1
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Liyanage NS, Awwad F, Gonçalves Dos Santos KC, Jayawardena TU, Mérindol N, Desgagné-Penix I. Navigating Amaryllidaceae alkaloids: bridging gaps and charting biosynthetic territories. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2025; 76:16-34. [PMID: 38652148 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erae187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Amaryllidaceae alkaloid (AA) biosynthesis has garnered significant attention in recent years, particularly with the commercialization of galanthamine as a treatment for the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. A significant amount of research work over the last eight decades has focused on the understanding of AA biosynthesis, starting from early radiolabelling studies to recent multi-omics analysis with modern biotechnological advancements. Those studies enabled the identification of hundreds of metabolites, the characterization of biochemical pathways, and an understanding of the environmental stimuli and of the molecular regulation of these pharmaceutically and agriculturally important metabolites. Despite numerous studies, there remain significant gaps in understanding the biosynthesis of AAs in Amaryllidaceae plants. As such, further research is needed to fully elucidate the metabolic pathways and facilitate their production. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the current state of knowledge on AA biosynthesis, from elicitation of expression of transcription factors in the cell nucleus to alkaloid transport in the apoplast, and to highlight the challenges that need to be overcome for further advancement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuwan Sameera Liyanage
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Fatima Awwad
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | | | - Thilina U Jayawardena
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Natacha Mérindol
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Isabel Desgagné-Penix
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Plant Biology Research Group, Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada
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2
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Zhang K, Wang H. Development and validation of a highly sensitive UPLC-MS/MS method for the determination of Huperzine A in rat plasma. Biomed Chromatogr 2024; 38:e6011. [PMID: 39300201 DOI: 10.1002/bmc.6011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2024] [Revised: 08/26/2024] [Accepted: 09/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024]
Abstract
Huperzine A is a reversible and selective cholinesterase inhibitor and has been approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's diseases. In this study, we developed a highly sensitive and specific ulta-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of Huperzine A in rat plasma. An aliquot of 50 μL of rat plasma sample was pretreated with 200 μL of acetonitrile-methanol (v/v; 1:1) containing 0.2% formic acid followed by solid phase extraction. The resulting sample was separated on a Waters ACQUITY BEH C18 column using acetonitrile and water containing 0.2% formic acid as mobile phase, at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. Multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) mode was used for quantitative analysis of Huperzine A in positive electrospray ionization. In the concentration range of 0.01-10 ng/mL, Huperzine A showed excellent linearity with correlation coefficient > 0.998. The intra- and inter-day RSD% were less than 9.7%, while the RE% ranged from -6.7% to 10.0%. The mean recovery was >84.5%. The validated method was demonstrated to be selective, sensitive, and reliable, which has been successfully applied to pharmacokinetic study of Huperzine A in rat plasma. Huperzine A displayed a long half-life in rat plasma and high oral bioavailability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kejun Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Xuzhou New Health Geriatric Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Haizhou Wang
- Department of Neurology, Xuzhou New Health Geriatric Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
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3
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Yang Q, Xiong C, Zhang J, Ming Y, Zhang S, Wang L, Wang H, Xu R, Wang B. Chemical and Transcriptomic Analyses Provide New Insights into Key Genes for Ginsenoside Biosynthesis in the Rhizome of Panax japonicus C. A. Meyer. Molecules 2024; 29:4936. [PMID: 39459304 PMCID: PMC11510602 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29204936] [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: 09/10/2024] [Revised: 10/07/2024] [Accepted: 10/10/2024] [Indexed: 10/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Panax japonicus C. A. Meyer is renowned for its significant therapeutic effects and is commonly used worldwide. Its active ingredients, triterpenoid saponins, show variation in content among different tissues. The tissue-specific distribution of saponins is potentially related to the expression of vital genes in the biosynthesis pathway. In this study, the contents of five saponins (ginsenoside Ro, chikusetsusaponin IV, chikusetsusaponin IVa, ginsenoside Rg1, and ginsenoside Rb1) in three different tissues were determined by HPLC. Transcriptome sequencing analysis identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis, highlighting significant correlations between saponin contents and the expression levels of 10 cytochrome p450 monooxygenase (CYP) and 3 UDP-glycosyltransferase (UGT) genes. Cloning, sequencing, and prokaryotic expression of UGT genes confirmed the molecular weights of UGT proteins. Gene sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis provided preliminary insights into UGT gene functions. Meanwhile, the function of one UGT gene was characterized in the yeast. These findings advance our understanding of the triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis in P. japonicus and support future research in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qichun Yang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China; (Q.Y.); (C.X.); (Y.M.); (S.Z.); (L.W.); (H.W.)
| | - Chao Xiong
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China; (Q.Y.); (C.X.); (Y.M.); (S.Z.); (L.W.); (H.W.)
| | - Jiao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China;
| | - Yue Ming
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China; (Q.Y.); (C.X.); (Y.M.); (S.Z.); (L.W.); (H.W.)
| | - Shaopeng Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China; (Q.Y.); (C.X.); (Y.M.); (S.Z.); (L.W.); (H.W.)
| | - Limei Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China; (Q.Y.); (C.X.); (Y.M.); (S.Z.); (L.W.); (H.W.)
| | - Hongxun Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China; (Q.Y.); (C.X.); (Y.M.); (S.Z.); (L.W.); (H.W.)
| | - Ran Xu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China; (Q.Y.); (C.X.); (Y.M.); (S.Z.); (L.W.); (H.W.)
| | - Bo Wang
- Hubei Institute for Drug Control, Hubei Provincial Drug Quality Inspection and Control Technology Research Center, Wuhan 430075, China
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4
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Mehta N, Meng Y, Zare R, Kamenetsky-Goldstein R, Sattely E. A developmental gradient reveals biosynthetic pathways to eukaryotic toxins in monocot geophytes. Cell 2024; 187:5620-5637.e10. [PMID: 39276773 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.08.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/17/2024]
Abstract
Numerous eukaryotic toxins that accumulate in geophytic plants are valuable in the clinic, yet their biosynthetic pathways have remained elusive. A notable example is the >150 Amaryllidaceae alkaloids (AmAs), including galantamine, an FDA-approved treatment for Alzheimer's disease. We show that while AmAs accumulate to high levels in many daffodil tissues, biosynthesis is localized to nascent, growing tissue at the leaf base. A similar trend is found in the production of steroidal alkaloids (e.g., cyclopamine) in corn lily. This model of active biosynthesis enabled the elucidation of a complete set of biosynthetic genes that can be used to produce AmAs. Taken together, our work sheds light on the developmental and enzymatic logic of diverse alkaloid biosynthesis in daffodils. More broadly, it suggests a paradigm for biosynthesis regulation in monocot geophytes, where plants are protected from herbivory through active charging of newly formed cells with eukaryotic toxins that persist as above-ground tissue develops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niraj Mehta
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Yifan Meng
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Richard Zare
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth Sattely
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; HHMI, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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5
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Seligmann B, Liu S, Franke J. Chemical tools for unpicking plant specialised metabolic pathways. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 80:102554. [PMID: 38820646 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2024.102554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Elucidating the biochemical pathways of specialised metabolites in plants is key to enable or improve their sustainable biotechnological production. Chemical tools can greatly facilitate the discovery of biosynthetic genes and enzymes. Here, we summarise transdisciplinary approaches where methods from chemistry and chemical biology helped to overcome key challenges of pathway elucidation. Based on recent examples, we describe how state-of-the-art isotope labelling experiments can guide the selection of biosynthetic gene candidates, how affinity-based probes enable the identification of novel enzymes, how semisynthesis can improve the availability of elusive pathway intermediates, and how biomimetic reactions provide a better understanding of inherent chemical reactivity. We anticipate that a wider application of such chemical methods will accelerate the pace of pathway elucidation in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Seligmann
- Leibniz University Hannover, Institute of Botany, Herrenhäuser Str. 2, 30419 Hannover, Germany
| | - Shenyu Liu
- Leibniz University Hannover, Centre of Biomolecular Drug Research (BMWZ), Schneiderberg 38, 30167 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jakob Franke
- Leibniz University Hannover, Institute of Botany, Herrenhäuser Str. 2, 30419 Hannover, Germany; Leibniz University Hannover, Centre of Biomolecular Drug Research (BMWZ), Schneiderberg 38, 30167 Hannover, Germany.
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6
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Swamidatta SH, Lichman BR. Beyond co-expression: pathway discovery for plant pharmaceuticals. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2024; 88:103147. [PMID: 38833915 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2024.103147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Plant natural products have been an important source of medicinal molecules since ancient times. To gain access to the whole diversity of these molecules for pharmaceutical applications, it is important to understand their biosynthetic origins. Whilst co-expression is a reliable tool for identifying gene candidates, a variety of complementary methods can aid in screening or refining candidate selection. Here, we review recently employed plant biosynthetic pathway discovery approaches, and highlight future directions in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandesh H Swamidatta
- Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Benjamin R Lichman
- Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK.
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7
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Wu H, Shen Y, Zou F, Yao S, Chen Y, Yang H, Luo X. Combined transcriptome and widely targeted metabolome analysis reveals the potential mechanism of HupA biosynthesis and antioxidant activity in Huperzia serrata. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1411471. [PMID: 38952843 PMCID: PMC11215074 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1411471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Huperzia serrata is a traditional Chinese herb that has gained much attention for its production of Huperzine A (HupA). HupA has shown promise on treating Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the biosynthetic pathway and molecular mechanism of HupA in H. serrata are still not well understood. Methods Integrated transcriptome and metabolome analysis was performed to reveal the molecular mechanisms related to HupA biosynthesis and antioxidant activity in Huperzia serrata. Results HT (in vitro H. serrata thallus) exhibits higher antioxidant activity and lower cytotoxicity than WH (wild H. serrata). Through hierarchical clustering analysis and qRT-PCR verification, 7 important enzyme genes and 13 transcription factors (TFs) related to HupA biosynthesis were detected. Among them, the average |log2FC| value of CYP (Cytochrome P450) and CAO (Copper amine oxidase) was the largest. Metabolomic analysis identified 12 metabolites involved in the HupA biosynthesis and 29 metabolites related to antioxidant activity. KEGG co-enrichment analysis revealed that tropane, piperidine and pyridine alkaloid biosynthesis were involved in the HupA biosynthesis pathway. Furthermore, the phenylpropanoid, phenylalanine, and flavonoid biosynthesis pathway were found to regulate the antioxidant activity of H. serrata. The study also identified seven important genes related to the regulation of antioxidant activity, including PrAO (primary-amine oxidase). Based on the above joint analysis, the biosynthetic pathway of HupA and potential mechanisms of antioxidant in H. serrata was constructed. Discussion Through differential transcriptome and metabolome analysis, DEGs and DAMs involved in HupA biosynthesis and antioxidant-related were identified, and the potential metabolic pathway related to HupA biosynthesis and antioxidant in Huperzia serrata were constructed. This study would provide valuable insights into the HupA biosynthesis mechanism and the H. serrata thallus medicinal value.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Xiangdong Luo
- College of Life Science, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, China
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8
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Han J, Miller EP, Li S. Cutting-edge plant natural product pathway elucidation. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2024; 87:103137. [PMID: 38677219 PMCID: PMC11192039 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2024.103137] [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: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Plant natural products (PNPs) play important roles in plant physiology and have been applied across diverse fields of human society. Understanding their biosynthetic pathways informs plant evolution and meanwhile enables sustainable production through metabolic engineering. However, the discovery of PNP biosynthetic pathways remains challenging due to the diversity of enzymes involved and limitations in traditional gene mining approaches. In this review, we will summarize state-of-the-art strategies and recent examples for predicting and characterizing PNP biosynthetic pathways, respectively, with multiomics-guided tools and heterologous host systems and share our perspectives on the systematic pipelines integrating these various bioinformatic and biochemical approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianing Han
- Robert F. Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Emma Parker Miller
- Plant Biology Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Sijin Li
- Robert F. Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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9
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Bhar S, Yoon CS, Mai K, Han J, Prajapati DV, Wang Y, Steffen CL, Bailey LS, Basso KB, Butcher RA. An acyl-CoA thioesterase is essential for the biosynthesis of a key dauer pheromone in C. elegans. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:1011-1022.e6. [PMID: 38183989 PMCID: PMC11102344 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.12.006] [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: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Methyl ketone (MK)-ascarosides represent essential components of several pheromones in Caenorhabditis elegans, including the dauer pheromone, which triggers the stress-resistant dauer larval stage, and the male-attracting sex pheromone. Here, we identify an acyl-CoA thioesterase, ACOT-15, that is required for the biosynthesis of MK-ascarosides. We propose a model in which ACOT-15 hydrolyzes the β-keto acyl-CoA side chain of an ascaroside intermediate during β-oxidation, leading to decarboxylation and formation of the MK. Using comparative metabolomics, we identify additional ACOT-15-dependent metabolites, including an unusual piperidyl-modified ascaroside, reminiscent of the alkaloid pelletierine. The β-keto acid generated by ACOT-15 likely couples to 1-piperideine to produce the piperidyl ascaroside, which is much less dauer-inducing than the dauer pheromone, asc-C6-MK (ascr#2, 1). The bacterial food provided influences production of the piperidyl ascaroside by the worm. Our work shows how the biosynthesis of MK- and piperidyl ascarosides intersect and how bacterial food may impact chemical signaling in the worm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhradeep Bhar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Chi-Su Yoon
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Kevin Mai
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Jungsoo Han
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Dilip V Prajapati
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Yuting Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Candy L Steffen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Laura S Bailey
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Kari B Basso
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Rebecca A Butcher
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
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10
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Liu F, Fernie AR, Zhang Y. Plant gene co-expression defines the biosynthetic pathway of neuroactive alkaloids. MOLECULAR PLANT 2024; 17:372-374. [PMID: 38321739 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2024.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Fang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Seed Innovation, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China
| | - Alisdair R Fernie
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany; Center for Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
| | - Youjun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Seed Innovation, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, China.
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11
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Dong H, Ge H. Carbonic anhydrase-like enzymes in the formation of Lycopodium alkaloid. Chin J Nat Med 2024; 22:193-194. [PMID: 38553187 DOI: 10.1016/s1875-5364(24)60579-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Huiwen Dong
- State key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Functional Biomolecules, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Huiming Ge
- State key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Functional Biomolecules, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
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12
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Davis CC, Choisy P. Medicinal plants meet modern biodiversity science. Curr Biol 2024; 34:R158-R173. [PMID: 38412829 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.12.038] [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: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Plants have been an essential source of human medicine for millennia. In this review, we argue that a holistic, interdisciplinary approach to the study of medicinal plants that combines methods and insights from three key disciplines - evolutionary ecology, molecular biology/biochemistry, and ethnopharmacology - is poised to facilitate new breakthroughs in science, including pharmacological discoveries and rapid advancements in human health and well-being. Such interdisciplinary research leverages data and methods spanning space, time, and species associated with medicinal plant species evolution, ecology, genomics, and metabolomic trait diversity, all of which build heavily on traditional Indigenous knowledge. Such an interdisciplinary approach contrasts sharply with most well-funded and successful medicinal plant research during the last half-century, which, despite notable advancements, has greatly oversimplified the dynamic relationships between plants and humans, kept hidden the larger human narratives about these relationships, and overlooked potentially important research and discoveries into life-saving medicines. We suggest that medicinal plants and people should be viewed as partners whose relationship involves a complicated and poorly explored set of (socio-)ecological interactions including not only domestication but also commensalisms and mutualisms. In short, medicinal plant species are not just chemical factories for extraction and exploitation. Rather, they may be symbiotic partners that have shaped modern societies, improved human health, and extended human lifespans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles C Davis
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University Herbaria, 22 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
| | - Patrick Choisy
- LVMH Research, 185 Avenue de Verdun, 45804 Saint Jean de Braye CEDEX, France
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Zamar DL, Papon N, Courdavault V. SPOTLIGHT: Alpha carbonic anhydrases join the club of alkaloid biosynthetic enzymes. JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 293:154169. [PMID: 38184908 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2023.154169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Duchesse-Lacours Zamar
- Biomolécules et Biotechnologies Végétales, BBV, EA2106, Université de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Nicolas Papon
- Univ Angers, Univ Brest, IRF, SFR ICAT, F-49000, Angers, France
| | - Vincent Courdavault
- Biomolécules et Biotechnologies Végétales, BBV, EA2106, Université de Tours, Tours, France.
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14
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Cheng B, Song L, Chen F. Huperzine alkaloids: forty years of total syntheses. Nat Prod Rep 2024; 41:59-84. [PMID: 37818549 DOI: 10.1039/d3np00029j] [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: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
Covering: up to 2023Huperzine alkaloids are a group of natural products belonging to the Lycopodium alkaloids family. The representative member huperzine A has a unique structure and exhibits potent inhibitory activity against acetylcholine esterase (AChE). This subfamily of alkaloids provides a great opportunity for developing synthetic methodologies and asymmetric synthesis. The efforts towards the synthesis of huperzine A have cultivated dozens of total syntheses and a rich body of new chemistry. Impressive progress has also been made in the synthesis of other huperzine alkaloids. The total syntheses of huperzines B, U, O, Q and R, structure reassignment and total syntheses of huperzines K, M and N have been reported in the past decade. This review focuses on the synthetic organic chemistry and the biosynthesis and medicinal chemistry of huperzines are also covered briefly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bichu Cheng
- Engineering Center of Catalysis and Synthesis for Chiral Molecules, Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
- School of Science, Green Pharmaceutical Engineering Research Center, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Lili Song
- Engineering Center of Catalysis and Synthesis for Chiral Molecules, Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Fener Chen
- Engineering Center of Catalysis and Synthesis for Chiral Molecules, Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330022, China
- School of Science, Green Pharmaceutical Engineering Research Center, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.
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15
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Lv Y, Zhu J, Huang S, Xing X, Zhou S, Yao H, Yang Z, Liu L, Huang S, Miao Y, Liu X, Fernie AR, Ding Y, Luo J. Metabolome profiling and transcriptome analysis filling the early crucial missing steps of piperine biosynthesis in Piper nigrum L. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 117:107-120. [PMID: 37753665 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Black pepper (Piper nigrum L.), the world renown as the King of Spices, is not only a flavorsome spice but also a traditional herb. Piperine, a species-specific piper amide, is responsible for the major bioactivity and pungent flavor of black pepper. However, several key steps for the biosynthesis of piperoyl-CoA (acyl-donor) and piperidine (acyl-acceptor), two direct precursors for piperine, remain unknown. In this study, we used guilt-by-association analysis of the combined metabolome and transcriptome, to identify two feruloyldiketide-CoA synthases responsible for the production of the C5 side chain scaffold feruloyldiketide-CoA intermediate, which is considered the first and important step to branch metabolic fluxes from phenylpropanoid pathway to piperine biosynthesis. In addition, we also identified the first two key enzymes for piperidine biosynthesis derived from lysine in P. nigrum, namely a lysine decarboxylase and a copper amine oxidase. These enzymes catalyze the production of cadaverine and 1-piperideine, the precursors of piperidine. In vivo and in vitro experiments verified the catalytic capability of them. In conclusion, our findings revealed enigmatic key steps of piperine biosynthetic pathway and thus provide a powerful reference for dissecting the biosynthetic logic of other piper amides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Lv
- School of Breeding and Multiplication(Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), Hainan University, Sanya, 572025, China
- Yazhouwan National Laboratory (YNL), Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Jinjin Zhu
- School of Breeding and Multiplication(Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), Hainan University, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Sihui Huang
- School of Breeding and Multiplication(Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), Hainan University, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Xiaoli Xing
- School of Breeding and Multiplication(Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), Hainan University, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Shen Zhou
- School of Breeding and Multiplication(Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), Hainan University, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Hui Yao
- School of Breeding and Multiplication(Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), Hainan University, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Zhuang Yang
- School of Breeding and Multiplication(Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), Hainan University, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Ling Liu
- School of Breeding and Multiplication(Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), Hainan University, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Sishu Huang
- School of Breeding and Multiplication(Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), Hainan University, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Yuanyuan Miao
- School of Breeding and Multiplication(Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), Hainan University, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Xianqing Liu
- School of Breeding and Multiplication(Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), Hainan University, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Alisdair R Fernie
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Potsdam-Golm, 14476, Germany
| | - Yuanhao Ding
- School of Breeding and Multiplication(Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), Hainan University, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Jie Luo
- School of Breeding and Multiplication(Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), Hainan University, Sanya, 572025, China
- Yazhouwan National Laboratory (YNL), Sanya, 572025, China
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16
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Chen X, Zhang X, Sun W, Hou Z, Nie B, Wang F, Yang S, Feng S, Li W, Wang L. LcSAO1, an Unconventional DOXB Clade 2OGD Enzyme from Ligusticum chuanxiong Catalyzes the Biosynthesis of Plant-Derived Natural Medicine Butylphthalide. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17417. [PMID: 38139246 PMCID: PMC10743894 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417417] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Butylphthalide, a prescription medicine recognized for its efficacy in treating ischemic strokes approved by the State Food and Drug Administration of China in 2005, is sourced from the traditional botanical remedy Ligusticum chuanxiong. While chemical synthesis offers a viable route, limitations in the production of isomeric variants with compromised bioactivity necessitate alternative strategies. Addressing this issue, biosynthesis offers a promising solution. However, the intricate in vivo pathway for butylphthalide biosynthesis remains elusive. In this study, we examined the distribution of butylphthalide across various tissues of L. chuanxiong and found a significant accumulation in the rhizome. By searching transcriptome data from different tissues of L. chuanxiong, we identified four rhizome-specific genes annotated as 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase (2-OGDs) that emerged as promising candidates involved in butylphthalide biosynthesis. Among them, LcSAO1 demonstrates the ability to catalyze the desaturation of senkyunolide A at the C-4 and C-5 positions, yielding the production of butylphthalide. Experimental validation through transient expression assays in Nicotiana benthamiana corroborates this transformative enzymatic activity. Notably, phylogenetic analysis of LcSAO1 revealed that it belongs to the DOXB clade, which typically encompasses genes with hydroxylation activity, rather than desaturation. Further structure modelling and site-directed mutagenesis highlighted the critical roles of three amino acid residues, T98, S176, and T178, in substrate binding and enzyme activity. By unraveling the intricacies of the senkyunolide A desaturase, the penultimate step in the butylphthalide biosynthesis cascade, our findings illuminate novel avenues for advancing synthetic biology research in the realm of medicinal natural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqing Chen
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518000, China (Z.H.)
| | - Xiaopeng Zhang
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518000, China (Z.H.)
| | - Wenkai Sun
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518000, China (Z.H.)
| | - Zhuangwei Hou
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518000, China (Z.H.)
| | - Bao Nie
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518000, China (Z.H.)
| | - Fengjiao Wang
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518000, China (Z.H.)
| | - Song Yang
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518000, China (Z.H.)
| | - Shourui Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China;
| | - Wei Li
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518000, China (Z.H.)
| | - Li Wang
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518000, China (Z.H.)
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17
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Ushimaru R, Abe I. Assembling neuroactive alkaloids. NATURE PLANTS 2023; 9:1946-1947. [PMID: 38066291 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-023-01586-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Richiro Ushimaru
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Ikuro Abe
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
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18
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Nett RS, Dho Y, Tsai C, Passow D, Martinez Grundman J, Low YY, Sattely ES. Plant carbonic anhydrase-like enzymes in neuroactive alkaloid biosynthesis. Nature 2023; 624:182-191. [PMID: 37938780 PMCID: PMC10700139 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06716-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Plants synthesize numerous alkaloids that mimic animal neurotransmitters1. The diversity of alkaloid structures is achieved through the generation and tailoring of unique carbon scaffolds2,3, yet many neuroactive alkaloids belong to a scaffold class for which no biosynthetic route or enzyme catalyst is known. By studying highly coordinated, tissue-specific gene expression in plants that produce neuroactive Lycopodium alkaloids4, we identified an unexpected enzyme class for alkaloid biosynthesis: neofunctionalized α-carbonic anhydrases (CAHs). We show that three CAH-like (CAL) proteins are required in the biosynthetic route to a key precursor of the Lycopodium alkaloids by catalysing a stereospecific Mannich-like condensation and subsequent bicyclic scaffold generation. Also, we describe a series of scaffold tailoring steps that generate the optimized acetylcholinesterase inhibition activity of huperzine A5. Our findings suggest a broader involvement of CAH-like enzymes in specialized metabolism and demonstrate how successive scaffold tailoring can drive potency against a neurological protein target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan S Nett
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- HHMI, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Yaereen Dho
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Chun Tsai
- HHMI, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Daria Passow
- Biophysics Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Yun-Yee Low
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Elizabeth S Sattely
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- HHMI, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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19
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Li Y, Ling Ma N, Chen H, Zhong J, Zhang D, Peng W, Shiung Lam S, Yang Y, Yue X, Yan L, Wang T, Styrishave B, Maciej Ciesielski T, Sonne C. High-throughput screening of ancient forest plant extracts shows cytotoxicity towards triple-negative breast cancer. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 181:108279. [PMID: 37924601 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108279] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
According to the World Health Organization, women's breast cancer is among the most common cancers with 7.8 million diagnosed cases during 2016-2020 and encompasses 15 % of all female cancer-related mortalities. These mortality events from triple-negative breast cancer are a significant health issue worldwide calling for a continuous search of bioactive compounds for better cancer treatments. Historically, plants are important sources for identifying such new bioactive chemicals for treatments. Here we use high-throughput screening and mass spectrometry analyses of extracts from 100 plant species collected in Chinese ancient forests to detect novel bioactive breast cancer phytochemicals. First, to study the effects on viability of the plant extracts, we used a MTT and CCK-8 cytotoxicity assay employing triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) MDA-MB-231 and normal epithelial MCF-10A cell lines and cell cycle arrest to estimate apoptosis using flow cytometry for the most potent three speices. Based on these analyses, the final most potent extracts were from the Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) wood/root bark and Nigaki (Picrasma quassioides) wood/root bark. Then, 5 × 106 MDA-MB-231 cells were injected subcutaneously into the right hind leg of nude mice and a tumour was allowed to grow before treatment for seven days. Subsequently, the four exposed groups received gavage extracts from Amur honeysuckle and Nigaki (Amur honeysuckle wood distilled water, Amur honeysuckle root bark ethanol, Nigaki wood ethanol or Nigaki root bark distilled water/ethanol (1:1) extracts) in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), while the control group received only PBS. The tumour weight of treated nude mice was reduced significantly by 60.5 % within 2 weeks, while on average killing 70 % of the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells after 48 h treatment (MTT test). In addition, screening of target genes using the Swiss Target Prediction, STITCH, STRING and NCBI-gene database showed that the four plant extracts possess desirable activity towards several known breast cancer genes. This reflects that the extracts may kill MBD-MB-231 breast cancer cells. This is the first screening of plant extracts with high efficiency in 2 decades, showing promising results for future development of novel cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyang Li
- Henan Province International Collaboration Lab of Forest Resources Utilization, School of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Nyuk Ling Ma
- BIOSES Research Interest Group, Faculty of Science & Marine Environment, 21030 Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Malaysia; Center for Global Health Research (CGHR), Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai, India
| | - Huiling Chen
- Henan Province International Collaboration Lab of Forest Resources Utilization, School of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Jiateng Zhong
- Department of Pathology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Dangquan Zhang
- Henan Province International Collaboration Lab of Forest Resources Utilization, School of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Wanxi Peng
- Henan Province International Collaboration Lab of Forest Resources Utilization, School of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Su Shiung Lam
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia; Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Yuan Ze University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yafeng Yang
- Henan Province International Collaboration Lab of Forest Resources Utilization, School of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Xiaochen Yue
- Henan Province International Collaboration Lab of Forest Resources Utilization, School of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Lijun Yan
- Henan Province International Collaboration Lab of Forest Resources Utilization, School of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Ting Wang
- Henan Province International Collaboration Lab of Forest Resources Utilization, School of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Bjarne Styrishave
- Toxicology and Drug Metabolism Group, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 3, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tomasz Maciej Ciesielski
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Høgskoleringen 5, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Christian Sonne
- Department of Ecoscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark; Sustainability Cluster, School of Engineering, University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248007, India.
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20
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Tuo X, Yu Z, Li J, Qi Y, Peng G, Huang SX, Huang X, Huang JP. Characterization of two putative norlaudanosoline methyltransferases from Aristolochia debilis. JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 285:153983. [PMID: 37116390 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2023.153983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
In view of the nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and carcinogenicity of aristolochic acids (AAs), the removal of AAs from plants becomes an urgent priority for ensuring the safety of Aristolochia herbal materials. In this study, based on the root-predominant distribution of aristolochic acid I (AAI) in Aristolochia debilis, transcriptome sequencing, in combination with phylogenetic analyses, and gene expression pattern analysis together provided five candidate genes for investigating AAI biosynthesis. Comprehensive in vitro and in vivo enzymatic assays revealed that Ab6OMT1 (6-O-methyltransferase) and AbNMT1 (N-methyltransferase) exhibit promiscuity in substrate recognition, and they could act in a cooperative fashion to achieve conversion of norlaudanosoline, a predicted intermediate in AAI biosynthetic route, into 3'-hydroxy-N-methylcoclaurine through two different methylation reaction sequences. These results shed light on the molecular basis for AAI biosynthesis in Aristolochia herbs. More importantly, Ab6OMT1 and AbNMT1 may be employed as targets for the metabolic engineering of AAI biosynthesis to produce AAs-free Aristolochia herbal materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotao Tuo
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China.
| | - Zhiyin Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
| | - Junheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China.
| | - Yuxin Qi
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Synthetic Biology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China.
| | - Guoqing Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China.
| | - Sheng-Xiong Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China.
| | - Xueshuang Huang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Synthetic Biology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China.
| | - Jian-Ping Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China.
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21
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Selma S, Ntelkis N, Nguyen TH, Goossens A. Engineering the plant metabolic system by exploiting metabolic regulation. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 114:1149-1163. [PMID: 36799285 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Plants are the most sophisticated biofactories and sources of food and biofuels present in nature. By engineering plant metabolism, the production of desired compounds can be increased and the nutritional or commercial value of the plant species can be improved. However, this can be challenging because of the complexity of the regulation of multiple genes and the involvement of different protein interactions. To improve metabolic engineering (ME) capabilities, different tools and strategies for rerouting the metabolic pathways have been developed, including genome editing and transcriptional regulation approaches. In addition, cutting-edge technologies have provided new methods for understanding uncharacterized biosynthetic pathways, protein degradation mechanisms, protein-protein interactions, or allosteric feedback, enabling the design of novel ME approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Selma
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nikolaos Ntelkis
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Trang Hieu Nguyen
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Alain Goossens
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
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22
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Mehta N, Meng Y, Zare R, Kamenetsky-Goldstein R, Sattely E. A developmental gradient reveals biosynthetic pathways to eukaryotic toxins in monocot geophytes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.12.540595. [PMID: 37214939 PMCID: PMC10197729 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.12.540595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Numerous eukaryotic toxins that accumulate in geophytic plants are valuable in the clinic, yet their biosynthetic pathways have remained elusive. A lead example is the >150 Amaryllidaceae alkaloids (AmAs) including galantamine, an FDA-approved treatment for Alzheimer's disease. We show that while AmAs accumulate to high levels in many tissues in daffodils, biosynthesis is localized to nascent, growing tissue at the base of leaves. A similar trend is found for the production of steroidal alkaloids (e.g. cyclopamine) in corn lily. This model of active biosynthesis enabled elucidation of a complete set of biosynthetic genes for the production of AmAs. Taken together, our work sheds light on the developmental and enzymatic logic of diverse alkaloid biosynthesis in daffodil. More broadly, it suggests a paradigm for biosynthesis regulation in monocot geophytes where plants are protected from herbivory through active charging of newly formed cells with eukaryotic toxins that persist as aboveground tissue develops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niraj Mehta
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Yifan Meng
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Richard Zare
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth Sattely
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- HHMI, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
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23
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He X, Ren J, Wang L, Luo J, Yang J, Gu YC, Yan Y, Huang SX. Discovery and Biosynthetic Origin of Quinolizidomycins A and B, Two Quinolizidine Alkaloids from Streptomyces sp. KIB-1714. Org Lett 2023; 25:1760-1764. [PMID: 36867548 DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.3c00478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Quinolizidomycins A (1) and B (2), two unprecedented quinolizidine alkaloids featuring a tricyclic 6/6/5 ring system, were isolated from Streptomyces sp. KIB-1714. Their structures were assigned by detailed spectroscopic data analyses and X-ray diffraction. Stable isotope labeling experiments suggested that compounds 1 and 2 are derived from lysine, ribose 5-phosphate, and acetate units, which indicates an unprecedented manner of assembly of the quinolizidine (1-azabicyclo[4.4.0]decane) scaffold in quinolizidomycin biosynthesis. Quinolizidomycin A (1) was active in an acetylcholinesterase inhibitory assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin He
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, People's Republic of China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinqiu Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, People's Republic of China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianying Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, People's Republic of China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Cheng Gu
- Syngenta Jealott's Hill International Research Centre, Bracknell, Berkshire RG42 6EY, U.K
| | - Yijun Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, People's Republic of China
| | - Sheng-Xiong Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, People's Republic of China
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24
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Chuang L, Liu S, Franke J. Post-Cyclization Skeletal Rearrangements in Plant Triterpenoid Biosynthesis by a Pair of Branchpoint Isomerases. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:5083-5091. [PMID: 36821810 PMCID: PMC9999417 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c10838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Triterpenoids possess potent biological activities, but their polycyclic skeletons are challenging to synthesize. The skeletal diversity of triterpenoids in plants is generated by oxidosqualene cyclases based on epoxide-triggered cationic rearrangement cascades. Normally, triterpenoid skeletons then remain unaltered during subsequent tailoring steps. In contrast, the highly modified triterpenoids found in Sapindales plants imply the existence of post-cyclization skeletal rearrangement enzymes that have not yet been found. We report here a biosynthetic pathway in Sapindales plants for the modification of already cyclized tirucallane triterpenoids, controlling the pathway bifurcation between different plant triterpenoid classes. Using a combination of bioinformatics, heterologous expression in plants and chemical analyses, we identified a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase and two isomerases which harness the epoxidation-rearrangement biosynthetic logic of triterpene cyclizations for modifying the tirucallane scaffold. The two isomerases share the same epoxide substrate made by the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase CYP88A154, but generate two different rearrangement products, one containing a cyclopropane ring. Our findings reveal a process for skeletal rearrangements of triterpenoids in nature that expands their scaffold diversity after the initial cyclization. In addition, the enzymes described here are crucial for the biotechnological production of limonoid, quassinoid, apoprotolimonoid, and glabretane triterpenoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Chuang
- Centre of Biomolecular Drug Research, Leibniz University Hannover, Schneiderberg 38, 30167 Hannover, Germany
| | - Shenyu Liu
- Centre of Biomolecular Drug Research, Leibniz University Hannover, Schneiderberg 38, 30167 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jakob Franke
- Centre of Biomolecular Drug Research, Leibniz University Hannover, Schneiderberg 38, 30167 Hannover, Germany.,Institute of Botany, Leibniz University Hannover, Herrenhäuser Str. 2, 30419 Hannover, Germany
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25
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Tao H, Abe I. Oxidative modification of free-standing amino acids by Fe(II)/αKG-dependent oxygenases. ENGINEERING MICROBIOLOGY 2023; 3:100062. [PMID: 39628521 PMCID: PMC11611013 DOI: 10.1016/j.engmic.2022.100062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/06/2024]
Abstract
Fe(II)/α-ketoglutarate (αKG)-dependent oxygenases catalyze the oxidative modification of various molecules, from DNA, RNA, and proteins to primary and secondary metabolites. They also catalyze a variety of biochemical reactions, including hydroxylation, halogenation, desaturation, epoxidation, cyclization, peroxidation, epimerization, and rearrangement. Given the versatile catalytic capability of such oxygenases, numerous studies have been conducted to characterize their functions and elucidate their structure-function relationships over the past few decades. Amino acids, particularly nonproteinogenic amino acids, are considered as important building blocks for chemical synthesis and components for natural product biosynthesis. In addition, the Fe(II)/αKG-dependent oxygenase superfamily includes important enzymes for generating amino acid derivatives, as they efficiently modify various free-standing amino acids. The recent discovery of new Fe(II)/αKG-dependent oxygenases and the repurposing of known enzymes in this superfamily have promoted the generation of useful amino acid derivatives. Therefore, this study will focus on the recent progress achieved from 2019 to 2022 to provide a clear view of the mechanism by which these enzymes have expanded the repertoire of free amino acid oxidative modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Tao
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ikuro Abe
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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Kwan BD, Seligmann B, Nguyen TD, Franke J, Dang TTT. Leveraging synthetic biology and metabolic engineering to overcome obstacles in plant pathway elucidation. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 71:102330. [PMID: 36599248 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2022.102330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Major hurdles in plant biosynthetic pathway elucidation and engineering include the need for rapid testing of enzyme candidates and the lack of complex substrates that are often not accumulated in the plant, amenable to synthesis, or commercially available. Linking metabolic engineering with gene discovery in both yeast and plant holds great promise to expedite the elucidation process and, at the same time, provide a platform for the sustainable production of plant metabolites. In this review, we highlight how synthetic biology and metabolic engineering alleviated longstanding obstacles in plant pathway elucidation. Recent advances in developing these chassis that showcase established and emerging strategies in accelerating biosynthetic gene discovery will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke D Kwan
- Department of Chemistry, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science, University of British Columbia, 3427 University Way, Kelowna, BC, Canada
| | - Benedikt Seligmann
- Leibniz University Hannover, Institute of Botany, Herrenhäuser Str. 2, 30419 Hannover, Germany
| | - Trinh-Don Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science, University of British Columbia, 3427 University Way, Kelowna, BC, Canada
| | - Jakob Franke
- Leibniz University Hannover, Institute of Botany, Herrenhäuser Str. 2, 30419 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Thu-Thuy T Dang
- Department of Chemistry, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science, University of British Columbia, 3427 University Way, Kelowna, BC, Canada.
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Huang C, Li P, Yang X, Niu T, Zhao S, Yang L, Wang R, Wang Z. Integrated transcriptome and proteome analyses reveal candidate genes for ginsenoside biosynthesis in Panax japonicus C. A. Meyer. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 13:1106145. [PMID: 36699857 PMCID: PMC9868605 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1106145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Panax japonicus C. A. Meyer is a plant of the Araliaceae family, and its rhizomes can be used as dietary supplements. It is extremely rich in bioactive components ginsenosides with benefits to human health. However, the underlying mechanisms of ginsenosides biosynthesis in Panax japonicus remains poorly understood. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of the metabolites, transcriptome, and proteome was conducted to investigate ginsenoside metabolism of Panax japonicus. Here, three types of ginsenosides were found to exhibited tissue-specific distribution using the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method. Next, differentially expressed gene analysis revealed that transcript levels of ginsenosides biosynthetic genes have significant differences between differential samples. In addition, correlation analysis showed that the ginsenosides content was closely related to the expression level of 29 cytochrome P450s and 92 Uridine diphosphate-glycosyltransferases. Finally, phylogenetic analysis was performed for the target proteins to conduct preliminary studies on their functions and classification. This study provides insight into the dynamic changes and biosynthetic pathway of ginsenosides and offers valuable information on the metabolic regulation of Panax japonicus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaokang Huang
- The SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Pengfei Li
- The SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaolin Yang
- The SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tengfei Niu
- The SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shujuan Zhao
- The SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Yang
- The SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Rufeng Wang
- The SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhengtao Wang
- The SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Ushimaru R, Abe I. Unusual Dioxygen-Dependent Reactions Catalyzed by Nonheme Iron Enzymes in Natural Product Biosynthesis. ACS Catal 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.2c05247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Richiro Ushimaru
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
- Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
- ACT-X, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
| | - Ikuro Abe
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
- Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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Zhang H, Wang D, Sun J, Wang Y, Wu S, Wang J. Huperzine-A Improved Animal Behavior in Cuprizone-Induced Mouse Model by Alleviating Demyelination and Neuroinflammation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232416182. [PMID: 36555825 PMCID: PMC9785798 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232416182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Huperzine A (HupA) is a natural acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChEI) with the advantages of high efficiency, selectivity as well as reversibility and can exhibit significant therapeutic effects against certain neurodegenerative diseases. It is also beneficial in reducing the neurological impairment and neuroinflammation of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a classic model for multiple sclerosis (MS). However, whether HupA can directly regulate oligodendrocyte differentiation and maturation and promote remyelination has not been investigated previously. In this study, we have analyzed the potential protective effects of HupA on the demylination model of MS induced by cuprizone (CPZ). It was found that HupA significantly attenuated anxiety-like behavior, as well as augmented motor and cognitive functions in CPZ mice. It also decreased demyelination and axonal injury in CPZ mice. Moreover, in CPZ mice, HupA increased mRNA levels of the various anti-inflammatory cytokines (Arg1, CD206) while reducing the levels of different pro-inflammatory cytokines (iNOS, IL-1β, IL-18, CD16, and TNF-α). Mecamylamine, a nicotinic acetylcholinergic receptor antagonist, could effectively reverse the effects of HupA. Therefore, we concluded that HupA primarily exerts its therapeutic effects on multiple sclerosis through alleviating demyelination and neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Zhang
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Danjie Wang
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jingxian Sun
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yumeng Wang
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Shuai Wu
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Correspondence: (S.W.); (J.W.); Tel.: +86-15921977760 (S.W.); +86-17721371757 (J.W.)
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Correspondence: (S.W.); (J.W.); Tel.: +86-15921977760 (S.W.); +86-17721371757 (J.W.)
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Xia H, Noushahi HA, Khan AH, Liu Y, Cosoveanu A, Cui L, Tang J, Iqbal S, Shu S. Genome sequencing of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides ESO026 reveals plausible pathway of HupA. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:11611-11622. [PMID: 36161578 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07850-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colletotrichum gloeosporioides ES026, isolated as an endophytic fungal strain, was found to produce the important medicinal compound HuperzineA (HupA). In a genetic context, ES026 showed potential in elucidating the biosynthetic pathway of HupA. METHODS AND RESULTS The ES026 strain was sequenced using de-novo Illumina sequencing methods in this study. Assembling the cleaned data resulted in 58,594,804bp, consisting of 404 scaffolds. The G + C mol % content of this genome was 52.53%. The genome progressive-alignment with other 4 Colletotrichum strains revealed that ES026 showed closer relation with 030206, SMCG1#C and Nara gc5. More than 60 putative biosynthetic clusters were predicted with the fungal version antiSMASH4.0 program. More than 33 types I polyketide-related biosynthetic gene clusters were distributed, containing PKS and PKS-NRPS (polyketide-nonribosomal peptides) hybrid gene clusters. Another 8 NRPS biosynthetic gene clusters were distributed among the genome of ES026. The prenyltransferases, probably involved in aromatic prenyl-compounds and terpenoid biosynthesis, were analyzed using bioinformatics tools like MEGA. CONCLUSION We predicted a new possible biosynthetic pathway for the HupA from the pipecolic acid, based on the published HupA biosynthesis proposed pathway, the biosynthesis and pipecolic acid-derived compounds. We hypothesize that a hybrid PKS-NRPS mega-enzyme was probably involved in the biosynthesis of HupA with the pipecolic acid, the building block of rapamycin, as a HupA precursor. The rapamycin is produced from a polyketide biosynthesis pathway, and the domain incorporating the pipecolic acid is studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyang Xia
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070, Wuhan, China
- Bio-Pharmaceuticals Institute , Taizhou University, 317000, Taizhou, China
| | - Hamza Armghan Noushahi
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070, Wuhan, China
| | - Aamir Hamid Khan
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070, Wuhan, China
| | - Ying Liu
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070, Wuhan, China
| | - Andreea Cosoveanu
- Department of Botany, Ecology & Plant Physiology, CIPEV Group, Faculty of Science, Biology Section, Universidad de La Laguna, 38206, San Cristobal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Lingli Cui
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Tang
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070, Wuhan, China
| | - Shehzad Iqbal
- Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Talca, 3460000, Talca, Chile
| | - Shaohua Shu
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070, Wuhan, China.
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Singh KS, van der Hooft JJJ, van Wees SCM, Medema MH. Integrative omics approaches for biosynthetic pathway discovery in plants. Nat Prod Rep 2022; 39:1876-1896. [PMID: 35997060 PMCID: PMC9491492 DOI: 10.1039/d2np00032f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Covering: up to 2022With the emergence of large amounts of omics data, computational approaches for the identification of plant natural product biosynthetic pathways and their genetic regulation have become increasingly important. While genomes provide clues regarding functional associations between genes based on gene clustering, metabolome mining provides a foundational technology to chart natural product structural diversity in plants, and transcriptomics has been successfully used to identify new members of their biosynthetic pathways based on coexpression. Thus far, most approaches utilizing transcriptomics and metabolomics have been targeted towards specific pathways and use one type of omics data at a time. Recent technological advances now provide new opportunities for integration of multiple omics types and untargeted pathway discovery. Here, we review advances in plant biosynthetic pathway discovery using genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics, as well as recent efforts towards omics integration. We highlight how transcriptomics and metabolomics provide complementary information to link genes to metabolites, by associating temporal and spatial gene expression levels with metabolite abundance levels across samples, and by matching mass-spectral features to enzyme families. Furthermore, we suggest that elucidation of gene regulatory networks using time-series data may prove useful for efforts to unwire the complexities of biosynthetic pathway components based on regulatory interactions and events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumar Saurabh Singh
- Bioinformatics Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
- Plant-Microbe Interactions, Institute of Environmental Biology, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
| | - Justin J J van der Hooft
- Bioinformatics Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa
| | - Saskia C M van Wees
- Plant-Microbe Interactions, Institute of Environmental Biology, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
| | - Marnix H Medema
- Bioinformatics Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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Tian T, Wang YJ, Huang JP, Li J, Xu B, Chen Y, Wang L, Yang J, Yan Y, Huang SX. Catalytic innovation underlies independent recruitment of polyketide synthases in cocaine and hyoscyamine biosynthesis. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4994. [PMID: 36008484 PMCID: PMC9411544 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32776-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Tropane alkaloids such as hyoscyamine and cocaine are of importance in medicinal uses. Only recently has the hyoscyamine biosynthetic machinery become complete. However, the cocaine biosynthesis pathway remains only partially elucidated. Here we characterize polyketide synthases required for generating 3-oxo-glutaric acid from malonyl-CoA in cocaine biosynthetic route. Structural analysis shows that these two polyketide synthases adopt distinctly different active site architecture to catalyze the same reaction as pyrrolidine ketide synthase in hyoscyamine biosynthesis, revealing an unusual parallel/convergent evolution of biochemical function in homologous enzymes. Further phylogenetic analysis suggests lineage-specific acquisition of polyketide synthases required for tropane alkaloid biosynthesis in Erythroxylaceae and Solanaceae species, respectively. Overall, our work elucidates not only a key unknown step in cocaine biosynthesis pathway but also, more importantly, structural and biochemical basis for independent recruitment of polyketide synthases in tropane alkaloid biosynthesis, thus broadening the understanding of conservation and innovation of biosynthetic catalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yong-Jiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jian-Ping Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Jie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Bingyan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Li Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Jing Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Yijun Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Sheng-Xiong Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China.
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Chuang L, Liu S, Biedermann D, Franke J. Identification of early quassinoid biosynthesis in the invasive tree of heaven ( Ailanthus altissima) confirms evolutionary origin from protolimonoids. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:958138. [PMID: 36082289 PMCID: PMC9445810 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.958138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The tree of heaven, Ailanthus altissima (MILL.) SWINGLE, is a globally invasive plant known to secrete allelopathic metabolites called quassinoids. Quassinoids are highly modified triterpenoids. So far, nothing has been known about the biochemical basis of quassinoid biosynthesis. Here, based on transcriptome and metabolome data of Ailanthus altissima, we present the first three steps of quassinoid biosynthesis, which are catalysed by an oxidosqualene cyclase and two cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, resulting in the formation of the protolimonoid melianol. Strikingly, these steps are identical to the first steps of the biosynthesis of limonoids, structurally different triterpenoids from sister plant families within the same order Sapindales. Our results are therefore not only important to fully understand the biosynthesis of complex triterpenoids in plants, but also confirm the long-standing hypothesis that quassinoids and limonoids share an evolutionary origin. In addition, our transcriptome data for Ailanthus altissima will be beneficial to other researchers investigating the physiology and ecology of this invasive tree.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Chuang
- Centre of Biomolecular Drug Research, Leibniz University Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Shenyu Liu
- Centre of Biomolecular Drug Research, Leibniz University Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Dave Biedermann
- Centre of Biomolecular Drug Research, Leibniz University Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Jakob Franke
- Centre of Biomolecular Drug Research, Leibniz University Hannover, Hanover, Germany
- Institute of Botany, Leibniz University Hannover, Hanover, Germany
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Fiesel PD, Parks HM, Last RL, Barry CS. Fruity, sticky, stinky, spicy, bitter, addictive, and deadly: evolutionary signatures of metabolic complexity in the Solanaceae. Nat Prod Rep 2022; 39:1438-1464. [PMID: 35332352 PMCID: PMC9308699 DOI: 10.1039/d2np00003b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Covering: 2000-2022Plants collectively synthesize a huge repertoire of metabolites. General metabolites, also referred to as primary metabolites, are conserved across the plant kingdom and are required for processes essential to growth and development. These include amino acids, sugars, lipids, and organic acids. In contrast, specialized metabolites, historically termed secondary metabolites, are structurally diverse, exhibit lineage-specific distribution and provide selective advantage to host species to facilitate reproduction and environmental adaptation. Due to their potent bioactivities, plant specialized metabolites attract considerable attention for use as flavorings, fragrances, pharmaceuticals, and bio-pesticides. The Solanaceae (Nightshade family) consists of approximately 2700 species and includes crops of significant economic, cultural, and scientific importance: these include potato, tomato, pepper, eggplant, tobacco, and petunia. The Solanaceae has emerged as a model family for studying the biochemical evolution of plant specialized metabolism and multiple examples exist of lineage-specific metabolites that influence the senses and physiology of commensal and harmful organisms, including humans. These include, alcohols, phenylpropanoids, and carotenoids that contribute to fruit aroma and color in tomato (fruity), glandular trichome-derived terpenoids and acylsugars that contribute to plant defense (stinky & sticky, respectively), capsaicinoids in chilli-peppers that influence seed dispersal (spicy), and steroidal glycoalkaloids (bitter) from Solanum, nicotine (addictive) from tobacco, as well as tropane alkaloids (deadly) from Deadly Nightshade that deter herbivory. Advances in genomics and metabolomics, coupled with the adoption of comparative phylogenetic approaches, resulted in deeper knowledge of the biosynthesis and evolution of these metabolites. This review highlights recent progress in this area and outlines opportunities for - and challenges of-developing a more comprehensive understanding of Solanaceae metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul D Fiesel
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Hannah M Parks
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Robert L Last
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Cornelius S Barry
- Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
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Delineating biosynthesis of Huperzine A, A plant-derived medicine for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Biotechnol Adv 2022; 60:108026. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2022.108026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Abstract
Colchicine (1) is a bioactive plant alkaloid from Colchicum and Gloriosa species that is used as a pharmaceutical treatment for inflammatory diseases, including gouty arthritis and familial Mediterranean fever. The activity of this alkaloid is attributed to its ability to bind tubulin dimers and inhibit microtubule assembly, which not only promotes anti-inflammatory effects, but also makes colchicine a potent mitotic poison. The biochemical origins of colchicine biosynthesis have been investigated for over 50 years, but only recently has the underlying enzymatic machinery become clear. Here, we report the discovery of multiple pathway enzymes from Gloriosa superba that allows for the reconstitution of a complete metabolic route to 1. This includes three enzymes that process a previously established tropolone-containing intermediate into 1 via tailoring of the nitrogen atom. We further demonstrate the total biosynthesis of enantiopure (-)-1 from primary metabolites via heterologous production in a model plant, thus enabling future efforts for the metabolic engineering of this medicinal alkaloid. Additionally, our results provide insight into the timing and tissue specificity for the late stage modifications required in colchicine biosynthesis, which are likely connected to the biological functions for this class of medicinal alkaloids in native producing plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan S. Nett
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Elizabeth S. Sattely
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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Hasebe F, Yuba H, Hashimoto T, Saito K, Funa N, Shoji T. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated disruption of the PYRROLIDINE KETIDE SYNTHASE gene reduces the accumulation of tropane alkaloids in Atropa belladonna hairy roots. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2021; 85:2404-2409. [PMID: 34562094 DOI: 10.1093/bbb/zbab165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Tropane alkaloids, including clinically important hyoscyamine and scopolamine, are produced in the roots of medicinal plant species, such as Atropa belladonna, from the Solanaceae family. Recent molecular and genomic approaches have advanced our understanding of the metabolic enzymes involved in tropane alkaloid biosynthesis. A noncanonical type III polyketide synthase, pyrrolidine ketide synthase (PYKS) catalyzes a two-step decarboxylative reaction, which involves imine-ketide condensation indispensable to tropane skeleton construction. In this study, we generated pyks mutant A. belladonna hairy roots via CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing and analyzed the metabolic consequences of the loss of PYKS activity on tropane alkaloids, providing insights into a crucial role of the scaffold-forming reaction in the biosynthetic pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumihito Hasebe
- Graduate Division of Nutritional and Environmental Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Honoka Yuba
- Division of Biological Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Nara, Japan
| | - Takashi Hashimoto
- Division of Biological Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Nara, Japan
| | - Kazuki Saito
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
- Plant Molecular Science Center, Chiba University, Chuo-ku, Chiba, Japan
| | - Nobutaka Funa
- Graduate Division of Nutritional and Environmental Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Tsubasa Shoji
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
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Huperzine A and Its Neuroprotective Molecular Signaling in Alzheimer's Disease. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26216531. [PMID: 34770940 PMCID: PMC8587556 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26216531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Huperzine A (HupA), an alkaloid found in the club moss Huperzia serrata, has been used for centuries in Chinese folk medicine to treat dementia. The effects of this alkaloid have been attributed to its ability to inhibit the cholinergic enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), acting as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChEI). The biological functions of HupA have been studied both in vitro and in vivo, and its role in neuroprotection appears to be a good therapeutic candidate for Alzheimer´s disease (AD). Here, we summarize the neuroprotective effects of HupA on AD, with an emphasis on its interactions with different molecular signaling avenues, such as the Wnt signaling, the pre- and post-synaptic region mechanisms (synaptotagmin, neuroligins), the amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing, the amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) accumulation, and mitochondrial protection. Our goal is to provide an integrated overview of the molecular mechanisms through which HupA affects AD.
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Bisht R, Bhattacharyya A, Shrivastava A, Saxena P. An Overview of the Medicinally Important Plant Type III PKS Derived Polyketides. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:746908. [PMID: 34721474 PMCID: PMC8551677 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.746908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Plants produce interesting secondary metabolites that are a valuable source of both medicines for human use, along with significant advantages for the manufacturer species. The active compounds which lead to these instrumental effects are generally secondary metabolites produced during various plant growth phases, which provide the host survival advantages while affecting human health inadvertently. Different chemical classes of secondary metabolites are biosynthesized by the plant type III polyketide synthases (PKSs). They are simple homodimeric proteins with the unique mechanistic potential to produce a broad array of secondary metabolites by utilizing simpler starter and extender units. These PKS derived products are majorly the precursors of some important secondary metabolite pathways leading to products such as flavonoids, stilbenes, benzalacetones, chromones, acridones, xanthones, cannabinoids, aliphatic waxes, alkaloids, anthrones, and pyrones. These secondary metabolites have various pharmaceutical, medicinal and industrial applications which make biosynthesizing type III PKSs an important tool for bioengineering purposes. Because of their structural simplicity and ease of manipulation, these enzymes have garnered interest in recent years due to their application in the generation of unnatural natural polyketides and modified products in the search for newer drugs for a variety of health problems. The following review covers the biosynthesis of a variety of type III PKS-derived secondary metabolites, their biological relevance, the associated enzymes, and recent research.
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