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Peng Z, Song L, Chen M, Liu Z, Yuan Z, Wen H, Zhang H, Huang Y, Peng Z, Yang H, Li G, Zhang H, Hu Z, Li W, Wang X, Larkin RM, Deng X, Xu Q, Chen J, Xu J. Neofunctionalization of an OMT cluster dominates polymethoxyflavone biosynthesis associated with the domestication of citrus. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2321615121. [PMID: 38530892 PMCID: PMC10998556 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2321615121] [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: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Polymethoxyflavones (PMFs) are a class of abundant specialized metabolites with remarkable anticancer properties in citrus. Multiple methoxy groups in PMFs are derived from methylation modification catalyzed by a series of hydroxylases and O-methyltransferases (OMTs). However, the specific OMTs that catalyze the systematic O-methylation of hydroxyflavones remain largely unknown. Here, we report that PMFs are highly accumulated in wild mandarins and mandarin-derived accessions, while undetectable in early-diverging citrus species and related species. Our results demonstrated that three homologous genes, CreOMT3, CreOMT4, and CreOMT5, are crucial for PMF biosynthesis in citrus, and their encoded methyltransferases exhibit multisite O-methylation activities for hydroxyflavones, producing seven PMFs in vitro and in vivo. Comparative genomic and syntenic analyses indicated that the tandem CreOMT3, CreOMT4, and CreOMT5 may be duplicated from CreOMT6 and contributes to the genetic basis of PMF biosynthesis in the mandarin group through neofunctionalization. We also demonstrated that N17 in CreOMT4 is an essential amino acid residue for C3-, C5-, C6-, and C3'-O-methylation activity and provided a rationale for the functional deficiency of OMT6 to produce PMFs in early-diverging citrus and some domesticated citrus species. A 1,041-bp deletion in the CreOMT4 promoter, which is found in most modern cultivated mandarins, has reduced the PMF content relative to that in wild and early-admixture mandarins. This study provides a framework for reconstructing PMF biosynthetic pathways, which may facilitate the breeding of citrus fruits with enhanced health benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoxin Peng
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan430070, People’s Republic of China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan430070, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lizhi Song
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan430070, People’s Republic of China
| | - Minghua Chen
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan430070, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zeyang Liu
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan430070, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ziyu Yuan
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan430070, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huan Wen
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan430070, People’s Republic of China
| | - Haipeng Zhang
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan430070, People’s Republic of China
- College of Horticulture, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou450046, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yue Huang
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan430070, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhaowen Peng
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan430070, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hongbin Yang
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan430070, People’s Republic of China
| | - Gu Li
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan430070, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huixian Zhang
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan430070, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhehui Hu
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan430070, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenyun Li
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan430070, People’s Republic of China
- Guizhou Fruit Institute, Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guiyang550006, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xia Wang
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan430070, People’s Republic of China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan430070, People’s Republic of China
| | - Robert M. Larkin
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan430070, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiuxin Deng
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan430070, People’s Republic of China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan430070, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiang Xu
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan430070, People’s Republic of China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan430070, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiajing Chen
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan430070, People’s Republic of China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan430070, People’s Republic of China
| | - Juan Xu
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan430070, People’s Republic of China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan430070, People’s Republic of China
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Deng Y, Yang P, Zhang Q, Wu Q, Feng L, Shi W, Peng Q, Ding L, Tan X, Zhan R, Ma D. Genomic insights into the evolution of flavonoid biosynthesis and O-methyltransferase and glucosyltransferase in Chrysanthemum indicum. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113725. [PMID: 38300800 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Flavonoids are a class of secondary metabolites widely distributed in plants. Regiospecific modification by methylation and glycosylation determines flavonoid diversity. A rare flavone glycoside, diosmin (luteolin-4'-methoxyl-7-O-glucosyl-rhamnoside), occurs in Chrysanthemum indicum. How Chrysanthemum plants evolve new biosynthetic capacities remains elusive. Here, we assemble a 3.11-Gb high-quality C. indicum genome with a contig N50 value of 4.39 Mb and annotate 50,606 protein-coding genes. One (CiCOMT10) of the tandemly repeated O-methyltransferase genes undergoes neofunctionalization, preferentially transferring the methyl group to the 4'-hydroxyl group of luteolin with ortho-substituents to form diosmetin. In addition, CiUGT11 (UGT88B3) specifically glucosylates 7-OH group of diosmetin. Next, we construct a one-pot cascade biocatalyst system by combining CiCOMT10, CiUGT11, and our previously identified rhamnosyltransferase, effectively producing diosmin with over 80% conversion from luteolin. This study clarifies the role of transferases in flavonoid diversity and provides important gene elements essential for producing rare flavone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinai Deng
- Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resource Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Peng Yang
- Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resource Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Synthetic Biology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China
| | - Qianle Zhang
- Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resource Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Qingwen Wu
- Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resource Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Lingfang Feng
- Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resource Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Wenjing Shi
- Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resource Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Qian Peng
- Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resource Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Li Ding
- Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resource Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xukai Tan
- Grandomics Biosciences, Beijing 102200, China
| | - Ruoting Zhan
- Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resource Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Dongming Ma
- Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resource Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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An T, Lin G, Liu Y, Qin L, Xu Y, Feng X, Li C. De novo biosynthesis of anticarcinogenic icariin in engineered yeast. Metab Eng 2023; 80:207-215. [PMID: 37852432 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2023.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Icariin (ICA) has wide applications in nutraceuticals and medicine with strong anticancer activities. However, the structural complexity and low abundance in plants of ICA lead to the unsustainable and high-cost supply from chemical synthesis and plant extraction. Here, the whole biosynthesis pathway of ICA was elucidated, then was constructed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, including a 13-step heterologous ICA pathway from eleven kinds of plants as well as deletions or overexpression of ten yeast endogenous genes. Spatial regulation of 8-C-prenyltransferase to mitochondria and three-stage sequential control of 4'-O-methyltransferase, 3-OH rhamnosyltransferase, and 7-OH glycosyltransferase expression successfully achieved the de novo synthesis of ICA with a titer of 130 μg/L under shake-flask culture. The ICA synthesis from glucose represents the longest reconstructed pathway of flavonoid in microbe so far. This study provides a potential choice for the sustainable microbial production of number of complex flavonoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting An
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Guangyuan Lin
- Key Lab for Industrial Biocatalysis, Ministry of Education, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Lei Qin
- Key Lab for Industrial Biocatalysis, Ministry of Education, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yuquan Xu
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Xudong Feng
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Chun Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China; Key Lab for Industrial Biocatalysis, Ministry of Education, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China; Center for Synthetic & Systems Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
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4
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Straube H. Peeling back the layers: Unveiling the biochemistry of health-promoting molecules in orange fruits. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 192:2593-2595. [PMID: 37163666 PMCID: PMC10400021 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Henryk Straube
- Assistant Features Editor, Plant Physiology, American Society of Plant Biologists, USA
- Faculty of Science, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Section for Plant Biochemistry, University of Copenhagen, 1871 Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Liao Z, Liu X, Zheng J, Zhao C, Wang D, Xu Y, Sun C. A multifunctional true caffeoyl coenzyme A O-methyltransferase enzyme participates in the biosynthesis of polymethoxylated flavones in citrus. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 192:2049-2066. [PMID: 37086474 PMCID: PMC10315319 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Polymethoxylated flavones (PMFs) have received extensive attention due to their abundant bioactivities. Citrus peels specifically accumulate abundant PMFs, and methylation modification is a key step in PMF biosynthesis; however, the function of reported O-methyltransferase (OMT) in citrus is insufficient to elucidate the complete methylation process of PMFs. In this study, we analyzed the accumulation pattern of PMFs in the flavedo of the sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) cultivar "Bingtangcheng" at different developmental stages. We found that accumulation of PMFs was completed at the early stage of fruit development (60-d after flowering). Furthermore, we characterized a true caffeoyl-CoA O-methyltransferase (named CsCCoAOMT1) from C. sinensis. Functional analysis in vitro showed that CsCCoAOMT1 preferred flavonoids to caffeoyl-CoA and esculetin. This enzyme efficiently methylated the 6-, 7- 8-, and 3'-OH of a wide array of flavonoids with vicinal hydroxyl groups with a strong preference for quercetin (flavonol) and flavones. The transient overexpression and virus-induced gene silencing experiments verified that CsCCoAOMT1 could promote the accumulation of PMFs in citrus. These results reveal the function of true CCoAOMTs and indicate that CsCCoAOMT1 is a highly efficient multifunctional O-methyltransferase involved in the biosynthesis of PMFs in citrus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenkun Liao
- Laboratory of Fruit Quality Biology, The State Agriculture Ministry Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Integrative Biology of Horticultural Plants, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Xiaojuan Liu
- Laboratory of Fruit Quality Biology, The State Agriculture Ministry Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Integrative Biology of Horticultural Plants, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Juan Zheng
- Laboratory of Fruit Quality Biology, The State Agriculture Ministry Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Integrative Biology of Horticultural Plants, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Chenning Zhao
- Laboratory of Fruit Quality Biology, The State Agriculture Ministry Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Integrative Biology of Horticultural Plants, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Dengliang Wang
- Quzhou Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Science, Quzhou 324000, China
| | - Yang Xu
- Xiangshan Country Agricultural Economic Specialty Technology Extension Center, Ningbo 315799, China
| | - Chongde Sun
- Laboratory of Fruit Quality Biology, The State Agriculture Ministry Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Integrative Biology of Horticultural Plants, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, China
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Lee S, Won HJ, Ban S, Park YJ, Kim SM, Kim HS, Choi J, Kim HY, Lee JH, Jung JH. Integrative analysis of metabolite and transcriptome reveals biosynthetic pathway and candidate genes for eupatilin and jaceosidin biosynthesis in Artemisia argyi. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1186023. [PMID: 37180395 PMCID: PMC10166882 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1186023] [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: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Artemisia argyi (A. argyi) is a medicinal plant belonging to the Asteraceae family and Artemisia genus. Flavonoids abundant in A. argyi are associated with anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidative effects. Eupatilin and jaceosidin are representative polymethoxy flavonoids with medicinal properties significant enough to warrant the development of drugs using their components. However, the biosynthetic pathways and related genes of these compounds have not been fully explored in A. argyi. This study comprehensively analyzed the transcriptome data and flavonoids contents from four different tissues of A. argyi (young leaves, old leaves, trichomes collected from stems, and stems without trichomes) for the first time. We obtained 41,398 unigenes through the de-novo assembly of transcriptome data and mined promising candidate genes involved in the biosynthesis of eupatilin and jaceosidin using differentially expressed genes, hierarchical clustering, phylogenetic tree, and weighted gene co-expression analysis. Our analysis led to the identification of a total of 7,265 DEGs, among which 153 genes were annotated as flavonoid-related genes. In particular, we were able to identify eight putative flavone-6-hydroxylase (F6H) genes, which were responsible for providing a methyl group acceptor into flavone basic skeleton. Furthermore, five O-methyltransferases (OMTs) gene were identified, which were required for the site-specific O-methylation during the biosynthesis of eupatilin and jaceosidin. Although further validation would be necessary, our findings pave the way for the modification and mass-production of pharmacologically important polymethoxy flavonoids through genetic engineering and synthetic biological approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suhyeon Lee
- Smart Farm Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Gangneung, Gangwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo Jun Won
- Smart Farm Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Gangneung, Gangwon, Republic of Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seunghyun Ban
- Smart Farm Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Gangneung, Gangwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Ji Park
- Smart Farm Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Gangneung, Gangwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Min Kim
- Smart Farm Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Gangneung, Gangwon, Republic of Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyoung Seok Kim
- Smart Farm Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Gangneung, Gangwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaeyoung Choi
- Department of Oriental Medicine Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho-Youn Kim
- Smart Farm Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Gangneung, Gangwon, Republic of Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Hoon Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Je Hyeong Jung
- Smart Farm Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Gangneung, Gangwon, Republic of Korea
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Lashley A, Miller R, Provenzano S, Jarecki SA, Erba P, Salim V. Functional Diversification and Structural Origins of Plant Natural Product Methyltransferases. Molecules 2022; 28:molecules28010043. [PMID: 36615239 PMCID: PMC9822479 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28010043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In plants, methylation is a common step in specialized metabolic pathways, leading to a vast diversity of natural products. The methylation of these small molecules is catalyzed by S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM)-dependent methyltransferases, which are categorized based on the methyl-accepting atom (O, N, C, S, or Se). These methyltransferases are responsible for the transformation of metabolites involved in plant defense response, pigments, and cell signaling. Plant natural product methyltransferases are part of the Class I methyltransferase-superfamily containing the canonical Rossmann fold. Recent advances in genomics have accelerated the functional characterization of plant natural product methyltransferases, allowing for the determination of substrate specificities and regioselectivity and further realizing the potential for enzyme engineering. This review compiles known biochemically characterized plant natural product methyltransferases that have contributed to our knowledge in the diversification of small molecules mediated by methylation steps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Lashley
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Shreveport, LA 71115, USA
| | - Ryan Miller
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Shreveport, LA 71115, USA
- School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Stephanie Provenzano
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Shreveport, LA 71115, USA
- School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
| | - Sara-Alexis Jarecki
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Shreveport, LA 71115, USA
| | - Paul Erba
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Shreveport, LA 71115, USA
- School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Vonny Salim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Shreveport, LA 71115, USA
- Correspondence:
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Somaletha Chandran K, Humphries J, Goodger JQ, Woodrow IE. Molecular Characterisation of Flavanone O-methylation in Eucalyptus. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063190. [PMID: 35328610 PMCID: PMC8954846 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Flavonoids are ubiquitous polyphenolic compounds in plants, long recognised for their health-promoting properties in humans. Methylated flavonoids have received increasing attention due to the potential of methylation to enhance medicinal efficacy. Recently, Eucalyptus species with high levels of the O-methylated flavanone pinostrobin have been identified. Pinostrobin has potential commercial value due to its numerous pharmacological and functional food benefits. Little is known about the identity or mode of action of the enzymes involved in methylating flavanones. This study aimed to identify and characterise the methyltransferase(s) involved in the regiospecific methylation of pinostrobin in Eucalyptus and thereby add to our limited understanding of flavanone biosynthesis in plants. RNA-seq analysis of leaf tips enabled the isolation of a gene encoding a flavanone 7-O-methyltransferase (EnOMT1) in Eucalyptus. Biochemical characterisation of its in vitro activity revealed a range of substrates upon which EnOMT1 acts in a regiospecific manner. Comparison to a homologous sequence from a Eucalyptus species lacking O-methylated flavonoids identified critical catalytic amino acid residues within EnOMT1 responsible for its activity. This detailed molecular characterisation identified a methyltransferase responsible for chemical ornamentation of the core flavanone structure of pinocembrin and helps shed light on the mechanism of flavanone biosynthesis in Eucalyptus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John Humphries
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; (K.S.C.); (J.H.)
| | - Jason Q.D. Goodger
- School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia;
- Correspondence:
| | - Ian E. Woodrow
- School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia;
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Diversification of Chemical Structures of Methoxylated Flavonoids and Genes Encoding Flavonoid-O-Methyltransferases. PLANTS 2022; 11:plants11040564. [PMID: 35214897 PMCID: PMC8876552 DOI: 10.3390/plants11040564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The O-methylation of specialized metabolites in plants is a unique decoration that provides structural and functional diversity of the metabolites with changes in chemical properties and intracellular localizations. The O-methylation of flavonoids, which is a class of plant specialized metabolites, promotes their antimicrobial activities and liposolubility. Flavonoid O-methyltransferases (FOMTs), which are responsible for the O-methylation process of the flavonoid aglycone, generally accept a broad range of substrates across flavones, flavonols and lignin precursors, with different substrate preferences. Therefore, the characterization of FOMTs with the physiology roles of methoxylated flavonoids is useful for crop improvement and metabolic engineering. In this review, we summarized the chemodiversity and physiology roles of methoxylated flavonoids, which were already reported, and we performed a cross-species comparison to illustrate an overview of diversification and conserved catalytic sites of the flavonoid O-methyltransferases.
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Förster C, Handrick V, Ding Y, Nakamura Y, Paetz C, Schneider B, Castro-Falcón G, Hughes CC, Luck K, Poosapati S, Kunert G, Huffaker A, Gershenzon J, Schmelz EA, Köllner TG. Biosynthesis and antifungal activity of fungus-induced O-methylated flavonoids in maize. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 188:167-190. [PMID: 34718797 PMCID: PMC8774720 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiab496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Fungal infection of grasses, including rice (Oryza sativa), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), and barley (Hordeum vulgare), induces the formation and accumulation of flavonoid phytoalexins. In maize (Zea mays), however, investigators have emphasized benzoxazinoid and terpenoid phytoalexins, and comparatively little is known about flavonoid induction in response to pathogens. Here, we examined fungus-elicited flavonoid metabolism in maize and identified key biosynthetic enzymes involved in the formation of O-methylflavonoids. The predominant end products were identified as two tautomers of a 2-hydroxynaringenin-derived compound termed xilonenin, which significantly inhibited the growth of two maize pathogens, Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium verticillioides. Among the biosynthetic enzymes identified were two O-methyltransferases (OMTs), flavonoid OMT 2 (FOMT2), and FOMT4, which demonstrated distinct regiospecificity on a broad spectrum of flavonoid classes. In addition, a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (CYP) in the CYP93G subfamily was found to serve as a flavanone 2-hydroxylase providing the substrate for FOMT2-catalyzed formation of xilonenin. In summary, maize produces a diverse blend of O-methylflavonoids with antifungal activity upon attack by a broad range of fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Förster
- Department of Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena D-07745, Germany
| | - Vinzenz Handrick
- Department of Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena D-07745, Germany
| | - Yezhang Ding
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, California 92093-0380, USA
| | - Yoko Nakamura
- Research Group Biosynthesis/NMR, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena D-07745, Germany
| | - Christian Paetz
- Research Group Biosynthesis/NMR, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena D-07745, Germany
| | - Bernd Schneider
- Research Group Biosynthesis/NMR, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena D-07745, Germany
| | - Gabriel Castro-Falcón
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, California 92093, USA
| | - Chambers C Hughes
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, California 92093, USA
| | - Katrin Luck
- Department of Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena D-07745, Germany
| | - Sowmya Poosapati
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, California 92093-0380, USA
| | - Grit Kunert
- Department of Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena D-07745, Germany
| | - Alisa Huffaker
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, California 92093-0380, USA
| | - Jonathan Gershenzon
- Department of Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena D-07745, Germany
| | - Eric A Schmelz
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, California 92093-0380, USA
| | - Tobias G Köllner
- Department of Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena D-07745, Germany
- Author for communication:
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11
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Cui M, Lu A, Li J, Liu J, Fang Y, Pei T, Zhong X, Wei Y, Kong Y, Qiu W, Hu Y, Yang J, Chen X, Martin C, Zhao Q. Two types of O-methyltransferase are involved in biosynthesis of anticancer methoxylated 4'-deoxyflavones in Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2022; 20:129-142. [PMID: 34490975 PMCID: PMC8710825 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The medicinal plant Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi is rich in specialized 4'-deoxyflavones, which are reported to have many health-promoting properties. We assayed Scutellaria flavones with different methoxyl groups on human cancer cell lines and found that polymethoxylated 4'-deoxyflavones, like skullcapflavone I and tenaxin I have stronger ability to induce apoptosis compared to unmethylated baicalein, showing that methoxylation enhances bioactivity as well as the physical properties of specialized flavones, while having no side-effects on healthy cells. We investigated the formation of methoxylated flavones and found that two O-methyltransferase (OMT) families are active in the roots of S. baicalensis. The Type II OMTs, SbPFOMT2 and SbPFOMT5, decorate one of two adjacent hydroxyl groups on flavones and are responsible for methylation on the C6, 8 and 3'-hydroxyl positions, to form oroxylin A, tenaxin II and chrysoeriol respectively. The Type I OMTs, SbFOMT3, SbFOMT5 and SbFOMT6 account mainly for C7-methoxylation of flavones, but SbFOMT5 can also methylate baicalein on its C5 and C6-hydroxyl positions. The dimethoxylated flavone, skullcapflavone I (found naturally in roots of S. baicalensis) can be produced in yeast by co-expressing SbPFOMT5 plus SbFOMT6 when the appropriately hydroxylated 4'-deoxyflavone substrates are supplied in the medium. Co-expression of SbPFOMT5 plus SbFOMT5 in yeast produced tenaxin I, also found in Scutellaria roots. This work showed that both type I and type II OMT enzymes are involved in biosynthesis of methoxylated flavones in S. baicalensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng‐Ying Cui
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and ResourcesShanghai Chenshan Botanical GardenShanghai Chenshan Plant Science Research CenterChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - An‐Rui Lu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and ResourcesShanghai Chenshan Botanical GardenShanghai Chenshan Plant Science Research CenterChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular GeneticsCAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant SciencesChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Jian‐Xu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular GeneticsCAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant SciencesChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Jie Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and ResourcesShanghai Chenshan Botanical GardenShanghai Chenshan Plant Science Research CenterChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Yu‐Min Fang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and ResourcesShanghai Chenshan Botanical GardenShanghai Chenshan Plant Science Research CenterChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Tian‐Lin Pei
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and ResourcesShanghai Chenshan Botanical GardenShanghai Chenshan Plant Science Research CenterChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular GeneticsCAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant SciencesChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Xin Zhong
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and ResourcesShanghai Chenshan Botanical GardenShanghai Chenshan Plant Science Research CenterChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Yu‐Kun Wei
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and ResourcesShanghai Chenshan Botanical GardenShanghai Chenshan Plant Science Research CenterChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Yu Kong
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and ResourcesShanghai Chenshan Botanical GardenShanghai Chenshan Plant Science Research CenterChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Wen‐Qing Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular MedicineDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Yong‐Hong Hu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and ResourcesShanghai Chenshan Botanical GardenShanghai Chenshan Plant Science Research CenterChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Jun Yang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and ResourcesShanghai Chenshan Botanical GardenShanghai Chenshan Plant Science Research CenterChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular GeneticsCAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant SciencesChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Xiao‐Ya Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and ResourcesShanghai Chenshan Botanical GardenShanghai Chenshan Plant Science Research CenterChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular GeneticsCAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant SciencesChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Cathie Martin
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and ResourcesShanghai Chenshan Botanical GardenShanghai Chenshan Plant Science Research CenterChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
- John Innes CentreNorwichUK
| | - Qing Zhao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and ResourcesShanghai Chenshan Botanical GardenShanghai Chenshan Plant Science Research CenterChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular GeneticsCAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant SciencesChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
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Askey BC, Liu D, Rubin GM, Kunik AR, Song YH, Ding Y, Kim J. Metabolite profiling reveals organ-specific flavone accumulation in Scutellaria and identifies a scutellarin isomer isoscutellarein 8- O-β-glucuronopyranoside. PLANT DIRECT 2021; 5:e372. [PMID: 34977451 PMCID: PMC8689113 DOI: 10.1002/pld3.372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Scutellaria is a genus of plants containing multiple species with well-documented medicinal effects. S. baicalensis and S. barbata are among the best-studied Scutellaria species, and previous works have established flavones to be the primary source of their bioactivity. Recent genomic and biochemical studies with S. baicalensis and S. barbata have advanced our understanding of flavone biosynthesis in Scutellaria. However, as over several hundreds of Scutellaria species occur throughout the world, flavone biosynthesis in most species remains poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed organ-specific flavone profiles of seven Scutellaria species, including S. baicalensis, S. barbata, and two species native to the Americas (S. wrightii to Texas and S. racemosa to Central and South America). We found that the roots of almost all these species produce only 4'-deoxyflavones, while 4'-hydroxyflavones are accumulated exclusively in their aerial parts. On the other hand, S. racemosa and S. wrightii also accumulated high levels of 4'-deoxyflavones in their aerial parts, different with the flavone profiles of S. baicalensis and S. barbata. Furthermore, our metabolomics and NMR study identified the accumulation of isoscutellarein 8-O-β-glucuronopyranoside, a rare 4'-hydroxyflavone, in the stems and leaves of several Scutellaria species including S. baicalensis and S. barbata, but not in S. racemosa and S. wrightii. Distinctive organ-specific metabolite profiles among Scutellaria species indicate the selectivity and diverse physiological roles of flavones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryce C. Askey
- Horticultural Sciences DepartmentUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
| | - Dake Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Natural Products, Drug Discovery and Development (CNPD3)University of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
| | - Garret M. Rubin
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Natural Products, Drug Discovery and Development (CNPD3)University of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
| | - Andrew R. Kunik
- Horticultural Sciences DepartmentUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
| | - Yeong Hun Song
- Horticultural Sciences DepartmentUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
| | - Yousong Ding
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Natural Products, Drug Discovery and Development (CNPD3)University of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
| | - Jeongim Kim
- Horticultural Sciences DepartmentUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
- Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate ProgramUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
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13
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Gonzalez-Ibeas D, Ibanez V, Perez-Roman E, Borredá C, Terol J, Talon M. Shaping the biology of citrus: I. Genomic determinants of evolution. THE PLANT GENOME 2021; 14:e20104. [PMID: 34275210 DOI: 10.1002/tpg2.20104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
We performed genomic analyses on wild species of the genus Citrus to identify major determinants of evolution. The most notable effect occurred on the pathogen-defense genes, as observed in many other plant genera. The gene space was also characterized by changes in gene families intimately related to relevant biochemical properties of citrus fruit, such as pectin modifying enzymes, HDR (4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-enyl diphosphate reductase) genes, and O-methyltransferases. Citrus fruits are highly abundant on pectins and secondary metabolites such as terpenoids and flavonoids, the targets of these families. Other gene types under positive selection, expanded through tandem duplications and retained as triplets from whole genome duplications, codified for purple acid phosphatases and MATE-efflux proteins. Although speciation has not been especially rapid in the genus, analyses of selective pressure at the codon level revealed that the extant species evolved from the ancestral citrus radiation show signatures of pervasive adaptive evolution and is therefore potentially responsible for the vast phenotypic differences observed among current species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Gonzalez-Ibeas
- Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias (IVIA), Carretera Moncada CV-315, Km 10, Valencia, 46113, Spain
| | - Victoria Ibanez
- Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias (IVIA), Carretera Moncada CV-315, Km 10, Valencia, 46113, Spain
| | - Estela Perez-Roman
- Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias (IVIA), Carretera Moncada CV-315, Km 10, Valencia, 46113, Spain
| | - Carles Borredá
- Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias (IVIA), Carretera Moncada CV-315, Km 10, Valencia, 46113, Spain
| | - Javier Terol
- Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias (IVIA), Carretera Moncada CV-315, Km 10, Valencia, 46113, Spain
| | - Manuel Talon
- Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias (IVIA), Carretera Moncada CV-315, Km 10, Valencia, 46113, Spain
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14
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Poursalavati A, Rashidi-Monfared S, Ebrahimi A. Toward understanding of the methoxylated flavonoid biosynthesis pathway in Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19549. [PMID: 34599246 PMCID: PMC8486745 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-99066-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, with the development and advancement of next-generation sequencing technologies, a new path has been provided for transcriptomic studies. In this study, the transcriptome of Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss., as an endemic and endangered plant which is contained a large amount of valuable secondary metabolites with antioxidant and anticancer properties, was sequenced. Then functional annotation and gene ontology analysis for 165,597 assembled transcripts were performed, most were associated with the metabolic pathways. This might be because there are various active biochemical pathways in this plant. Furthermore, after comprehensive transcript annotation, the putative genes involved in the main metabolic pathways of D. kotschyi were identified. Then, the biosynthetic pathway of its valuable methoxylated flavones was proposed. Finally, the accumulations of important methoxylated-flavone metabolites in three different tissues were quantified by HPLC. The relative expression of the genes involved in the proposed pathway was investigated by qRT-PCR, which indicated high expression levels in the bud tissue. The present results may lead to the design strategies to preserve the genetic diversity of endangered D. kotschyi plants and apply the new methods for engineering its valuable methoxylated-flavones pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdonaser Poursalavati
- Agricultural Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.,Saint-Jean-Sur-Richelieu Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC, Canada.,Department of Biology, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Sajad Rashidi-Monfared
- Agricultural Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Amin Ebrahimi
- Agronomy and Plant Breeding Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahrood University of Technology, Semnan, Iran
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15
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Dong NQ, Lin HX. Contribution of phenylpropanoid metabolism to plant development and plant-environment interactions. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2021; 63:180-209. [PMID: 33325112 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 392] [Impact Index Per Article: 130.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Phenylpropanoid metabolism is one of the most important metabolisms in plants, yielding more than 8,000 metabolites contributing to plant development and plant-environment interplay. Phenylpropanoid metabolism materialized during the evolution of early freshwater algae that were initiating terrestrialization and land plants have evolved multiple branches of this pathway, which give rise to metabolites including lignin, flavonoids, lignans, phenylpropanoid esters, hydroxycinnamic acid amides, and sporopollenin. Recent studies have revealed that many factors participate in the regulation of phenylpropanoid metabolism, and modulate phenylpropanoid homeostasis when plants undergo successive developmental processes and are subjected to stressful environments. In this review, we summarize recent progress on elucidating the contribution of phenylpropanoid metabolism to the coordination of plant development and plant-environment interaction, and metabolic flux redirection among diverse metabolic routes. In addition, our review focuses on the regulation of phenylpropanoid metabolism at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, post-translational, and epigenetic levels, and in response to phytohormones and biotic and abiotic stresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nai-Qian Dong
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Centre for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences and Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Hong-Xuan Lin
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Centre for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences and Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
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16
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Liu X, Cheng J, Zhu X, Zhang G, Yang S, Guo X, Jiang H, Ma Y. De Novo Biosynthesis of Multiple Pinocembrin Derivatives in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:3042-3051. [PMID: 33107298 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Pinocembrin derived flavones are the major bioactive compounds presented in the Lamiaceae plants that have long been of interest due to their great pharmaceutical and economical significance. Modifications on the central skeleton of the flavone moiety have a huge impact on their biological activities. However, the enzymes responsible for structure modification of most flavones are either inefficient or remain unidentified. By integrating omics analysis of Scutellaria barbata and synthetic biology tools in yeast chassis, we characterized a novel gene encoding flavone 7-O-methyltransferase (F7OMT) and discovered a new flavone 8-hydroxylase (F8H) with increased activity. We also identified a series of flavone 6-hydroxylases (F6Hs) and flavone 8-O-methyltransferases (F8OMTs) in this study. Subsequently, we constructed the biosynthetic pathway for chrysin production by assembling catalytic elements from different species and improved the titer to 10.06 mg/L. Using the established chrysin production platform, we achieved the de novo biosynthesis of baicalein, baicalin, norwogonin, wogonin, isowogonin, and moslosooflavone in yeast. Our results indicated that the combination of omics and synthetic biology can greatly speed up the efficiency of gene mining in plants and the engineered yeasts established an alternative way for the production of pinocembrin derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaonan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jian Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China
| | - Xiaoxi Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Guanghui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Gemplasm Utilization & Innovation of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Shengchao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Gemplasm Utilization & Innovation of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Xiaoxian Guo
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China
| | - Huifeng Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China
| | - Yanhe Ma
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China
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17
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Biochemical Characterization of a Flavonoid O-methyltransferase from Perilla Leaves and Its Application in 7-Methoxyflavonoid Production. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25194455. [PMID: 32998370 PMCID: PMC7583084 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25194455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Methylation is a common structural modification that can alter and improve the biological activities of natural compounds. O-Methyltransferases (OMTs) catalyze the methylation of a wide array of secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, and are potentially useful tools for the biotechnological production of valuable natural products. An OMT gene (PfOMT3) was isolated from perilla leaves as a putative flavonoid OMT (FOMT). Phylogenetic analysis and sequence comparisons showed that PfOMT3 is a class II OMT. Recombinant PfOMT3 catalyzed the methylation of flavonoid substrates, whereas no methylated product was detected in PfOMT3 reactions with phenylpropanoid substrates. Structural analyses of the methylation products revealed that PfOMT3 regiospecifically transfers a methyl group to the 7-OH of flavonoids. These results indicate that PfOMT3 is an FOMT that catalyzes the 7-O-methylation of flavonoids. PfOMT3 methylated diverse flavonoids regardless of their backbone structure. Chrysin, naringenin and apigenin were found to be the preferred substrates of PfOMT3. Recombinant PfOMT3 showed moderate OMT activity toward eriodictyol, luteolin and kaempferol. To assess the biotechnological potential of PfOMT3, the biotransformation of flavonoids was performed using PfOMT3-transformed Escherichia coli. Naringenin and kaempferol were successfully bioconverted to the 7-methylated products sakuranetin and rhamnocitrin, respectively, by E. coli harboring PfOMT3.
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18
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dos S. Nascimento LB, Brunetti C, Agati G, Lo Iacono C, Detti C, Giordani E, Ferrini F, Gori A. Short-Term Pre-Harvest UV-B Supplement Enhances the Polyphenol Content and Antioxidant Capacity of Ocimum basilicum Leaves during Storage. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 9:E797. [PMID: 32630593 PMCID: PMC7361986 DOI: 10.3390/plants9060797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Ocimum basilicum (basil) leaves are rich in polyphenols, conferring them a high antioxidant activity. The application of UV-B can be used to maintain the post-harvest nutraceutical quality of basil leaves. We aimed to investigate the effects of pre-harvest UV-B application on polyphenolic and pigment contents, antioxidant capacity, and the visual quality of basil stored leaves. We also evaluated the applicability of the non-invasive Dualex® for monitoring the accumulation of leaf epidermal phenolics (Flav Index). After exposing plants to white light (control) and to supplemental UV-B radiation for 4 d, the leaves were harvested and stored for 7d (TS7). The UV-B leaves showed both a higher phenolic content and antioxidant capacity than the controls at TS7. In addition, the correlations between the Flav Index and phenolic content demonstrated that Dualex® can reliably assess the content of epidermal phenolics, thus confirming its promising utilization as a non-destructive method for monitoring the phytochemical quality of O. basilicum leaves. In conclusion, a pre-harvesting UV-B application may be a tool for enhancing the content of polyphenols and the antioxidant potential of basil stored leaves without detrimental effects on their visual quality. These results are important considering the nutraceutical value of this plant and its wide commercial distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Beatriz dos S. Nascimento
- University of Florence, Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), Section Woody Plants, CAP. 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy; (L.B.d.S.N.); (C.L.I.); (C.D.); (E.G.); (F.F.); (A.G.)
| | - Cecilia Brunetti
- University of Florence, Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), Section Woody Plants, CAP. 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy; (L.B.d.S.N.); (C.L.I.); (C.D.); (E.G.); (F.F.); (A.G.)
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection (IPSP), CAP. 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy
| | - Giovanni Agati
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Applied Physics (IFAC), CAP. 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy;
| | - Clara Lo Iacono
- University of Florence, Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), Section Woody Plants, CAP. 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy; (L.B.d.S.N.); (C.L.I.); (C.D.); (E.G.); (F.F.); (A.G.)
| | - Cassandra Detti
- University of Florence, Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), Section Woody Plants, CAP. 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy; (L.B.d.S.N.); (C.L.I.); (C.D.); (E.G.); (F.F.); (A.G.)
| | - Edgardo Giordani
- University of Florence, Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), Section Woody Plants, CAP. 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy; (L.B.d.S.N.); (C.L.I.); (C.D.); (E.G.); (F.F.); (A.G.)
| | - Francesco Ferrini
- University of Florence, Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), Section Woody Plants, CAP. 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy; (L.B.d.S.N.); (C.L.I.); (C.D.); (E.G.); (F.F.); (A.G.)
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection (IPSP), CAP. 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy
| | - Antonella Gori
- University of Florence, Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), Section Woody Plants, CAP. 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy; (L.B.d.S.N.); (C.L.I.); (C.D.); (E.G.); (F.F.); (A.G.)
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection (IPSP), CAP. 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy
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Alseekh S, Perez de Souza L, Benina M, Fernie AR. The style and substance of plant flavonoid decoration; towards defining both structure and function. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2020; 174:112347. [PMID: 32203741 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2020.112347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Over 8000 different flavonoids have been described and a considerable number of new flavonoid structures are being elucidated every year. The advent of metabolomics alongside the development of phytochemical genetics - wherein the genetic basis underlying the regulation of the levels of plant metabolites is determined - has provided a massive boost to such efforts. That said our understanding of the individual function(s) of the vast majority of the metabolites that constitute this important class of phytochemicals remains unknown. Here we review what is known concerning the major decorative modifications of flavonoids in plants, namely hydroxylation, glycosylation, methylation and acylation. Our major focus is with regard to the in planta function of these modified compounds, however, we also highlight the demonstrated bioactive roles which they possess. We additionally performed a comprehensive survey of the flavonoids listed in the KNApSAcK database in order to assess the frequency of occurrence of each type of flavonoid modification. We conclude that whilst considerable research has been carried out regarding the biological roles of flavonoids most studies to date have merely provided information on the compound class or sub-classes thereof as a whole with too little currently known on the specific role of individual metabolites. We, therefore, finally suggest a framework based on currently available tools by which the relative importance of the individual compounds can be assessed under various biological conditions in order to fill this knowledge-gap.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saleh Alseekh
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany; Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology, 4000, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Leonardo Perez de Souza
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Maria Benina
- Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology, 4000, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Alisdair R Fernie
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany; Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology, 4000, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
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Barron D, Laflamme P, De Luca V. Journey in the Polyphenol Research World with Ragai Ibrahim. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2020; 68:2849-2860. [PMID: 32027498 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.9b06633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Dr. Ragai K. Ibrahim, Professor Emeritus at Concordia University, Montréal, Canada, passed away on the November 19, 2017 at the age of 88 years. Dr. Ibrahim dedicated his entire professional life to polyphenols and spent most of his academic career (1967-1997) at the Department of Biology of Concordia University in Montréal. He has been an active member of the Groupe Polyphénols since the beginning. This paper is a tribute to Dr. Ibrahim from some of his former students. An overview of the evolution of polyphenol research since the late 1950s and the outstanding contribution that Dr. Ibrahim had to this topic is given. The input of Dr. Ibrahim's research to the enzymology and genetics of polyphenol biosynthesis is discussed. Furthermore, the links between Dr. Ibrahim's work and some aspects of modern studies on the health benefits of polyphenols are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Barron
- Nestlé Research, Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences, EPFL Innovation Park, Building H, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Pierre Laflamme
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Ottawa, 161 Louis-Pasteur, Colonel By Hall (CBY) A-307, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Vincenzo De Luca
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, Ontario L2S 3A1, Canada
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21
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Liu X, Wang Y, Chen Y, Xu S, Gong Q, Zhao C, Cao J, Sun C. Characterization of a Flavonoid 3'/5'/7- O-Methyltransferase from Citrus reticulata and Evaluation of the In Vitro Cytotoxicity of Its Methylated Products. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25040858. [PMID: 32075249 PMCID: PMC7070609 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25040858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
O-methylation of flavonoids is an important modification reaction that occurs in plants. O-methylation contributes to the structural diversity of flavonoids, which have several biological and pharmacological functions. In this study, an O-methyltransferase gene (CrOMT2) was isolated from the fruit peel of Citrus reticulata, which encoding a multifunctional O-methyltransferase and could effectively catalyze the methylation of 3’-, 5’-, and 7-OH of flavonoids with vicinal hydroxyl substitutions. Substrate preference assays indicated that this recombinant enzyme favored polymethoxylated flavones (PMF)-type substrates in vitro, thereby providing biochemical evidence for the potential role of the enzyme in plants. Additionally, the cytotoxicity of the methylated products from the enzymatic catalytic reaction was evaluated in vitro using human gastric cell lines SGC-7901 and BGC-823. The results showed that the in vitro cytotoxicity of the flavonoids with the unsaturated C2-C3 bond was increased after being methylated at position 3’. These combined results provide biochemical insight regarding CrOMT2 in vitro and indicate the in vitro cytotoxicity of the products methylated by its catalytic reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojuan Liu
- College of Agriculture & Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China; (X.L.); (Y.W.); (Y.C.); (S.X.); (Q.G.); (C.Z.); (J.C.)
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
- The State Agriculture Ministry Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yue Wang
- College of Agriculture & Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China; (X.L.); (Y.W.); (Y.C.); (S.X.); (Q.G.); (C.Z.); (J.C.)
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
- The State Agriculture Ministry Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yezhi Chen
- College of Agriculture & Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China; (X.L.); (Y.W.); (Y.C.); (S.X.); (Q.G.); (C.Z.); (J.C.)
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
- The State Agriculture Ministry Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Shuting Xu
- College of Agriculture & Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China; (X.L.); (Y.W.); (Y.C.); (S.X.); (Q.G.); (C.Z.); (J.C.)
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
- The State Agriculture Ministry Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Qin Gong
- College of Agriculture & Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China; (X.L.); (Y.W.); (Y.C.); (S.X.); (Q.G.); (C.Z.); (J.C.)
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
- The State Agriculture Ministry Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Chenning Zhao
- College of Agriculture & Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China; (X.L.); (Y.W.); (Y.C.); (S.X.); (Q.G.); (C.Z.); (J.C.)
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
- The State Agriculture Ministry Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jinping Cao
- College of Agriculture & Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China; (X.L.); (Y.W.); (Y.C.); (S.X.); (Q.G.); (C.Z.); (J.C.)
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
- The State Agriculture Ministry Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Chongde Sun
- College of Agriculture & Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China; (X.L.); (Y.W.); (Y.C.); (S.X.); (Q.G.); (C.Z.); (J.C.)
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Integrative Biology, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
- The State Agriculture Ministry Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-0571-8898-2229
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Wang X, Wang C, Duan L, Zhang L, Liu H, Xu YM, Liu Q, Mao T, Zhang W, Chen M, Lin M, Gunatilaka AAL, Xu Y, Molnár I. Rational Reprogramming of O-Methylation Regioselectivity for Combinatorial Biosynthetic Tailoring of Benzenediol Lactone Scaffolds. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:4355-4364. [PMID: 30767524 PMCID: PMC6416077 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b12967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
O-Methylation modulates the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) properties of small-molecule natural products, affecting their bioavailability, stability, and binding to targets. Diversity-oriented combinatorial biosynthesis of new chemical entities for drug discovery and optimization of known bioactive scaffolds during drug development both demand efficient O-methyltransferase (OMT) biocatalysts with considerable substrate promiscuity and tunable regioselectivity that can be deployed in a scalable and sustainable manner. Here we demonstrate efficient total biosynthetic and biocatalytic platforms that use a pair of fungal OMTs with orthogonal regiospecificity to produce unnatural O-methylated benzenediol lactone polyketides. We show that rational, structure-guided active-site cavity engineering can reprogram the regioselectivity of these enzymes. We also characterize the interplay of engineered regioselectivity with substrate plasticity. These findings will guide combinatorial biosynthetic tailoring of unnatural products toward the generation of diverse chemical matter for drug discovery and the PK/PD optimization of bioactive scaffolds for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Wang
- Biotechnology
Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural
Sciences, 12 Zhongguancun South Street, Beijing 100081, P.R. China
- Southwest
Center for Natural Products Research, University
of Arizona, 250 East Valencia Road, Tucson, Arizona 85706, United
States
- State
Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of
Plant Sciences, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P.R. China
| | - Chen Wang
- Biotechnology
Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural
Sciences, 12 Zhongguancun South Street, Beijing 100081, P.R. China
- Southwest
Center for Natural Products Research, University
of Arizona, 250 East Valencia Road, Tucson, Arizona 85706, United
States
| | - Lixin Duan
- Southwest
Center for Natural Products Research, University
of Arizona, 250 East Valencia Road, Tucson, Arizona 85706, United
States
- Guangzhou
University of Chinese Medicine, 232 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou University
City, Panyu District, Guangzhou 510006, P.R. China
| | - Liwen Zhang
- Biotechnology
Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural
Sciences, 12 Zhongguancun South Street, Beijing 100081, P.R. China
| | - Hang Liu
- Biotechnology
Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural
Sciences, 12 Zhongguancun South Street, Beijing 100081, P.R. China
- Southwest
Center for Natural Products Research, University
of Arizona, 250 East Valencia Road, Tucson, Arizona 85706, United
States
| | - Ya-ming Xu
- Southwest
Center for Natural Products Research, University
of Arizona, 250 East Valencia Road, Tucson, Arizona 85706, United
States
| | - Qingpei Liu
- Southwest
Center for Natural Products Research, University
of Arizona, 250 East Valencia Road, Tucson, Arizona 85706, United
States
- Key
Laboratory of Environment Correlative Dietology, College of Food Science
and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, P.R. China
| | - Tonglin Mao
- State
Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of
Plant Sciences, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P.R. China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Biotechnology
Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural
Sciences, 12 Zhongguancun South Street, Beijing 100081, P.R. China
| | - Ming Chen
- Biotechnology
Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural
Sciences, 12 Zhongguancun South Street, Beijing 100081, P.R. China
| | - Min Lin
- Biotechnology
Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural
Sciences, 12 Zhongguancun South Street, Beijing 100081, P.R. China
| | - A. A. Leslie Gunatilaka
- Southwest
Center for Natural Products Research, University
of Arizona, 250 East Valencia Road, Tucson, Arizona 85706, United
States
| | - Yuquan Xu
- Biotechnology
Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural
Sciences, 12 Zhongguancun South Street, Beijing 100081, P.R. China
| | - István Molnár
- Southwest
Center for Natural Products Research, University
of Arizona, 250 East Valencia Road, Tucson, Arizona 85706, United
States
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23
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Liu Y, Jing SX, Luo SH, Li SH. Non-volatile natural products in plant glandular trichomes: chemistry, biological activities and biosynthesis. Nat Prod Rep 2019; 36:626-665. [PMID: 30468448 DOI: 10.1039/c8np00077h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The investigation methods, chemistry, bioactivities, and biosynthesis of non-volatile natural products involving 489 compounds in plant glandular trichomes are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China
- Kunming Institute of Botany
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Kunming 650201
- P. R. China
| | - Shu-Xi Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China
- Kunming Institute of Botany
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Kunming 650201
- P. R. China
| | - Shi-Hong Luo
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology
- Shenyang Agricultural University
- Shenyang
- P. R. China
| | - Sheng-Hong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China
- Kunming Institute of Botany
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Kunming 650201
- P. R. China
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24
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Li X. Comparative Study of 1,1‐Diphenyl‐2‐picryl‐hydrazyl Radical (DPPH•) Scavenging Capacity of the Antioxidant Xanthones Family. ChemistrySelect 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.201803362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xican Li
- School of Chinese Herbal MedicineGuangzhou University of Chinese MedicineGuangzhou Higher Education Mega Centre, Guangzhou China
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25
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Li X, Jiang Q, Chen B, Luo X, Chen D. Structure-Activity Relationship and Prediction of the Electron-Transfer Potential of the Xanthones Series. ChemistryOpen 2018; 7:730-736. [PMID: 30258745 PMCID: PMC6148407 DOI: 10.1002/open.201800108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The structure-activity relationships of 31 xanthones were analyzed by using the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay to determine their electron-transfer (ET) potential. It was proven that the ET potential of xanthones was dominated by four moieties (i.e. hydroquinone moiety, 5,6-catechol moiety, 6,7-catechol moiety, and 7,8-catechol moiety) and was only slightly affected by other structural features, including a single phenolic OH group, the resorcinol moiety, the transannular dihydroxy moiety, a methoxy group, a sugar residue, an isoprenyl group, a cyclized isoprenyl group, and an isopentanol group. The results could be used to predict the ET potentials of other antioxidant xanthones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xican Li
- School of Chinese Herbal MedicineGuangzhou University of Chinese MedicineWaihuan East Road No. 232, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega CenterGuangzhou510006China
- Innovative Research & Development Laboratory of TCMGuangzhou University of Chinese MedicineGuangzhou510006China
| | - Qian Jiang
- School of Chinese Herbal MedicineGuangzhou University of Chinese MedicineWaihuan East Road No. 232, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega CenterGuangzhou510006China
- Innovative Research & Development Laboratory of TCMGuangzhou University of Chinese MedicineGuangzhou510006China
| | - Ban Chen
- School of Chinese Herbal MedicineGuangzhou University of Chinese MedicineWaihuan East Road No. 232, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega CenterGuangzhou510006China
- Innovative Research & Development Laboratory of TCMGuangzhou University of Chinese MedicineGuangzhou510006China
| | - Xiaoling Luo
- School of Chinese Herbal MedicineGuangzhou University of Chinese MedicineWaihuan East Road No. 232, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega CenterGuangzhou510006China
| | - Dongfeng Chen
- School of Basic Medical ScienceGuangzhou University of Chinese MedicineGuangzhou510006China
- The Research Center of Basic Integrative MedicineGuangzhou University of Chinese MedicineGuangzhou510006China
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26
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Production of methoxylated flavonoids in yeast using ring A hydroxylases and flavonoid O-methyltransferases from sweet basil. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 102:5585-5598. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-9043-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Revised: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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27
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Chen X, Berim A, Dayan FE, Gang DR. A (-)-kolavenyl diphosphate synthase catalyzes the first step of salvinorin A biosynthesis in Salvia divinorum. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2017; 68:1109-1122. [PMID: 28204567 PMCID: PMC5441855 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erw493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Salvia divinorum (Lamiaceae) is an annual herb used by indigenous cultures of Mexico for medicinal and ritual purposes. The biosynthesis of salvinorin A, its major bioactive neo-clerodane diterpenoid, remains virtually unknown. This investigation aimed to identify the enzyme that catalyzes the first reaction of salvinorin A biosynthesis, the formation of (-)-kolavenyl diphosphate [(-)-KPP], which is subsequently dephosphorylated to afford (-)-kolavenol. Peltate glandular trichomes were identified as the major and perhaps exclusive site of salvinorin accumulation in S. divinorum. The trichome-specific transcriptome was used to identify candidate diterpene synthases (diTPSs). In vitro and in planta characterization of a class II diTPS designated as SdKPS confirmed its activity as (-)-KPP synthase and its involvement in salvinorin A biosynthesis. Mutation of a phenylalanine into histidine in the active site of SdKPS completely converts the product from (-)-KPP into ent-copalyl diphosphate. Structural elements were identified that mediate the natural formation of the neo-clerodane backbone by this enzyme and suggest how SdKPS and other diTPSs may have evolved from ent-copalyl diphosphate synthase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyue Chen
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164,USA
| | - Anna Berim
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164,USA
| | - Franck E Dayan
- Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1177, USA
| | - David R Gang
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164,USA
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Itoh N, Iwata C, Toda H. Molecular cloning and characterization of a flavonoid-O-methyltransferase with broad substrate specificity and regioselectivity from Citrus depressa. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2016; 16:180. [PMID: 27549218 PMCID: PMC4994406 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-016-0870-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 08/10/2016] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Flavonoids are secondary metabolites that play significant roles in plant cells. In particular, polymethoxy flavonoids (PMFs), including nobiletin, have been reported to exhibit various health-supporting properties such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-pathogenic properties. However, it is difficult to utilize PMFs for medicinal and dietary use because plant cells contain small amounts of these compounds. Biosynthesis of PMFs in plant cells is carried out by the methylation of hydroxyl groups of flavonoids by O-methyltransferases (FOMT), and many kinds of FOMTs with different levels of substrate specificity and regioselectivity are cooperatively involved in this biosynthesis. RESULTS In this study, we isolated five genes encoding FOMT (CdFOMT1, 3, 4, 5, and 6) from Citrus depressa, which is known to accumulate nobiletin in the peels of its fruits. The genes encoded Mg(2+)-independent O-methyltransferases and showed high amino acid sequence similarity (60-95 %) with higher plant flavonoid O-methyltransferases. One of these genes is CdFOMT5, which was successfully expressed as a soluble homodimer enzyme in Escherichia coli. The molecular mass of the recombinant CdFOMT5 subunit was 42.0 kDa including a 6× histidine tag. The enzyme exhibited O-methyltransferase activity for quercetin, naringenin, (-)-epicatechin, and equol using S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) as a methyl donor, and its optimal pH and temperature were pH 7.0 and 45 °C, respectively. The recombinant CdFOMT5 demonstrated methylation activity for the 3-, 5-, 6-, and 7-hydroxyl groups of flavones, and 3,3',5,7-tetra-O-methylated quercetin was synthesized from quercetin as a final product of the whole cell reaction system. Thus, CdFOMT5 is a O-methyltransferase possessing a broad range of substrate specificity and regioselectivity for flavonoids. CONCLUSIONS Five FOMT genes were isolated from C. depressa, and their nucleotide sequences were determined. CdFOMT5 was successfully expressed in E. coli cells, and the enzymatic properties of the recombinant protein were characterized. Recombinant CdFOMT5 indicated O-methyltransferase activity for many flavonoids and a broad regioselectivity for quercetin as a substrate. Whole-cell biocatalysis using CdFOMT5 expressed in E. coli cells was performed using quercetin as a substrate, and 3,3',5,7-tetramethylated quercetin was obtained as the final product.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuya Itoh
- Biotechnology Research Center and Department of Biotechnology, Toyama Prefectural University, 5180 Kurokawa, Imizu, Toyama 939-0398 Japan
| | - Chisa Iwata
- Biotechnology Research Center and Department of Biotechnology, Toyama Prefectural University, 5180 Kurokawa, Imizu, Toyama 939-0398 Japan
| | - Hiroshi Toda
- Biotechnology Research Center and Department of Biotechnology, Toyama Prefectural University, 5180 Kurokawa, Imizu, Toyama 939-0398 Japan
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29
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Anti-inflammatory and antiedematogenic activity of the Ocimum basilicum essential oil and its main compound estragole: In vivo mouse models. Chem Biol Interact 2016; 257:14-25. [PMID: 27474066 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2016.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2016] [Revised: 07/17/2016] [Accepted: 07/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The genus Ocimum are used in cooking, however, their essential oils are utilized in traditional medicine as aromatherapy. The present study was carried out to investigate the chemical composition and systemic anti-inflammatory activity of the Ocimum basilicum essential oil (EOOB) and its major component estragole, as well as its possible mechanisms of action. The Ocimum basilicum essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-MS. The anti-inflammatory action was verified using acute and chronic in vivo tests as paw edema, peritonitis, and vascular permeability and granulomatous inflammation model. The anti-inflammatory mechanism of action was analyzed by the participation of histamine and arachidonic acid pathways. The chemical profile analysis identified fourteen components present in the essential oil, within them: estragole (60.96%). The in vivo test results show that treatment with EOOB (100 and 50 mg/kg) and estragole (60 and 30 mg/kg) significantly reduced paw edema induced by carrageenan and dextran. The smallest doses of EOOB (50 mg/kg) and estragole (30 mg/kg) showed efficacy in the reduction of paw edema induced by histamine and arachidonic acid, vascular permeability inhibition and leukocyte emigration in the peritoneal fluid. Theses doses were capable of reducing the chronic inflammatory process. The results observed between the EOOB and estragole demonstrate efficacy in anti-inflammatory activity, however, the essential oil is more efficacious in the acute and chronic anti-inflammatory action. This study confirms the therapeutic potential of this plant and reinforces the validity of its use in popular medicine.
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30
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Zhang YY, Xu RX, Gao S, Cheng AX. Enzymatic production of oroxylin A and hispidulin using a liverwort flavone 6-O-methyltransferase. FEBS Lett 2016; 590:2619-28. [PMID: 27432544 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Revised: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Oroxylin A and hispidulin, compounds which are abundant in both Scutellaria and liverwort species, are important lead compounds for the treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular disease. Their enzymatic synthesis requires an O-methyltransferase able to interact with the related flavonoid's 6-OH group, but such an enzyme has yet to be identified in plants. Here, the gene encoding an O-methyltransferase (designated PaF6OMT) was isolated from the liverwort species Plagiochasma appendiculatum. A test of alternative substrates revealed that its strongest preferences were baicalein and scutellarein, which were converted into, respectively, oroxylin A and hispidulin. Allowed a sufficient reaction time, the conversion rate of these two substrates was, respectively, 90% and 100%. PaF6OMT offers an enzymatic route to the synthesis of oroxylin A and hispidulin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ying Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Natural Products, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Rui-Xue Xu
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Natural Products, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Shuai Gao
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Natural Products, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Ai-Xia Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Natural Products, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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Jiang N, Doseff AI, Grotewold E. Flavones: From Biosynthesis to Health Benefits. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2016; 5:E27. [PMID: 27338492 PMCID: PMC4931407 DOI: 10.3390/plants5020027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Revised: 06/15/2016] [Accepted: 06/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Flavones correspond to a flavonoid subgroup that is widely distributed in the plants, and which can be synthesized by different pathways, depending on whether they contain C- or O-glycosylation and hydroxylated B-ring. Flavones are emerging as very important specialized metabolites involved in plant signaling and defense, as well as key ingredients of the human diet, with significant health benefits. Here, we appraise flavone formation in plants, emphasizing the emerging theme that biosynthesis pathway determines flavone chemistry. Additionally, we briefly review the biological activities of flavones, both from the perspective of the functions that they play in biotic and abiotic plant interactions, as well as their roles as nutraceutical components of the human and animal diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Jiang
- Center for Applied Plant Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| | - Andrea I Doseff
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, 305B Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| | - Erich Grotewold
- Center for Applied Plant Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
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Khalil MNA, Brandt W, Beuerle T, Reckwell D, Groeneveld J, Hänsch R, Gaid MM, Liu B, Beerhues L. O-Methyltransferases involved in biphenyl and dibenzofuran biosynthesis. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2015; 83:263-76. [PMID: 26017378 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.12885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2015] [Revised: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 05/13/2015] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Biphenyls and dibenzofurans are the phytoalexins of the Malinae involving apple and pear. Biosynthesis of the defence compounds includes two O-methylation reactions. cDNAs encoding the O-methyltransferase (OMT) enzymes were isolated from rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) cell cultures after treatment with an elicitor preparation from the scab-causing fungus, Venturia inaequalis. The preferred substrate for SaOMT1 was 3,5-dihydroxybiphenyl, supplied by the first pathway-specific enzyme, biphenyl synthase (BIS). 3,5-Dihydroxybiphenyl underwent a single methylation reaction in the presence of S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM). The second enzyme, SaOMT2, exhibited its highest affinity for noraucuparin, however the turnover rate was greater with 5-hydroxyferulic acid. Both substrates were only methylated at the meta-positioned hydroxyl group. The substrate specificities of the OMTs and the regiospecificities of their reactions were rationalized by homology modeling and substrate docking. Interaction of the substrates with SAM also took place at a position other than the sulfur group. Expression of SaOMT1, SaOMT2 and SaBIS3 was transiently induced in rowan cell cultures by the addition of the fungal elicitor. While the immediate SaOMT1 products were not detectable in elicitor-treated cell cultures, noraucuparin and noreriobofuran accumulated transiently, followed by increasing levels of the SaOMT2 products aucuparin and eriobofuran. SaOMT1, SaOMT2 and SaBIS3 were N- and C-terminally fused with the super cyan fluorescent protein and a modified yellow fluorescent protein, respectively. All the fluorescent reporter fusions were localized to the cytoplasm of Nicotiana benthamiana leaf epidermis cells. A revised biosynthetic pathway of biphenyls and dibenzofurans in the Malinae is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed N A Khalil
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstr 1, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Brandt
- Bioorganic Chemistry, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Till Beuerle
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstr 1, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Dennis Reckwell
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstr 1, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Josephine Groeneveld
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstr 1, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Robert Hänsch
- Institute of Plant Biology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Humboldtstr 1, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Mariam M Gaid
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstr 1, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Benye Liu
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstr 1, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Ludger Beerhues
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstr 1, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany
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33
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Singh P, Kalunke RM, Giri AP. Towards comprehension of complex chemical evolution and diversification of terpene and phenylpropanoid pathways in Ocimum species. RSC Adv 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ra16637c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Evolution of chemical diversity and diversification of terpene and phenylpropanoid pathway inOcimumspecies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Singh
- Plant Molecular Biology Unit
- Division of Biochemical Sciences
- CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory
- Pune 411008
- India
| | - Raviraj M. Kalunke
- Plant Molecular Biology Unit
- Division of Biochemical Sciences
- CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory
- Pune 411008
- India
| | - Ashok P. Giri
- Plant Molecular Biology Unit
- Division of Biochemical Sciences
- CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory
- Pune 411008
- India
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Berim A, Kim MJ, Gang DR. Identification of a unique 2-oxoglutarate-dependent flavone 7-O-demethylase completes the elucidation of the lipophilic flavone network in basil. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2015; 56:126-136. [PMID: 25378691 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcu152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Small molecule demethylation is considered unusual in plants. Of the studied instances, the N-demethylation of nicotine is catalyzed by a Cyt P450 monooxygenase, while the O-dealkylation of alkaloids in Papaver somniferum is mediated by 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases (2-ODDs). This report describes a 2-ODD regiospecifically catalyzing the 7-O-demethylation of methoxylated flavones in peltate trichomes of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Three candidate 2-ODDs were identified in the basil trichome transcriptome database. Only the candidate designated ObF7ODM1 was found to be active with and highly specific for the proposed natural substrates, gardenin B and 8-hydroxysalvigenin. Of the characterized 2-ODDs, ObF7ODM1 is most closely related to O-demethylases from Papaver. The demethylase activity in trichomes from four basil chemotypes matches well with the abundance of ObF7ODM1 peptides and transcripts in the same trichome preparations. Treatment of basil plants with a 2-ODD inhibitor prohexadione-calcium significantly reduced the accumulation of 7-O-demethylated flavone nevadensin, confirming the involvement of a 2-ODD in its formation. Notably, the full-length open reading frame of ObF7ODM1 contains a second in-frame AUG codon 57 nucleotides downstream of the first translation initiation codon. Both AUG codons are recognized by bacterial translation machinery during heterologous gene expression. The N-truncated ObF7ODM1 is nearly inactive. The N-terminus essential for activity is unique to ObF7ODM1 and does not align with the sequences of other 2-ODDs. Further studies will reveal whether alternative translation initiation plays a role in regulating the O-demethylase activity in planta. Molecular identification of the flavone 7-O-demethylase completes the biochemical elucidation of the lipophilic flavone network in basil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Berim
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Min-Jeong Kim
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - David R Gang
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
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Berim A, Park JJ, Gang DR. Unexpected roles for ancient proteins: flavone 8-hydroxylase in sweet basil trichomes is a Rieske-type, PAO-family oxygenase. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2014; 80:385-395. [PMID: 25139498 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.12642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2014] [Revised: 07/27/2014] [Accepted: 08/12/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Most elucidated hydroxylations in plant secondary metabolism are catalyzed by oxoglutarate- or cytochrome P450-dependent oxygenases. Numerous hydroxylations still evade clarification, suggesting that they might be performed by alternative enzyme types. Here, we report the identification of the flavone 8-hydroxylase (F8H) in sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) trichomes as a Rieske-type oxygenase. Several features of the F8H activity in trichome protein extracts helped to differentiate it from a cytochrome P450-catalyzed reaction and identify candidate genes in the basil trichome EST database. The encoded ObF8H proteins share approximately 50% identity with Rieske-type protochlorophyllide a oxygenases (PTC52) from higher plants. Homology cloning and DNA blotting revealed the presence of several PTC52-like genes in the basil genome. The transcripts of the candidate gene designated ObF8H-1 are strongly enriched in trichomes compared to whole young leaves, indicating trichome-specific expression. The full-length ObF8H-1 protein possesses a predicted N-terminal transit peptide, which directs green fluorescent protein at least in part to chloroplasts. The F8H activity in crude trichome protein extracts correlates well with the abundance of ObF8H peptides. The purified recombinant ObF8H-1 displays high affinity for salvigenin and is inactive with other tested flavones except cirsimaritin, which is 8-hydroxylated with less than 0.2% relative activity. The efficiency of in vivo 8-hydroxylation by engineered yeast was improved by manipulation of protein subcellular targeting. blast searches showed that occurrence of several PTC52-like genes is rather common in sequenced plant genomes. The discovery of ObF8H suggests that Rieske-type oxygenases may represent overlooked candidate catalysts for oxygenations in specialized plant metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Berim
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
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36
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Clematis F, Viglione S, Beruto M, Lanzotti V, Dolci P, Poncet C, Curir P. Endogenous isoflavone methylation correlates with the in vitro rooting phases of Spartium junceum L. (Leguminosae). JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2014; 171:1267-1275. [PMID: 25014262 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2014.03.013] [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: 01/03/2014] [Revised: 03/06/2014] [Accepted: 03/08/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Spartium junceum L. (Leguminosae) is a perennial shrub, native to the Mediterranean region in southern Europe, widespread in all the Italian regions and, as a leguminous species, it has a high isoflavone content. An in vitro culture protocol was developed for this species starting from stem nodal sections of in vivo plants, and isoflavone components of the in vitro cultured tissues were studied by means of High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analytical techniques. Two main isoflavones were detected in the S. junceum tissues during the in vitro propagation phases: Genistein (4',5,7-Trihydroxyisoflavone), already reported in this species, and its methylated form 4',5,7-Trimethoxyisoflavone, detected for the first time in this plant species (0.750 ± 0.02 mg g(-1) dry tissue). The presence of both of these compounds in S. junceum tissues was consistently detected during the in vitro multiplication phase. The absence of the methylated form within plant tissues in the early phases of the in vitro adventitious root formation was correlated with its negative effect displayed on root induction and initiation phases, while its presence in the final "root manifestation" phase influenced positively the rooting process. The unmethylated form, although detectable in tissues in the precocious rooting phases, was no longer present in the final rooting phase. Its effect on rooting, however, proved always to be beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Clematis
- Consiglio per la Ricerca e la Sperimentazione in Agricoltura, Research Unit for Floriculture and Ornamental Species, Corso Inglesi I, 18038 Sanremo, IM, Italy
| | - Serena Viglione
- Regional Institute for Floriculture, via Carducci 12 I, 18038 Sanremo, IM, Italy
| | - Margherita Beruto
- Regional Institute for Floriculture, via Carducci 12 I, 18038 Sanremo, IM, Italy
| | - Virginia Lanzotti
- Department of Food Science, University of Napoli Federico II, via Università 100, Portici, NA, Italy
| | - Paola Dolci
- DIVAPRA, Agriculture Microbiology and Food Technology, University of Turin, Via Leonardo da Vinci 44, 10095 Grugliasco, TO, Italy
| | - Christine Poncet
- Sophia Agrobiotech Institute, UMR INRA, University of Nice, 400 Route des Chappes, BP 167, 06903 Sophia Antipolis Cedex, France
| | - Paolo Curir
- Consiglio per la Ricerca e la Sperimentazione in Agricoltura, Research Unit for Floriculture and Ornamental Species, Corso Inglesi I, 18038 Sanremo, IM, Italy.
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Berim A, Gang DR. Characterization of two candidate flavone 8-O-methyltransferases suggests the existence of two potential routes to nevadensin in sweet basil. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2013; 92:33-41. [PMID: 23747095 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2013.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2012] [Revised: 03/07/2013] [Accepted: 05/08/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Regioselective 6-,7-,8-,3'-, and 4'-O-methylations underlie the structural diversity of lipophilic flavones produced in the trichomes of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). The positions 6, 7, and 4' are methylated by a recently described set of cation-independent enzymes. The roles of cation-dependent O-methyltransferases still require elucidation. Here, the basil trichome EST database was used to identify a Mg(2+)-dependent O-methyltransferase that was likely to accept flavonoids as substrates. The recombinant protein was found to be active with a wide range of o-diphenols, and methylated the 8-OH moiety of the flavone backbone with higher catalytic efficiency than the 3'-OH group of candidate substrates. To further investigate flavone 8-O-methylation, the activity of a putative cation-independent flavonoid 8-O-methyltransferase from the same EST collection was assessed with available substrate analogs. Notably, it was strongly inhibited by gardenin B, one of its expected products. The catalytic capacities of the two studied proteins suggest that two alternative routes to nevadensin, a major flavone in some basil cultivars, might exist. Correlating the expression of the underlying genes with the accumulation of 8-substituted flavones in four basil lines did not clarify which is the major operating pathway in vivo, yet the combined data suggested that the biochemical properties of flavone 7-O-demethylase could play a key role in determining the reaction order.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Berim
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
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38
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Ma C, Lv H, Zhang X, Chen Z, Shi J, Lu M, Lin Z. Identification of regioisomers of methylated kaempferol and quercetin by ultra high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight (UHPLC-QTOF) tandem mass spectrometry combined with diagnostic fragmentation pattern analysis. Anal Chim Acta 2013; 795:15-24. [PMID: 23998533 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2013.07.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2013] [Revised: 07/13/2013] [Accepted: 07/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The O-methylation of active flavonoids can enhance their antiallergic, anticancerous, and cardioprotective effects depending on the methylation position. Thus, it is biologically and pharmacologically important to differentiate methylated flavonoid regioisomers. In this study, we examined the regioisomers of methylated kaempferol and quercetin using ultra high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry. The methyl groups on the flavonoids can generally be cleaved as methyl radicals in a position-independent manner. We found that methyl groups can be cleaved as methane. If there are protons adjacent the methoxy on the flavonol rings, intra-molecule proton transfer can occur via collision-induced dissociation, and one molecule of methane can then be eliminated. The remaining charged fragment ([M+H-CH4](+)) reflects the adjacent structure and is specific to the methoxy position. Furthermore, the retro Diels-Alder (RDA) fragmentation of methylated flavonols can generate fragments with the methoxy at the original methylated ring. Combining the position-specific [M+H-CH4](+) fragment with the RDA fragments provides a diagnostic pattern for rapidly identifying methylated regioisomeric flavonols. Along with their retention behaviour, we have successfully identified ten regioisomers of methylated kaempferol and quercetin, which include six compounds previously reported in plants and shown to be biologically active. The developed approach is sensitive, rapid, reliable, and requires few standard compounds. It is highly efficient for characterising the specificity of novel flavonoid O-methyltransferases and can help direct enzymatic or chemical syntheses during the early stages of drug discovery. This method also has potential for use in identifying other methylated isomeric flavonoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengying Ma
- Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310008, China
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Berim A, Gang DR. The roles of a flavone-6-hydroxylase and 7-O-demethylation in the flavone biosynthetic network of sweet basil. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:1795-805. [PMID: 23184958 PMCID: PMC3548489 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.420448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2012] [Revised: 11/14/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipophilic flavonoids found in the Lamiaceae exhibit unusual 6- and 8-hydroxylations whose enzymatic basis is unknown. We show that crude protein extracts from peltate trichomes of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) cultivars readily hydroxylate position 6 of 7-O-methylated apigenin but not apigenin itself. The responsible protein was identified as a P450 monooxygenase from the CYP82 family, a family not previously reported to be involved in flavonoid metabolism. This enzyme prefers flavones but also accepts flavanones in vitro and requires a 5-hydroxyl in addition to a 7-methoxyl residue on the substrate. A peppermint (Mentha × piperita L.) homolog displayed identical substrate requirements, suggesting that early 7-O-methylation of flavones might be common in the Lamiaceae. This hypothesis is further substantiated by the pioneering discovery of 2-oxoglutarate-dependent flavone demethylase activity in basil, which explains the accumulation of 7-O-demethylated flavone nevadensin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Berim
- From the Institute of Biological Chemistry Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164-6340
| | - David R. Gang
- From the Institute of Biological Chemistry Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164-6340
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