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He Z, Xu Q, Chen Y, Liu S, Song H, Wang H, Leaw CP, Chen N. Acquisition and evolution of the neurotoxin domoic acid biosynthesis gene cluster in Pseudo-nitzschia species. Commun Biol 2024; 7:1378. [PMID: 39443678 PMCID: PMC11499653 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-07068-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 10/14/2024] [Indexed: 10/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Of the hitherto over 60 taxonomically identified species in the genus of Pseudo-nitzschia, 26 have been confirmed to be toxigenic. Nevertheless, the acquisition and evolution of the toxin biosynthesis (dab) genes by this extensive group of Pseudo-nitzschia species remains unclear. Through constructing chromosome-level genomes of three Pseudo-nitzschia species and draft genomes of ten additional Pseudo-nitzschia species, putative genomic integration sites for the dab genes in Pseudo-nitzschia species were explored. A putative breakpoint was observed in syntenic regions in the dab gene cluster-lacking Pseudo-nitzschia species, suggesting potential independent losses of dab genes. The breakpoints between this pair of conserved genes were also identified in some dab genes-possessing Pseudo-nitzschia species, suggesting that the dab gene clusters transposed to other loci after the initial integration. A "single acquisition, multiple independent losses (SAMIL)" model is proposed to explain the acquisition and evolution of the dab gene cluster in Pseudo-nitzschia species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyan He
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China
- Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266200, China
- College of Marine Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 10039, Beijing, China
- Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Qing Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China
- Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266200, China
- Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China
| | - Yang Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China
- Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266200, China
- College of Marine Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 10039, Beijing, China
- Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Shuya Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China
- Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266200, China
- Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Huiyin Song
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China
- Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266200, China
- Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Hui Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China
- Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266200, China
- Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Chui Pin Leaw
- Bachok Marine Research Station, Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, University of Malaya, 16310, Bachok, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Nansheng Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China.
- Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266200, China.
- Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China.
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2
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Brunson JK, Thukral M, Ryan JP, Anderson CR, Kolody BC, James CC, Chavez FP, Leaw CP, Rabines AJ, Venepally P, Fussy Z, Zheng H, Kudela RM, Smith GJ, Moore BS, Allen AE. Molecular forecasting of domoic acid during a pervasive toxic diatom bloom. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2319177121. [PMID: 39298472 PMCID: PMC11459128 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2319177121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/21/2024] Open
Abstract
In 2015, the largest recorded harmful algal bloom (HAB) occurred in the Northeast Pacific, causing nearly 100 million dollars in damages to fisheries and killing many protected marine mammals. Dominated by the toxic diatom Pseudo-nitzschia australis, this bloom produced high levels of the neurotoxin domoic acid (DA). Through molecular and transcriptional characterization of 52 near-weekly phytoplankton net-tow samples collected at a bloom hotspot in Monterey Bay, California, we identified active transcription of known DA biosynthesis (dab) genes from the three identified toxigenic species, including P. australis as the primary origin of toxicity. Elevated expression of silicon transporters (sit1) during the bloom supports the previously hypothesized role of dissolved silica (Si) exhaustion in contributing to bloom physiology and toxicity. We find that coexpression of the dabA and sit1 genes serves as a robust predictor of DA one week in advance, potentially enabling the forecasting of DA-producing HABs. We additionally present evidence that low levels of iron could have colimited the diatom population along with low Si. Iron limitation represents an overlooked driver of both toxin production and ecological success of the low-iron-adapted Pseudo-nitzschia genus during the 2015 bloom, and increasing pervasiveness of iron limitation may fuel the escalating magnitude and frequency of toxic Pseudo-nitzschia blooms globally. Our results advance understanding of bloom physiology underlying toxin production, bloom prediction, and the impact of global change on toxic blooms.
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Affiliation(s)
- John K. Brunson
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA92093
- Microbial and Environmental Genomics Group, J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA92037
| | - Monica Thukral
- Microbial and Environmental Genomics Group, J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA92037
- Integrative Oceanography Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA92093
| | - John P. Ryan
- Research Division, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Moss Landing, CA95093
| | - Clarissa R. Anderson
- Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA92093
| | - Bethany C. Kolody
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
| | - Chase C. James
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90089
| | - Francisco P. Chavez
- Research Division, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Moss Landing, CA95093
| | - Chui Pin Leaw
- Bachok Marine Research Station, Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, University of Malaya, Bachok, Kelantan16310, Malaysia
| | - Ariel J. Rabines
- Microbial and Environmental Genomics Group, J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA92037
- Integrative Oceanography Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA92093
| | - Pratap Venepally
- Microbial and Environmental Genomics Group, J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA92037
| | - Zoltan Fussy
- Microbial and Environmental Genomics Group, J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA92037
- Integrative Oceanography Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA92093
| | - Hong Zheng
- Microbial and Environmental Genomics Group, J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA92037
| | - Raphael M. Kudela
- Ocean Sciences Department, Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California-Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA95064
| | - G. Jason Smith
- Environmental Biotechnology Department, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, Moss Landing, CA95039
| | - Bradley S. Moore
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA92093
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA92093
| | - Andrew E. Allen
- Microbial and Environmental Genomics Group, J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA92037
- Integrative Oceanography Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA92093
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Galitz A, Vargas S, Thomas OP, Reddy MM, Wörheide G, Erpenbeck D. Genomics of Terpene Biosynthesis in Dictyoceratid Sponges (Porifera) - What Do We (Not) Know? Chem Biodivers 2024; 21:e202400549. [PMID: 39177427 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202400549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
Sponges are recognized as promising sources for novel bioactive metabolites. Among them are terpenoid metabolites that constitute key biochemical defense mechanisms in several sponge taxa. Despite their significance, the genetic basis for terpenoid biosynthesis in sponges remains poorly understood. Dictyoceratida comprise demosponges well-known for their bioactive terpenoids. In this study, we explored the currently available genomic data for insights into the metabolic pathways of dictyoceratid terpenoids. We first identified prenyltransferase (PT) and terpene cyclase (TC) enzymes essential for the terpenoid biosynthetic processes in the terrestrial realm by analyzing available transcriptomic and genomic data of Dictyoceratida sponges and 10 other sponge species. All Dictyoceratida sponges displayed various PTs involved in either sesqui- or diterpene, steroid and carotenoid production. Additionally, it was possible to identify a potential candidate for a dictyoceratid sesterterpene PT. However, analogs of common terrestrial TCs were absent, suggesting the existence of a distinct or convergently evolved sponge-specific TC. Our study aims to contribute to the foundational understanding of terpene biosynthesis in sponges, unveiling the currently evident genetic components for terpenoid production in species not previously studied. Simultaneously, it aims to identify the known and unknown factors, as a starting point for biochemical and genetic investigations in sponge terpenoid production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Galitz
- Department of Earth- and Environmental Sciences, Palaeontology & Geobiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80333, Munich, Germany
| | - Sergio Vargas
- Department of Earth- and Environmental Sciences, Palaeontology & Geobiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80333, Munich, Germany
| | - Olivier P Thomas
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences and Ryan Institute, University of Galway, H91TK33, Galway, Ireland
| | - Maggie M Reddy
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences and Ryan Institute, University of Galway, H91TK33, Galway, Ireland
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, 7701, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Gert Wörheide
- Department of Earth- and Environmental Sciences, Palaeontology & Geobiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80333, Munich, Germany
- GeoBio-Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80333, Munich, Germany
- SNSB-Bavarian State Collection of Palaeontology and Geology, 80333, Munich, Germany
| | - Dirk Erpenbeck
- Department of Earth- and Environmental Sciences, Palaeontology & Geobiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80333, Munich, Germany
- GeoBio-Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80333, Munich, Germany
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Hopiavuori AR, Huffman RT, McKinnie SMK. Expression, purification, and biochemical characterization of micro- and macroalgal kainoid synthases. Methods Enzymol 2024; 704:233-258. [PMID: 39300649 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2024.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/22/2024]
Abstract
Kainoid natural products are a series of potent ionotropic glutamate receptor agonists produced by a variety of divergent marine micro- and macro-algae. The key biosynthetic step in the construction of the pyrrolidine ring pharmacophore involves a unique branch of non-heme iron α-ketoglutarate dependent dioxygenases (Fe/αKGs) termed the kainoid synthases. These Fe/αKG homologs catalyze a stereoselective C-H abstraction followed by a radical carbon-carbon bond reaction to form the bioactive core on N-prenylated L-glutamic acid substrates. In this article, we describe the expression, purification, and biochemical characterization of four divergent kainoid synthases (DabC, RadC1, DsKabC, GfKabC). Furthermore, we compare and contrast their substrate preferences and product distributions, and provide some preliminary insight into how to repurpose these enzymes for whole cell biocatalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin R Hopiavuori
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, United States
| | - Radcliff T Huffman
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, United States
| | - Shaun M K McKinnie
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, United States.
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5
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Jung Y, Mitsuhashi T, Sato S, Senda M, Senda T, Fujita M. Function and Structure of a Terpene Synthase Encoded in a Giant Virus Genome. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:25966-25970. [PMID: 38010834 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c10603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Giant viruses are nonstandard viruses with large particles and genomes. While previous studies have shown that their genomes contain various sequences of interest, their genes related specifically to natural product biosynthesis remain unexplored. Here we analyze the function and structure of a terpene synthase encoded by the gene of a giant virus. The enzyme is phylogenetically separated from the terpene synthases of cellular organisms; however, heterologous gene expression revealed that it still functions as a terpene synthase and produces a cyclic terpene from a farnesyl diphosphate precursor. Crystallographic analysis revealed its protein structure, which is relatively compact but retains essential motifs of the terpene synthases. We thus suggest that like cellular organisms, giant viruses produce and utilize natural products for their ecological strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youngcheol Jung
- Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Mitsui Link Lab, Kashiwanoha 1, FS CREATION, 6-6-2 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan
| | - Takaaki Mitsuhashi
- Division of Advanced Molecular Science, Institute for Molecular Science (IMS), Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan
| | - Sota Sato
- Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Mitsui Link Lab, Kashiwanoha 1, FS CREATION, 6-6-2 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan
- Division of Advanced Molecular Science, Institute for Molecular Science (IMS), Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan
| | - Miki Senda
- Structural Biology Research Center, Institute of Materials Structure Science, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK), 1-1 Oho, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0801, Japan
| | - Toshiya Senda
- Structural Biology Research Center, Institute of Materials Structure Science, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK), 1-1 Oho, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0801, Japan
| | - Makoto Fujita
- Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Mitsui Link Lab, Kashiwanoha 1, FS CREATION, 6-6-2 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan
- Division of Advanced Molecular Science, Institute for Molecular Science (IMS), Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan
- Tokyo College, Institutes for Advanced Study, The University of Tokyo, Mitsui Link Lab Kashiwanoha 1, FS CREATION, 6-6-2 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan
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6
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Brunson JK, Thukral M, Ryan JP, Anderson CR, Kolody BC, James C, Chavez FP, Leaw CP, Rabines AJ, Venepally P, Zheng H, Kudela RM, Smith GJ, Moore BS, Allen AE. Molecular Forecasting of Domoic Acid during a Pervasive Toxic Diatom Bloom. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.02.565333. [PMID: 37961417 PMCID: PMC10635071 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.02.565333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
In 2015, the largest recorded harmful algal bloom (HAB) occurred in the Northeast Pacific, causing nearly 100 million dollars in damages to fisheries and killing many protected marine mammals. Dominated by the toxic diatom Pseudo-nitzschia australis , this bloom produced high levels of the neurotoxin domoic acid (DA). Through molecular and transcriptional characterization of 52 near-weekly phytoplankton net-tow samples collected at a bloom hotspot in Monterey Bay, California, we identified active transcription of known DA biosynthesis ( dab ) genes from the three identified toxigenic species, including P. australis as the primary origin of toxicity. Elevated expression of silicon transporters ( sit1 ) during the bloom supports the previously hypothesized role of dissolved silica (Si) exhaustion in contributing to bloom physiology and toxicity. We find that co-expression of the dabA and sit1 genes serves as a robust predictor of DA one week in advance, potentially enabling the forecasting of DA-producing HABs. We additionally present evidence that low levels of iron could have co-limited the diatom population along with low Si. Iron limitation represents a previously unrecognized driver of both toxin production and ecological success of the low iron adapted Pseudo-nitzschia genus during the 2015 bloom, and increasing pervasiveness of iron limitation may fuel the escalating magnitude and frequency of toxic Pseudo-nitzschia blooms globally. Our results advance understanding of bloom physiology underlying toxin production, bloom prediction, and the impact of global change on toxic blooms. Significance Pseudo-nitzschia diatoms form oceanic harmful algal blooms that threaten human health through production of the neurotoxin domoic acid (DA). DA biosynthetic gene expression is hypothesized to control DA production in the environment, yet what regulates expression of these genes is yet to be discovered. In this study, we uncovered expression of DA biosynthesis genes by multiple toxigenic Pseudo-nitzschia species during an economically impactful bloom along the North American West Coast, and identified genes that predict DA in advance of its production. We discovered that iron and silica co-limitation restrained the bloom and likely promoted toxin production. This work suggests that increasing iron limitation due to global change may play a previously unrecognized role in driving bloom frequency and toxicity.
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Steele TS, Brunson JK, Maeno Y, Terada R, Allen AE, Yotsu-Yamashita M, Chekan JR, Moore BS. Domoic acid biosynthesis in the red alga Chondria armata suggests a complex evolutionary history for toxin production. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2117407119. [PMID: 35110408 PMCID: PMC8833176 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2117407119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Domoic acid (DA), the causative agent of amnesic shellfish poisoning, is produced by select organisms within two distantly related algal clades: planktonic diatoms and red macroalgae. The biosynthetic pathway to isodomoic acid A was recently solved in the harmful algal bloom-forming diatom Pseudonitzschia multiseries, establishing the genetic basis for the global production of this potent neurotoxin. Herein, we sequenced the 507-Mb genome of Chondria armata, the red macroalgal seaweed from which DA was first isolated in the 1950s, identifying several copies of the red algal DA (rad) biosynthetic gene cluster. The rad genes are organized similarly to the diatom DA biosynthesis cluster in terms of gene synteny, including a cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzyme critical to DA production that is notably absent in red algae that produce the simpler kainoid neurochemical, kainic acid. The biochemical characterization of the N-prenyltransferase (RadA) and kainoid synthase (RadC) enzymes support a slightly altered DA biosynthetic model in C. armata via the congener isodomoic acid B, with RadC behaving more like the homologous diatom enzyme despite higher amino acid similarity to red algal kainic acid synthesis enzymes. A phylogenetic analysis of the rad genes suggests unique origins for the red macroalgal and diatom genes in their respective hosts, with native eukaryotic CYP450 neofunctionalization combining with the horizontal gene transfer of N-prenyltransferases and kainoid synthases to establish DA production within the algal lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor S Steele
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - John K Brunson
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
- Microbial and Environmental Genomics Group, J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Yukari Maeno
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8572, Japan
| | - Ryuta Terada
- United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Andrew E Allen
- Microbial and Environmental Genomics Group, J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
- Integrative Oceanography Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Mari Yotsu-Yamashita
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8572, Japan
| | - Jonathan R Chekan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27412;
| | - Bradley S Moore
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093;
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
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Rinaldi MA, Ferraz CA, Scrutton NS. Alternative metabolic pathways and strategies to high-titre terpenoid production in Escherichia coli. Nat Prod Rep 2022; 39:90-118. [PMID: 34231643 PMCID: PMC8791446 DOI: 10.1039/d1np00025j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Covering: up to 2021Terpenoids are a diverse group of chemicals used in a wide range of industries. Microbial terpenoid production has the potential to displace traditional manufacturing of these compounds with renewable processes, but further titre improvements are needed to reach cost competitiveness. This review discusses strategies to increase terpenoid titres in Escherichia coli with a focus on alternative metabolic pathways. Alternative pathways can lead to improved titres by providing higher orthogonality to native metabolism that redirects carbon flux, by avoiding toxic intermediates, by bypassing highly-regulated or bottleneck steps, or by being shorter and thus more efficient and easier to manipulate. The canonical 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) and mevalonate (MVA) pathways are engineered to increase titres, sometimes using homologs from different species to address bottlenecks. Further, alternative terpenoid pathways, including additional entry points into the MEP and MVA pathways, archaeal MVA pathways, and new artificial pathways provide new tools to increase titres. Prenyl diphosphate synthases elongate terpenoid chains, and alternative homologs create orthogonal pathways and increase product diversity. Alternative sources of terpenoid synthases and modifying enzymes can also be better suited for E. coli expression. Mining the growing number of bacterial genomes for new bacterial terpenoid synthases and modifying enzymes identifies enzymes that outperform eukaryotic ones and expand microbial terpenoid production diversity. Terpenoid removal from cells is also crucial in production, and so terpenoid recovery and approaches to handle end-product toxicity increase titres. Combined, these strategies are contributing to current efforts to increase microbial terpenoid production towards commercial feasibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro A Rinaldi
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK.
| | - Clara A Ferraz
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK.
| | - Nigel S Scrutton
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK.
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9
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Turk Dermastia T, Dall’Ara S, Dolenc J, Mozetič P. Toxicity of the Diatom Genus Pseudo-nitzschia (Bacillariophyceae): Insights from Toxicity Tests and Genetic Screening in the Northern Adriatic Sea. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14010060. [PMID: 35051037 PMCID: PMC8781606 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14010060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Diatoms of the genus Pseudo-nitzschia H.Peragallo are known to produce domoic acid (DA), a toxin involved in amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP). Strains of the same species are often classified as both toxic and nontoxic, and it is largely unknown whether this difference is also genetic. In the Northern Adriatic Sea, there are virtually no cases of ASP, but DA occasionally occurs in shellfish samples. So far, three species-P. delicatissima (Cleve) Heiden, P. multistriata (H. Takano) H. Takano, and P. calliantha Lundholm, Moestrup, & Hasle-have been identified as producers of DA in the Adriatic Sea. By means of enzme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), high-performance liquid chromatography with UV and visible spectrum detection (HPLC-UV/VIS), and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), we reconfirmed the presence of DA in P. multistriata and P. delicatissima and detect for the first time in the Adriatic Sea DA in P. galaxiae Lundholm, & Moestrup. Furthermore, we attempted to answer the question of the distribution of DA production among Pseudo-nitzschia species and strains by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) phylogenetic marker and the dabA DA biosynthesis gene and coupling this with toxicity data. Results show that all subclades of the Pseudo-nitzschia genus contain toxic species and that toxicity appears to be strain dependent, often with geographic partitioning. Amplification of dabA was successful only in toxic strains of P. multistriata and the presence of the genetic architecture for DA production in non-toxic strains was thus not confirmed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timotej Turk Dermastia
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, 6330 Piran, Slovenia;
- International Postgraduate School Jožef Stefan, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Correspondence:
| | - Sonia Dall’Ara
- National Reference Laboratory for Marine Biotoxins, Centro Ricerche Marine, 47042 Cesenatico, Italy;
| | - Jožica Dolenc
- Institute of Food Safety, Feed and Environment, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Patricija Mozetič
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, 6330 Piran, Slovenia;
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10
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Robinson SL, Piel J, Sunagawa S. A roadmap for metagenomic enzyme discovery. Nat Prod Rep 2021; 38:1994-2023. [PMID: 34821235 PMCID: PMC8597712 DOI: 10.1039/d1np00006c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Covering: up to 2021Metagenomics has yielded massive amounts of sequencing data offering a glimpse into the biosynthetic potential of the uncultivated microbial majority. While genome-resolved information about microbial communities from nearly every environment on earth is now available, the ability to accurately predict biocatalytic functions directly from sequencing data remains challenging. Compared to primary metabolic pathways, enzymes involved in secondary metabolism often catalyze specialized reactions with diverse substrates, making these pathways rich resources for the discovery of new enzymology. To date, functional insights gained from studies on environmental DNA (eDNA) have largely relied on PCR- or activity-based screening of eDNA fragments cloned in fosmid or cosmid libraries. As an alternative, shotgun metagenomics holds underexplored potential for the discovery of new enzymes directly from eDNA by avoiding common biases introduced through PCR- or activity-guided functional metagenomics workflows. However, inferring new enzyme functions directly from eDNA is similar to searching for a 'needle in a haystack' without direct links between genotype and phenotype. The goal of this review is to provide a roadmap to navigate shotgun metagenomic sequencing data and identify new candidate biosynthetic enzymes. We cover both computational and experimental strategies to mine metagenomes and explore protein sequence space with a spotlight on natural product biosynthesis. Specifically, we compare in silico methods for enzyme discovery including phylogenetics, sequence similarity networks, genomic context, 3D structure-based approaches, and machine learning techniques. We also discuss various experimental strategies to test computational predictions including heterologous expression and screening. Finally, we provide an outlook for future directions in the field with an emphasis on meta-omics, single-cell genomics, cell-free expression systems, and sequence-independent methods.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jörn Piel
- Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH), Zürich, Switzerland.
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Yi D, Bayer T, Badenhorst CPS, Wu S, Doerr M, Höhne M, Bornscheuer UT. Recent trends in biocatalysis. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 50:8003-8049. [PMID: 34142684 PMCID: PMC8288269 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs01575j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Biocatalysis has undergone revolutionary progress in the past century. Benefited by the integration of multidisciplinary technologies, natural enzymatic reactions are constantly being explored. Protein engineering gives birth to robust biocatalysts that are widely used in industrial production. These research achievements have gradually constructed a network containing natural enzymatic synthesis pathways and artificially designed enzymatic cascades. Nowadays, the development of artificial intelligence, automation, and ultra-high-throughput technology provides infinite possibilities for the discovery of novel enzymes, enzymatic mechanisms and enzymatic cascades, and gradually complements the lack of remaining key steps in the pathway design of enzymatic total synthesis. Therefore, the research of biocatalysis is gradually moving towards the era of novel technology integration, intelligent manufacturing and enzymatic total synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Yi
- Department of Biotechnology & Enzyme Catalysis, Institute of Biochemistry, University GreifswaldFelix-Hausdorff-Str. 4D-17487 GreifswaldGermany
| | - Thomas Bayer
- Department of Biotechnology & Enzyme Catalysis, Institute of Biochemistry, University GreifswaldFelix-Hausdorff-Str. 4D-17487 GreifswaldGermany
| | - Christoffel P. S. Badenhorst
- Department of Biotechnology & Enzyme Catalysis, Institute of Biochemistry, University GreifswaldFelix-Hausdorff-Str. 4D-17487 GreifswaldGermany
| | - Shuke Wu
- Department of Biotechnology & Enzyme Catalysis, Institute of Biochemistry, University GreifswaldFelix-Hausdorff-Str. 4D-17487 GreifswaldGermany
| | - Mark Doerr
- Department of Biotechnology & Enzyme Catalysis, Institute of Biochemistry, University GreifswaldFelix-Hausdorff-Str. 4D-17487 GreifswaldGermany
| | - Matthias Höhne
- Department of Biotechnology & Enzyme Catalysis, Institute of Biochemistry, University GreifswaldFelix-Hausdorff-Str. 4D-17487 GreifswaldGermany
| | - Uwe T. Bornscheuer
- Department of Biotechnology & Enzyme Catalysis, Institute of Biochemistry, University GreifswaldFelix-Hausdorff-Str. 4D-17487 GreifswaldGermany
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12
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Xu B, Li Z, Alsup TA, Ehrenberger MA, Rudolf JD. Bacterial diterpene synthases prenylate small molecules. ACS Catal 2021; 11:5906-5915. [PMID: 34796043 PMCID: PMC8594881 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.1c01113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The biosynthesis of terpenoid natural products begins with a carbocation-based cyclization or prenylation reaction. While these reactions are mechanistically similar, there are several families of enzymes, namely terpene synthases and prenyltransferases, that have evolved to specifically catalyze terpene cyclization or prenylation reactions. Here, we report that bacterial diterpene synthases, enzymes that are traditionally considered to be specific for cyclization, are capable of efficiently catalyzing both diterpene cyclization and the prenylation of small molecules. We investigated this unique dual reactivity of terpene synthases through a series of kinetic, biocatalytic, structural, and bioinformatics studies. Overall, this study unveils the ability of terpene synthases to catalyze C-, N-, O-, and S-prenylation on small molecules, proposes a substrate decoy mechanism for prenylation by terpene synthases, supports the physiological relevance of terpene synthase-catalyzed prenylation in vivo, and addresses questions regarding the evolution of prenylation function and its potential role in natural products biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baofu Xu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Zining Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Tyler A. Alsup
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - Jeffrey D. Rudolf
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Xu Y, Li D, Tan G, Zhang Y, Li Z, Xu K, Li SM, Yu X. A Single Amino Acid Switch Alters the Prenyl Donor Specificity of a Fungal Aromatic Prenyltransferase toward Biflavonoids. Org Lett 2020; 23:497-502. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.0c04015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, People’s Republic of China
| | - Dan Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guishan Tan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, People’s Republic of China
- Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Biomedical Research Institute of Zibo High-Tech Industrial Development Zone, Zibo, Shandong 255000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhansheng Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kangping Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shu-Ming Li
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Biologie und Biotechnologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Robert-Koch Straße 4, 35037 Marburg, Germany
| | - Xia Yu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, People’s Republic of China
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14
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Biosynthesis of marine toxins. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2020; 59:119-129. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2020.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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15
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Malico AA, Calzini MA, Gayen AK, Williams GJ. Synthetic biology, combinatorial biosynthesis, and chemo‑enzymatic synthesis of isoprenoids. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 47:675-702. [PMID: 32880770 PMCID: PMC7666032 DOI: 10.1007/s10295-020-02306-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Isoprenoids are a large class of natural products with myriad applications as bioactive and commercial compounds. Their diverse structures are derived from the biosynthetic assembly and tailoring of their scaffolds, ultimately constructed from two C5 hemiterpene building blocks. The modular logic of these platforms can be harnessed to improve titers of valuable isoprenoids in diverse hosts and to produce new-to-nature compounds. Often, this process is facilitated by the substrate or product promiscuity of the component enzymes, which can be leveraged to produce novel isoprenoids. To complement rational enhancements and even re-programming of isoprenoid biosynthesis, high-throughput approaches that rely on searching through large enzymatic libraries are being developed. This review summarizes recent advances and strategies related to isoprenoid synthetic biology, combinatorial biosynthesis, and chemo-enzymatic synthesis, focusing on the past 5 years. Emerging applications of cell-free biosynthesis and high-throughput tools are included that culminate in a discussion of the future outlook and perspective of isoprenoid biosynthetic engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Miles A Calzini
- Department of Chemistry, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Anuran K Gayen
- Department of Chemistry, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Gavin J Williams
- Department of Chemistry, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA.
- Comparative Medicine Institute, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA.
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