT family. To better understand the possible functions of these related OMTs in secondary metabolism in M. truncatula, seven of the OMTs were expressed in E. coli, purified, and their in vitro substrate preferences determined. Many of the enzymes display promiscuous activities, and some exhibit dual regio-specificity for the 4' and 7-hydroxyl moieties of the isoflavonoid nucleus. Protein structure homology modeling was used to help rationalize these catalytic activities. Transcripts encoding the different OMT genes exhibited differential tissue-specific and infection- or elicitor-induced expression, but not always in parallel with changes in expression of confirmed genes of the isoflavonoid pathway. The results are discussed in relation to the potential in vivo functions of these OMTs based on our current understanding of the phytochemistry of M. truncatula, and the difficulties associated with gene annotation in plant secondary metabolism.

N-Methyltransferase involved in gramine biosynthesis in barley: cloning and characterization

The indole alkaloid gramine occurs in leaves of certain barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars but not in others. A gene sequence in barley that earlier was characterized as a jasmonate-induced O-methyltransferase (MT) (EC 2.1.1.6, GenBank accession U54767) was here found to be absent in some barley cultivars and breeding lines that all lacked gramine. The cDNA was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli and the recombinant protein purified. The purified recombinant protein methylated two substrates in the pathway to gramine: 3-aminomethylindole (AMI) and N-methyl-3-aminomethylindole (MAMI) at a high rate, with Km-values of 77 microM and 184 microM, respectively. In contrast, the protein did not exhibit any detectable methylation with the earlier suggested substrate for O-methylation, caffeic acid. A number of cultivars and breeding lines of barley were analyzed for presence of the U54767 gene sequence and MT protein and the enzyme activity in vitro with MAMI or caffeic acid as substrates. The results showed a clear relationship between the presence of the MT gene, the MT protein and N-methyltransferase activity, and confirmed the identification of the gene as coding for an N-methyltransferase (NMT, EC 2.1.1) and being involved in gramine biosynthesis.

Sequential O-methylation of tricetin by a single gene product in wheat

Flavonoid compounds are ubiquitous in nature. They constitute an important part of the human diet and act as active principles of many medicinal plants. Their O-methylation increases their lipophilicity and hence, their compartmentation and functional diversity. We have isolated and characterized a full-length flavonoid O-methyltransferase cDNA (TaOMT2) from a wheat leaf cDNA library. The recombinant TaOMT2 protein was purified to near homogeneity and tested for its substrate preference against a number of phenolic compounds. Enzyme assays and kinetic analyses indicate that TaOMT2 exhibits a pronounced preference for the flavone, tricetin and gives rise to three methylated enzyme reaction products that were identified by TLC, HPLC and ESI-MS/MS as its mono-, di- and trimethyl ether derivatives. The sequential order of tricetin methylation by TaOMT2 is envisaged to proceed via its 3'-mono--->3',5'-di--->3',4',5'-trimethyl ether derivatives. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a gene product that catalyzes three sequential O-methylations of a flavonoid substrate.

Evolution of novel O-methyltransferases from the Vanilla planifolia caffeic acid O-methyltransferase

The biosynthesis of many plant secondary compounds involves the methylation of one or more hydroxyl groups, catalyzed by O-methyltransferases (OMTs). Here, we report the characterization of two OMTs, Van OMT-2 and Van OMT-3, from the orchid Vanilla planifolia Andrews. These enzymes catalyze the methylation of a single outer hydroxyl group in substrates possessing a 1,2,3-trihydroxybenzene moiety, such as methyl gallate and myricetin. This is a substrate requirement not previously reported for any OMTs. Based on sequence analysis these enzymes are most similar to caffeic acid O-methyltransferases (COMTs), but they have negligible activity with typical COMT substrates. Seven of 12 conserved substrate-binding residues in COMTs are altered in Van OMT-2 and Van OMT-3. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequences suggests that Van OMT-2 and Van OMT-3 evolved from the V. planifolia COMT. These V. planifolia OMTs are new instances of COMT-like enzymes with novel substrate preferences.

Methylation of sulfhydryl groups: a new function for a family of small molecule plant O-methyltransferases

In plants, type I and II S-adenosyl-l-methionine-dependent O-methyltransferases (OMTs) catalyze most hydroxyl group methylations of small molecules. A homology-based RT-PCR strategy using Catharanthus roseus (Madagascar periwinkle) RNA previously identified six new type I plant OMT family members. We now describe the molecular and biochemical characterization of a seventh protein. It shares 56-58% identity with caffeic acid OMTs (COMTs), but it failed to methylate COMT substrates, and had no activity with flavonoids. However, the in vitro incubations revealed unusually high background levels without added substrates. A search for the responsible component revealed that the enzyme methylated dithiothreitol (DTT), the reducing agent added for enzyme stabilization. Unexpectedly, product analysis revealed that the methylation occurred on a sulfhydryl moiety, not on a hydroxyl group. Analysis of 34 compounds indicated a broad substrate range, with a preference for small hydrophobic molecules. Benzene thiol (Km 220 microm) and furfuryl thiol (Km 60 microm) were the best substrates (6-7-fold better than DTT). Small isosteric hydrophobic substrates with hydroxyl groups, like phenol and guaiacol, were also methylated, but the activities were at least 5-fold lower than with thiols. The enzyme was named C. roseus S-methyltransferase 1 (CrSMT1). Models based on the COMT crystal structure suggest that S-methylation is mechanistically identical to O-methylation. CrSMT1 so far is the only recognized example of an S-methyltransferase in this protein family. Its properties indicate that a few changes in key residues are sufficient to convert an OMT into a S-methyltransferase (SMT). Future functional investigations of plant methyltransferases should consider the possibility that the enzymes may direct methylation at sulfhydryl groups.

Flavonoid 3'-O-methyltransferase from rice: cDNA cloning, characterization and functional expression

Plant O-methyltransferases (OMTs) are known to be involved in methylation of plant secondary metabolites, especially phenylpropanoid and flavonoid compounds. An OMT, ROMT-9, was cloned and characterized from rice using a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The blast results for ROMT-9 showed a 73% identity with caffeic acid OMTs from maize and Triticum aestivum. ROMT-9 was expressed in Escherichia coli and its recombinant protein was purified using affinity chromatography. It was then tested for its ability to transfer the methyl group of S-adenosyl-l-methionine to the flavonoid substrates, eriodictyol, luteolin, quercetin, and taxifolin, all of which have a 3'-hydroxyl functional group. The reaction products were analyzed using TLC, HPLC, HPLC/MS, and NMR spectroscopy. The NMR analysis showed that ROMT-9 transferred the methyl group specifically to the 3'-hydroxyl group of quercetin, resulting in the formation of its methoxy derivative. Furthermore, ROMT-9 converted flavonoids containing the 3'-hydroxy functional group such as eriodictyol, luteolin, quercetin and taxifolin into the corresponding methoxy derivatives, suggesting that ROMT-9 is an OMT with strict specificity for the 3'-hydroxy group of flavonoids.

Unusual pseudosubstrate specificity of a novel 3,5-dimethoxyphenol O-methyltransferase cloned from Ruta graveolens L

A cDNA was cloned from Ruta graveolens cells encoding a novel O-methyltransferase (OMT) with high similarity to orcinol or chavicol/eugenol OMTs, but containing a serine-rich N-terminus and a 13 amino acid insertion between motifs IV and V. Expression in Escherichia coli revealed S-adenosyl-l-methionine-dependent OMT activity with methoxylated phenols only with an apparent Km of 20.4 for the prime substrate 3,5-dimethoxyphenol. The enzyme forms a homodimer of 84 kDa, and the activity was insignificantly affected by 2.0 mM Ca2+ or Mg2+, whereas Fe2+, Co2+, Zn2+, Cu2+ or Hg2+ were inhibitory (78-100%). Dithiothreitol (DTT) suppressed the OMT activity. This effect was examined further, and, in the presence of Zn2+ as a potential thiol methyltransferase (TMT) cofactor, the recombinant OMT methylated DTT to DTT-monomethylthioether. Sets of kinetic OMT experiments with 3,5-dimethoxyphenol at various Zn2+/DTT concentrations revealed the competitive binding of DTT with an apparent Ki of 52.0 microM. Thus, the OMT exhibited TMT activity with almost equivalent affinity to the thiol pseudosubstrate which is structurally unrelated to methoxyphenols.

The three-dimensional structure of Arabidopsis thaliana O-methyltransferase predicted by homology-based modelling

O-methylation of flavonoid compounds is an important enzymatic reaction since it not only reduces the chemical reactivity of their phenolic hydroxyl groups but also increases their lipophilicity and, hence, their intracellular compartmentation. Several genes encoding flavonoid O-methyltransferases (OMTs) have been isolated and characterized both at the molecular and biochemical levels. In contrast with mammalian enzymes, plant OMTs exhibit narrow substrate specificities as well as position-specific activities, so that the homology comparison, derived using programs such as BLAST can not provide sufficient information on the enzyme function or its substrate preference. In order to study these characteristics, therefore, another approach, homology-based modelling is being carried out. We report here the determination of the 3-D structure of Arabidopsis thaliana O-methyltransferase, AtOMT1 as well as its dynamics when complexed with its substrate. The predicted structure obtained by homology-based modelling is conserved during molecular dynamics simulations. AtOMT1 exhibits a structure similar to that of caffeic acid O-methyltransferase, COMT when the latter was used as a template. Whereas COMT includes 20 alpha-helices and nine beta-sheets, AtOMT1 has 16 and 9, respectively. Although the homology between both proteins is higher than 77% and all amino acids surrounding the active sites, except one residue, are similar in their primary sequences, the two proteins exhibit different substrate preferences. The differences in substrate specificity may be explained on the basis of the predicted structures of the protein and its complex with the substrate. In addition, docking the substrate into the active site of the protein allowed the study of the structural change of the active site on the dihedral angle distribution of the residues surrounding the active site.

Furanocoumarin biosynthesis in Ammi majus L

Plants belonging to the Apiaceae or Rutaceae accumulate methoxylated psoralens, such as bergapten or xanthotoxin, as the final products of their furanocoumarin biosynthesis, and the rate of accumulation depends on environmental and other cues. Distinct O-methyltransferase activities had been reported to methylate bergaptol to bergapten and xanthotoxol to xanthotoxin, from induced cell cultures of Ruta graveolens, Petroselinum crispum and Ammi majus. Bergaptol 5-O-methyltransferase (BMT) cDNA was cloned from dark-grown Ammi majus L. cells treated with a crude fungal elicitor. The translated polypeptide of 38.7 kDa, composed of 354 amino acids, revealed considerable sequence similarity to heterologous caffeic acid 3-O-methyltransferases (COMTs). For homologous comparison, COMT was cloned from A. majus plants and shown to share 64% identity and about 79% similarity with the BMT sequence at the polypeptide level. Functional expression of both enzymes in Escherichia coli revealed that the BMT activity in the bacterial extracts was labile and rapidly lost on purification, whereas the COMT activity remained stable. Furthermore, the recombinant AmBMT, which was most active in potassium phosphate buffer of pH 8 at 42 degrees C, showed narrow substrate specificity for bergaptol (Km SAM 6.5 micro m; Km Bergaptol 2.8 micro m) when assayed with a variety of substrates, including xanthotoxol, while the AmCOMT accepted 5-hydroxyferulic acid, esculetin and other substrates. Dark-grown A. majus cells expressed significant BMT activity which nevertheless increased sevenfold within 8 h upon the addition of elicitor and reached a transient maximum at 8-11 h, whereas the COMT activity was rather low and did not respond to the elicitation. Complementary Northern blotting revealed that the BMT transcript abundance increased to a maximum at 7 h, while only a weak constitutive signal was observed for the COMT transcript. The AmBMT sequence thus represents a novel database accession specific for the biosynthesis of psoralens.

(R,S)-Reticuline 7-O-methyltransferase and (R,S)-norcoclaurine 6-O-methyltransferase of Papaver somniferum - cDNA cloning and characterization of methyl transfer enzymes of alkaloid biosynthesis in opium poppy

S-Adenosyl-L-methionine:(R,S)-reticuline 7-O-methyltransferase converts reticuline to laudanine in tetrahydrobenzylisoquinoline biosynthesis in the opium poppy Papaver somniferum. This enzyme activity has not yet been detected in plants. A proteomic analysis of P. somniferum latex identified a gel spot that contained a protein(s) whose partial amino acid sequences were homologous to those of plant O-methyltransferases. cDNA was amplified from P. somniferum RNA by reverse transcription PCR using primers based on these internal amino acid sequences. Recombinant protein was then expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda Sf9 cells in a baculovirus expression vector. Steady-state kinetic measurements with one heterologously expressed enzyme and mass spectrometric analysis of the enzymatic products suggested that this unusual enzyme is capable of carrying through sequential O-methylations on the isoquinoline and on the benzyl moiety of several substrates. The tetrahydrobenzylisoquinolines (R)-reticuline (4.2 sec(-1) mm(-1)), (S)-reticuline (4.5 sec(-1) mm(-1)), (R)-protosinomenine (1.7 sec(-1) mm(-1)), and (R,S)-isoorientaline (1.4 sec(-1) mm(-1)) as well as guaiacol (5.9 sec(-1) mm(-1)) and isovanillic acid (1.2 sec(-1) mm(-1)) are O-methylated by the enzyme with the ratio kcat/K m shown in parentheses. A P. somniferum cDNA encoding (R,S)-norcoclaurine 6-O-methyltransferase was similarly isolated and characterized. This enzyme was less permissive, methylating only (R,S)-norcoclaurine (7.4 sec(-1) mm(-1)), (R)-norprotosinomenine (4.1 sec(-1) mm(-1)), (S)-norprotosinomenine (4.0 sec(-1) mm(-1)) and (R,S)-isoorientaline (1.0 sec(-1) mm(-1)). A phylogenetic comparison of the amino acid sequences of these O-methyltransferases to those from 28 other plant species suggests that these enzymes group more closely to isoquinoline biosynthetic O-methyltransferases from Coptis japonica than to those from Thalictrum tuberosum that can O-methylate both alkaloid and phenylpropanoid substrates.

A novel Mg(2+)-dependent O-methyltransferase in the phenylpropanoid metabolism of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum

Upon irradiation with elevated light intensities, the ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum) accumulates a complex pattern of methylated and glycosylated flavonol conjugates in the upper epidermal layer. Identification of a flavonol methylating activity, partial purification of the enzyme, and sequencing of the corresponding peptide fragments revealed a novel S-adenosyl-l-methionine-dependent O-methyltransferase that was specific for flavonoids and caffeoyl-CoA. Cloning and functional expression of the corresponding cDNA verified that the new methyltransferase is a multifunctional 26.6-kDa Mg(2+)-dependent enzyme, which shows a significant sequence similarity to the cluster of caffeoyl coenzyme A-methylating enzymes. Functional analysis of highly homologous members from chickweed (Stellaria longipes), Arabidopsis thaliana, and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) demonstrated that the enzymes from the ice plant, chickweed, and A. thaliana possess a broader substrate specificity toward o-hydroquinone-like structures than previously anticipated for Mg(2+)-dependent O-methyltransferases, and are distinctly different from the tobacco enzyme. Besides caffeoyl-CoA and flavonols, a high specificity was also observed for caffeoylglucose, a compound never before reported to be methylated by any plant O-methyltransferase. Based on phylogenetic analysis of the amino acid sequence and differences in acceptor specificities among both animal and plant O-methyltransferases, we propose that the enzymes from the Centrospermae, along with the predicted gene product from A. thaliana, form a novel subclass within the caffeoyl coenzyme A-dependent O-methyltransferases, with potential divergent functions not restricted to lignin monomer biosynthesis.

cDNA cloning and biochemical characterization of S-adenosyl-L-methionine: 2,7,4'-trihydroxyisoflavanone 4'-O-methyltransferase, a critical enzyme of the legume isoflavonoid phytoalexin pathway

Formononetin (7-hydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavone, also known as 4'-O-methyldaidzein) is an essential intermediate of ecophysiologically active leguminous isoflavonoids. The biosynthetic pathway to produce 4'-methoxyl of formononetin has been unknown because the methyl transfer from S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) to 4'-hydroxyl of daidzein has never been detected in any plants. A hypothesis that SAM: daidzein 7-O-methyltransferase (D7OMT), an enzyme with a different regiospecificity, is involved in formononetin biosynthesis through its intracellular compartmentation with other enzymes recently prevails, but no direct evidence has been presented. We proposed a new scheme of formononetin biosynthesis involving 2,7,4'-trihydroxyisoflavanone as the methyl acceptor and subsequent dehydration. We now cloned a cDNA encoding SAM: 2,7,4'-trihydroxyisoflavanone 4'-O-methyltransferase (HI4'OMT) through the screening of functionally expressed Glycyrrhiza echinata (Fabaceae) cDNAs. The reaction product, 2,7-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavanone, was unambiguously identified. Recombinant G. echinata D7OMT did not show HI4'OMT activity, and G. echinata HI4'OMT protein free from D7OMT was partially purified. HI4'OMT is thus concluded to be distinct from D7OMT, and their distant phylogenetic relationship was further presented. HI4'OMT may be functionally identical to (+)-6a-hydroxymaackiain 3-OMT of pea. Homologous cDNAs were found in several legumes, and the catalytic function of the Lotus japonicus HI4'OMT was verified, indicating that HI4'OMT is the enzyme of formononetin biosynthesis in general legumes.

The phenylpropanoid pathway and plant defence-a genomics perspective

Summary The functions of phenylpropanoid compounds in plant defence range from preformed or inducible physical and chemical barriers against infection to signal molecules involved in local and systemic signalling for defence gene induction. Defensive functions are not restricted to a particular class of phenylpropanoid compound, but are found in the simple hydroxycinnamic acids and monolignols through to the more complex flavonoids, isoflavonoids, and stilbenes. The enzymatic steps involved in the biosynthesis of the major classes of phenylpropanoid compounds are now well established, and many of the corresponding genes have been cloned. Less is understood about the regulatory genes that orchestrate rapid, coordinated induction of phenylpropanoid defences in response to microbial attack. Many of the biosynthetic pathway enzymes are encoded by gene families, but the specific functions of individual family members remain to be determined. The availability of the complete genome sequence of Arabidopsis thaliana, and the extensive expressed sequence tag (EST) resources in other species, such as rice, soybean, barrel medic, and tomato, allow, for the first time, a full appreciation of the comparative genetic complexity of the phenylpropanoid pathway across species. In addition, gene expression array analysis and metabolic profiling approaches make possible comparative parallel analyses of global changes at the genome and metabolome levels, facilitating an understanding of the relationships between changes in specific transcripts and subsequent alterations in metabolism in response to infection.

O-methyltransferases involved in the biosynthesis of volatile phenolic derivatives in rose petals

Rose (Rosa hybrida) flowers produce and emit a diverse array of volatiles, characteristic to their unique scent. One of the most prominent compounds in the floral volatiles of many rose varieties is the methoxylated phenolic derivative 3,5-dimethoxytoluene (orcinol dimethyl ether). Cell-free extracts derived from developing rose petals displayed O-methyltransferase (OMT) activities toward several phenolic substrates, including 3,5-dihydroxytoluene (orcinol), 3-methoxy,5-hydroxytoluene (orcinol monomethyl ether), 1-methoxy, 2-hydroxy benezene (guaiacol), and eugenol. The activity was most prominent in rose cv Golden Gate, a variety that produces relatively high levels of orcinol dimethyl ether, as compared with rose cv Fragrant Cloud, an otherwise scented variety but which emits almost no orcinol dimethyl ether. Using a functional genomics approach, we have identified and characterized two closely related cDNAs from a rose petal library that each encode a protein capable of methylating the penultimate and immediate precursors (orcinol and orcinol monomethyl ether, respectively) to give the final orcinol dimethyl ether product. The enzymes, designated orcinol OMTs (OOMT1 and OOMT2), are closely related to other plant methyltransferases whose substrates range from isoflavones to phenylpropenes. The peak in the levels of OOMT1 and OOMT2 transcripts in the flowers coincides with peak OMT activity and with the emission of orcinol dimethyl ether.