TAO1, a representative of the molybdenum cofactor containing hydroxylases from tomato

Research progress of aldehyde oxidases in plants

Plant aldehyde oxidases (AOs) are multi-functional enzymes, and they could oxidize abscisic aldehyde into ABA (abscisic acid) or indole acetaldehyde into IAA (indoleacetic acid) as the last step, respectively. AOs can be divided into four groups based on their biochemical and physiological functions. In this review, we summarized the recent studies about AOs in plants including the motif information, biochemical, and physiological functions. Besides their role in phytohormones biosynthesis and stress response, AOs could also involve in reactive oxygen species homeostasis, aldehyde detoxification and stress tolerance.

Hardening with salicylic acid induces concentration-dependent changes in abscisic acid biosynthesis of tomato under salt stress

The role of salicylic acid (SA) in the control of abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis is controversial although both plant growth regulators may accumulate in tissues under abiotic and biotic stress conditions. Hardening of tomato plants to salinity stress with 10(-4)M SA ("high SA") resulted in an up-regulation of ABA biosynthesis genes, zeaxanthin epoxidase (SlZEP1), 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (SlNCED1) and aldehyde oxidases (SlAO1 and SlAO2) in the roots and led to ABA accumulation both in root and leaf tissues. In plants pre-treated with lower concentration of SA (10(-7)M, "low SA"), the up-regulation of SlNCED1 in the roots promoted ABA accumulation in the root tissues but the hormone concentration remained at control level in the leaves. Salt stress induced by 100mM NaCl reduced the transcript abundance of ABA biosynthetic genes and inhibited SlAO activity in plants hardened with "high SA", but the tissues maintained root ABA level over the untreated control. The combined effect of "high SA" and ABA under salt stress led to partially recovered photosynthetic activity, reduced ethylene production in root apices, and restored root growth, which is one of the main features of salt tolerance. Unlike "high SA", hardening with "low SA" had no influence on ethylene production, and led to reduced elongation of roots in plants exposed to 100mM NaCl. The up-regulation of carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases SlCCD1A and SlCCD1B by SA, which produce apocarotenoids, may open new pathways in SA sensing and signalling processes.

Rice folate enhancement through metabolic engineering has an impact on rice seed metabolism, but does not affect the expression of the endogenous folate biosynthesis genes

Folates are key-players in one-carbon metabolism in all organisms. However, only micro-organisms and plants are able to synthesize folates de novo and humans rely entirely on their diet as a sole folate source. As a consequence, folate deficiency is a global problem. Although different strategies are currently implemented to fight folate deficiency, up until now, all of them have their own drawbacks. As an alternative and complementary means to those classical strategies, folate biofortification of rice by metabolic engineering was successfully achieved a couple of years ago. To gain more insight into folate biosynthesis regulation and the effect of folate enhancement on general rice seed metabolism, a transcriptomic study was conducted in developing transgenic rice seeds, overexpressing 2 genes of the folate biosynthetic pathway. Upon folate enhancement, the expression of 235 genes was significantly altered. Here, we show that rice folate biofortification has an important effect on folate dependent, seed developmental and plant stress response/defense processes, but does not affect the expression of the endogenous folate biosynthesis genes.

Identification of superoxide production by Arabidopsis thaliana aldehyde oxidases AAO1 and AAO3

Plant aldehyde oxidases (AOs) have gained great attention during the last years as they catalyze the last step in the biosynthesis of the phytohormone abscisic acid by oxidation of abscisic aldehyde. Furthermore, oxidation of indole-3-acetaldehyde by AOs is likely to represent one route to produce another phytohormone, indole-3-acetic acid, and thus, AOs play important roles in many aspects of plant growth and development. In the present work we demonstrate that heterologously expressed AAO1 and AAO3, two prominent members of the AO family from Arabidopsis thaliana, do not only generate hydrogen peroxide but also superoxide anions by transferring aldehyde-derived electrons to molecular oxygen. In support of this, superoxide production has also been found for native AO proteins in Arabidopsis leaf extracts. In addition to their aldehyde oxidation activity, AAO1 and AAO3 were found to exhibit NADH oxidase activity, which likewise is associated with the production of superoxide anions. According to these results and due to the fact that molecular oxygen is the only known physiological electron acceptor of AOs, the production of hydrogen peroxide and/or superoxide has to be considered in any physiological condition in which aldehydes or NADH serve as substrate for AOs. In this respect, conditions such as natural senescence and stress-induced stomatal movement, which both require simultaneously elevated levels of abscisic acid and hydrogen peroxide/superoxide, are likely to benefit from AOs in two ways, namely by formation of abscisic acid and by concomitant formation of reactive oxygen species.

Molecular cloning, characterization and expression analysis of three aldehyde oxidase genes from Pisum sativum L

Aldehyde oxidase (AO, EC 1.2.3.1) is a molybdenohydroxylase that is considered to catalyze the last step of abscisic acid (ABA) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) synthesis. Three cDNAs encoding aldehyde oxidase proteins in Pisum sativum (cv. Little Marvel) were obtained based on RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction) strategy. The cloned genes, designated as PsAO1, PsAO2 and PsAO3, are 4630, 4347, 4600 bp in length, respectively, and show high sequence identity to each other and to aldehyde oxidases from other plant species. The deduced PsAO1, PsAO2, and PsAO3 proteins are 1373, 1367, 1367 amino acids in length, respectively, and contain consensus sequences for two iron-sulfur centers, a FAD binding domain, and a molybdenum cofactor (Moco) binding domain. PsAO1 and PsAO2 were mainly expressed in leaves of seedlings and young leaves of adult plants, while the highest PsAO3 transcript level was observed in aging leaves and matured seeds. PsAO2 mRNA was not affected by salinity or ammonium treatment, whereas the transcript level of PsAO3 increased significantly under both stress conditions, with the most pronounced changes in aging leaves, fully expanded leaves and roots. The PsAO1 transcript level was enhanced only in the presence of ammonium in the nutrient medium, but not under salinity. Based on the molecular mass of the deduced proteins and on organ-specific gene expression, studied both under control and stress conditions, the contribution of each PsAO cDNA in the formation of the previously described three dimeric pea AO isoforms and the possible involvement of the PsAO3 in abscisic acid (ABA) synthesis is discussed.

Avian and Canine Aldehyde Oxidases

Aldehyde oxidases are molybdo-flavoenzymes structurally related to xanthine oxidoreductase. They catalyze the oxidation of aldehydes or N-heterocycles of physiological, pharmacological, and toxicological relevance. Rodents are characterized by four aldehyde oxidases as follows: AOX1 and aldehyde oxidase homologs 1-3 (AOH1, AOH2, and AOH3). Humans synthesize a single functional aldehyde oxidase, AOX1. Here we define the structure and the characteristics of the aldehyde oxidase genes and proteins in chicken and dog. The avian genome contains two aldehyde oxidase genes, AOX1 and AOH, mapping to chromosome 7. AOX1 and AOH are structurally very similar and code for proteins whose sequence was deduced from the corresponding cDNAs. AOX1 is the ortholog of the same gene in mammals, whereas AOH represents the likely ancestor of rodent AOH1, AOH2, and AOH3. The dog genome is endowed with two structurally conserved and active aldehyde oxidases clustering on chromosome 37. Cloning of the corresponding cDNAs and tissue distribution studies demonstrate that they are the orthologs of rodent AOH2 and AOH3. The vestiges of dog AOX1 and AOH1 are recognizable upstream of AOH2 and AOH3 on the same chromosome. Comparison of the complement and the structure of the aldehyde oxidase and xanthine oxidoreductase genes in vertebrates and other animal species indicates that they evolved through a series of duplication and inactivation events. Purification of the chicken AOX1 protein to homogeneity from kidney demonstrates that the enzyme possesses retinaldehyde oxidase activity. Unlike humans and most other mammals, dog and chicken are devoid of liver aldehyde oxidase activity.

The plant Mo-hydroxylases aldehyde oxidase and xanthine dehydrogenase have distinct reactive oxygen species signatures and are induced by drought and abscisic acid

The plant molybdenum-cofactor (Moco) and flavin-containing enzymes, xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH; EC 1.2.1.37) and aldehyde oxidase (AO; EC 1.2.3.1) are thought to play important metabolic roles in purine metabolism and hormone biosynthesis, respectively. Their animal counterparts contribute to reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in numerous pathologies and here we examined these enzymes as potential sources of ROS in plants. Novel in-gel assay techniques and Moco sulfurase mutants, lacking a sulfur ligand in their Moco active center, were employed to demonstrate that the native tomato and Arabidopsis XDHs are capable of producing O, but not H2O2, while the animal counterpart was shown to produce both, O and H2O2. Superoxide production was dependent on Moco sulfuration when using hypoxanthine/xanthine but not NADH as substrates. The activity was inhibited by diphenylene iodonium (DPI), a suicide inhibitor of FAD containing enzymes. Analysis of XDH in an Arabidopsis Atxdh1 T-DNA insertion mutant and RNA interference lines revealed loss of O activity, providing direct molecular evidence that plant XDH generates superoxides. Contrary to XDH, AO activity produced only H2O2 dissimilar to native animal AO, that can produce O as well. Surprisingly, H2O2 accumulation was not sensitive to DPI. Plant ROS production and transcript levels of AO and XDH were rapidly upregulated by application of abscisic acid and in water-stressed leaves and roots. These results, supported by in vivo measurement of ROS accumulation, indicate that plant AO and XDH are possible novel sources for ROS increase during water stress.

Evaluating the genetic basis of multiple-locule fruit in a broad cross section of tomato cultivars

Lycopersicon esculentum accessions bearing fasciated (multiloculed) fruit were characterized based on their flower organ and locule number phenotypes. Greenhouse and field evaluations indicate that increases in locule number are associated with increases in the number of other floral organs (e.g., sepals, petals, stamens) in all stocks. F1 complementation, F2 segregation analysis, and genetic mapping indicate that at least four loci account for increases in the number of carpels/locules in these stocks. The most significant of these map to the bottoms of chromosomes 2 and 11 and correspond to the locule number and fasciated loci. All stocks tested were fixed for mutations at the fasciated locus, which maps to the 0.5-cM interval between the markers T302 and cLET24J2A and occurs in at least three allelic forms (wild type and two mutants). One of the fasciated mutant alleles is associated with nonfused carpels and repressed recombination and may be due to a small inversion or deletion. The other two loci controlling locule number correspond to the lcn1.1 and lcn2.2 loci located on chromosomes 1 and 2, respectively.

Mammalian molybdo-flavoenzymes, an expanding family of proteins: structure, genetics, regulation, function and pathophysiology

The molybdo-flavoenzymes are structurally related proteins that require a molybdopterin cofactor and FAD for their catalytic activity. In mammals, four enzymes are known: xanthine oxidoreductase, aldehyde oxidase and two recently described mouse proteins known as aldehyde oxidase homologue 1 and aldehyde oxidase homologue 2. The present review article summarizes current knowledge on the structure, enzymology, genetics, regulation and pathophysiology of mammalian molybdo-flavoenzymes. Molybdo-flavoenzymes are structurally complex oxidoreductases with an equally complex mechanism of catalysis. Our knowledge has greatly increased due to the recent crystallization of two xanthine oxidoreductases and the determination of the amino acid sequences of many members of the family. The evolution of molybdo-flavoenzymes can now be traced, given the availability of the structures of the corresponding genes in many organisms. The genes coding for molybdo-flavoenzymes are expressed in a cell-specific fashion and are controlled by endogenous and exogenous stimuli. The recent cloning of the genes involved in the biosynthesis of the molybdenum cofactor has increased our knowledge on the assembly of the apo-forms of molybdo-flavoproteins into the corresponding holo-forms. Xanthine oxidoreductase is the key enzyme in the catabolism of purines, although recent data suggest that the physiological function of this enzyme is more complex than previously assumed. The enzyme has been implicated in such diverse pathological situations as organ ischaemia, inflammation and infection. At present, very little is known about the pathophysiological relevance of aldehyde oxidase, aldehyde oxidase homologue 1 and aldehyde oxidase homologue 2, which do not as yet have an accepted endogenous substrate.

Aldehyde oxidase isoforms and subunit composition in roots of barley as affected by ammonium and nitrate

Aldehyde oxidase (AO; EC 1.2.3.1) isoforms in roots of barley plants grown on ammonium or nitrate as nitrogen sources were studied. Roots of ammonium-grown barley plants exhibited considerable levels of AO2, AO3, and AO4 activities after native PAGE. Significantly lower AO2 and AO3 activity bands were observed in roots of plants grown on nitrate. When abscisic aldehyde was used as a substrate a strong response of the AO2 band was observed as well as a faint reaction of the AO3 band, but no activity of AO4 was observed using this substrate. The 160 and 145 kDa polypeptides were detected in ammonium grown plants. Root extracts of nitrate-fed plants revealed only a minor 145 kDa protein band and none of the 160 kDa subunit was detected. The assembly of the AO3 heterodimer requires the simultaneous presence of 160 and 145 kDa subunits. Subunit analysis of AO2 and AO4 revealed homodimeric composition of 160 and 145 kDa, respectively. Western blot analysis revealed changing AO subunits levels during germination and plant development. Differential expression of AO subunits (160 and 145 kDa) and subsequent formation of isoforms, which differ in substrate specificity, distribution and fulfil different enzymatic reactions, may constitute an important regulatory mechanism in the plant.

The absence of molybdenum cofactor sulfuration is the primary cause of the flacca phenotype in tomato plants

The molybdenum cofactor (MoCo)-containing enzymes aldehyde oxidase (AO; EC 1.2.3.1) and xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH; EC 1.2.1.37) require for activity a sulfuration step that inserts a terminal sulfur ligand into the MoCo. The tomato flacca mutation was originally isolated as a wilty phenotype due to a lack of abscisic acid (ABA) that is related to simultaneous loss of AO and XDH activities. An expressed sequence tag candidate from tomato was selected on the basis of homology to sulfurases from animals, fungi and the recently isolated Arabidopsis genes LOS5/ABA3. The tomato homologue maps as a single gene to the bottom of chromosome 7, consistent with the genetic location of the flacca mutation. The structure of FLACCA shows a multidomain protein with an N-terminal NifS-like sulfurase domain; a mammal-specific intermediate section; and a C-terminus containing conserved motifs. Prominent among these are molybdopterin oxidoreductases and thioredoxin redox-active centre/iron-sulfur-binding region signatures which may be relevant to the specific sulfuration of MoCo. Indeed, the molecular analysis of flacca identifies the mutation in a highly conserved motif located in the C-terminus. Activity gel assays show that FLACCA is expressed throughout the plant. Transient and stable complementation of flacca and the Arabidopsis aba3 mutants with Aspergillus nidulans hxB and FLACCA yielded full, partial and tissue-specific types of Mo-hydroxylase activities. Restoration of activity in the root alone is sufficient to augment plant ABA content and rectify the wild-type phenotype. Thus the pleiotropic flacca phenotype is due to the loss of activity of enzymes requiring a sulfurated MoCo.

Purification of the aldehyde oxidase homolog 1 (AOH1) protein and cloning of the AOH1 and aldehyde oxidase homolog 2 (AOH2) genes. Identification of a novel molybdo-flavoprotein gene cluster on mouse chromosome 1

We report the cloning of the AOH1 and AOH2 genes, which encode two novel mammalian molybdo-flavoproteins. We have purified the AOH1 protein to homogeneity in its catalytically active form from mouse liver. Twenty tryptic peptides, identified or directly sequenced by mass spectrometry, confirm the primary structure of the polypeptide deduced from the AOH1 gene. The enzyme contains one molecule of FAD, one atom of molybdenum, and four atoms of iron per subunit and shows spectroscopic features similar to those of the prototypic molybdo-flavoprotein xanthine oxidoreductase. The AOH1 and AOH2 genes are 98 and 60 kilobases long, respectively, and consist of 35 coding exons. The AOH1 gene has the potential to transcribe an extra leader non-coding exon, which is located downstream of exon 26, and is transcribed in the opposite orientation relative to all the other exons. AOH1 and AOH2 map to chromosome 1 in close proximity to each other and to the aldehyde oxidase gene, forming a molybdo-flavoenzyme gene cluster. Conservation in the position of exon/intron junctions among the mouse AOH1, AOH2, aldehyde oxidase, and xanthine oxidoreductase loci indicates that these genes are derived from the duplication of an ancestral precursor.

Transport and accumulation rates of abscisic acid and aldehyde oxidase activity in Pisum sativum L. in response to suboptimal growth conditions

Pea plants (Pisum sativum L.) grown initially in nutrient solutions with adequate nitrogen supply (4 mM NO3-) were transferred to solutions containing salt (50 or 100 mM NaCl), ammonium (4 mM) or a low nitrogen supply (0.4 mM NO3-). No changes of abscisic acid (ABA) content were found in roots of stressed pea plants 9 d after the beginning of the treatments; however, accumulation of ABA in the leaves was observed. Old leaves accumulated ABA to a higher extent than young leaves. Accumulation of ABA in leaves of ammonium-fed plants and plants grown under low nitrogen supply occurred in the absence of both increased ABA xylem loading rate and enhanced aldehyde oxidase (AO, EC 1.2.3.1) activity in roots. Enhanced leaf AO activity was observed in all treatments, with the highest increase in old leaves. Among the three AO isoforms (AO-1, AO-2 and AO-3) detected in extracts of pea leaves, the lowest one AO-3 (highest mobility in the gel) correlated with ABA production and showed the highest increment in response to the treatments. The increase of AO activity detected in leaves after 2 weeks of stress application was less prominent than after 9 d, suggesting a transient enhancement of ABA production following the onset of stress. An increase of ABA xylem loading rate as well as AO root activity 4 d and 9 d after application of the treatments was observed only in salt-treated plants followed by a decrease after 14 d in 100 mM NaCl. Decreased cytokinin (trans-zeatin riboside) delivery rate into the xylem sap was observed in all treatments. The role of abscisic acid and cytokinins as positive and negative growth signals, as well as the involvement of root-generated ABA on ABA accumulation in leaves is discussed.

An early tobacco mosaic virus-induced oxidative burst in tobacco indicates extracellular perception of the virus coat protein

Induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was observed within seconds of the addition of exogenous tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) to the outside of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv Samsun NN, EN, or nn) epidermal cells. Cell death was correlated with ROS production. Infectivity of the TMV virus was not a prerequisite for this elicitation and isolated coat protein (CP) subunits could also elicit the fast oxidative burst. The rapid induction of ROS was prevented by both inhibitors of plant signal transduction and inhibitors of NAD(P)H oxidases, suggesting activation of a multi-step signal transduction pathway. Induction of intracellular ROS by TMV was detected in TMV-resistant and -susceptible tobacco cultivars isogenic for the N allele. The burst was also detected with strains of virus that either elicit (ToMV) or fail to elicit (TMV U1) N' gene-mediated responses. Hence, early ROS generation is independent or upstream of known genetic systems in tobacco that can mediate hypersensitive responses. Analysis of other viruses and TMV CP mutants showed marked differences in their ability to induce ROS showing specificity of the response. Thus, initial TMV-plant cell interactions that lead to early ROS induction occur outside the plasma membrane in an event requiring specific CP epitopes.

The Arabidopsis aldehyde oxidase 3 (AAO3) gene product catalyzes the final step in abscisic acid biosynthesis in leaves

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a plant hormone involved in seed development and germination and in responses to various environmental stresses. The last step of ABA biosynthesis involves oxidation of abscisic aldehyde, and aldehyde oxidase (EC ) is thought to catalyze this reaction. An aldehyde oxidase isoform, AOdelta, encoded by AAO3, one of four Arabidopsis aldehyde oxidase genes (AAO1, AAO2, AAO3, and AAO4), is the most likely candidate for the enzyme, because it can efficiently catalyze the oxidation of abscisic aldehyde to ABA. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of an ABA-deficient Arabidopsis mutant that maps at the AAO3 locus. The mutant exhibits a wilty phenotype in rosette leaves, but seed dormancy is not affected. ABA levels were significantly reduced in the mutant leaves, explaining the wilty phenotype in rosettes, whereas the level in the mutant seeds was less reduced. No AOdelta activity could be detected in the rosette leaves of the mutant. Sequence data showed that the mutant contains a G to A substitution in the AAO3 gene. The mutation causes incorrect splicing of the ninth intron of AAO3 mRNA. We thus conclude that the ABA-deficient mutant is impaired in the AAO3 gene and that the gene product, AOdelta, is an aldehyde oxidase that catalyzes the last step of ABA biosynthesis in Arabidopsis, specifically in rosette leaves. Other aldehyde oxidases may be involved in ABA biosynthesis in other organs.

Molecular cloning and expression patterns of three putative functional aldehyde oxidase genes and isolation of two aldehyde oxidase pseudogenes in tomato

The final steps in the biosynthesis of the plant hormones abscisic acid (ABA) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) have been shown to be catalyzed by aldehyde oxidases (AO). We have cloned three putative functional AO genes (TAO1, TAO2 and TAO3) and two putative AO pseudogenes (TAO4 and TAO5) in tomato. The TAO1 cDNA described here includes the correct amino terminus of the encoded TAO1 protein and is different at the 5'-end from the TAO1 sequence in GenBank (accession number U82558). Northern analysis shows that TAO1 is expressed mainly in vegetative tissues and TAO2 is expressed in both vegetative and reproductive tissues. TAO3 expression was not detectable by Northern hybridization. These results suggest that each AO may play different roles in the regulation of tomato growth and development.

Cloning of the cDNAs coding for two novel molybdo-flavoproteins showing high similarity with aldehyde oxidase and xanthine oxidoreductase

The cDNAs coding for two novel mouse molybdo-flavoproteins, AOH1 and AOH2 (aldehyde oxidase homolog 1 and 2), were isolated. The AOH1 and AOH2 cDNAs code for polypeptides of 1336 amino acids. The two proteins have similar primary structure and show striking amino acid identity with aldehyde oxidase and xanthine oxidoreductase, two other molybdo-flavoenzymes. AOH1 and AOH2 contain consensus sequences for a molybdopterin-binding site and two distinct 2Fe-2S redox centers. In its native conformation, AOH1 has a molecular weight consistent with a homotetrameric structure. Transfection of the AOH1 and AOH2 cDNAs results in the production of proteins with phenanthridine but not hypoxanthine oxidizing activity. Furthermore, the AOH1 protein has benzaldehyde oxidizing activity with electrophoretic characteristics identical to those of a previously identified aldehyde oxidase isoenzyme (Holmes, R. S. (1979) Biochem. Genet. 17, 517-528). The AOH1 transcript is expressed in the hepatocytes of the adult and fetal liver and in spermatogonia. In liver, the AOH1 protein is synthesized in a gender-specific fashion. The expression of AOH2 is limited to keratinized epithelia and the basal layer of the epidermis and hair folliculi. The selective cell and tissue distribution of AOH1 and AOH2 mRNAs is consistent with the localization of the respective protein products.

Control of abscisic acid synthesis

The abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthetic pathway involves the formation of a 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid precursor. Oxidative cleavage then results in the formation of xanthoxin, which is subsequently converted to ABA. A number of steps in the pathway may control ABA synthesis, but particular attention has been given to the enzyme involved in the oxidative cleavage reaction, i.e. 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED). Cloning of a gene encoding this enzyme in maize was first reported in 1997. Mapping and DNA sequencing studies indicated that a wilty tomato mutant was due to a deletion in the gene encoding an enzyme with a very similar amino acid sequence to this maize NCED. The potential use of this gene in altering ABA content will be discussed together with other genes encoding ABA biosynthetic enzymes.

Abscisic aldehyde oxidase in leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a plant hormone involved in seed development and responses to various environmental stresses. Oxidation of abscisic aldehyde is the last step of ABA biosynthesis and is catalysed by aldehyde oxidase (EC 1.2.3.1). We have reported the occurrence of three isoforms of aldehyde oxidase, AOalpha, AObeta and AOgamma, in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings, but none oxidized abscisic aldehyde. Here we report a new isoform, AOdelta, found in rosette leaf extracts, which efficiently oxidizes abscisic aldehyde. AO delta was specifically recognized by antibodies raised against a recombinant peptide encoded by AAO3, one of four Arabidopsis aldehyde oxidase genes (AAO1, AAO2, AAO3 and AAO4). Functionally expressed AAO3 protein in the yeast Pichia pastoris showed a substrate preference very similar to that of rosette AOdelta. These results indicate that AOdelta is encoded by AAO3. AOdelta produced in P. pastoris exhibited a very low Km value for abscisic aldehyde (0.51 microM), and the oxidation product was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to be ABA. Northern analysis showed that AAO3 mRNA is highly expressed in rosette leaves. When the rosette leaves were detached and exposed to dehydration, AAO3 mRNA expression increased rapidly within 3 h of the treatment. These results suggest that AOdelta, the AAO3 gene product, acts as an abscisic aldehyde oxidase in Arabidopsis rosette leaves.

Distribution of the Mo-enzymes aldehyde oxidase, xanthine dehydrogenase and nitrate reductase in maize (Zea mays L.) nodal roots as affected by nitrogen and salinity

The distribution of the Mo-enzymes aldehyde oxidase (AO; EC 1.2.3.1) xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH; EC 1.2.1.37) and nitrate reductase (NAD(P)H NR; EC 1.6.6.1-2) was studied along the longitudinal and transversal axes of maize (Zea mays L. cv. Jubily) nodal roots as affected by nitrogen sources and salinity. Activities of the Mo-enzymes were considerably enhanced under mild saline conditions. The activities of AO and XDH increased following addition of ammonium to the nutrient solution. Immunoblot analysis with antibodies raised against maize AO protein revealed increased levels of AO proteins in root tips of ammonium fed plants. Application of salinity to nitrate fed plants did not affect the enzyme protein level, although it enhanced the activity of the Mo-hydroxylases. The specific activities of the Mo-enzymes were the highest in root tips (0-1 cm segments) while on the transversal axis maximal activity was observed in the stele or vascular cylinder. Activity staining of AO after native PAGE of root extracts revealed four bands of AO proteins (AO1-4) capable of oxidizing a number of aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes. Increased AO activity in maize nodal roots grown with ammonium, and salinity were observed mainly at the AO3 and AO4 bands. Tips and stele contained primarily AO3 and AO4, and only traces of AO1 and AO2. SDS-PAGE of root extracts followed by Western blots revealed, besides the major 150 kD subunit of AO, two polypeptides with molecular masses of 72 and 85 kD located specifically in the cortex. Part of the polymorphism of AO in plant roots may be related to the allocation of distinct isoforms to different regions of the root, although the specific metabolic roles of the different bands have not been established.

The mouse aldehyde oxidase gene: molecular cloning, chromosomal mapping and functional characterization of the 5'-flanking region

In this article, we report on the chromosome mapping and molecular cloning of the genetic locus encoding the mouse molybdo-iron/sulfur-flavoprotein aldehyde oxidase. The aldehyde oxidase locus maps to mouse chromosome 1 band C1-C2, as determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization experiments conducted on metaphase chromosomes. The gene is approximately 83 kb long and consists of 35 exons. The exon/intron boundaries are perfectly conserved relative to the corresponding human homolog and almost completely conserved relative to the mouse xanthine oxidoreductase gene. This further supports the concept that the aldehyde oxidase and xanthine oxidoreductase loci evolved from the same ancestral precursor by a gene duplication event. The position of a major transcription start site was defined by primer extension and RNase mapping analysis. The 5'-flanking region of the mouse aldehyde oxidase gene contains a functional and orientation-dependent promoter as well as several putative binding sites for known cell-specific and general transcription factors. Deletion analysis of the 5'-flanking region defines an approximately 470 bp DNA stretch which is necessary and sufficient for the transcription of the mouse aldehyde oxidase gene.

Aldehyde oxidase and xanthine dehydrogenase in a flacca tomato mutant with deficient abscisic acid and wilty phenotype

The flacca tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) mutant displays a wilty phenotype as a result of abscisic acid (ABA) deficiency. The Mo cofactor (MoCo)-containing aldehyde oxidases (AO; EC 1.2.3.1) are thought to play a role in the final oxidation step required for ABA biosynthesis. AO and related MoCo-containing enzymes xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH; EC 1.2.1.37) and nitrate reductase (EC 1.6.6.1) were examined in extracts of the flacca tomato genotype and of wild-type (WT) roots and shoots. The levels of MoCo were found to be similar in both genotypes. No significant XDH or AO (MoCo-containing hydroxylases) activities were detected in flacca leaves; however, the mutant exhibited considerable MoCo-containing hydroxylase activity in the roots, which contained notable amounts of ABA. Native western blots probed with an antibody to MoCo-containing hydroxylases revealed substantial, albeit reduced, levels of cross-reactive protein in the flacca mutant shoots and roots. The ABA xylem-loading rate was significantly lower than that in the WT, indicating that the flacca is also defective in ABA transport to the shoot. Significantly, in vitro sulfurylation with Na2S reactivated preexisting XDH and AO proteins in extracts from flacca, particularly from the shoots, and superinduced the basal-level activity in the WT extracts. The results indicate that in flacca, MoCo-sulfurylase activity is impaired in a tissue-dependent manner.

cDNA cloning, sequencing, and characterization of male and female rat liver aldehyde oxidase (rAOX1). Differences in redox status may distinguish male and female forms of hepatic APX

Molecular characterization of male and female rat liver aldehyde oxidase is reported. As described for the mouse liver, male and female rat liver expressed kinetically distinct forms of aldehyde oxidase. Our data suggest that the two forms arise as a result of differences in redox state and are most simply explained by expression of a single gene encoding aldehyde oxidase in rats. In support of this argument we have sequenced cDNAs from male and female rat liver. We examined mRNA expression by Northern blot analysis with RNA from males and females, from several tissues, and following androgen induction. Purified rat liver enzyme from males or females revealed a single 150-kDa species consistent with cDNA sequence analysis. Both male and female forms were reactive to the same carboxyl-terminal directed antisera. Km(app) values obtained in crude extracts of male or female rat liver and post-benzamidine-purified aldehyde oxidase differed substantially from each other but could be interconverted by chemical reduction with dithiothreitol or oxidation with 4,4'-dithiodipyridine. Our data indicate that a single gene is most likely expressed in male or female rat liver and that the kinetic differences between male and female rat liver aldehyde oxidases are sensitive to redox manipulation.

Structure and expression of tandemly duplicated xanthine dehydrogenase genes of the silkworm (Bombyx mori)

Xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) is a molybdoenzyme which catalyses oxidation of xanthine and hypoxanthine to uric acid. We isolated genomic clones of silkworm (Bombyx mori) XDH genes (BmXDH1 and BmXDH2). The BmXDH2 gene is located upstream from the BmXDH1 gene and they show a tandemly duplicated structure. Both BmXDH genes were expressed in the fat body and Malpighian tubules, whereas only the BmXDH1 gene was expressed in the midgut. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that BmXDH gene duplication occurred after the divergence of the silkworm and dipteran species. Intron insertion site comparison shows that some introns were lost during insect XDH gene evolution.

Biochemical and genetic characterization of three molybdenum cofactor hydroxylases in Arabidopsis thaliana

Aldehyde oxidases and xanthine dehydrogenases/oxidases belong to the molybdenum cofactor dependent hydroxylase class of enzymes. Zymograms show that Arabidopsis thaliana has at least three different aldehyde oxidases and one xanthine oxidase. Three different cDNA clones encoding putative aldehyde oxidases (AtAO1, 2, 3) were isolated. An aldehyde oxidase is the last step in abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis. AtAO1 is mainly expressed in seeds and roots which might reflect that it is involved in ABA biosynthesis.

Isolation and characterization of the human aldehyde oxidase gene: conservation of intron/exon boundaries with the xanthine oxidoreductase gene indicates a common origin

Aldehyde oxidase (AO) is a molybdo-flavo enzyme involved in the metabolism of various endogenous and exogenous N-heterocyclic compounds of pharmacological and toxicological importance. The enzyme is the product of a gene which is implicated in the aetio-pathogenesis of familial recessive amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Here, we report the cloning and structural characterization of the human AO gene. AO is a single copy gene approximately 85 kb long with 35 transcribed exons. The transcription-initiation site and the sequence of the 5'-flanking region, containing several putative regulatory elements, were determined. The 5'-flanking region contains a functional promoter, as assessed by appropriate reporter constructs in transient transfection experiments. Comparison of the AO gene structure shows conservation of the position and type of exon/intron junctions relative to those observed in the gene coding for another molybdo-flavoprotein, i.e. xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR). As the two genes code for proteins with a high level of amino acid identity, our results strongly suggest that the AO and XOR genetic loci arose as the consequence of a duplication event. Southern blot analysis conducted on genomic DNA from various animal species with specific cDNA probes indicates that the AO gene is less conserved than the XOR gene during evolution.