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Tuo X, Yu Z, Li J, Qi Y, Peng G, Huang SX, Huang X, Huang JP. Characterization of two putative norlaudanosoline methyltransferases from Aristolochia debilis. JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 285:153983. [PMID: 37116390 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2023.153983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
In view of the nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and carcinogenicity of aristolochic acids (AAs), the removal of AAs from plants becomes an urgent priority for ensuring the safety of Aristolochia herbal materials. In this study, based on the root-predominant distribution of aristolochic acid I (AAI) in Aristolochia debilis, transcriptome sequencing, in combination with phylogenetic analyses, and gene expression pattern analysis together provided five candidate genes for investigating AAI biosynthesis. Comprehensive in vitro and in vivo enzymatic assays revealed that Ab6OMT1 (6-O-methyltransferase) and AbNMT1 (N-methyltransferase) exhibit promiscuity in substrate recognition, and they could act in a cooperative fashion to achieve conversion of norlaudanosoline, a predicted intermediate in AAI biosynthetic route, into 3'-hydroxy-N-methylcoclaurine through two different methylation reaction sequences. These results shed light on the molecular basis for AAI biosynthesis in Aristolochia herbs. More importantly, Ab6OMT1 and AbNMT1 may be employed as targets for the metabolic engineering of AAI biosynthesis to produce AAs-free Aristolochia herbal materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotao Tuo
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China.
| | - Zhiyin Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
| | - Junheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China.
| | - Yuxin Qi
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Synthetic Biology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China.
| | - Guoqing Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China.
| | - Sheng-Xiong Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China.
| | - Xueshuang Huang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Synthetic Biology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China.
| | - Jian-Ping Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China.
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SWATH-MS-Based Proteomics Reveals the Regulatory Metabolism of Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids in Three Lycoris Species. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054495. [PMID: 36901927 PMCID: PMC10002500 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Alkaloids are a class of nitrogen-containing alkaline organic compounds found in nature, with significant biological activity, and are also important active ingredients in Chinese herbal medicine. Amaryllidaceae plants are rich in alkaloids, among which galanthamine, lycorine, and lycoramine are representative. Since the difficulty and high cost of synthesizing alkaloids have been the major obstacles in industrial production, particularly the molecular mechanism underlying alkaloid biosynthesis is largely unknown. Here, we determined the alkaloid content in Lycoris longituba, Lycoris incarnata, and Lycoris sprengeri, and performed a SWATH-MS (sequential window acquisition of all theoretical mass spectra)-based quantitative approach to detect proteome changes in the three Lycoris. A total of 2193 proteins were quantified, of which 720 proteins showed a difference in abundance between Ll and Ls, and 463 proteins showed a difference in abundance between Li and Ls. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that differentially expressed proteins are distributed in specific biological processes including amino acid metabolism, starch, and sucrose metabolism, implicating a supportive role for Amaryllidaceae alkaloids metabolism in Lycoris. Furthermore, several key genes collectively known as OMT and NMT were identified, which are probably responsible for galanthamine biosynthesis. Interestingly, RNA processing-related proteins were also abundantly detected in alkaloid-rich Ll, suggesting that posttranscriptional regulation such as alternative splicing may contribute to the biosynthesis of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids. Taken together, our SWATH-MS-based proteomic investigation may reveal the differences in alkaloid contents at the protein levels, providing a comprehensive proteome reference for the regulatory metabolism of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids.
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Menéndez-Perdomo IM, Facchini PJ. Elucidation of the (R)-enantiospecific benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic pathways in sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera). Sci Rep 2023; 13:2955. [PMID: 36805479 PMCID: PMC9940101 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29415-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) are a structurally diverse group of plant specialized metabolites found mainly in members of the order Ranunculales, including opium poppy (Papaver somniferum), for which BIA biosynthetic pathways leading to the critical drugs morphine, noscapine, and sanguinarine have been elucidated. Sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera), in the order Proteales, accumulates medicinal BIAs in the proaporphine, aporphine, and bisbenzylisoquinoline structural subgroups with a prevalence of R enantiomers, opposed to the dominant S configuration occurring in the Ranunculales. Nevertheless, distinctive BIA biosynthetic routes in sacred lotus have not been explored. In planta labeling experiments and in vitro assays with recombinant enzymes and plant protein extracts showed that dopamine and 4-hydroxyphenylacetaldehyde derived from L-tyrosine serve as precursors for the formation of (R,S)-norcoclaurine in sacred lotus, whereas only (R)-norcoclaurine byproducts are favored in the plant by action of R-enantiospecific methyltransferases and cytochrome P450 oxidoreductases (CYPs). Enzymes responsible for the R-enantiospecific formation of proaporphine (NnCYP80Q1) and bisbenzylisoquinoline (NnCYP80Q2) scaffolds, and a methylenedioxy bridge introduction on aporphine substrates (NnCYP719A22) were identified, whereas additional aspects of the biosynthetic pathways leading to the distinctive alkaloid profile are discussed. This work expands the availability of molecular tools that can be deployed in synthetic biology platforms for the production of high-value alkaloids.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter J Facchini
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.
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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; 28:43. [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] [Grants] [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
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Hao DC, Xu LJ, Zheng YW, Lyu HY, Xiao PG. Mining Therapeutic Efficacy from Treasure Chest of Biodiversity and Chemodiversity: Pharmacophylogeny of Ranunculales Medicinal Plants. Chin J Integr Med 2022; 28:1111-1126. [PMID: 35809180 PMCID: PMC9282152 DOI: 10.1007/s11655-022-3576-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Ranunculales, comprising of 7 families that are rich in medicinal species frequently utilized by traditional medicine and ethnomedicine, represents a treasure chest of biodiversity and chemodiversity. The phylogenetically related species often have similar chemical profile, which makes them often possess similar therapeutic spectrum. This has been validated by both ethnomedicinal experiences and pharmacological investigations. This paper summarizes molecular phylogeny, chemical constituents, and therapeutic applications of Ranunculales, i.e., a pharmacophylogeny study of this representative medicinal order. The phytochemistry/metabolome, ethnomedicine and bioactivity/pharmacology data are incorporated within the phylogenetic framework of Ranunculales. The most studied compounds of this order include benzylisoquinoline alkaloid, flavonoid, terpenoid, saponin and lignan, etc. Bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids are especially abundant in Berberidaceae and Menispermaceae. The most frequent ethnomedicinal uses are arthritis, heat-clearing and detoxification, carbuncle-abscess and sore-toxin. The most studied bioactivities are anticancer/cytotoxic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities, etc. The pharmacophylogeny analysis, integrated with both traditional and modern medicinal uses, agrees with the molecular phylogeny based on chloroplast and nuclear DNA sequences, in which Ranunculales is divided into Ranunculaceae, Berberidaceae, Menispermaceae, Lardizabalaceae, Circaeasteraceae, Papaveraceae, and Eupteleaceae families. Chemical constituents and therapeutic efficacy of each taxonomic group are reviewed and the underlying connection between phylogeny, chemodiversity and clinical uses is revealed, which facilitate the conservation and sustainable utilization of Ranunculales pharmaceutical resources, as well as developing novel plant-based pharmacotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da-Cheng Hao
- Biotechnology Institute, School of Environment and Chemical Engineering, Dalian Jiaotong University, Dalian, 116028, China
| | - Li-Jia Xu
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yu-Wei Zheng
- Biotechnology Institute, School of Environment and Chemical Engineering, Dalian Jiaotong University, Dalian, 116028, China
| | - Huai-Yu Lyu
- Biotechnology Institute, School of Environment and Chemical Engineering, Dalian Jiaotong University, Dalian, 116028, China
| | - Pei-Gen Xiao
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China.
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Abstract
Tetrahydropapaverine (THP) and papaverine are plant natural products with clinically significant roles. THP is a precursor in the production of the drugs atracurium and cisatracurium, and papaverine is used as an antispasmodic during vascular surgery. In recent years, metabolic engineering advances have enabled the production of natural products through heterologous expression of pathway enzymes in yeast. Heterologous biosynthesis of THP and papaverine could play a role in ensuring a stable supply of these clinically significant products. Biosynthesis of THP and papaverine has not been achieved to date, in part because multiple pathway enzymes have not been elucidated. Here, we describe the development of an engineered yeast strain for de novo biosynthesis of THP. The production of THP is achieved through heterologous expression of two enzyme variants with activity on nonnative substrates. Through protein engineering, we developed a variant of N-methylcoclaurine hydroxylase with activity on coclaurine, enabling de novo norreticuline biosynthesis. Similarly, we developed a variant of scoulerine 9-O-methyltransferase capable of O-methylating 1-benzylisoquinoline alkaloids at the 3' position, enabling de novo THP biosynthesis. Flux through the heterologous pathway was improved by knocking out yeast multidrug resistance transporters and optimization of media conditions. Overall, strain engineering increased the concentration of biosynthesized THP 600-fold to 121 µg/L. Finally, we demonstrate a strategy for papaverine semisynthesis using hydrogen peroxide as an oxidizing agent. Through optimizing pH, temperature, reaction time, and oxidizing agent concentration, we demonstrated the ability to produce semisynthesized papaverine through oxidation of biosynthesized THP.
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d'Oelsnitz S, Kim W, Burkholder NT, Javanmardi K, Thyer R, Zhang Y, Alper HS, Ellington AD. Using fungible biosensors to evolve improved alkaloid biosyntheses. Nat Chem Biol 2022; 18:981-989. [PMID: 35799063 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-022-01072-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
A key bottleneck in the microbial production of therapeutic plant metabolites is identifying enzymes that can improve yield. The facile identification of genetically encoded biosensors can overcome this limitation and become part of a general method for engineering scaled production. We have developed a combined screening and selection approach that quickly refines the affinities and specificities of generalist transcription factors; using RamR as a starting point, we evolve highly specific (>100-fold preference) and sensitive (half-maximum effective concentration (EC50) < 30 μM) biosensors for the alkaloids tetrahydropapaverine, papaverine, glaucine, rotundine and noscapine. High-resolution structures reveal multiple evolutionary avenues for the malleable effector-binding site and the creation of new pockets for different chemical moieties. These sensors further enabled the evolution of a streamlined pathway for tetrahydropapaverine, a precursor to four modern pharmaceuticals, collapsing multiple methylation steps into a single evolved enzyme. Our methods for evolving biosensors enable the rapid engineering of pathways for therapeutic alkaloids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon d'Oelsnitz
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
| | - Wantae Kim
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | | | - Kamyab Javanmardi
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Ross Thyer
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Hal S Alper
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Andrew D Ellington
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
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Bu J, Zhang X, Li Q, Ma Y, Hu Z, Yang J, Liu X, Wang R, Jiao X, Chen T, Lai C, Cui G, Tang J, Kong Y, Yang L, Lin S, Chen Y, Guo J, Huang L. Catalytic promiscuity of O-methyltransferases from Corydalis yanhusuo leading to the structural diversity of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids. HORTICULTURE RESEARCH 2022; 9:uhac152. [PMID: 36168544 PMCID: PMC9510826 DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhac152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
O-methyltransferases play essential roles in producing structural diversity and improving the biological properties of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) in plants. In this study, Corydalis yanhusuo, a plant used in traditional Chinese medicine due to the analgesic effects of its BIA-active compounds, was employed to analyze the catalytic characteristics of O-methyltransferases in the formation of BIA diversity. Seven genes encoding O-methyltransferases were cloned, and functionally characterized using seven potential BIA substrates. Specifically, an O-methyltransferase (CyOMT2) with highly efficient catalytic activity of both 4'- and 6-O-methylations of 1-BIAs was found. CyOMT6 was found to perform two sequential methylations at both 9- and 2-positions of the essential intermediate of tetrahydroprotoberberines, (S)-scoulerine. Two O-methyltransferases (CyOMT5 and CyOMT7) with wide substrate promiscuity were found, with the 2-position of tetrahydroprotoberberines as the preferential catalytic site for CyOMT5 (named scoulerine 2-O-methyltransferase) and the 6-position of 1-BIAs as the preferential site for CyOMT7. In addition, results of integrated phylogenetic molecular docking analysis and site-directed mutation suggested that residues at sites 172, 306, 313, and 314 in CyOMT5 are important for enzyme promiscuity related to O-methylations at the 6- and 7-positions of isoquinoline. Cys at site 253 in CyOMT2 was proved to promote the methylation activity of the 6-position and to expand substrate scopes. This work provides insight into O-methyltransferases in producing BIA diversity in C. yanhusuo and genetic elements for producing BIAs by metabolic engineering and synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Qishuang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Ying Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Zhimin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Jian Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Xiuyu Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, No. 156 Jinshuidong Road, Zhengzhou 450008, China
| | - Ruishan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Xiang Jiao
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Kemivägen 10, SE41296, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Tong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Changjiangsheng Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Guanghong Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Jinfu Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Yu Kong
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Resources, Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden, Shanghai, 201602, China
| | - Lei Yang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Resources, Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden, Shanghai, 201602, China
| | - Sheng Lin
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Yun Chen
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Kemivägen 10, SE41296, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Juan Guo
- Corresponding authors. E-mail: ,
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Li K, Chen X, Zhang J, Wang C, Xu Q, Hu J, Kai G, Feng Y. Transcriptome Analysis of Stephania tetrandra and Characterization of Norcoclaurine-6-O-Methyltransferase Involved in Benzylisoquinoline Alkaloid Biosynthesis. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:874583. [PMID: 35432428 PMCID: PMC9009073 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.874583] [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: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Stephania tetrandra (S. Moore) is a source of traditional Chinese medicine that is widely used to treat rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, edema, and hypertension. Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) are the main bioactive compounds. However, the current understanding of the biosynthesis of BIAs in S. tetrandra is poor. Metabolite and transcriptomic analyses of the stem, leaf, xylem, and epidermis of S. tetrandra were performed to identify candidate genes associated with BIAs biosynthesis. According to the metabolite analysis, the majority of the BIAs accumulated in the root, especially in the epidermis. Transcriptome sequencing revealed a total of 113,338 unigenes that were generated by de novo assembly. Among them, 79,638 unigenes were successfully annotated, and 42 candidate structural genes associated with 15 steps of BIA biosynthesis identified. Additionally, a new (S)-norcoclaurine-6-O-methyltransferase (6OMT) gene was identified in S. tetrandra, named St6OMT2. Recombinant St6OMT2 catalyzed (S)-norcoclaurine methylation to form (S)-coclaurine in vitro. Maximum activity of St6OMT2 was determined at 30°C and pH 6.0 in NaAc-HAc buffer. Its half-life at 50°C was 22 min with the Km and kcat of 28.2 μM and 1.5 s-1, respectively. Our results provide crucial transcriptome information for S. tetrandra, shedding light on the understanding of BIAs biosynthesis and further gene functional characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunlun Li
- Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biotechnology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuefei Chen
- Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biotechnology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianbo Zhang
- Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biotechnology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Can Wang
- Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biotechnology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiwei Xu
- Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biotechnology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiangning Hu
- Zhejiang Conba Pharmaceutical Limited Company, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutical Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guoyin Kai
- Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biotechnology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yue Feng
- Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biotechnology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
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Akaberi T, Shourgashti K, Emami SA, Akaberi M. Phytochemistry and pharmacology of alkaloids from Glaucium spp. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2021; 191:112923. [PMID: 34454171 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2021.112923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Glaucium Mill. comprising 28 species with 78 synonyms, 3 subspecies, and 3 varieties worldwide belongs to the Papaveraceae family. The plants are well known for their different types of alkaloids. In the present study, we attempted to review the chemistry and pharmacology of the alkaloids from the genus Glaucium. For this purpose, the relevant data were collected from different scientific databases including, "Google Scholar", "ISI Web of Knowledge", "PubMed", "Scopus", and available books and e-books. Our results showed that aporphine alkaloids are dominated in the species; however, other types of alkaloids including protopines, benzophenanthridines, benzylisoquinolines, protoberberines, and morphinanes have also been reported from the genus. The pharmacological studies have shown that the alkaloids from Glaucium species have several biological activities of which anti-cancer and anti-cholinesterase effects have been highly reported. Besides, the data indicated that most of the species have been investigated neither phytochemically nor pharmacologically. Glaucium flavum, known as yellow horn poppy, is the most studied species. According to the reports, the plants from this genus have anti-cancer and anti-cholinesterase potentials and can be used as a source for aporphine alkaloids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toktam Akaberi
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Ferdowsi University, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Kamran Shourgashti
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Seyed Ahmad Emami
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Traditional Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Maryam Akaberi
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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11
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Optimizing of Microalgae Scenedesmus sp. Biomass Production in Wet Market Wastewater Using Response Surface Methodology. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13042216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The present study aimed to optimize the production of Scenedesmus sp. biomass during the phycoremediation process. The biomass productivity was optimized using face centred central composite design (FCCCD) in response surface methodology (RSM) as a function of two independent variables that included wet market wastewater concentrations (A) with a range of 10% to 75% and aeration rate (B) with a range of 0.02 to 4.0 L/min. The results revealed that the highest biomass productivity (73 mg/L/d) and maximum growth rate (1.19 day−1) was achieved with the 64.26% of (A) and 3.08 L/min of (B). The GC-MS composition analysis of the biomass yield extract revealed that the major compounds are hexadecane (25%), glaucine (16.2%), and phytol (8.33%). The presence of these compounds suggests that WMW has the potential to be used as a production medium for Scenedesmus sp. Biomass, which has several applications in the pharmaceutical and chemical industry.
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12
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Li Q, Bu J, Ma Y, Yang J, Hu Z, Lai C, Xu Y, Tang J, Cui G, Wang Y, Zhao Y, Jin B, Shen Y, Guo J, Huang L. Characterization of O-methyltransferases involved in the biosynthesis of tetrandrine in Stephania tetrandra. JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 250:153181. [PMID: 32460036 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2020.153181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Tetrandrine is the most effective small molecule that has been found to inhibit the Ebola virus. It is a typical bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid and is the main active ingredient in Stephania tetrandra. Metabolic engineering and synthetic biology are potential methods for efficient and rapid acquisition of tetrandrine. S-adenosyl-L-methionine: (S)-norcoclaurine-6-O-methyltransferase (6OMT) is a rate-limiting step involved in the biosynthesis of tetrandrine. In this study, we identify S-adenosyl-L-methionine: (S)-norcoclaurine-6-O-methyltransferase from S. tetrandra, which catalyzes the conversion of (S)-norcoclaurine to (S)-coclaurine. Four 6OMT-like genes were cloned from S. tetrandra. An in vitro enzyme assay showed that St6OMT1 could catalyze the conversion of (S)-norcoclaurine to produce (S)-coclaurine. St6OMT2 can catalyze the production of very few (S)-coclaurine molecules, accompanied by more by-products with m/z 300, compared to St6OMT1. The newly discovered 6OMTs will provide an optional genetic component for benzylisoquinoline alkaloid (BIA) synthetic biology research. This work will lay the foundation for the analysis of the biosynthetic pathway of tetrandrine in S. tetrandra.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qishuang Li
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, No. 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, China; State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Junling Bu
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Ying Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Jian Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Zhimin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Changjiangsheng Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Yanqin Xu
- College of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 1688 Meilin Avenue, Nanchang 330004, China.
| | - Jinfu Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Guanghong Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Yanan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Yujun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Baolong Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Ye Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Juan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Luqi Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China.
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Valentic TR, Payne JT, Smolke CD. Structure-Guided Engineering of a Scoulerine 9-O-Methyltransferase Enables the Biosynthesis of Tetrahydropalmatrubine and Tetrahydropalmatine in Yeast. ACS Catal 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.9b05417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy R. Valentic
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, 443 Via Ortega, MC 4245, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - James T. Payne
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, 443 Via Ortega, MC 4245, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Christina D. Smolke
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, 443 Via Ortega, MC 4245, Stanford, California 94305, United States
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
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14
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Li Q, Ramasamy S, Singh P, Hagel JM, Dunemann SM, Chen X, Chen R, Yu L, Tucker JE, Facchini PJ, Yeaman S. Gene clustering and copy number variation in alkaloid metabolic pathways of opium poppy. Nat Commun 2020; 11:1190. [PMID: 32132540 PMCID: PMC7055283 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15040-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Genes in plant secondary metabolic pathways enable biosynthesis of a range of medically and industrially important compounds, and are often clustered on chromosomes. Here, we study genomic clustering in the benzylisoquinoline alkaloid (BIA) pathway in opium poppy (Papaver somniferum), exploring relationships between gene expression, copy number variation, and metabolite production. We use Hi-C to improve the existing draft genome assembly, yielding chromosome-scale scaffolds that include 35 previously unanchored BIA genes. We find that co-expression of BIA genes increases within clusters and identify candidates with unknown function based on clustering and covariation in expression and alkaloid production. Copy number variation in critical BIA genes correlates with stark differences in alkaloid production, linking noscapine production with an 11-gene deletion, and increased thebaine/decreased morphine production with deletion of a T6ODM cluster. Our results show that the opium poppy genome is still dynamically evolving in ways that contribute to medically and industrially important phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiushi Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Sukanya Ramasamy
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Pooja Singh
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Jillian M Hagel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
- Willow Biosciences Inc., 3655 36 Street N.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Sonja M Dunemann
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Xue Chen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
- Willow Biosciences Inc., 3655 36 Street N.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Rongji Chen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Lisa Yu
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Joseph E Tucker
- Willow Biosciences Inc., 3655 36 Street N.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2L 1Y8, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Peter J Facchini
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
- Willow Biosciences Inc., 3655 36 Street N.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Sam Yeaman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada.
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15
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Menéndez-Perdomo IM, Facchini PJ. Isolation and characterization of two O-methyltransferases involved in benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis in sacred lotus ( Nelumbo nucifera). J Biol Chem 2020; 295:1598-1612. [PMID: 31914404 PMCID: PMC7008365 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.011547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 12/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) are a major class of plant metabolites with many pharmacological benefits. Sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is an ancient aquatic plant of medicinal value because of antiviral and immunomodulatory activities linked to its constituent BIAs. Although more than 30 BIAs belonging to the 1-benzylisoquinoline, aporphine, and bisbenzylisoquinoline structural subclasses and displaying a predominant R-enantiomeric conformation have been isolated from N. nucifera, its BIA biosynthetic genes and enzymes remain unknown. Herein, we report the isolation and biochemical characterization of two O-methyltransferases (OMTs) involved in BIA biosynthesis in sacred lotus. Five homologous genes, designated NnOMT1-5 and encoding polypeptides sharing >40% amino acid sequence identity, were expressed in Escherichia coli Functional characterization of the purified recombinant proteins revealed that NnOMT1 is a regiospecific 1-benzylisoquinoline 6-O-methyltransferase (6OMT) accepting both R- and S-substrates, whereas NnOMT5 is mainly a 7-O-methyltransferase (7OMT), with relatively minor 6OMT activity and a strong stereospecific preference for S-enantiomers. Available aporphines were not accepted as substrates by either enzyme, suggesting that O-methylation precedes BIA formation from 1-benzylisoquinoline intermediates. Km values for NnOMT1 and NnOMT5 were 20 and 13 μm for (R,S)-norcoclaurine and (S)-N-methylcoclaurine, respectively, similar to those for OMTs from other BIA-producing plants. Organ-based correlations of alkaloid content, OMT activity in crude extracts, and OMT gene expression supported physiological roles for NnOMT1 and NnOMT5 in BIA metabolism, occurring primarily in young leaves and embryos of sacred lotus. In summary, our work identifies two OMTs involved in BIA metabolism in the medicinal plant N. nucifera.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter J Facchini
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada.
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16
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Yang L, Zhu J, Sun C, Deng Z, Qu X. Biosynthesis of plant tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids through an imine reductase route. Chem Sci 2020; 11:364-371. [PMID: 32190259 PMCID: PMC7067268 DOI: 10.1039/c9sc03773j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Herein, we report a biocatalytic approach to synthesize plant tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids (THIQAs) from dihydroisoquinoline (DHIQ) precursors using imine reductases and N-methyltransferase (NMT). The imine reductase IR45 was engineered to significantly expand its substrate specificity, enabling efficient and stereoselective conversion of 1-phenyl and 1-benzyl 6,7-dimethoxy-DHIQs into the corresponding (S)-tetrahydroisoquinolines (S-THIQs). Coclaurine N-methyltransferase (CNMT) was able to further efficiently convert these (S)-THIQ intermediates into (S)-THIQAs. By assembling IRED, CNMT, and glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) in one reaction, we effectively constituted two artificial biosynthetic pathways in Escherichia coli and successfully applied them to the production of five (S)-THIQAs. This highly efficient (100% yield from DHIQs) and easily tailorable (adding other genes) biosynthetic approach will be useful for producing a variety of plant THIQAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism , School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology , Shanghai Jiao Tong University , Shanghai 200240 , China .
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery Ministry of Education , School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Wuhan University , Wuhan 430071 , China
| | - Jinmei Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery Ministry of Education , School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Wuhan University , Wuhan 430071 , China
| | - Chenghai Sun
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery Ministry of Education , School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Wuhan University , Wuhan 430071 , China
| | - Zixin Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism , School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology , Shanghai Jiao Tong University , Shanghai 200240 , China .
| | - Xudong Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism , School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology , Shanghai Jiao Tong University , Shanghai 200240 , China .
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery Ministry of Education , School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Wuhan University , Wuhan 430071 , China
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17
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Identification and characterization of methyltransferases involved in benzylisoquinoline alkaloids biosynthesis from Stephania intermedia. Biotechnol Lett 2019; 42:461-469. [DOI: 10.1007/s10529-019-02785-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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18
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Dastmalchi M, Chang L, Chen R, Yu L, Chen X, Hagel JM, Facchini PJ. Purine Permease-Type Benzylisoquinoline Alkaloid Transporters in Opium Poppy. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 181:916-933. [PMID: 31467164 PMCID: PMC6836811 DOI: 10.1104/pp.19.00565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Although opiate biosynthesis has been largely elucidated, and cell-to-cell transport has been long postulated, benzylisoquinoline alkaloid (BIA) transporters from opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) have not been reported. Investigation of a purine permease-type sequence within a recently discovered opiate biosynthetic gene cluster led to the discovery of a family of nine homologs designated as BIA uptake permeases (BUPs). Initial expression studies in engineered yeast hosting segments of the opiate pathway showed that six of the nine BUP homologs facilitated dramatic increases in alkaloid yields. Closer examination revealed the ability to uptake a variety of BIAs and certain pathway precursors (e.g. dopamine), with each BUP displaying a unique substrate acceptance profile. Improvements in uptake for yeast expressing specific BUPs versus those devoid of the heterologous transporters were high for early intermediates (300- and 25-fold for dopamine and norcoclaurine, respectively), central pathway metabolites [10-fold for (S)-reticuline], and end products (30-fold for codeine). A coculture of three yeast strains, each harboring a different consecutive segment of the opiate pathway and BUP1, was able to convert exogenous Levodopa to 3 ± 4 mg/L codeine via a 14-step bioconversion process involving over a dozen enzymes. BUP1 is highly expressed in opium poppy latex and is localized to the plasma membrane. The discovery of the BUP transporter family expands the role of purine permease-type transporters in specialized metabolism, and provides key insight into the cellular mechanisms involved in opiate alkaloid biosynthesis in opium poppy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehran Dastmalchi
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
- Willow Biosciences, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Limei Chang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
- Willow Biosciences, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Rongji Chen
- Willow Biosciences, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Lisa Yu
- Willow Biosciences, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Xue Chen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
- Willow Biosciences, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Jillian M Hagel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
- Willow Biosciences, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Peter J Facchini
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
- Willow Biosciences, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
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19
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Agarwal P, Pathak S, Kumar RS, Dhar YV, Pandey A, Shukla S, Trivedi PK. 3'O-Methyltransferase, Ps3'OMT, from opium poppy: involvement in papaverine biosynthesis. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2019; 38:1235-1248. [PMID: 31190213 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-019-02439-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Using, in silico, in vitro and in planta functional assays, we demonstrate that Ps3'OMT, an 3'-O methyl transferase is linked to papaverine biosynthesis in opium poppy. Papaverine, one of the benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIA) synthesized in the medicinally important plant, Papaver somniferum, is known for the potent pharmacological properties. Papaverine biosynthesis has remained debatable as two different pathways, NH (involving N-desmethylated intermediates) and the NCH3 (involving N-methylated intermediates), have been proposed. In addition, there are several intermediate steps in both the proposed pathways that are not very well characterized in terms of specific enzymes. In this study, we report the identification and functional characterization of 3'O-methyltransferase (Ps3'OMT) which might participate in the 3'O-methylation of the intermediates in the papaverine biosynthesis. Comparison of transcript and metabolite profiles of high and low papaverine producing cultivar revealed the occurrence of a 3'O-methyltransferase, Ps3'OMT, which was abundant in aerial organs and shared 72% identity with the GfLOMT7 predicted to have 3'OMT activity. In silico studies based on homology modeling, docking and MD simulations predicted (S)-norlaudanine as the potential substrate forming a stable complex with Ps3'OMT. Suppression of Ps3'OMT through virus-induced gene silencing resulted in a remarkable decrease in the level of papaverine in comparison to control plants. The characterization of the functionally unique Ps3'OMT involved in BIA metabolism suggests an involvement of the NH pathway leading to papaverine biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parul Agarwal
- CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-NBRI), Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow, 226001, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Sumya Pathak
- CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-NBRI), Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow, 226001, India
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, 226007, India
| | - Ravi Shankar Kumar
- CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-NBRI), Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow, 226001, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Yogeshwar Vikram Dhar
- CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-NBRI), Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow, 226001, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Ashutosh Pandey
- CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-NBRI), Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow, 226001, India
| | - Sudhir Shukla
- CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-NBRI), Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow, 226001, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Prabodh Kumar Trivedi
- CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-NBRI), Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow, 226001, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India.
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Morris JS, Facchini PJ. Molecular Origins of Functional Diversity in Benzylisoquinoline Alkaloid Methyltransferases. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 10:1058. [PMID: 31543888 PMCID: PMC6730481 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.01058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
O- and N-methylations are ubiquitous and recurring features in the biosynthesis of many specialized metabolites. Accordingly, the methyltransferase (MT) enzymes catalyzing these modifications are directly responsible for a substantial fraction of the vast chemodiversity observed in plants. Enabled by DNA sequencing and synthesizing technologies, recent studies have revealed and experimentally validated the trajectories of molecular evolution through which MTs, such as those biosynthesizing caffeine, emerge and shape plant chemistry. Despite these advances, the evolutionary origins of many other alkaloid MTs are still unclear. Focusing on benzylisoquinoline alkaloid (BIA)-producing plants such as opium poppy, we review the functional breadth of BIA N- and O-MT enzymes and their relationship with the chemical diversity of their host species. Drawing on recent structural studies, we discuss newfound insight regarding the molecular determinants of BIA MT function and highlight key hypotheses to be tested. We explore what is known and suspected concerning the evolutionary histories of BIA MTs and show that substantial advances in this domain are within reach. This new knowledge is expected to greatly enhance our conceptual understanding of the evolutionary origins of specialized metabolism.
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21
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Menéndez-Perdomo IM, Facchini PJ. Benzylisoquinoline Alkaloids Biosynthesis in Sacred Lotus. Molecules 2018; 23:E2899. [PMID: 30404216 PMCID: PMC6278464 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23112899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) is an ancient aquatic plant used throughout Asia for its nutritional and medicinal properties. Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs), mostly within the aporphine and bisbenzylisoquinoline structural categories, are among the main bioactive constituents in the plant. The alkaloids of sacred lotus exhibit promising anti-cancer, anti-arrhythmic, anti-HIV, and anti-malarial properties. Despite their pharmacological significance, BIA metabolism in this non-model plant has not been extensively investigated. In this review, we examine the diversity of BIAs in sacred lotus, with an emphasis on the distinctive stereochemistry of alkaloids found in this species. Additionally, we discuss our current understanding of the biosynthetic genes and enzymes involved in the formation of 1-benzylisoquinoline, aporphine, and bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids in the plant. We conclude that a comprehensive functional characterization of alkaloid biosynthetic enzymes using both in vitro and in vivo methods is required to advance our limited knowledge of BIA metabolism in the sacred lotus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter J Facchini
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.
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22
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Lin P, Zhong XZ, Wang XD, Li JJ, Zhao RQ, He Y, Jiang YQ, Huang XW, Chen G, He Y, Yang H. Survival analysis of genome-wide profiles coupled with Connectivity Map database mining to identify potential therapeutic targets for cholangiocarcinoma. Oncol Rep 2018; 40:3189-3198. [PMID: 30272356 PMCID: PMC6196639 DOI: 10.3892/or.2018.6710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is one of the most common epithelial cell malignancies worldwide. However, its prognosis is poor. The aim of the present study was to examine the prognostic landscape and potential therapeutic targets for CCA. RNA sequencing data and clinical information were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset and processed. A total of 172 genes that were significantly associated with overall survival of patients with CCA were identified using the univariate Cox regression method. Bioinformatics tools were applied using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and gene ontology (GO). It was identified that ‘Wnt signaling pathway’, ‘cytoplasm’ and ‘AT DNA binding’ were the three most significant GO categories of CCA survival-associated genes. ‘Transcriptional misregulation in cancer’ was the most significant pathway identified in the KEGG analysis. Using the Drug-Gene Interaction database, a drug-gene interaction network was constructed, and 31 identified genes were involved in it. The most meaningful potential therapeutic targets were selected via protein-protein and gene-drug interactions. Among these genes, polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) was identified to be a potential target due to its significant upregulation in CCA. To rapidly find molecules that may affect these genes, the Connectivity Map was queried. A series of molecules were selected for their potential anti-CCA functions. 0297417-0002B and tribenoside exhibited the highest connection scores with PLK1 via molecular docking. These findings may offer novel insights into treatment and perspectives on the future innovative treatment of CCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Lin
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Zhu Zhong
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Dong Wang
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Jian-Jun Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Rui-Qi Zhao
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Yu He
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Yan-Qiu Jiang
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Xian-Wen Huang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Yun He
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Hong Yang
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
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Park MR, Chen X, Lang DE, Ng KKS, Facchini PJ. Heterodimeric O-methyltransferases involved in the biosynthesis of noscapine in opium poppy. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 95:252-267. [PMID: 29723437 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.13947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2017] [Revised: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Noscapine biosynthesis in opium poppy involves three characterized O-methyltransferases (OMTs) and a fourth responsible for the 4'-methoxyl on the phthalide isoquinoline scaffold. The first three enzymes are homodimers, whereas the latter is a heterodimer encoded by two linked genes (OMT2 and OMT3). Neither OMT2 nor OMT3 form stable homodimers, but yield a substrate-specific heterodimer when their genes are co-expressed in Escherichia coli. The only substrate, 4'-O-desmethyl-3-O-acetylpapaveroxine, is a seco-berbine pathway intermediate that undergoes ester hydrolysis subsequent to 4'-O-methylation leading to the formation of narcotine hemiacetal. In the absence of 4'-O-methylation, a parallel pathway yields narcotoline hemiacetal. Dehydrogenation produces noscapine and narcotoline from the corresponding hemiacetals. Phthalide isoquinoline intermediates with a 4'-hydroxyl (i.e. narcotoline and narcotoline hemiacetal), or the corresponding 1-hydroxyl on protoberberine intermediates, were not accepted. Norcoclaurine 6OMT, which shares 81% amino acid sequence identity with OMT3, also formed a functionally similar heterodimer with OMT2. Suppression of OMT2 transcript levels in opium poppy increased narcotoline accumulation, whereas reduced OMT3 transcript abundance caused no detectable change in the alkaloid phenotype. Opium poppy chemotype Marianne accumulates high levels of narcotoline and showed no detectable OMT2:OMT3 activity. Compared with the active subunit from the Bea's Choice chemotype, Marianne OMT2 exhibited a single S122Y mutation in the dimerization domain that precluded heterodimer formation based on homology models. Both subunits contributed to the formation of the substrate-binding domain, although site-directed mutagenesis revealed OMT2 as the active subunit. The occurrence of physiologically relevant OMT heterodimers increases the catalytic diversity of enzymes derived from a smaller number of gene products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myung R Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Xue Chen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Dean E Lang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Kenneth K S Ng
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Peter J Facchini
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
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Wu J, Zhang BJ, Bao MF, Cai XH. A new erythrinan N-oxide alkaloid from Erythrina stricta. Nat Prod Res 2018; 33:2004-2010. [PMID: 29888961 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2018.1483924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Kunming, People’s Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bing-Jie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Kunming, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mei-Fen Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Kunming, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiang-Hai Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Kunming, People’s Republic of China
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He SM, Liang YL, Cong K, Chen G, Zhao X, Zhao QM, Zhang JJ, Wang X, Dong Y, Yang JL, Zhang GH, Qian ZL, Fan W, Yang SC. Identification and Characterization of Genes Involved in Benzylisoquinoline Alkaloid Biosynthesis in Coptis Species. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2018; 9:731. [PMID: 29915609 PMCID: PMC5995273 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2018.00731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The dried rhizomes of Coptis chinensis have been extensively used in heat clearing, dampness drying, fire draining, and detoxification by virtue of their major bioactive components, benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs). However, C. teeta and C. chinensis are occasionally interchanged, and current understanding of the molecular basis of BIA biosynthesis in these two species is limited. Here, berberine, coptisine, jatrorrhizine, and palmatine were detected in two species, and showed the highest contents in the roots, while epiberberine were found only in C. chinensis. Comprehensive transcriptome analysis of the roots and leaves of C. teeta and C. chinensis, respectively, identified 53 and 52 unigenes encoding enzymes potentially involved in BIA biosynthesis. By integrating probable biosynthetic pathways for BIAs, the jatrorrhizine biosynthesis ill-informed previously was further characterized. Two genes encoding norcoclaurine/norlaudanosoline 6-O-methyltransferases (Cc6OMT1 and Cc6OMT2) and one gene encoding norcoclaurine-7OMT (Ct7OMT) catalyzed enzymatically O-methylate (S)-norcoclaurine at C6 that yield (S)-coclaurine, along with a smaller amount of O-methylation occurred at C7, thereby forming its isomer (isococlaurine). In addition, scoulerine 9-OMT (CtSOMT) was determined to show strict substrate specificity, targeting (S)-scoulerine to yield (S)-tetrahydrocolumbamine. Taken together, the integration of the transcriptome and enzyme activity assays further provides new insight into molecular mechanisms underlying BIA biosynthesis in plants and identifies candidate genes for the study of synthetic biology in microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Mei He
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Yan-Li Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Kun Cong
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Geng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Xiu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Qi-Ming Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Jia-Jin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Xiao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Yang Dong
- Province Key Laboratory, Biological Big Data College, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Jian-Li Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guang-Hui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Zhi-Long Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Wei Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Sheng-Chao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
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26
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Chen X, Hagel JM, Chang L, Tucker JE, Shiigi SA, Yelpaala Y, Chen HY, Estrada R, Colbeck J, Enquist-Newman M, Ibáñez AB, Cottarel G, Vidanes GM, Facchini PJ. A pathogenesis-related 10 protein catalyzes the final step in thebaine biosynthesis. Nat Chem Biol 2018; 14:738-743. [DOI: 10.1038/s41589-018-0059-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Identification of candidate genes involved in isoquinoline alkaloids biosynthesis in Dactylicapnos scandens by transcriptome analysis. Sci Rep 2017; 7:9119. [PMID: 28831066 PMCID: PMC5567367 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-08672-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Dactylicapnos scandens (D. Don) Hutch (Papaveraceae) is a well-known traditional Chinese herb used for treatment of hypertension, inflammation, bleeding and pain for centuries. Although the major bioactive components in this herb are considered as isoquinoline alkaloids (IQAs), little is known about molecular basis of their biosynthesis. Here, we carried out transcriptomic analysis of roots, leaves and stems of D. scandens, and obtained a total of 96,741 unigenes. Based on gene expression and phylogenetic relationship, we proposed the biosynthetic pathways of isocorydine, corydine, glaucine and sinomenine, and identified 67 unigenes encoding enzymes potentially involved in biosynthesis of IQAs in D. scandens. High performance liquid chromatography analysis demonstrated that while isocorydine is the most abundant IQA in D. scandens, the last O-methylation biosynthesis step remains unclear. Further enzyme activity assay, for the first time, characterized a gene encoding O- methyltransferase (DsOMT), which catalyzes O-methylation at C7 of (S)-corytuberine to form isocorydine. We also identified candidate transcription factor genes belonging to WRKY and bHLH families that may be involved in the regulation of IQAs biosynthesis. Taken together, we first provided valuable genetic information for D. scandens, shedding light on candidate genes involved in IQA biosynthesis, which will be critical for further gene functional characterization.
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Stefano GB, Pilonis N, Ptacek R, Kream RM. Reciprocal Evolution of Opiate Science from Medical and Cultural Perspectives. Med Sci Monit 2017; 23:2890-2896. [PMID: 28609429 PMCID: PMC5478244 DOI: 10.12659/msm.905167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the course of human history, it has been common to use plants for medicinal purposes, such as for providing relief from particular maladies and self-medication. Opium represents one longstanding remedy that has been used to address a range of medical conditions, alleviating discomfort often in ways that have proven pleasurable. Opium is a combination of compounds obtained from the mature fruit of opium poppy, papaver somniferum. Morphine and its biosynthetic precursors thebaine and codeine constitute the main bioactive opiate alkaloids contained in opium. Opium usage in ancient cultures is well documented, as is its major extract morphine. The presence of endogenous opiate alkaloids and opioid peptides in animals owe their discovery to their consistent actions at particular concentrations via stereo select receptors. In vitro expression of morphine within a microbiological industrial setting underscores the role it plays as a multi-purpose pharmacological agent, as well as reinforcing why it can also lead to long-term social dependence. Furthermore, it clearly establishes a reciprocal effect of human intelligence on modifying evolutionary processes in papaver somniferum and related plant species.
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Affiliation(s)
- George B Stefano
- Department of Psychiatry, Charles University First Faculty of Medicine and General Teaching Hospital, Center for Cognitive Molecular Neuroscience, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Nastazja Pilonis
- Warsaw Medical University, Public Central Teaching Hospital, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Radek Ptacek
- Department of Psychiatry, Charles University First Faculty of Medicine and General Teaching Hospital, Center for Cognitive Molecular Neuroscience, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Richard M Kream
- Department of Psychiatry, Charles University First Faculty of Medicine and General Teaching Hospital, Center for Cognitive Molecular Neuroscience, Prague, Czech Republic
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29
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Ehrenworth AM, Peralta-Yahya P. Accelerating the semisynthesis of alkaloid-based drugs through metabolic engineering. Nat Chem Biol 2017; 13:249-258. [DOI: 10.1038/nchembio.2308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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[Dedicated to Prof. T. Okada and Prof. T. Nishioka: data science in chemistry]Classification of Alkaloid Compounds Based on Subring Skeleton (SRS) Profiling: On Finding Relationship of Compounds with Metabolic Pathways. JOURNAL OF COMPUTER AIDED CHEMISTRY 2017. [DOI: 10.2751/jcac.18.58] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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31
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Plug-and-Play Benzylisoquinoline Alkaloid Biosynthetic Gene Discovery in Engineered Yeast. Methods Enzymol 2016; 575:143-78. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2016.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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