1
|
Darshani P, Sen Sarma S, Srivastava AK, Baishya R, Kumar D. Anti-viral triterpenes: a review. PHYTOCHEMISTRY REVIEWS : PROCEEDINGS OF THE PHYTOCHEMICAL SOCIETY OF EUROPE 2022; 21:1761-1842. [PMID: 35283698 PMCID: PMC8896976 DOI: 10.1007/s11101-022-09808-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Triterpenes are naturally occurring derivatives biosynthesized following the isoprene rule of Ruzicka. The triterpenes have been reported to possess a wide range of therapeutic applications including anti-viral properties. In this review, the recent studies (2010-2020) concerning the anti-viral activities of triterpenes have been summarized. The structure activity relationship studies have been described as well as brief biosynthesis of these triterpenes is discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Priya Darshani
- Organic and Medicinal Chemistry Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja SC Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, India
| | - Shreya Sen Sarma
- Organic and Medicinal Chemistry Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja SC Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, India
| | - Amit K. Srivastava
- Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorder Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja SC Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, India
| | - Rinku Baishya
- Natural Product Chemistry Group, CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (NEIST), NH-37, Pulibor, Jorhat, Assam India
| | - Deepak Kumar
- Organic and Medicinal Chemistry Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja SC Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, India
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lu Y, Luo Y, Zhou J, Hu T, Tu L, Tong Y, Su P, Liu Y, Wang J, Jiang Z, Wu X, Chen X, Huang L, Gao W. Probing the functions of friedelane-type triterpene cyclases from four celastrol-producing plants. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 109:555-567. [PMID: 34750899 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Triterpenes are among the most diverse plant natural products, and their diversity is closely related to various triterpene skeletons catalyzed by different 2,3-oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs). Celastrol, a friedelane-type triterpene with significant bioactivities, is specifically distributed in higher plants, such as Celastraceae species. Friedelin is an important precursor for the biosynthesis of celastrol, and it is synthesized through the cyclization of 2,3-oxidosqualene, with the highest number of rearrangements being catalyzed by friedelane-type triterpene cyclases. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the catalysis of friedelin production by friedelane-type triterpene cyclases have not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, transcriptome data of four celastrol-producing plants from Celastraceae were used to identify a total of 21 putative OSCs. Through functional characterization, the friedelane-type triterpene cyclases were separately verified in the four plants. Analysis of the selection pressure showed that purifying selection acted on these OSCs, and the friedelane-type triterpene cyclases may undergo weaker selective restriction during evolution. Molecular docking and site-directed mutagenesis revealed that changes in some amino acids that are unique to friedelane-type triterpene cyclases may lead to variations in catalytic specificity or efficiency, thereby affecting the synthesis of friedelin. Our research explored the functional diversity of triterpene synthases from a multispecies perspective. It also provides some references for further research on the relative mechanisms of friedelin biosynthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yun Lu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yunfeng Luo
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiawei Zhou
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tianyuan Hu
- College of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lichan Tu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuru Tong
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ping Su
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Yuan Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiadian Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhouqian Jiang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyi Wu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaochao Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Luqi Huang
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Guo SY, Yin Y, Lei T, Shi YH, Gao W, Zhang XN, Li J. A cycloartenol synthase from the steroidal saponin biosynthesis pathway of Paris polyphylla. JOURNAL OF ASIAN NATURAL PRODUCTS RESEARCH 2021; 23:353-362. [PMID: 32138546 DOI: 10.1080/10286020.2020.1730331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Steroidal saponins named polyphyllin are the major active components of Paris polyphylla. Cycloartenol synthase (CAS) is a key enzyme that catalyzes the formation of the sterol scaffold. In this study, we cloned a putative CAS gene from Paris polyphylla. Heterologous expression in yeast indicated that PpCAS can convert 2,3-oxidosqualene into cycloartenol. qRT-PCR analysis showed that the expression of PpCAS was highest in leaves and lowest in roots. To our best knowledge, this is the first report of the functional characterization of cycloartenol synthase from Paris polyphylla, which lays the foundation for further analysis of the biosynthesis pathway of polyphyllins.[Formula: see text].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Si-Yuan Guo
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Yan Yin
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Tao Lei
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Ying-Hui Shi
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Wei Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Xia-Nan Zhang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Jia Li
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Long C, Yang Y, Yang Y, Huang S, Zhang X, Du W, Yang D, Guo Y, Zhang L. The Exploration of Novel Pharmacophore Characteristics and Multidirectional Elucidation of Structure-Activity Relationship and Mechanism of Sesquiterpene Pyridine Alkaloids from Tripterygium Based on Computational Approaches. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2021; 2021:6676470. [PMID: 33833819 PMCID: PMC8012133 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6676470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Sesquiterpene pyridine alkaloids are a large group of highly oxygenated sesquiterpenoids, which are characterized by a macrocyclic dilactone skeleton containing 2-(carboxyalkyl) nicotinic acid and dihydro-β-agarofuran sesquiterpenoid, and are believed to be the active and less toxic components of Tripterygium. In this study, 55 sesquiterpene pyridine alkaloids from Tripterygium were subjected to identification of pharmacophore characteristics and potential targets analysis. Our results revealed that the greatest structural difference of these compounds was in the pyridine ring and the pharmacophore model-5 (Pm-05) was the best model that consisted of three features including hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA), hydrogen bond donor (HBD), and hydrophobic (HY), especially hydrophobic group located in the pyridine ring. It was proposed that 2-(carboxyalkyl) nicotinic acid part possessing a pyridine ring system was not only a pharmacologically active center but also a core of structural diversity of alkaloids from Tripterygium wilfordii. Furthermore, sesquiterpene pyridine alkaloids from Tripterygium were predicted to target multiple proteins and pathways and possibly played essential roles in the cure of Alzheimer's disease, breast cancer, Chagas disease, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). They also had other pharmacological effects, depending on the binding interactions between pyridine rings of these compounds and active cavities of the target genes platelet-activating factor receptor (PTAFR), cannabinoid receptor 1 (CNR1), cannabinoid receptor 1 (CNR2), squalene synthase (FDFT1), and heat shock protein HSP 90-alpha (HSP90AA1). Taken together, the results of this present study indicated that sesquiterpene pyridine alkaloids from Tripterygium are promising candidates that exhibit potential for development as medicine sources and need to be promoted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chengyan Long
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, No. 34 Nanshan Road, Nan'an District, Chongqing 400065, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, No. 34 Nanshan Road, Nan'an District, Chongqing 400065, China
| | - Yong Yang
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, No. 34 Nanshan Road, Nan'an District, Chongqing 400065, China
| | - Sixing Huang
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, No. 34 Nanshan Road, Nan'an District, Chongqing 400065, China
| | - Xiaomei Zhang
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, No. 34 Nanshan Road, Nan'an District, Chongqing 400065, China
| | - Wei Du
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, No. 34 Nanshan Road, Nan'an District, Chongqing 400065, China
| | - Dajian Yang
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, No. 34 Nanshan Road, Nan'an District, Chongqing 400065, China
| | - Yanlei Guo
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, No. 34 Nanshan Road, Nan'an District, Chongqing 400065, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, No. 34 Nanshan Road, Nan'an District, Chongqing 400065, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Yin J, Yang J, Ma H, Liang T, Li Y, Xiao J, Tian H, Xu Z, Zhan Y. Expression characteristics and function of CAS and a new beta-amyrin synthase in triterpenoid synthesis in birch (Betula platyphylla Suk.). PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2020; 294:110433. [PMID: 32234222 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2020.110433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Triterpenoids produced by the secondary metabolism of Betula platyphylla Suk. exhibit important pharmacological activities, such as tumor inhibition, anti-HIV, and defense against pathogens, but the yield of natural synthesis is low, which is insufficient to meet people's needs. In this study, we identified two OSC genes of birch, named as BpCAS and Bpβ-AS, respectively. The expression of BpCAS and Bpβ-AS were higher levels in roots and in stems, respectively, and they induced expression in response to methyl jasmonate (MeJA), gibberellin (GA3), abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene and mechanical damage. The function of the two genes in the triterpene synthesis of birch was identified by reverse genetics. The inhibition of Bpβ-AS gene positively regulates synthesis of betulinic acid. BpCAS interference can significantly promote the upregulation of lupeol synthase gene (BPW) and β-amyrin synthase gene(BPY), and conversion of 2,3-oxidosqualene to the downstream products betulinic acid and oleanolic acid. This study provided a basis for the genetic improvement of triterpenoid synthesis in birch through genetic engineering. The obtained transgenic birch and suspension cells served as material resources for birch triterpenoid applications in further.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yin
- Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Ministry of Education, Harbin, 150040, China; College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China; State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150040, China
| | - Jie Yang
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Hongsi Ma
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Tian Liang
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Ying Li
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Jialei Xiao
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150010, China
| | - Hongmei Tian
- Forest Botanical Garden of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, China
| | - Zhiqiang Xu
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Yaguang Zhan
- Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Ministry of Education, Harbin, 150040, China; College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China; State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150040, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Liu Y, Zhou J, Hu T, Lu Y, Gao L, Tu L, Gao J, Huang L, Gao W. Identification and functional characterization of squalene epoxidases and oxidosqualene cyclases from Tripterygium wilfordii. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2020; 39:409-418. [PMID: 31838574 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-019-02499-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
We cloned two squalene epoxidases and five oxidosqualene cyclases, and identified their function using CRISPR/Cas9 tool and yeast heterologous expression. Triterpenes are the main active ingredients of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.f., a traditional Chinese medicinal plant with many encouraging preclinical applications. However, the biosynthetic pathways of triterpenes in this plant are poorly understood. Here, we report on the isolation and identification of two squalene epoxidases (SQE6 and SQE7) and five oxidosqualene cyclases (OSC4-8) from T. wilfordii. Yeast complementation assays showed that TwSQE6 and TwSQE7 can functionally complement an erg1 yeast mutant that was constructed using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The putative OSC genes were functionally characterized by heterologous expression in yeast. GC/MS analysis of the fermentation products of the transgenic yeast showed that both TwOSC4 and TwOSC6 are cycloartenol synthases, while TwOSC8 is a β-amyrin synthase. The discovery of these genes expands our knowledge of key enzymes in triterpenoid biosynthesis, and provides additional target genes for increasing the production of triterpenes in T. wilfordii tissue cultures by disrupting competing pathways, or in chassis cells by reconstituting the triterpenoid biosynthetic pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiawei Zhou
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianyuan Hu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun Lu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China
| | - Linhui Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China
- National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, People's Republic of China
| | - Lichan Tu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China
| | - Luqi Huang
- National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China.
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China.
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 10069, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Fang C, Li Z, Xu D, Shang Y. MUFold-SSW: a new web server for predicting protein secondary structures, torsion angles and turns. Bioinformatics 2019; 36:1293-1295. [PMID: 31532508 PMCID: PMC8489430 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btz712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
MOTIVATION Protein secondary structure and backbone torsion angle prediction can provide important information for predicting protein 3D structures and protein functions. Our new methods MUFold-SS, MUFold-Angle, MUFold-BetaTurn and MUFold-GammaTurn, developed based on advanced deep neural networks, achieved state-of-the-art performance for predicting secondary structures, backbone torsion angles, beta-turns and gamma-turns, respectively. An easy-to-use web service will provide the community a convenient way to use these methods for research and development. RESULTS MUFold-SSW, a new web server, is presented. It provides predictions of protein secondary structures, torsion angles, beta-turns and gamma-turns for a given protein sequence. This server implements MUFold-SS, MUFold-Angle, MUFold-BetaTurn and MUFold-GammaTurn, which performed well for both easy targets (proteins with weak sequence similarity in PDB) and hard targets (proteins without detectable similarity in PDB) in various experimental tests, achieving results better than or comparable with those of existing methods. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION MUFold-SSW is accessible at http://mufold.org/mufold-ss-angle. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dong Xu
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. or
| | - Yi Shang
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. or
| |
Collapse
|