Biochemical characterization of the oxygenation of unsaturated fatty acids by the dioxygenase and hydroperoxide isomerase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa 42A2

Thirty years with three-dimensional structures of lipoxygenases

The X-ray crystal structures of soybean lipoxygenase (LOX) and rabbit 15-LOX were reported in the 1990s. Subsequent 3D structures demonstrated a conserved U-like shape of the substrate cavities as reviewed here. The 8-LOX:arachidonic acid (AA) complex showed AA bound to the substrate cavity carboxylate-out with C10 at 3.4 Å from the iron metal center. A recent cryo-electron microscopy (EM) analysis of the 12-LOX:AA complex illustrated AA in the same position as in the 8-LOX:AA complex. The 15- and 12-LOX complexes with isoenzyme-specific inhibitors/substrate mimics confirmed the U-fold. 5-LOX oxidizes AA to leukotriene A4, the first step in biosynthesis of mediators of asthma. The X-ray structure showed that the entrance to the substrate cavity was closed to AA by Phe and Tyr residues of a partly unfolded α2-helix. Recent X-ray analysis revealed that soaking with inhibitors shifted the short α2-helix to a long and continuous, which opened the substrate cavity. The α2-helix also adopted two conformations in 15-LOX. 12-LOX dimers consisted of one closed and one open subunit with an elongated α2-helix. 13C-ENDOR-MD computations of the 9-MnLOX:linoleate complex showed carboxylate-out position with C11 placed 3.4 ± 0.1 Å from the catalytic water. 3D structures have provided a solid ground for future research.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa Secretes the Oxylipin Autoinducer Synthases OdsA and OdsB via the Xcp Type 2 Secretion System

The oxylipin-dependent quorum-sensing system (ODS) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa relies on the production and sensing of two extracellular oxylipins, 10S-hydroxy-(8E)-octadecenoic acid (10-HOME) and 7S,10S-dihydroxy-(8E)-octadecenoic acid (7,10-DiHOME). Here, we implemented a genetic screen of P. aeruginosa strain PAO1 aimed to identify genes required for 10-HOME and 7,10-DiHOME production. Among the 14 genes identified, four encoded previously known components of the ODS and 10 encoded parts of the Xcp type II secretion system (T2SS). We subsequently created a clean xcpQ deletion mutant, which encodes the necessary outer membrane component of Xcp, and found it recapitulated the impaired functionality of the T2SS transposon mutants. Further studies showed that the ΔxcpQ mutant was unable to secrete the oxylipin synthase enzymes across the outer membrane. Specifically, immunoblotting for OdsA, which is responsible for the generation of 10-HOME from oleic acid, detected the enzyme in supernatants from wild-type PAO1 but not ΔxcpQ cultures. Likewise, chromatography of supernatants found that 10-HOME was not in supernatants collected from the ΔxcpQ mutant. Accordingly, diol synthase activity was increased in the periplasm of ΔxcpQ mutant consistent with a stoppage in its transport. Importantly, after exposure of the ΔxcpQ mutant to exogenous 10-HOME and 7,10-DiHOME, the ODS effector genes become active; thus, the sensing component of the ODS does not involve the T2SS. Finally, we observed that Xcp contributed to robust in vitro and in vivo biofilm formation in oleic acid availability- and ODS-dependent manner. Thus, T2SS-mediated transport of the oxylipin synthase enzymes to outside the bacterial cell is required for ODS functionality. IMPORTANCE We previously showed that the ODS of P. aeruginosa produces and responds to oxylipins derived from host oleic acid by enhancing biofilm formation and virulence. Here, we developed a genetic screen strategy to explore the molecular basis for oxylipins synthesis and detection. Unexpectedly, we found that the ODS autoinducer synthases cross the outer membrane using the Xcp type 2 secretion system (T2SS) of P. aeruginosa, and so the biosynthesis of oxylipins occurs extracellularly. T2SS promoted biofilm formation in the presence of oleic acid as a result of ODS activation. Our results identify two new T2SS secreted proteins in P. aeruginosa and reveal a new way by which this important opportunistic pathogen interacts with the host environment.

Use of Stress Signals of Their Attached Bacteria to Monitor Sympagic Algae Preservation in Canadian Arctic Sediments

Based on the strong aggregation of sympagic (ice-associated) algae and the high mortality or inactivity of bacteria attached to them, it was previously hypothesized that sympagic algae should be significant contributors to the export of carbon to Arctic sediments. In the present work, the lipid content of 30 sediment samples collected in the Canadian Arctic was investigated to test this hypothesis. The detection of high proportions of trans vaccenic fatty acid (resulting from cis-trans isomerase (CTI) activity of bacteria under hypersaline conditions) and 10S-hydroxyhexadec-8(trans)-enoic acid (resulting from 10S-DOX bacterial detoxification activity in the presence of deleterious free palmitoleic acid) confirmed: (i) the strong contribution of sympagic material to some Arctic sediments, and (ii) the impaired physiological status of its associated bacterial communities. Unlike terrestrial material, sympagic algae that had escaped zooplanktonic grazing appeared relatively preserved from biotic degradation in Arctic sediments. The expected reduction in sea ice cover resulting from global warming should cause a shift in the relative contributions of ice-associated vs. pelagic algae to the seafloor, and thus to a strong modification of the carbon cycle.

Development, validation, and application of an HPLC-MS/MS method for quantification of oxidized fatty acids in plants

Oxylipins constitute a huge class of compounds produced by oxidation of long-chain unsaturated fatty acids either chemically (by radicals such as reactive oxygen species, ROS) or enzymatically (by lipoxygenases, LOX; cyclooxygenases, COX; or cytochrome P450 pathways). This process generates fatty acids peroxides, which can then be further modified in a broad range to epoxy, hydroxy, keto, ether fatty acids, and also hydrolyzed to generate small aldehydes and alcohols. In general, oxylipins are present in almost all living organisms and have a wide range of signaling, metabolic, physiological, and ecological roles depending on the particular organism and on their structure. In plants, oxylipins have been extensively studied over the past 35 years. However, these studies have focused mainly on the jasmonates and so-called green leaves volatiles. The function of early LOX products (like keto and hydroxy fatty acids) is yet not well understood in plants, where they are mainly analyzed by indirect methods or by GC-MS what requires a laborious sample preparation. Here, we developed and validated a straightforward, precise, accurate, and sensitive method for quantifying oxylipins in plant tissues using HPLC-MS/MS, with a one-step extraction procedure using low amount of plant tissues. We successfully applied this method to quantify the oxylipins in different plant species and Arabidopsis thaliana plants treated with various biotic and abiotic stress conditions.

Production of 7,10-dihydroxy-8(E)-octadecenoic acid using cell-free supernatant of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Cell-free synthesis has been adopted in the bioconversion process due to its known advantages, such as fast production rate, high product content, and no substrate/product inhibition effect. In this study, the cell-free supernatant of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was used to improve the production of 7,10-dihydroxy-8(E)-octadecenoic acid (DOD) from oleic acid. DOD production using cell-free supernatant demonstrated reduction in bioconversion duration and higher product concentration than conventional method using whole cell culture. The maximum DOD concentration (6.41 g/L) was obtained after 36 h of biotransformation using 1 % v/v oleic acid as a substrate with a productivity of 0.178 g/L/h and a yield of 74.8 %. DOD concentration, productivity, and yield using cell-free supernatant were 2.12, 7.12, and 2.22 times higher, respectively, than using the conventional whole cell culture method. Of the carbon and nitrogen sources used in pre-culture, galactose and sodium glutamate along with diammonium phosphate were found to be the most effective for DOD production. An incubation temperature of 27 °C and pH 8.0 were found to be most favorable for DOD production. In addition, sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis demonstrated the presence of enzymes related to DOD production in the cell-free supernatant, which was substantiated by performing DOD production experiment using the supernatant enzymes extracted from protein gel bands with oleic acid as a substrate. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on DOD production using a cell-free supernatant and verifying the existence of the relevant enzymes in the cell-free supernatant. Compared to whole cell process, cell-free DOD production holds several advantages, including higher DOD productivity which could be beneficial for large-scale production.

Algicidal hydroxylated C18 unsaturated fatty acids from the red alga Tricleocarpa jejuensis: Identification, synthesis and biological activity

Bioassay-guided separation of a methanol extract of Tricleocarpa jejuensis by monitoring algicidal activity against the red tide phytoplankton Chattonella antiqua led to the isolation of an active fraction consisting of a mixture of four isomeric compounds. The active compounds were identified as (E)-9-hydroxyoctadec-10-enoic acid (1), (E)-10-hydroxyoctadec-8-enoic acid (2), (E)-11-hydroxyoctadec-12-enoic acid (3) and (E)-12-hydroxyoctadec-10-enoic acid (4) by NMR, IR and mass spectral data. The structures were confirmed by comparison of the NMR and MS data with those of authentic samples of 1-4 obtained by unambiguous syntheses. Synthesized hydroxy acids 1-4 and related compounds were assessed for algicidal activity against C. antiqua and it was found that all of 1-4 had high activity (>80% mortality at 24 h) at a concentration of 20 μg/mL. A structure-activity relationship study using 11 related compounds revealed that the presence of the hydroxyl group is important for the activity and the double bond may be replaced with a triple bond.

Host- and Microbe-Dependent Dietary Lipid Metabolism in the Control of Allergy, Inflammation, and Immunity

The intestine is the largest immune organ in the body, provides the first line of defense against pathogens, and prevents excessive immune reactions to harmless or beneficial non-self-materials, such as food and intestinal bacteria. Allergic and inflammatory diseases in the intestine occur as a result of dysregulation of immunological homeostasis mediated by intestinal immunity. Several lines of evidence suggest that gut environmental factors, including nutrition and intestinal bacteria, play important roles in controlling host immune responses and maintaining homeostasis. Among nutritional factors, ω3 and ω6 essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) profoundly influence the host immune system. Recent advances in lipidomics technology have led to the identification of lipid mediators derived from ω3- and ω6-PUFAs. In particular, lipid metabolites from ω3-PUFAs (e.g., eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) have recently been shown to exert anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory responses; these metabolites include resolvins, protectins, and maresins. Furthermore, a new class of anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory lipid metabolites of 17,18-epoxyeicosatetraenoic acid has recently been identified in the control of allergic and inflammatory diseases in the gut and skin. Although these lipid metabolites were found to be endogenously generated in the host, accumulating evidence indicates that intestinal bacteria also participate in lipid metabolism and thus generate bioactive unique lipid mediators. In this review, we discuss the production machinery of lipid metabolites in the host and intestinal bacteria and the roles of these metabolites in the regulation of host immunity.

Oxylipins mediate cell-to-cell communication in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Oxygenated unsaturated fatty acids, known as oxylipins, are signaling molecules commonly used for cell-to-cell communication in eukaryotes. However, a role for oxylipins in mediating communication in prokaryotes has not previously been described. Bacteria mainly communicate via quorum sensing, which involves the production and detection of diverse small molecules termed autoinducers. Here we show that oleic acid-derived oxylipins produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa function as autoinducers of a novel quorum sensing system. We found that this system controls the cell density-dependent expression of a gene subset independently of the quorum sensing systems thus far described in this bacterium. We identified a LysR-type transcriptional regulator as the primary receptor of the oxylipin signal. The discovery of this oxylipin-dependent quorum sensing system reveals that prokaryote-derived oxylipins also mediate cell-to-cell communication in bacteria.

Eriel Martínez et al. report that the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa can convert oleic acids into oxylipins for use in cell-cell communication. This quorum sensing system is regulated by the bacterial protein called oxylipin-dependent diol synthase regulator OdsR.

Biosynthesis of Oxylipins by Rhizoctonia solani with Allene Oxide and Oleate 8S,9S-Diol Synthase Activities

Oxylipin biosynthesis by fungi is catalyzed by both the lipoxygenase (LOX) family and the linoleate diol synthase (LDS) family of the peroxidase-cyclooxygenase superfamily. Rhizoctonia solani, a pathogenic fungus, infects staple crops such as potato and rice. The genome predicts three genes with 9-13 introns, which code for tentative dioxygenase (DOX)-cytochrome P450 fusion enzymes of the LDS family, and one gene, which might code for a 13-LOX. The objective was to determine whether mycelia or nitrogen powder of mycelia oxidized unsaturated C₁₈ fatty acids to LDS- or LOX-related metabolites. Mycelia converted 18:2n-6 to 8R-hydroxy-9Z,12Z-octadecadienoic acid and to an α-ketol, 9S-hydroxy-10-oxo-12Z-octadecenoic acid. In addition to these metabolites, nitrogen powder of mycelia oxidized 18:2n-6 to 9S-hydroperoxy-10E, 12Z-octadecadienoic, and 13S-hydroperoxy-9Z,11E-octadecadienoic acids; the latter was likely formed by the predicted 13-LOX. 18:1n-9 was transformed into 8S-hydroperoxy-9Z-octadecenoic and into 8S,9S-dihydroxy-10E-octadecenoic acids, indicating the expression of 8,9-diol synthase. The allene oxide, 9S(10)epoxy-10,12Z-octadecadienoic acid, is unstable and decomposes rapidly to the α-ketol above, indicating biosynthesis by 9S-DOX-allene oxide synthase. This allene oxide and α-ketol are also formed by potato stolons, which illustrates catalytic similarities between the plant host and fungal pathogen.

Ohr plays a central role in bacterial responses against fatty acid hydroperoxides and peroxynitrite

Organic hydroperoxide resistance (Ohr) enzymes are unique Cys-based, lipoyl-dependent peroxidases. Here, we investigated the involvement of Ohr in bacterial responses toward distinct hydroperoxides. In silico results indicated that fatty acid (but not cholesterol) hydroperoxides docked well into the active site of Ohr from Xylella fastidiosa and were efficiently reduced by the recombinant enzyme as assessed by a lipoamide-lipoamide dehydrogenase-coupled assay. Indeed, the rate constants between Ohr and several fatty acid hydroperoxides were in the 10⁷-10⁸ M^-1⋅s^-1 range as determined by a competition assay developed here. Reduction of peroxynitrite by Ohr was also determined to be in the order of 10⁷ M^-1⋅s^-1 at pH 7.4 through two independent competition assays. A similar trend was observed when studying the sensitivities of a ∆ohr mutant of Pseudomonas aeruginosa toward different hydroperoxides. Fatty acid hydroperoxides, which are readily solubilized by bacterial surfactants, killed the ∆ohr strain most efficiently. In contrast, both wild-type and mutant strains deficient for peroxiredoxins and glutathione peroxidases were equally sensitive to fatty acid hydroperoxides. Ohr also appeared to play a central role in the peroxynitrite response, because the ∆ohr mutant was more sensitive than wild type to 3-morpholinosydnonimine hydrochloride (SIN-1 , a peroxynitrite generator). In the case of H₂O₂ insult, cells treated with 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (a catalase inhibitor) were the most sensitive. Furthermore, fatty acid hydroperoxide and SIN-1 both induced Ohr expression in the wild-type strain. In conclusion, Ohr plays a central role in modulating the levels of fatty acid hydroperoxides and peroxynitrite, both of which are involved in host-pathogen interactions.

Production of 8,11-dihydroxy and 8-hydroxy unsaturated fatty acids from unsaturated fatty acids by recombinant Escherichia coli expressing 8,11-linoleate diol synthase from Penicillium chrysogenum

Hydroxy unsaturated fatty acids can be used as antimicrobial surfactants. 8,11-Linoleate diol synthase (8,11-LDS) catalyzes the conversion of unsaturated fatty acid to 8-hydroperoxy unsaturated fatty acid, and it is subsequently isomerized to 8,11-dihydroxy unsaturated fatty acid by the enzyme. The optimal reaction conditions of recombinant Escherichia coli expressing Penicillium chrysogenum 8,11-LDS for the production of 8,11-dihydroxy-9,12(Z,Z)-octadecadienoic acid (8,11-DiHODE), 8,11-dihydroxy-9,12,15(Z,Z,Z)-octadecatrienoic acid (8,11-DiHOTrE), 8-hydroxy-9(Z)-hexadecenoic acid (8-HHME), and 8-hydroxy-9(Z)-octadecenoic acid (8-HOME) were pH 7.0, 25°C, 10 g/L linoleic acid, and 20 g/L cells; pH 6.0, 25°C, 6 g/L α-linolenic acid, and 60 g/L cells; pH 7.0, 25°C, 8 g/L palmitoleic acid, and 25 g/L cells; and pH 8.5, 30°C, 6 g/L oleic acid, and 25 g/L cells, respectively. Under these optimized conditions, the recombinant cells produced 6.0 g/L 8,11-DiHODE for 60 min, with a conversion of 60% (w/w) and a productivity of 6.0 g/L/h; 4.3 g/L 8,11-DiHOTrE for 60 min, with a conversion of 72% (w/w) and a productivity of 4.3 g/L/h; 4.3 g/L 8-HHME acid for 60 min, with a conversion of 54% (w/w) and a productivity of 4.3 g/L/h; and 0.9 g/L 8-HOME for 30 min, with a conversion of 15% (w/w) and a productivity of 1.8 g/L/h. To best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the biotechnological production of 8,11-DiHODE, 8,11-DiHOTrE, 8-HHME, and 8-HOME. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 33:390-396, 2017.

Oxylipins produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa promote biofilm formation and virulence

The oxygenation of unsaturated fatty acids by dioxygenases occurs in all kingdoms of life and produces physiologically important lipids called oxylipins. The biological roles of oxylipins have been extensively studied in animals, plants, algae and fungi, but remain largely unidentified in prokaryotes. The bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa displays a diol synthase activity that transforms several monounsaturated fatty acids into mono- and di-hydroxylated derivatives. Here we show that oxylipins derived from this activity inhibit flagellum-driven motility and upregulate type IV pilus-dependent twitching motility of P. aeruginosa. Consequently, these oxylipins promote bacterial organization in microcolonies, increasing the ability of P. aeruginosa to form biofilms in vitro and in vivo (in Drosophila flies). We also demonstrate that oxylipins produced by P. aeruginosa promote virulence in Drosophila flies and lettuce. Our study thus uncovers a role for prokaryotic oxylipins in the physiology and pathogenicity of bacteria.

Production of 10R-hydroxy unsaturated fatty acids from hempseed oil hydrolyzate by recombinant Escherichia coli cells expressing PpoC from Aspergillus nidulans

The first and second preferred substrates of recombinant Escherichia coli cells expressing 10R-dioxygenase (PpoC) from Aspergillus nidulans and the purified enzyme were linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid, respectively. PpoC in cells showed higher thermal and reaction stabilities compared to purified PpoC. Thus, 10R-hydroxy unsaturated fatty acids were produced from linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid, and hempseed oil hydrolyzate containing linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid as substrates by whole recombinant cells expressing PpoC. The optimal reaction conditions for the production of 10R-hydroxy-8E,12Z-octadecadienoic acid (10R-HODE) were pH 8.0, 30 °C, 250 rpm, 5 % (v/v) dimethyl sulfoxide, 5 g l(-1) linoleic acid, and 60 g l(-1) cells in 100-ml baffled flask. Under these conditions, whole recombinant cells expressing PpoC produced 2.7 g l(-1) 10R-HODE from 5 g l(-1) linoleic acid for 40 min, with a conversion yield of 54 % (w/w) and a productivity of 4.0 g l(-1) h(-1); produced 2.2 g l(-1) 10R-hydroxy-8E,12Z,15Z-octadecatrienoic acid (10R-HOTrE) from 3 g l(-1) α-linolenic acid for 30 min, with a conversion yield of 72 % (w/w) and a productivity of 4.3 g l(-1) h(-1); and produced 1.8 g l(-1) 10R-HODE and 0.5 g l(-1) 10R-HOTrE from 5 g l(-1) hempseed oil hydrolyzate containing 2.5 g l(-1) linoleic acid and 1.0 g l(-1) α-linolenic acid for 30 min, with a conversion yield of 74 and 51 % (w/w), respectively, and a productivity of 3.6 and 1.0 g l(-1) h(-1), respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the biotechnological production of 10R-hydroxy unsaturated fatty acids.

In Silico/In Vivo Insights into the Functional and Evolutionary Pathway of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Oleate-Diol Synthase. Discovery of a New Bacterial Di-Heme Cytochrome C Peroxidase Subfamily

As previously reported, P. aeruginosa genes PA2077 and PA2078 code for 10S-DOX (10S-Dioxygenase) and 7,10-DS (7,10-Diol Synthase) enzymes involved in long-chain fatty acid oxygenation through the recently described oleate-diol synthase pathway. Analysis of the amino acid sequence of both enzymes revealed the presence of two heme-binding motifs (CXXCH) on each protein. Phylogenetic analysis showed the relation of both proteins to bacterial di-heme cytochrome c peroxidases (Ccps), similar to Xanthomonas sp. 35Y rubber oxidase RoxA. Structural homology modelling of PA2077 and PA2078 was achieved using RoxA (pdb 4b2n) as a template. From the 3D model obtained, presence of significant amino acid variations in the predicted heme-environment was found. Moreover, the presence of palindromic repeats located in enzyme-coding regions, acting as protein evolution elements, is reported here for the first time in P. aeruginosa genome. These observations and the constructed phylogenetic tree of the two proteins, allow the proposal of an evolutionary pathway for P. aeruginosa oleate-diol synthase operon. Taking together the in silico and in vivo results obtained we conclude that enzymes PA2077 and PA2078 are the first described members of a new subfamily of bacterial peroxidases, designated as Fatty acid-di-heme Cytochrome cperoxidases (FadCcp).

Antibiotic oxylipins from Alternanthera brasiliana and its endophytic bacteria

Bioassay-guided fractionation of Alternanthera brasiliana stem extracts resulted in the isolation of an antibiotically active fraction. Five human pathogenic bacteria were used to guide the fractionation process for the isolation of antimicrobial compounds. Finally, 17 linoleate oxylipins were identified by LC-MS/MS and NMR spectroscopy. Five of the isolated compounds present in A. brasiliana tissues were also detected to be synthesized by endophytic bacteria of the genus Bacillus that were isolated from A. brasiliana. It is speculated that the antibiotic oxylipins from A. brasiliana might derive from bacteria and be involved in an ecological relationship between this plant and its endophytes.

Yield and kinetic constants estimation in the production of hydroxy fatty acids from oleic acid in a bioreactor by Pseudomonas aeruginosa 42A2

We modelled the production of hydroxy fatty acids from oleic acid by Pseudomonas aeruginosa 42A2 in a bioreactor with a non-dispersive aeration system. First, we designed an adapted wetted-wall gas-absorption column, offering a k La value of 39.9 h(-1), to enhance oxygen absorption in the culture media and prevent foam formation. Then, we analysed different kinetic models to simulate the yield coefficients and the kinetic constants in this bacterial transformation. Monod model fitting (μ max1 = 0.51 h(-1), K S1 = 1.60 C-mol l(-1), μ max2 = 0.12 h(-1), K S2 = 0.035 C-mol l(-1), and k 2 = 0.033 h(-1)) showed a good accuracy with the experimental data sets and was chosen for its simplicity. Lastly, mass balances were carried out to establish the stoichiometry of this biotransformation with the following yield coefficients, Υ X/OA, Υ X/(10S)-HPOME and Υ (10S)-HPOME/(7S10S)-HPOME of 0.172, 0.347 and 2.388 C-mol C-mol(-1), respectively.

Unveiling the genes responsible for the unique Pseudomonas aeruginosa oleate-diol synthase activity

Pseudomonas aeruginosa displays the ability to perform bioconversion of oleic acid into a class of hydroxylated fatty acids known as oxylipins. A diol synthase activity is responsible for such a conversion, which proceeds through the dioxygenation of oleic acid to release hydroperoxide 10-H(P)OME ((10S)-hydroxy-(8E)-octadecenoic acid), followed by conversion of the hydroperoxide intermediate into 7,10-DiHOME ((7S,10S)-dihydroxy-(8E)-octadecenoic acid), both of which accumulate in the culture supernatant. Several mutants of P. aeruginosa PAO1 were analyzed for the production of 10-H(P)OME and 7,10-DiHOME and two of them (ORFs PA2077 and PA2078), unable to release hydroxylated fatty acids, were detected and selected for further analysis. Involvement of ORFs PA2077 and PA2078 in oleate-diol synthase activity was confirmed, and their respective role in the conversion of oleic acid was analyzed by mutation complementation. Activity restoration revealed that gene PA2077 codes for the 10S-dioxygenase activity (10S-DOX) responsible for the first step of the reaction, whereas PA2078 encodes for the (7S,10S)-hydroperoxide diol synthase enzyme (7,10-DS) which allows the conversion of 10-H(P)OME into 7,10-DiHOME. Heterologous expression of both enzymes separately showed that no hetero-complex formation is required for enzymatic activity. Bioinformatics and RT-PCR analysis revealed that both genes constitute a new fine regulated oleate-diol synthase operon, originated by a gene duplication event followed by neofunctionalization for environmental adaptation, being unprecedented in prokaryotes.

Production of 5,8-dihydroxy-9,12(Z,Z)-octadecadienoic acid from linoleic acid by whole recombinant Escherichia coli cells expressing diol synthase from Aspergillus nidulans

Diol synthase from Aspergillus nidulans was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Recombinant E. coli cells expressing diol synthase from A. nidulans converted linoleic acid to a product that was identified as 5,8-dihydroxy-9,12(Z,Z)-octadecadienoic acid by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The recombinant cells and the purified enzyme showed the highest activity for linoleic acid among the fatty acids tested. The optimal reaction conditions for the production of 5,8-dihydroxy-9,12(Z,Z)-octadecadienoic acid from linoleic acid using whole recombinant E. coli cells expressing diol synthase were pH 7.5, 35°C, 250 rpm, 5 g l(-1) linoleic acid, 23 g l(-1) cells, and 20% (v/v) dimethyl sulfoxide in a 250-ml baffled flask. Under these optimized conditions, whole recombinant cells expressing diol synthase produced 4.98 g l(-1) 5,8-dihydroxy-9,12(Z,Z)-octadecadienoic acid for 150 min without detectable byproducts, with a conversion yield of 99% (w/w) and a productivity of 2.5 g l(-1) h(-1). This is the first report on the biotechnological production of dihydroxy fatty acid using whole recombinant cells expressing diol synthase.

An ancient relative of cyclooxygenase in cyanobacteria is a linoleate 10S-dioxygenase that works in tandem with a catalase-related protein with specific 10S-hydroperoxide lyase activity

In the course of exploring the scope of catalase-related hemoprotein reactivity toward fatty acid hydroperoxides, we detected a novel candidate in the cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme PCC 73102. The immediate neighboring upstream gene, annotated as "cyclooxygenase-2," appeared to be a potential fatty acid heme dioxygenase. We cloned both genes and expressed the cDNAs in Escherichia coli, confirming their hemoprotein character. Oxygen electrode recordings demonstrated a rapid (>100 turnovers/s) reaction of the heme dioxygenase with oleic and linoleic acids. HPLC, including chiral column analysis, UV, and GC-MS of the oxygenated products, identified a novel 10S-dioxygenase activity. The catalase-related hemoprotein reacted rapidly and specifically with linoleate 10S-hydroperoxide (>2,500 turnovers/s) with a hydroperoxide lyase activity specific for the 10S-hydroperoxy enantiomer. The products were identified by NMR as (8E)10-oxo-decenoic acid and the C8 fragments, 1-octen-3-ol and 2Z-octen-1-ol, in ∼3:1 ratio. Chiral HPLC analysis established strict enzymatic control in formation of the 3R alcohol configuration (99% enantiomeric excess) and contrasted with racemic 1-octen-3-ol formed in reaction of linoleate 10S-hydroperoxide with hematin or ferrous ions. The Nostoc linoleate 10S-dioxygenase, the sequence of which contains the signature catalytic sequence of cyclooxygenases and fungal linoleate dioxygenases (YRWH), appears to be a heme dioxygenase ancestor. The novel activity of the lyase expands the known reactions of catalase-related proteins and functions in Nostoc in specific transformation of the 10S-hydroperoxylinoleate.

Production of 10(S)-hydroxy-8(E)-octadecenoic and 7,10(S,S)-hydroxy-8(E)-octadecenoic ethyl esters by Novozym 435 in solvent-free media

Novozym 435, lipase B from Candida antarctica, was used in this study for the production of ethyl esters. For the first time, trans-hydroxy-fatty acid ethyl esters were synthesized in vitro in solvent-free media. We studied the effects of the substrate-ethanol molar ratio and enzyme synthetic stability of the biocatalyst. To determine the structure of the formed compounds, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry were used, three less time-consuming structural techniques. trans-Hydroxy-fatty acid ethyl esters were synthesized with a reaction yield of 90 % or higher with optimal reaction conditions.

Production of long-chain hydroxy fatty acids by microbial conversion

Hydroxy fatty acids (HFAs) are very important chemicals for versatile applications in biodegradable polymer materials and cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. They are difficult to be synthesized via chemical routes due to the inertness of the fatty acyl chain. In contrast, these fatty acids make up a major class of natural products widespread among bacteria, yeasts, and fungi. A number of microorganisms capable of producing HFAs from fatty acids or vegetable oils have been reported. Therefore, HFAs could be produced by biotechnological strategies, especially by microbial conversion processes. Microorganisms could oxidize fatty acids either at the terminal carbon or inside the acyl chain to produce various HFAs, including α-HFAs, β-HFAs, mid-position HFAs, ω-HFAs, di-HFAs, and tri-HFAs. The enzymes and their encoded genes responsible for the hydroxylation of the carbon chain have been identified and characterized during the past few years. The involved microbes and catalytic mechanisms for the production of different types of HFAs are systematically demonstrated in this review. It provides a better view of HFA biosynthesis and lays the foundation for further industrial production.

Omics approaches in cystic fibrosis research: a focus on oxylipin profiling in airway secretions

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is associated with abnormal lipid metabolism, intense respiratory tract (RT) infection, and inflammation, eventually resulting in lung tissue destruction and respiratory failure. The CF RT inflammatory milieu, as reflected by airway secretions, includes a complex array of inflammatory mediators, bacterial products, and host secretions. It is dominated by neutrophils and their proteolytic and oxidative products and includes a wide spectrum of bioactive lipids produced by both host and presumably microbial metabolic pathways. The fairly recent advent of "omics" technologies has greatly increased capabilities of further interrogating this easily obtainable RT compartment that represents the apical culture media of the underlying RT epithelial cells. This paper discusses issues related to the study of CF omics with a focus on the profiling of CF RT oxylipins. Challenges in their identification/quantitation in RT fluids, their pathways of origin, and their potential utility for understanding CF RT inflammatory and oxidative processes are highlighted. Finally, the utility of oxylipin metabolic profiling in directing optimal therapeutic approaches and determining the efficacy of various interventions is discussed.

Metabolomic profiling of regulatory lipid mediators in sputum from adult cystic fibrosis patients

Retained respiratory tract (RT) secretions, infection, and exuberant inflammatory responses are core abnormalities in cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease. Factors contributing to the destructive CF airway inflammatory processes remain incompletely characterized. The pro-oxidative inflammatory CF RT milieu is known to contain enzymatically and nonenzymatically produced regulatory lipid mediators, a panel of structurally defined oxidized metabolites of polyunsaturated fatty acids known to play a role in pathology related to inflammation. Using an extraction protocol that maximizes recoveries of sputum-spiked deuterated standards, coupled with an LC/MS/MS detection system, this study presents a metabolomic method to assess a broad spectrum of regulatory lipid mediators in freshly obtained sputum from CF patients. A broad range of both proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory lipid mediators was detected, including PGE2, PGD2, TXB2, LTB4, 6-trans-LTB4, 20-OH-LTB4, 20-COOH-LTB4, 20-HETE, 15-HETE, 11-HETE, 12-HETE, 8-HETE, 9-HETE, 5-HETE, EpETrEs, diols, resolvin E1, 15-deoxy-PGJ2, and LXA4. The vast majority of these oxylipins have not been reported previously in CF RT secretions. Whereas direct associations of individual proinflammatory lipid mediators with compromised lung function (FEV-1) were observed, the relationships were not robust. However, multiple statistical analyses revealed that the regulatory lipid mediators profile taken in aggregate proved to have a stronger association with lung function in relatively stable outpatient adult CF patients. Our data reveal a relative paucity of the anti-inflammatory lipid mediator lipoxin A4 in CF sputum. Patients displaying detectable levels of the anti-inflammatory lipid mediator resolvin E1 demonstrated a better lung function compared to those patients with undetectable levels. Our data suggest that comprehensive metabolomic profiling of regulatory lipid mediators in CF sputum should contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying CF RT inflammatory pathobiology. Further studies are required to determine the extent to which nutritional or pharmacological interventions alter the regulatory lipid mediators profile of the CF RT and the impact of potential modulations of RT regulatory lipid mediators on the clinical progression of CF lung disease.

Linolenate 9R-dioxygenase and allene oxide synthase activities of Lasiodiplodia theobromae

Jasmonic acid (JA) is synthesized from linolenic acid (18:3n-3) by sequential action of 13-lipoxygenase, allene oxide synthase (AOS), and allene oxide cyclase. The fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae can produce large amounts of JA and was recently reported to form the JA precursor 12-oxophytodienoic acid. The objective of our study was to characterize the fatty acid dioxygenase activities of this fungus. Two strains of L. theobromae with low JA secretion (~0.2 mg/L medium) oxygenated 18:3n-3 to 5,8-dihydroxy-9Z,12Z,15Z-octadecatrienoic acid as well as 9R-hydroperoxy-10E,12Z,15Z-octadecatrienoic acid, which was metabolized by an AOS activity into 9-hydroxy-10-oxo-12Z,15Z-octadecadienoic acid. Analogous conversions were observed with linoleic acid (18:2n-6). Studies using [11S-(2)H]18:2n-6 revealed that the putative 9R-dioxygenase catalyzed stereospecific removal of the 11R hydrogen followed by suprafacial attack of dioxygen at C-9. Mycelia from these strains of L. theobromae contained 18:2n-6 as the major polyunsaturated acid but lacked 18:3n-3. A third strain with a high secretion of JA (~200 mg/L) contained 18:3n-3 as a major fatty acid and produced 5,8-dihydroxy-9Z,12Z,15Z-octadecatrienoic acid from added 18:3n-3. This strain also lacked the JA biosynthetic enzymes present in higher plants.

Applications of stereospecifically-labeled Fatty acids in oxygenase and desaturase biochemistry

Oxygenation and desaturation reactions are inherently associated with the abstraction of a hydrogen from the fatty acid substrate. Since the first published application in 1965, stereospecific placement of a labeled hydrogen isotope (deuterium or tritium) at the reacting carbons has proven a highly effective strategy for investigating the chemical mechanisms catalyzed by lipoxygenases, hemoprotein fatty acid dioxygenases including cyclooxygenases, cytochromes P450, and also the desaturases and isomerases. This review presents a synopsis of all published studies through 2010 on the synthesis and use of stereospecifically labeled fatty acids (71 references), and highlights some of the mechanistic insights gained by application of stereospecifically labeled fatty acids.

Stereoselective oxidation of regioisomeric octadecenoic acids by fatty acid dioxygenases

Seven Z-octadecenoic acids having the double bond located in positions 6Z to 13Z were photooxidized. The resulting hydroperoxy-E-octadecenoic acids [HpOME(E)] were resolved by chiral phase-HPLC-MS, and the absolute configurations of the enantiomers were determined by gas chromatographic analysis of diastereoisomeric derivatives. The MS/MS/MS spectra showed characteristic fragments, which were influenced by the distance between the hydroperoxide and carboxyl groups. These fatty acids were then investigated as substrates of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), manganese lipoxygenase (MnLOX), and the (8R)-dioxygenase (8R-DOX) activities of two linoleate diol synthases (LDS) and 10R-DOX. COX-1 and MnLOX abstracted hydrogen at C-11 of (12Z)-18:1 and C-12 of (13Z)-18:1. (11Z)-18:1 was subject to hydrogen abstraction at C-10 by MnLOX and at both allylic positions by COX-1. Both allylic hydrogens of (8Z)-18:1 were also abstracted by 8R-DOX activities of LDS and 10R-DOX, but only the allylic hydrogens close to the carboxyl groups of (11Z)-18:1 and (12Z)-18:1. 8R-DOX also oxidized monoenoic C(14)-C(20) fatty acids with double bonds at the (9Z) position, suggesting that the length of the omega end has little influence on positioning for oxygenation. We conclude that COX-1 and MnLOX can readily abstract allylic hydrogens of octadecenoic fatty acids from C-10 to C-12 and 8R-DOX from C-7 and C-12.