1
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Cocuron JC, Alonso AP. 13C-labeling reveals non-conventional pathways providing carbon for hydroxy fatty acid synthesis in Physaria fendleri. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2024; 75:1754-1766. [PMID: 37668184 PMCID: PMC11275461 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erad343] [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: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Physaria fendleri is a member of the Brassicaceae that produces in its embryos hydroxy fatty acids, constituents of oils that are very valuable and widely used by industry for cosmetics, lubricants, biofuels, etc. Free of toxins and rich in hydroxy fatty acids, Physaria provides a promising alternative to imported castor oil and is on the verge of being commercialized. This study aims to identify important biochemical step(s) for oil synthesis in Physaria, which may serve as target(s) for future crop improvement. To advance towards this goal, the endosperm composition was analysed by LC-MS/MS to develop and validate culture conditions that mimic the development of the embryos in planta. Using developing Physaria embryos in culture and 13C-labeling, our studies revealed that: (i) Physaria embryos metabolize carbon into biomass with an efficiency significantly lower than other photosynthetic embryos; (ii) the plastidic malic enzyme provides 42% of the pyruvate used for de novo fatty acid synthesis, which is the highest measured so far in developing 'green' oilseed embryos; and (iii) Physaria uses non-conventional pathways to channel carbon into oil, namely the Rubisco shunt, which fixes CO2 released in the plastid, and the reversibility of isocitrate dehydrogenase, which provides additional carbon for fatty acid elongation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana Paula Alonso
- BioAnalytical Facility, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, USA
- BioDiscovery Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, USA
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2
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Kambhampati S, Hubbard AH, Koley S, Gomez JD, Marsolais F, Evans BS, Young JD, Allen DK. SIMPEL: using stable isotopes to elucidate dynamics of context specific metabolism. Commun Biol 2024; 7:172. [PMID: 38347116 PMCID: PMC10861564 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05844-z] [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: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
The capacity to leverage high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) with transient isotope labeling experiments is an untapped opportunity to derive insights on context-specific metabolism, that is difficult to assess quantitatively. Tools are needed to comprehensively mine isotopologue information in an automated, high-throughput way without errors. We describe a tool, Stable Isotope-assisted Metabolomics for Pathway Elucidation (SIMPEL), to simplify analysis and interpretation of isotope-enriched HRMS datasets. The efficacy of SIMPEL is demonstrated through examples of central carbon and lipid metabolism. In the first description, a dual-isotope labeling experiment is paired with SIMPEL and isotopically nonstationary metabolic flux analysis (INST-MFA) to resolve fluxes in central metabolism that would be otherwise challenging to quantify. In the second example, SIMPEL was paired with HRMS-based lipidomics data to describe lipid metabolism based on a single labeling experiment. Available as an R package, SIMPEL extends metabolomics analyses to include isotopologue signatures necessary to quantify metabolic flux.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shrikaar Kambhampati
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO, 63132, USA.
- Jack H. Skirball Center for Chemical Biology and Proteomics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
| | - Allen H Hubbard
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO, 63132, USA
| | - Somnath Koley
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO, 63132, USA
| | - Javier D Gomez
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA
| | - Frédéric Marsolais
- London Research and Development Center, London, ON, N5V 4T3, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Bradley S Evans
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO, 63132, USA
| | - Jamey D Young
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA
| | - Doug K Allen
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO, 63132, USA.
- Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, St. Louis, MO, 63132, USA.
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3
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Johnston CR, Arias CL, Alonso AP. Efficient and Powerful Integration of Targeted Metabolomics and Transcriptomics for Analyzing the Metabolism Behind Desirable Traits in Plants. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2812:47-99. [PMID: 39068357 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3886-6_4] [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] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Through current mass spectrometry methods and multiple RNA-Seq technologies, large metabolomics and transcriptomics datasets are readily obtainable, which provide a powerful and global perspective on metabolism. Indeed, one "omics" method is often not enough to draw strong conclusions about metabolism. Combining and interpreting multiple "omics" datasets remains a challenging task that requires careful statistical considerations and pre-planning. Here we describe a protocol for obtaining high-quality metabolomics and transcriptomics datasets in developing plant embryos followed by a robust approach to integration of the two. This protocol is readily adjustable and scalable to any other metabolically active organ or tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R Johnston
- Department of Biological Sciences & BioDiscovery Institute, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA
| | - Cintia L Arias
- Department of Biological Sciences & BioDiscovery Institute, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA
| | - Ana Paula Alonso
- Department of Biological Sciences & BioDiscovery Institute, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA.
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4
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Pavlovic T, Margarit E, Müller GL, Saenz E, Ruzzo AI, Drincovich MF, Borrás L, Saigo M, Wheeler MCG. Differential metabolic reprogramming in developing soybean embryos in response to nutritional conditions and abscisic acid. PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 113:89-103. [PMID: 37702897 DOI: 10.1007/s11103-023-01377-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Seed storage compound deposition is influenced by both maternal and filial tissues. Within this framework, we analyzed strategies that operate during the development and filling of soybean embryos, using in vitro culture systems combined with metabolomics and proteomics approaches. The carbon:nitrogen ratio (C:N) of the maternal supply and the hormone abscisic acid (ABA) are specific and interacting signals inducing differential metabolic reprogrammings linked to changes in the accumulation of storage macromolecules like proteins or oils. Differences in the abundance of sugars, amino acids, enzymes, transporters, transcription factors, and proteins involved in signaling were detected. Embryos adapted to the nutritional status by enhancing the metabolism of both carbon and nitrogen under lower C:N ratio condition or only carbon under higher C:N ratio condition. ABA turned off multiple pathways especially in high availability of amino acids, prioritizing the storage compounds biosynthesis. Common responses induced by ABA involved increased sucrose uptake (to increase the sink force) and oleosin (oil body structural component) accumulation. In turn, ABA differentially promoted protein degradation under lower nitrogen supply in order to sustain the metabolic demands. Further, the operation of a citrate shuttle was suggested by transcript quantification and enzymatic activity measurements. The results obtained are useful to help define biotechnological tools and technological approaches to improve oil and protein yields, with direct impact on human and animal nutrition as well as in green chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Pavlovic
- Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos (CEFOBI-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 570, S2000LRJ, Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Ezequiel Margarit
- Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos (CEFOBI-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 570, S2000LRJ, Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Gabriela Leticia Müller
- Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos (CEFOBI-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 570, S2000LRJ, Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Ezequiel Saenz
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Agrarias de Rosario (IICAR-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Campo Experimental Villarino CC14, S2125ZAA, Zavalla, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Andrés Iván Ruzzo
- Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos (CEFOBI-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 570, S2000LRJ, Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - María Fabiana Drincovich
- Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos (CEFOBI-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 570, S2000LRJ, Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Lucas Borrás
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Agrarias de Rosario (IICAR-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Campo Experimental Villarino CC14, S2125ZAA, Zavalla, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Mariana Saigo
- Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos (CEFOBI-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 570, S2000LRJ, Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina.
| | - Mariel Claudia Gerrard Wheeler
- Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos (CEFOBI-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 570, S2000LRJ, Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina.
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5
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Arias CL, García Navarrete LT, Mukundi E, Swanson T, Yang F, Hernandez J, Grotewold E, Alonso AP. Metabolic and transcriptomic study of pennycress natural variation identifies targets for oil improvement. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2023; 21:1887-1903. [PMID: 37335591 PMCID: PMC10440992 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14101] [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: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.), a member of the Brassicaceae family, produces seed oil high in erucic acid, suitable for biodiesel and aviation fuel. Although pennycress, a winter annual, could be grown as a dedicated bioenergy crop, an increase in its seed oil content is required to improve its economic competitiveness. The success of crop improvement relies upon finding the right combination of biomarkers and targets, and the best genetic engineering and/or breeding strategies. In this work, we combined biomass composition with metabolomic and transcriptomic studies of developing embryos from 22 pennycress natural variants to identify targets for oil improvement. The selected accession collection presented diverse levels of fatty acids at maturity ranging from 29% to 41%. Pearson correlation analyses, weighted gene co-expression network analysis and biomarker identifications were used as complementary approaches to detect associations between metabolite level or gene expression and oil content at maturity. The results indicated that improving seed oil content can lead to a concomitant increase in the proportion of erucic acid without affecting the weight of embryos. Processes, such as carbon partitioning towards the chloroplast, lipid metabolism, photosynthesis, and a tight control of nitrogen availability, were found to be key for oil improvement in pennycress. Besides identifying specific targets, our results also provide guidance regarding the best timing for their modification, early or middle maturation. Thus, this work lays out promising strategies, specific for pennycress, to accelerate the successful development of lines with increased seed oil content for biofuel applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cintia Lucía Arias
- Department of Biological Sciences & BioDiscovery InstituteUniversity of North TexasDentonTexasUSA
| | | | - Eric Mukundi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
| | - Tyler Swanson
- Department of Biological Sciences & BioDiscovery InstituteUniversity of North TexasDentonTexasUSA
| | - Fan Yang
- Center for Applied Plant SciencesThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
| | - Jonathan Hernandez
- Department of Biological Sciences & BioDiscovery InstituteUniversity of North TexasDentonTexasUSA
| | - Erich Grotewold
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
| | - Ana Paula Alonso
- Department of Biological Sciences & BioDiscovery InstituteUniversity of North TexasDentonTexasUSA
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6
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Deslandes-Hérold G, Zanella M, Solhaug E, Fischer-Stettler M, Sharma M, Buergy L, Herrfurth C, Colinas M, Feussner I, Abt MR, Zeeman SC. The PRK/Rubisco shunt strongly influences Arabidopsis seed metabolism and oil accumulation, affecting more than carbon recycling. THE PLANT CELL 2023; 35:808-826. [PMID: 36454674 PMCID: PMC9940875 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koac338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The carbon efficiency of storage lipid biosynthesis from imported sucrose in green Brassicaceae seeds is proposed to be enhanced by the PRK/Rubisco shunt, in which ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) acts outside the context of the Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle to recycle CO2 molecules released during fatty acid synthesis. This pathway utilizes metabolites generated by the nonoxidative steps of the pentose phosphate pathway. Photosynthesis provides energy for reactions such as the phosphorylation of ribulose 5-phosphate by phosphoribulokinase (PRK). Here, we show that loss of PRK in Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) blocks photoautotrophic growth and is seedling-lethal. However, seeds containing prk embryos develop normally, allowing us to use genetics to assess the importance of the PRK/Rubisco shunt. Compared with nonmutant siblings, prk embryos produce one-third less lipids-a greater reduction than expected from simply blocking the proposed PRK/Rubisco shunt. However, developing prk seeds are also chlorotic and have elevated starch contents compared with their siblings, indicative of secondary effects. Overexpressing PRK did not increase embryo lipid content, but metabolite profiling suggested that Rubisco activity becomes limiting. Overall, our findings show that the PRK/Rubisco shunt is tightly integrated into the carbon metabolism of green Arabidopsis seeds, and that its manipulation affects seed glycolysis, starch metabolism, and photosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Deslandes-Hérold
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Plant Biology, ETH Zurich, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martina Zanella
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Plant Biology, ETH Zurich, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Erik Solhaug
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Plant Biology, ETH Zurich, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michaela Fischer-Stettler
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Plant Biology, ETH Zurich, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mayank Sharma
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Plant Biology, ETH Zurich, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Léo Buergy
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Plant Biology, ETH Zurich, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Cornelia Herrfurth
- Department for Plant Biochemistry, Albrecht von Haller Institute for Plant Sciences and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Service Unit for Metabolomics and Lipidomics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Maite Colinas
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Plant Biology, ETH Zurich, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ivo Feussner
- Department for Plant Biochemistry, Albrecht von Haller Institute for Plant Sciences and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Service Unit for Metabolomics and Lipidomics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Melanie R Abt
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Plant Biology, ETH Zurich, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Samuel C Zeeman
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Plant Biology, ETH Zurich, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland
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7
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Sagun JV, Yadav UP, Alonso AP. Progress in understanding and improving oil content and quality in seeds. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1116894. [PMID: 36778708 PMCID: PMC9909563 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1116894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The world's population is projected to increase by two billion by 2050, resulting in food and energy insecurity. Oilseed crops have been identified as key to address these challenges: they produce and store lipids in the seeds as triacylglycerols that can serve as a source of food/feed, renewable fuels, and other industrially-relevant chemicals. Therefore, improving seed oil content and composition has generated immense interest. Research efforts aiming to unravel the regulatory pathways involved in fatty acid synthesis and to identify targets for metabolic engineering have made tremendous progress. This review provides a summary of the current knowledge of oil metabolism and discusses how photochemical activity and unconventional pathways can contribute to high carbon conversion efficiency in seeds. It also highlights the importance of 13C-metabolic flux analysis as a tool to gain insights on the pathways that regulate oil biosynthesis in seeds. Finally, a list of key genes and regulators that have been recently targeted to enhance seed oil production are reviewed and additional possible targets in the metabolic pathways are proposed to achieve desirable oil content and quality.
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8
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Romsdahl TB, Cocuron JC, Pearson MJ, Alonso AP, Chapman KD. A lipidomics platform to analyze the fatty acid compositions of non-polar and polar lipid molecular species from plant tissues: Examples from developing seeds and seedlings of pennycress ( Thlaspi arvense). FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:1038161. [PMID: 36438089 PMCID: PMC9682148 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1038161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The lipidome comprises the total content of molecular species of each lipid class, and is measured using the analytical techniques of lipidomics. Many liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) methods have previously been described to characterize the lipidome. However, many lipidomic approaches may not fully uncover the subtleties of lipid molecular species, such as the full fatty acid (FA) composition of certain lipid classes. Here, we describe a stepwise targeted lipidomics approach to characterize the polar and non-polar lipid classes using complementary LC-MS methods. Our "polar" method measures 260 molecular species across 12 polar lipid classes, and is performed using hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) on a NH2 column to separate lipid classes by their headgroup. Our "non-polar" method measures 254 molecular species across three non-polar lipid classes, separating molecular species on their FA characteristics by reverse phase (RP) chromatography on a C30 column. Five different extraction methods were compared, with an MTBE-based extraction chosen for the final lipidomics workflow. A state-of-the-art strategy to determine and relatively quantify the FA composition of triacylglycerols is also described. This lipidomics workflow was applied to developing, mature, and germinated pennycress seeds/seedlings and found unexpected changes among several lipid molecular species. During development, diacylglycerols predominantly contained long chain length FAs, which contrasted with the very long chain FAs of triacylglycerols in mature seeds. Potential metabolic explanations are discussed. The lack of very long chain fatty acids in diacylglycerols of germinating seeds may indicate very long chain FAs, such as erucic acid, are preferentially channeled into beta-oxidation for energy production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor B. Romsdahl
- Mass Spectrometry Facility, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
- Department of Biological Sciences & BioDiscovery Institute, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, United States
| | | | | | - Ana Paula Alonso
- Department of Biological Sciences & BioDiscovery Institute, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, United States
- BioAnalytical Facility, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, United States
| | - Kent D. Chapman
- Department of Biological Sciences & BioDiscovery Institute, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, United States
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9
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Koley S, Chu KL, Mukherjee T, Morley SA, Klebanovych A, Czymmek KJ, Allen DK. Metabolic synergy in Camelina reproductive tissues for seed development. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabo7683. [PMID: 36306367 PMCID: PMC9616503 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo7683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Photosynthesis in fruits is well documented, but its contribution to seed development and yield remains largely unquantified. In oilseeds, the pods are green and elevated with direct access to sunlight. With 13C labeling in planta and through an intact pod labeling system, a unique multi-tissue comprehensive flux model mechanistically described how pods assimilate up to one-half (33 to 45%) of seed carbon by proximal photosynthesis in Camelina sativa. By capturing integrated tissue metabolism, the studies reveal the contribution of plant architecture beyond leaves, to enable seed filling and maximize the number of viable seeds. The latent capacity of the pod wall in the absence of leaves contributes approximately 79% of seed biomass, supporting greater seed sink capacity and higher theoretical yields that suggest an opportunity for crop productivity gains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somnath Koley
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Kevin L. Chu
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO, USA
- United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Stewart A. Morley
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO, USA
- United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | | | - Doug K. Allen
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO, USA
- United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO, USA
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10
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Kuczynski C, McCorkle S, Keereetaweep J, Shanklin J, Schwender J. An expanded role for the transcription factor WRINKLED1 in the biosynthesis of triacylglycerols during seed development. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:955589. [PMID: 35991420 PMCID: PMC9389262 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.955589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The transcription factor WRINKLED1 (WRI1) is known as a master regulator of fatty acid synthesis in developing oilseeds of Arabidopsis thaliana and other species. WRI1 is known to directly stimulate the expression of many fatty acid biosynthetic enzymes and a few targets in the lower part of the glycolytic pathway. However, it remains unclear to what extent and how the conversion of sugars into fatty acid biosynthetic precursors is controlled by WRI1. To shortlist possible gene targets for future in-planta experimental validation, here we present a strategy that combines phylogenetic foot printing of cis-regulatory elements with additional layers of evidence. Upstream regions of protein-encoding genes in A. thaliana were searched for the previously described DNA-binding consensus for WRI1, the ASML1/WRI1 (AW)-box. For about 900 genes, AW-box sites were found to be conserved across orthologous upstream regions in 11 related species of the crucifer family. For 145 select potential target genes identified this way, affinity of upstream AW-box sequences to WRI1 was assayed by Microscale Thermophoresis. This allowed definition of a refined WRI1 DNA-binding consensus. We find that known WRI1 gene targets are predictable with good confidence when upstream AW-sites are phylogenetically conserved, specifically binding WRI1 in the in vitro assay, positioned in proximity to the transcriptional start site, and if the gene is co-expressed with WRI1 during seed development. When targets predicted in this way are mapped to central metabolism, a conserved regulatory blueprint emerges that infers concerted control of contiguous pathway sections in glycolysis and fatty acid biosynthesis by WRI1. Several of the newly predicted targets are in the upper glycolysis pathway and the pentose phosphate pathway. Of these, plastidic isoforms of fructokinase (FRK3) and of phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI1) are particularly corroborated by previously reported seed phenotypes of respective null mutations.
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11
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Johnston C, García Navarrete LT, Ortiz E, Romsdahl TB, Guzha A, Chapman KD, Grotewold E, Alonso AP. Effective Mechanisms for Improving Seed Oil Production in Pennycress ( Thlaspi arvense L.) Highlighted by Integration of Comparative Metabolomics and Transcriptomics. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:943585. [PMID: 35909773 PMCID: PMC9330397 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.943585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Pennycress is a potentially lucrative biofuel crop due to its high content of long-chain unsaturated fatty acids, and because it uses non-conventional pathways to achieve efficient oil production. However, metabolic engineering is required to improve pennycress oilseed content and make it an economically viable source of aviation fuel. Research is warranted to determine if further upregulation of these non-conventional pathways could improve oil production within the species even more, which would indicate these processes serve as promising metabolic engineering targets and could provide the improvement necessary for economic feasibility of this crop. To test this hypothesis, we performed a comparative biomass, metabolomic, and transcriptomic analyses between a high oil accession (HO) and low oil accession (LO) of pennycress to assess potential factors required to optimize oil content. An evident reduction in glycolysis intermediates, improved oxidative pentose phosphate pathway activity, malate accumulation in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and an anaplerotic pathway upregulation were noted in the HO genotype. Additionally, higher levels of threonine aldolase transcripts imply a pyruvate bypass mechanism for acetyl-CoA production. Nucleotide sugar and ascorbate accumulation also were evident in HO, suggesting differential fate of associated carbon between the two genotypes. An altered transcriptome related to lipid droplet (LD) biosynthesis and stability suggests a contribution to a more tightly-packed LD arrangement in HO cotyledons. In addition to the importance of central carbon metabolism augmentation, alternative routes of carbon entry into fatty acid synthesis and modification, as well as transcriptionally modified changes in LD regulation, are key aspects of metabolism and storage associated with economically favorable phenotypes of the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Johnston
- Department of Biological Sciences, BioDiscovery Institute, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, United States
| | | | - Emmanuel Ortiz
- Department of Biological Sciences, BioDiscovery Institute, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, United States
| | - Trevor B. Romsdahl
- Department of Biological Sciences, BioDiscovery Institute, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, United States
| | - Athanas Guzha
- Department of Biological Sciences, BioDiscovery Institute, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, United States
| | - Kent D. Chapman
- Department of Biological Sciences, BioDiscovery Institute, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, United States
| | - Erich Grotewold
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Ana Paula Alonso
- Department of Biological Sciences, BioDiscovery Institute, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, United States
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Arias CL, Quach T, Huynh T, Nguyen H, Moretti A, Shi Y, Guo M, Rasoul A, Van K, McHale L, Clemente TE, Alonso AP, Zhang C. Expression of AtWRI1 and AtDGAT1 during soybean embryo development influences oil and carbohydrate metabolism. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2022; 20:1327-1345. [PMID: 35306726 PMCID: PMC9241380 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Soybean oil is one of the most consumed vegetable oils worldwide. Genetic improvement of its concentration in seeds has been historically pursued due to its direct association with its market value. Engineering attempts aiming to increase soybean seed oil presented different degrees of success that varied with the genetic design and the specific variety considered. Understanding the embryo's responses to the genetic modifications introduced, is a critical step to successful approaches. In this work, the metabolic and transcriptional responses to AtWRI1 and AtDGAT1 expression in soybean seeds were evaluated. AtWRI1 is a master regulator of fatty acid (FA) biosynthesis, and AtDGAT1 encodes an enzyme catalysing the final and rate-limiting step of triacylglycerides biosynthesis. The events expressing these genes in the embryo did not show an increase in total FA content, but they responded with changes in the oil and carbohydrate composition. Transcriptomic studies revealed a down-regulation of genes putatively encoding for oil body packaging proteins, and a strong induction of genes annotated as lipases and FA biosynthesis inhibitors. Novel putative AtWRI1 targets, presenting an AW-box in the upstream region of the genes, were identified by comparison with an event that harbours only AtWRI1. Lastly, targeted metabolomics analysis showed that carbon from sugar phosphates could be used for FA competing pathways, such as starch and cell wall polysaccharides, contributing to the restriction in oil accumulation. These results allowed the identification of key cellular processes that need to be considered to break the embryo's natural restriction to uncontrolled seed lipid increase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cintia Lucía Arias
- Department of Biological Sciences & BioDiscovery InstituteUniversity of North TexasDentonTXUSA
| | - Truyen Quach
- Center for Plant Science InnovationUniversity of Nebraska‐LincolnLincolnNEUSA
| | - Tu Huynh
- Department of Horticulture and Crop ScienceThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOHUSA
| | - Hanh Nguyen
- Center for Plant Science InnovationUniversity of Nebraska‐LincolnLincolnNEUSA
| | - Ademar Moretti
- Department of Biological Sciences & BioDiscovery InstituteUniversity of North TexasDentonTXUSA
| | - Yu Shi
- Center for BiotechnologyUniversity of NebraskaLincolnNEUSA
| | - Ming Guo
- Department of Agronomy and HorticultureUniversity of Nebraska‐LincolnLincolnNEUSA
| | - Amira Rasoul
- Department of Biological Sciences & BioDiscovery InstituteUniversity of North TexasDentonTXUSA
| | - Kyujung Van
- Department of Horticulture and Crop ScienceThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOHUSA
| | - Leah McHale
- Department of Horticulture and Crop ScienceThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOHUSA
- Soybean Research CenterColumbusOHUSA
| | - Tom Elmo Clemente
- Department of Agronomy and HorticultureUniversity of Nebraska‐LincolnLincolnNEUSA
| | - Ana Paula Alonso
- Department of Biological Sciences & BioDiscovery InstituteUniversity of North TexasDentonTXUSA
| | - Chi Zhang
- Center for Plant Science InnovationUniversity of Nebraska‐LincolnLincolnNEUSA
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of Nebraska‐LincolnLincolnNEUSA
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13
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Sokolik OP, Prozorova GO. Current view on the problem of treating fibrocystic breast disease in terms of herbal medicine. RESEARCH RESULTS IN PHARMACOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.3897/rrpharmacology.8.79286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Fibrocystic breast disease, commonly called fibrocystic breasts or fibrocystic change, is a benign (noncancerous) condition, which is the most common pathology in women of reproductive age. Treatment of fibrocystic breast disease and concomitant pathologies can involve using herbs.
Materials and Methods: To make an analysis of literary sources on the development of fibrocystic breast disease in the pathogenesis of diseases of the female reproductive system (clinical human (75%) and animal studies (25%)) were published in the period of 2017–2021.
Results and discussion: The diversity of plants in the world is a promising ground for therapeutic improvisation, allowing for an individual approach to each patient, but, most importantly, creates possibilities for maneuvering in the event of ineffectiveness of any means. In some situations, herbal medicine is not only possible or permissible, but strictly mandatory, and is essentially the only effective therapeutic method, which is relatively safe provided the correct selection of combinations and control by a doctor who applies a certain method of phytotherapy, especially given a duration of treatment. The need for a deeper study is long overdue for the pharmacological capabilities of various plant raw materials in the treatment of not only this pathology, but others as well.
Conclusion: The development of phytotherapy should be based primarily on scientific developments, but this area can not be considered the prerogative of only phytotherapists, as herbal medicines should be in the arsenal of doctors of all specialties.
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Koley S, Chu KL, Gill SS, Allen DK. An efficient LC-MS method for isomer separation and detection of sugars, phosphorylated sugars, and organic acids. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2022; 73:2938-2952. [PMID: 35560196 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erac062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Assessing central carbon metabolism in plants can be challenging due to the dynamic range in pool sizes, with low levels of important phosphorylated sugars relative to more abundant sugars and organic acids. Here, we report a sensitive liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method for analysing central metabolites on a hybrid column, where both anion-exchange and hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) ligands are embedded in the stationary phase. The liquid chromatography method was developed for enhanced selectivity of 27 central metabolites in a single run with sensitivity at femtomole levels observed for most phosphorylated sugars. The method resolved phosphorylated hexose, pentose, and triose isomers that are otherwise challenging. Compared with a standard HILIC approach, these metabolites had improved peak areas using our approach due to ion enhancement or low ion suppression in the biological sample matrix. The approach was applied to investigate metabolism in high lipid-producing tobacco leaves that exhibited increased levels of acetyl-CoA, a precursor for oil biosynthesis. The application of the method to isotopologue detection and quantification was considered through evaluating 13C-labeled seeds from Camelina sativa. The method provides a means to analyse intermediates more comprehensively in central metabolism of plant tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somnath Koley
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St Louis, MO 63132, USA
| | - Kevin L Chu
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St Louis, MO 63132, USA
- United States Department of Agriculture-Agriculture Research Service, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St Louis, MO 63132, USA
| | - Saba S Gill
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St Louis, MO 63132, USA
- United States Department of Agriculture-Agriculture Research Service, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St Louis, MO 63132, USA
| | - Doug K Allen
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St Louis, MO 63132, USA
- United States Department of Agriculture-Agriculture Research Service, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St Louis, MO 63132, USA
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15
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Lin J, Yang Q, Guo J, Li M, Hao Z, He J, Li J. Gut Microbiome Alterations and Hepatic Metabolic Flexibility in the Gansu Zokor, Eospalax cansus: Adaptation to Hypoxic Niches. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:814076. [PMID: 35402538 PMCID: PMC8984292 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.814076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Gansu zokor (Eospalax cansus), a typical subterranean rodent endemic to the Chinese Loess Plateau, spends almost its whole life in its self-constructed underground burrows and has strong adaptability to ambient hypoxia. Energy adaptation is the key to supporting hypoxia tolerance, and recent studies have shown that the intestinal microbiota has an evident effect on energy metabolism. However, how the gut microbiome of Gansu zokor will change in response to hypoxia and the metabolic role played by the microbiome have not been reported. Thus, we exposed Gansu zokors to severe hypoxia of 6.5% of O2 (6 or 44 h) or moderate hypoxia of 10.5% of O2 (44 h or 4 weeks), and then analyzed 16S rRNA sequencing, metagenomic sequencing, metagenomic binning, liver carbohydrate metabolites, and the related molecular levels. Our results showed that the hypoxia altered the microbiota composition of Gansu zokor, and the relative contribution of Ileibacterium to carbohydrate metabolism became increased under hypoxia, such as glycolysis and fructose metabolism. Furthermore, Gansu zokor liver enhanced carbohydrate metabolism under the short-term (6 or 44 h) hypoxia but it was suppressed under the long-term (4 weeks) hypoxia. Interestingly, under all hypoxia conditions, Gansu zokor liver exhibited enhanced fructose-driven metabolism through increased expression of the GLUT5 fructose transporter, ketohexokinase (KHK), aldolase B (ALDOB), and aldolase C (ALDOC), as well as increased KHK enzymatic activity and fructose utilization. Overall, our results suggest that the altered gut microbiota mediates the carbohydrate metabolic pattern under hypoxia, possibly contributing to the hepatic metabolic flexibility in Gansu zokor, which leads to better adaptation to hypoxic environments.
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16
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Chu KL, Koley S, Jenkins LM, Bailey SR, Kambhampati S, Foley K, Arp JJ, Morley SA, Czymmek KJ, Bates PD, Allen DK. Metabolic flux analysis of the non-transitory starch tradeoff for lipid production in mature tobacco leaves. Metab Eng 2022; 69:231-248. [PMID: 34920088 PMCID: PMC8761171 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2021.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The metabolic plasticity of tobacco leaves has been demonstrated via the generation of transgenic plants that can accumulate over 30% dry weight as triacylglycerols. In investigating the changes in carbon partitioning in these high lipid-producing (HLP) leaves, foliar lipids accumulated stepwise over development. Interestingly, non-transient starch was observed to accumulate with plant age in WT but not HLP leaves, with a drop in foliar starch concurrent with an increase in lipid content. The metabolic carbon tradeoff between starch and lipid was studied using 13CO2-labeling experiments and isotopically nonstationary metabolic flux analysis, not previously applied to the mature leaves of a crop. Fatty acid synthesis was investigated through assessment of acyl-acyl carrier proteins using a recently derived quantification method that was extended to accommodate isotopic labeling. Analysis of labeling patterns and flux modeling indicated the continued production of unlabeled starch, sucrose cycling, and a significant contribution of NADP-malic enzyme to plastidic pyruvate production for the production of lipids in HLP leaves, with the latter verified by enzyme activity assays. The results suggest an inherent capacity for a developmentally regulated carbon sink in tobacco leaves and may in part explain the uniquely successful leaf lipid engineering efforts in this crop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin L Chu
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri, 63132, USA
| | - Somnath Koley
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri, 63132, USA
| | - Lauren M Jenkins
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri, 63132, USA
| | - Sally R Bailey
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri, 63132, USA; United States Department of Agriculture-Agriculture Research Service, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri, 63132, USA
| | | | - Kevin Foley
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri, 63132, USA
| | - Jennifer J Arp
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri, 63132, USA
| | - Stewart A Morley
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri, 63132, USA; United States Department of Agriculture-Agriculture Research Service, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri, 63132, USA
| | - Kirk J Czymmek
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri, 63132, USA
| | - Philip D Bates
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-6340, USA
| | - Doug K Allen
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri, 63132, USA; United States Department of Agriculture-Agriculture Research Service, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri, 63132, USA.
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Jarvis BA, Romsdahl TB, McGinn MG, Nazarenus TJ, Cahoon EB, Chapman KD, Sedbrook JC. CRISPR/Cas9-Induced fad2 and rod1 Mutations Stacked With fae1 Confer High Oleic Acid Seed Oil in Pennycress ( Thlaspi arvense L.). FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:652319. [PMID: 33968108 PMCID: PMC8100250 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.652319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.) is being domesticated as an oilseed cash cover crop to be grown in the off-season throughout temperate regions of the world. With its diploid genome and ease of directed mutagenesis using molecular approaches, pennycress seed oil composition can be rapidly tailored for a plethora of food, feed, oleochemical and fuel uses. Here, we utilized Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 technology to produce knockout mutations in the FATTY ACID DESATURASE2 (FAD2) and REDUCED OLEATE DESATURATION1 (ROD1) genes to increase oleic acid content. High oleic acid (18:1) oil is valued for its oxidative stability that is superior to the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) linoleic (18:2) and linolenic (18:3), and better cold flow properties than the very long chain fatty acid (VLCFA) erucic (22:1). When combined with a FATTY ACID ELONGATION1 (fae1) knockout mutation, fad2 fae1 and rod1 fae1 double mutants produced ∼90% and ∼60% oleic acid in seed oil, respectively, with PUFAs in fad2 fae1 as well as fad2 single mutants reduced to less than 5%. MALDI-MS spatial imaging analyses of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and triacylglycerol (TAG) molecular species in wild-type pennycress embryo sections from mature seeds revealed that erucic acid is highly enriched in cotyledons which serve as storage organs, suggestive of a role in providing energy for the germinating seedling. In contrast, PUFA-containing TAGs are enriched in the embryonic axis, which may be utilized for cellular membrane expansion during seed germination and seedling emergence. Under standard growth chamber conditions, rod1 fae1 plants grew like wild type whereas fad2 single and fad2 fae1 double mutant plants exhibited delayed growth and overall reduced heights and seed yields, suggesting that reducing PUFAs below a threshold in pennycress had negative physiological effects. Taken together, our results suggest that combinatorial knockout of ROD1 and FAE1 may be a viable route to commercially increase oleic acid content in pennycress seed oil whereas mutations in FAD2 will likely require at least partial function to avoid fitness trade-offs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brice A. Jarvis
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, United States
| | - Trevor B. Romsdahl
- BioDiscovery Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, United States
| | - Michaela G. McGinn
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, United States
| | - Tara J. Nazarenus
- Department of Biochemistry and Center for Plant Science Innovation, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States
| | - Edgar B. Cahoon
- Department of Biochemistry and Center for Plant Science Innovation, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States
| | - Kent D. Chapman
- BioDiscovery Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, United States
| | - John C. Sedbrook
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, United States
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Romsdahl TB, Kambhampati S, Koley S, Yadav UP, Alonso AP, Allen DK, Chapman KD. Analyzing Mass Spectrometry Imaging Data of 13C-Labeled Phospholipids in Camelina sativa and Thlaspi arvense (Pennycress) Embryos. Metabolites 2021; 11:metabo11030148. [PMID: 33806402 PMCID: PMC7999836 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11030148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The combination of 13C-isotopic labeling and mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) offers an approach to analyze metabolic flux in situ. However, combining isotopic labeling and MSI presents technical challenges ranging from sample preparation, label incorporation, data collection, and analysis. Isotopic labeling and MSI individually create large, complex data sets, and this is compounded when both methods are combined. Therefore, analyzing isotopically labeled MSI data requires streamlined procedures to support biologically meaningful interpretations. Using currently available software and techniques, here we describe a workflow to analyze 13C-labeled isotopologues of the membrane lipid and storage oil lipid intermediate―phosphatidylcholine (PC). Our results with embryos of the oilseed crops, Camelina sativa and Thlaspi arvense (pennycress), demonstrated greater 13C-isotopic labeling in the cotyledons of developing embryos compared with the embryonic axis. Greater isotopic enrichment in PC molecular species with more saturated and longer chain fatty acids suggest different flux patterns related to fatty acid desaturation and elongation pathways. The ability to evaluate MSI data of isotopically labeled plant embryos will facilitate the potential to investigate spatial aspects of metabolic flux in situ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor B. Romsdahl
- Department of Biological Sciences & BioDiscovery Institute, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, USA; (T.B.R.); (U.P.Y.); (A.P.A.)
| | | | - Somnath Koley
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO 63132, USA; (S.K.); (S.K.)
| | - Umesh P. Yadav
- Department of Biological Sciences & BioDiscovery Institute, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, USA; (T.B.R.); (U.P.Y.); (A.P.A.)
| | - Ana Paula Alonso
- Department of Biological Sciences & BioDiscovery Institute, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, USA; (T.B.R.); (U.P.Y.); (A.P.A.)
| | - Doug K. Allen
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO 63132, USA; (S.K.); (S.K.)
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service, St. Louis, MO 63132, USA
- Correspondence: (D.K.A.); or (K.D.C.); Tel.: +1-940-565-2969 (K.D.C.)
| | - Kent D. Chapman
- Department of Biological Sciences & BioDiscovery Institute, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, USA; (T.B.R.); (U.P.Y.); (A.P.A.)
- Correspondence: (D.K.A.); or (K.D.C.); Tel.: +1-940-565-2969 (K.D.C.)
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Ji H, Liu D, Yang Z. High oil accumulation in tuber of yellow nutsedge compared to purple nutsedge is associated with more abundant expression of genes involved in fatty acid synthesis and triacylglycerol storage. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2021; 14:54. [PMID: 33653389 PMCID: PMC7923336 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-021-01909-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Yellow nutsedge is a unique plant species that can accumulate up to 35% oil of tuber dry weight, perhaps the highest level observed in the tuber tissues of plant kingdom. To gain insight into the molecular mechanism that leads to high oil accumulation in yellow nutsedge, gene expression profiles of oil production pathways involved carbon metabolism, fatty acid synthesis, triacylglycerol synthesis, and triacylglycerol storage during tuber development were compared with purple nutsedge, the closest relative of yellow nutsedge that is poor in oil accumulation. RESULTS Compared with purple nutsedge, high oil accumulation in yellow nutsedge was associated with significant up-regulation of specific key enzymes of plastidial RubisCO bypass as well as malate and pyruvate metabolism, almost all fatty acid synthesis enzymes, and seed-like oil-body proteins. However, overall transcripts for carbon metabolism toward carbon precursor for fatty acid synthesis were comparable and for triacylglycerol synthesis were similar in both species. Two seed-like master transcription factors ABI3 and WRI1 were found to display similar transcript patterns but were expressed at 6.5- and 14.3-fold higher levels in yellow nutsedge than in purple nutsedge, respectively. A weighted gene co-expression network analysis revealed that ABI3 was in strong transcriptional coordination with WRI1 and other key oil-related genes. CONCLUSIONS These results implied that pyruvate availability and fatty acid synthesis in plastid, along with triacylglycerol storage in oil bodies, rather than triacylglycerol synthesis in endoplasmic reticulum, are the major factors responsible for high oil production in tuber of yellow nutsedge, and ABI3 most likely plays a critical role in regulating oil accumulation. This study is of significance with regard to understanding the molecular mechanism controlling carbon partitioning toward oil production in oil-rich tuber and provides a valuable reference for enhancing oil accumulation in non-seed tissues of crops through genetic breeding or metabolic engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongying Ji
- Key Lab of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093 China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Dantong Liu
- Key Lab of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093 China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Zhenle Yang
- Key Lab of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093 China
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Sedbrook JC, Durrett TP. Pennycress, carbon wise: labeling experiments reveal how pennycress seeds efficiently incorporate carbon into biomass. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2020; 71:2842-2846. [PMID: 32472690 PMCID: PMC7260712 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/eraa136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
This article comments on: Tsogtbaatar E, Cocuron J-C, Alonso AP. 2020. Non-conventional pathways enable pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.) embryos to achieve high biosynthetic efficiency. Journal of Experimental Botany 71, 3037–3051.
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Affiliation(s)
- John C Sedbrook
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Timothy P Durrett
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
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