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Lopes EM, Guimarães-Dias F, Gama TDSS, Macedo AL, Valverde AL, de Moraes MC, de Aguiar-Dias ACA, Bizzo HR, Alves-Ferreira M, Tavares ES, Macedo AF. Artemisia annua L. and photoresponse: from artemisinin accumulation, volatile profile and anatomical modifications to gene expression. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2020; 39:101-117. [PMID: 31576412 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-019-02476-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Blue and yellow light affected metabolism and the morphology. Blue and red promote the DOXP/MEP pathway. ADS gene expression was increased in plants cultivated under blue, promoting artemisinin content. Artemisinin-based combination therapies are the most effective treatment for highly lethal malaria. Artemisinin is produced in small quantities in the glandular trichomes of Artemisia annua L. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of light quality in A. annua cultivated in vitro under different light qualities, considering anatomical and morphological changes, the volatile composition, artemisinin content and the expression of two key enzymes for artemisinin biosynthesis. Yellow light is related to the increase in the number of glandular trichomes and this seemed to positively affect the molecular diversity in A. annua. Yellow light-stimulated glandular trichome frequency without triggered area enhancement, whereas blue light stimulated both parameters. Blue light enhanced the thickness of the leaf epidermis. The B-promoting effect was due to increased cell size and not to increased cell numbers. Green and yellow light positively influenced the volatile diversity in the plantlets. Nevertheless, blue and red light seemed to promote the DOXP/MEP pathway, while red light stimulates MVA pathway. Amorpha-4,11-diene synthase gene expression was significantly increased in plants cultivated under blue light, and not red light, promoting artemisinin content. Our results showed that light quality, more specifically blue and yellow light, positively affected secondary metabolism and the morphology of plantlets. It seemed that steps prior to the last one in the artemisinin biosynthesis pathway could be strongly influenced by blue light. Our work provides an alternative method to increase the amount of artemisinin production in A. annua without the use of transgenic plants, by the employment of blue light.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen M Lopes
- Integrated Laboratory of Plant Biology (LIBV), Institute of Biosciences, Department of Botany, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro State (UNIRIO), Avenida Pasteur nº 458, 5th Floor, Room 512, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP: 22290-240, Brazil
| | - Fábia Guimarães-Dias
- Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics (LGMV), Institute of Biology, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Thália do S S Gama
- Laboratory of Plant Anatomy (LAV), Institute of Biosciences, Department of Botany, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Arthur L Macedo
- Laboratory of Natural Products (LaProMar), Institute of Chemistry, Fluminense Federal University (UFF), Niterói, RJ, Brazil
- Post-Graduate Program in Pharmacy, Laboratory of Natural Products and Mass Spectrometry (LaPNEM), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food and Nutrition, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Alessandra L Valverde
- Laboratory of Natural Products (LaProMar), Institute of Chemistry, Fluminense Federal University (UFF), Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Marcela C de Moraes
- Laboratory of Chromatography and Screening Strategies, Institute of Chemistry, Fluminense Federal University (UFF), Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Ana Cristina A de Aguiar-Dias
- Laboratory of Plant Anatomy (LAV), Institute of Biosciences, Department of Botany, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro State (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Humberto R Bizzo
- Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), Food Agroindustry, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Marcio Alves-Ferreira
- Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics (LGMV), Institute of Biology, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Eliana S Tavares
- Laboratory of Plant Anatomy, Institute of Biology, Department of Botany, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Andrea F Macedo
- Integrated Laboratory of Plant Biology (LIBV), Institute of Biosciences, Department of Botany, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro State (UNIRIO), Avenida Pasteur nº 458, 5th Floor, Room 512, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP: 22290-240, Brazil.
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Kayani WK, Kiani BH, Dilshad E, Mirza B. Biotechnological approaches for artemisinin production in Artemisia. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 34:54. [PMID: 29589124 PMCID: PMC5871647 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-018-2432-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Abstract Artemisinin and its analogues are naturally occurring most effective antimalarial secondary metabolites. These compounds also possess activity against various types of cancer cells, schistosomiasis, and some viral diseases. Artemisinin and its derivatives (A&D) are found in very low amounts in the only natural source i.e. Artemisia plant. To meet the global needs, plant sources have been exploited for the enhanced production of these natural products because their chemical synthesis is not profitable. The generally adopted approaches include non-transgenic (tissue and cell cultures) and transgenic together with the cell, tissue, and whole transgenic plant cultures. The genes targeted for the overproduction of A&D include the biosynthetic pathway genes, trichome development genes and rol genes, etc. Artemisinin is naturally produced in trichomes of leaves. At the same time, transgenic hairy roots are considered a good source to harvest artemisinin. However, the absence of trichomes in hairy roots suggests that artemisinin biosynthesis is not limited to trichomes. Moreover, the expression of the gene involved in trichome development and sesquiterpenoid biosynthesis (TFAR1) in transgenic and non-transgenic roots provokes researchers to look for new insight of artemisinin biosynthesis. Here we discuss and review precisely the various biotechnological approaches for the enhanced biosynthesis of A&D. Graphical Abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Waqas Khan Kayani
- Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Växtskyddsvägen 1, 230 53, Alnarp, Sweden.
| | - Bushra Hafeez Kiani
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, International Islamic University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Erum Dilshad
- Department of Biosciences, Capital University of Science and Technology (CUST), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Bushra Mirza
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan.
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Ji Y, Xiao J, Shen Y, Ma D, Li Z, Pu G, Li X, Huang L, Liu B, Ye H, Wang H. Cloning and characterization of AabHLH1, a bHLH transcription factor that positively regulates artemisinin biosynthesis in Artemisia annua. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2014; 55:1592-604. [PMID: 24969234 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcu090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Amorpha-4,11-diene synthase (ADS) and Cyt P450 monooxygenase (CYP71AV1) in Artemisia annua L. are two key enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of artemisinin. The promoters of ADS and CYP71AV1 contain E-box elements, which are putative binding sites for basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors. This study successfully isolated a bHLH transcription factor gene from A. annua, designated as AabHLH1, from a cDNA library of the glandular secretory trichomes (GSTs) in which artemisinin is synthesized and sequestered. AabHLH1 encodes a protein of 650 amino acids containing one putative bHLH domain. AabHLH1 and ADS genes were strongly induced by ABA and the fungal elicitor, chitosan. The transient expression analysis of the AabHLH1-green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene revealed that AabHLH1 was targeted to nuclei. Biochemical analysis demonstrated that the AabHLH1 protein was capable of binding to the E-box cis-elements, present in both ADS and CYP71AV1 promoters, and possessed transactivation activity in yeast. In addition, transient co-transformation of AabHLH1 and CYP71AV1Pro::GUS in A. annua leaves showed a significant activation of the expression of the GUS (β-glucuronidase) gene in transformed A. annua, but mutation of the E-boxes resulted in abolition of activation, suggesting that the E-box is important for the CYP71AV1 promoter activity. Furthermore, transient expression of AabHLH1 in A. annua leaves increased transcript levels of the genes involved in artemisinin biosynthesis, such as ADS, CYP71AV1 and HMGR. These results suggest that AabHLH1 can positively regulate the biosynthesis of artemisinin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunpeng Ji
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Jingwei Xiao
- National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Yalin Shen
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Dongming Ma
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
| | | | - Gaobin Pu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Xing Li
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lili Huang
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Benye Liu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Hechun Ye
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Hong Wang
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Dhar N, Rana S, Bhat WW, Razdan S, Pandith SA, Khan S, Dutt P, Dhar RS, Vaishnavi S, Vishwakarma R, Lattoo SK. Dynamics of withanolide biosynthesis in relation to temporal expression pattern of metabolic genes in Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal: a comparative study in two morpho-chemovariants. Mol Biol Rep 2013; 40:7007-16. [DOI: 10.1007/s11033-013-2820-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2013] [Accepted: 10/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Nair P, Misra A, Singh A, Shukla AK, Gupta MM, Gupta AK, Gupta V, Khanuja SPS, Shasany AK. Differentially expressed genes during contrasting growth stages of Artemisia annua for artemisinin content. PLoS One 2013; 8:e60375. [PMID: 23573249 PMCID: PMC3616052 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0060375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2012] [Accepted: 02/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Artemisia annua is the source of antimalarial phytomolecule, artemisinin. It is mainly produced and stored in the glandular secretory trichomes present in the leaves of the plant. Since, the artemisinin biosynthesis steps are yet to be worked out, in this investigation a microarray chip was strategized for the first time to shortlist the differentially expressing genes at a stage of plant producing highest artemisinin compared to the stage with no artemisinin. As the target of this study was to analyze differential gene expression associated with contrasting artemisinin content in planta and a genotype having zero/negligible artemisinin content was unavailable, it was decided to compare different stages of the same genotype with contrasting artemisinin content (seedling - negligible artemisinin, mature leaf - high artemisinin). The SCAR-marked artemisinin-rich (∼1.2%) Indian variety ‘CIM-Arogya’ was used in the present study to determine optimal plant stage and leaf ontogenic level for artemisinin content. A representative EST dataset from leaf trichome at the stage of maximal artemisinin biosynthesis was established. The high utility small scale custom microarray chip of A. annua containing all the significant artemisinin biosynthesis-related genes, the established EST dataset, gene sequences isolated in-house and strategically selected candidates from the A. annua Unigene database (NCBI) was employed to compare the gene expression profiles of two stages. The expression data was validated through semiquantitative and quantitative RT-PCR followed by putative annotations through bioinformatics-based approaches. Many candidates having probable role in artemisinin metabolism were identified and described with scope for further functional characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Nair
- CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Amita Misra
- CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Alka Singh
- CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Ashutosh K. Shukla
- CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Madan M. Gupta
- CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Anil K. Gupta
- CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Vikrant Gupta
- CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Suman P. S. Khanuja
- CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Ajit K. Shasany
- CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
- * E-mail:
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Lange BM, Ahkami A. Metabolic engineering of plant monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and diterpenes--current status and future opportunities. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2013; 11:169-96. [PMID: 23171352 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2012] [Revised: 10/05/2012] [Accepted: 10/08/2012] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Terpenoids (a.k.a. isoprenoids) represent the most diverse class of natural products found in plants, with tens of thousands of reported structures. Plant-derived terpenoids have a multitude of pharmaceutical and industrial applications, but the natural resources for their extraction are often limited and, in many cases, synthetic routes are not commercially viable. Some of the most valuable terpenoids are not accumulated in model plants or crops, and genetic resources for breeding of terpenoid natural product traits are thus poorly developed. At present, metabolic engineering, either in the native producer or a heterologous host, is the only realistic alternative to improve yield and accessibility. In this review article, we will evaluate the state of the art of modulating the biosynthetic pathways for the production of mono-, sesqui- and diterpenes in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Markus Lange
- Institute of Biological Chemistry and MJ Murdock Metabolomics Laboratory, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
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Tissier A. Glandular trichomes: what comes after expressed sequence tags? THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2012; 70:51-68. [PMID: 22449043 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-313x.2012.04913.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Glandular trichomes cover the surface of many plant species. They exhibit tremendous diversity, be it in their shape or the compounds they secrete. This diversity is expressed between species but also within species or even individual plants. The industrial uses of some trichome secretions and their potential as a defense barrier, for example against arthropod pests, has spurred research into the biosynthesis pathways that lead to these specialized metabolites. Because complete biosynthesis pathways take place in the secretory cells, the establishment of trichome-specific expressed sequence tag libraries has greatly accelerated their elucidation. Glandular trichomes also have an important metabolic capacity and may be considered as true cell factories. To fully exploit the potential of glandular trichomes as breeding or engineering objects, several research areas will have to be further investigated, such as development, patterning, metabolic fluxes and transcription regulation. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on the methods and technologies which have been used to investigate glandular trichomes and to propose new avenues of research to deepen our understanding of these specialized structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alain Tissier
- Department of Metabolic and Cell Biology, Leibniz-Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, Halle (Saale), Germany.
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Mannan A, Ahmed I, Arshad W, Hussain I, Mirza B. Effects of vegetative and flowering stages on the biosynthesis of artemisinin in Artemisia species. Arch Pharm Res 2011; 34:1657-61. [PMID: 22076766 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-011-1010-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2011] [Revised: 07/11/2011] [Accepted: 07/20/2011] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Artemisinin is an endoperoxide sesquiterpene lactone, and has been proven to be very effective in treating drug resistant cases of malaria, cancer, etc. The compound is obtained from Artemisia species. In the current study, the effects of vegetative and flowering stages on artemisinin production were studied, to determine the proper harvesting time of naturally growing Artemisia species with the highest levels of artemisinin. Eight Artemisia species along with two varieties were selected for this analytical work. The results showed that artemisinin content was high in the leaves of Artemisia indica, A. sieversiana, A. roxburghiana var. roxburghiana, A. roxburghiana var. gratae, and A. parviflora at the flowering stage. The highest artemisinin content was measured in the leaves of A. dracunculus var. dracunculus. Upon comparisons of artemisinin content among the individual plant species, the highest amount of artemisinin was again in A. dracunculus var. dracunculus followed by A. sieversiana when harvested at the flowering stage. In overall comparisons, the plants at the flowering stage showed high levels of artemisinin, which is deemed the optimum harvesting time of Artemisia species in Pakistan for maximum artemisinin content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Mannan
- Department of Biochemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
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Nguyen KT, Arsenault PR, Weathers PJ. Trichomes + roots + ROS = artemisinin: regulating artemisinin biosynthesis in Artemisia annua L. IN VITRO CELLULAR & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY. PLANT : JOURNAL OF THE TISSUE CULTURE ASSOCIATION 2011; 47:329-338. [PMID: 21666770 PMCID: PMC3110715 DOI: 10.1007/s11627-011-9343-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Artemisinin is a highly effective sesquiterpene lactone therapeutic produced in the plant, Artemisia annua. Despite its efficacy against malaria and many other infectious diseases and neoplasms, the drug is in short supply mainly because the plant produces low levels of the compound. This review updates the current understanding of artemisinin biosynthesis with a special focus on the emerging knowledge of how biosynthesis of the compound is regulated in planta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khanhvan T Nguyen
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology at Gateway, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 100 Institute Rd, Worcester, MA 01609, USA
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Liu B, Wang H, Du Z, Li G, Ye H. Metabolic engineering of artemisinin biosynthesis in Artemisia annua L. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2011; 30:689-94. [PMID: 21184232 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-010-0967-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2010] [Revised: 11/18/2010] [Accepted: 11/30/2010] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Artemisinin, a sesquiterpene lactone isolated from the Chinese medicinal plant Artemisia annua L., is an effective antimalarial agent, especially for multi-drug resistant and cerebral malaria. To date, A. annua is still the only commercial source of artemisinin. The low concentration of artemisinin in A. annua, ranging from 0.01 to 0.8% of the plant dry weight, makes artemisinin relatively expensive and difficult to meet the demand of over 100 million courses of artemisinin-based combinational therapies per year. Since the chemical synthesis of artemisinin is not commercially feasible at present, another promising approach to reduce the price of artemisinin-based antimalarial drugs is metabolic engineering of the plant to obtain a higher content of artemisinin in transgenic plants. In the past decade, we have established an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system of A. annua, and have successfully transferred a number of genes related to artemisinin biosynthesis into the plant. The various aspects of these efforts are discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benye Liu
- Key Laboratory of Photosynthesis and Environmental Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanxincun 20, Haidian District, Beijing, 100093, China
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Ma D, Pu G, Lei C, Ma L, Wang H, Guo Y, Chen J, Du Z, Wang H, Li G, Ye H, Liu B. Isolation and characterization of AaWRKY1, an Artemisia annua transcription factor that regulates the amorpha-4,11-diene synthase gene, a key gene of artemisinin biosynthesis. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2009; 50:2146-61. [PMID: 19880398 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcp149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 208] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2023]
Abstract
Amorpha-4,11-diene synthase (ADS) of Artemisia annua catalyzes the conversion of farnesyl diphosphate into amorpha-4,11-diene, the first committed step in the biosynthesis of the antimalarial drug artemisinin. The promoters of ADS contain two reverse-oriented TTGACC W-box cis-acting elements, which are the proposed binding sites of WRKY transcription factors. A full-length cDNA (AaWRKY1) was isolated from a cDNA library of the glandular secretory trichomes (GSTs) in which artemisinin is synthesized and sequestered. AaWRKY1 encodes a 311 amino acid protein containing a single WRKY domain. AaWRKY1 and ADS genes were highly expressed in GSTs and both were strongly induced by methyl jasmonate and chitosan. Transient expression analysis of the AaWRKY1-GFP (green fluorescent protein) reporter revealed that AaWRKY1 was targeted to nuclei. Biochemical analysis demonstrated that the AaWRKY1 protein was capable of binding to the W-box cis-acting elements of the ADS promoters, and it demonstrated transactivation activity in yeast. Co-expression of the effector construct 35S::AaWRKY1 with a reporter construct ADSpro1::GUS greatly activated expression of the GUS (beta-glucuronidase) gene in stably transformed tobacco. Furthermore, transient expression experiments in agroinfiltrated Nicotiana benthamiana and A. annua leaves showed that AaWRKY1 protein transactivated the ADSpro2 promoter activity by binding to the W-box of the promoter; disruption of the W-box abolished the activation. Transient expression of AaWRKY1 cDNA in A. annua leaves clearly activated the expression of the majority of artemisinin biosynthetic genes. These results strongly suggest the involvement of the AaWRKY1 transcription factor in the regulation of artemisinin biosynthesis, and indicate that ADS is a target gene of AaWRKY1 in A. annua.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongming Ma
- Key Laboratory of Photosynthesis and Environmental Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanxincun 20, Haidian District, 100093 Beijing, PR China
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Arsenault PR, Wobbe KK, Weathers PJ. Recent advances in artemisinin production through heterologous expression. Curr Med Chem 2009; 15:2886-96. [PMID: 18991643 DOI: 10.2174/092986708786242813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Artemisinin the sesquiterpene endoperoxide lactone extracted from the herb Artemisia annua, remains the basis for the current preferred treatment against the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. In addition, artemisinin and its derivatives show additional anti-parasite, anti-cancer, and anti-viral properties. Widespread use of this valuable secondary metabolite has been hampered by low production in vivo and high cost of chemical synthesis in vitro. Novel production methods are required to accommodate the ever-growing need for this important drug. Past work has focused on increasing production through traditional breeding approaches, with limited success, and on engineering cultured plants for high production in bioreactors. New research is focusing on heterologous expression systems for this unique biochemical pathway. Recently discovered genes, including a cytochrome P450 and its associated reductase, have been shown to catalyze multiple steps in the biochemical pathway leading to artemisinin. This has the potential to make a semi-synthetic approach to production both possible and cost effective. Artemisinin precursor production in engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae is about two orders of magnitude higher than from field-grown A. annua. Efforts to increase flux through engineered pathways are on-going in both E. coli and S. cerevisiae through combinations of engineering precursor pathways and downstream optimization of gene expression. This review will compare older approaches to overproduction of this important drug, and then focus on the results from the newer approaches using heterologous expression systems and how they might meet the demands for treating malaria and other diseases.
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Cloning of artemisinin biosynthetic cDNAs and novel ESTs and quantification of low temperature-induced gene overexpression. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 51:232-44. [DOI: 10.1007/s11427-008-0032-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2007] [Accepted: 10/19/2007] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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