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Alexander LE, Winkelman D, Stenback KE, Lane M, Campbell KR, Trost E, Flyckt K, Schelling MA, Rizhsky L, Yandeau-Nelson MD, Nikolau BJ. The impact of the GLOSSY2 and GLOSSY2-LIKE BAHD-proteins in affecting the product profile of the maize fatty acid elongase. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1403779. [PMID: 39055356 PMCID: PMC11269236 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1403779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
The maize glossy2 and glossy2-like genes are homologs, which encode proteins that belong to the BAHD family of acyltransferases. In planta genetic studies have demonstrated that these genes may be involved in the elongation of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) that are precursors of the cuticular wax fraction of the plant cuticle. VLCFAs are synthesized by a fatty acyl-CoA elongase complex (FAE) that consists of four component enzymes. Previously, we functionally identified the maize FAE component enzymes by their ability to complement haploid Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains that carry lethal deletion alleles for each FAE component enzyme. In this study we used these complemented haploid strains and wild-type diploid strains to evaluate whether the co-expression of either GLOSSY2 or GLOSSY2-LIKE with individual maize FAE component enzymes affects the VLCFA product-profile of the FAE system. Wild-type diploid strains produced VLCFAs of up to 28-carbon chain length. Co-expression of GLOSSY2 or GLOSSY2-LIKE with a combination of maize 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthases stimulated the synthesis of longer VLCFAs, up to 30-carbon chain lengths. However, such results could not be recapitulated when these co-expression experiments were conducted in the yeast haploid mutant strains that lacked individual components of the endogenous FAE system. Specifically, lethal yeast mutant strains that are genetically complemented by the expression of maize FAE-component enzymes produce VLCFAs that range between 20- and 26-carbon chain lengths. However, expressing either GLOSSY2 or GLOSSY2-LIKE in these complemented strains does not enable the synthesis of longer chain VLCFAs. These results indicate that the apparent stimulatory role of GLOSSY2 or GLOSSY2-LIKE to enable the synthesis of longer chain VLCFAs in diploid yeast cells may be associated with mixing plant enzyme components with the endogenous FAE complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liza Esther Alexander
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
- Center for Metabolic Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Dirk Winkelman
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
- Center for Metabolic Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Kenna E. Stenback
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
- Center for Metabolic Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Madison Lane
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Katelyn R. Campbell
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Elysse Trost
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Kayla Flyckt
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
- Center for Metabolic Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Michael A. Schelling
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Ludmila Rizhsky
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
- Center for Metabolic Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Marna D. Yandeau-Nelson
- Center for Metabolic Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Basil J. Nikolau
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
- Center for Metabolic Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
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2
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Xu L, Hao J, Lv M, Liu P, Ge Q, Zhang S, Yang J, Niu H, Wang Y, Xue Y, Lu X, Tang J, Zheng J, Gou M. A genome-wide association study identifies genes associated with cuticular wax metabolism in maize. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 194:2616-2630. [PMID: 38206190 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiae007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
The plant cuticle is essential in plant defense against biotic and abiotic stresses. To systematically elucidate the genetic architecture of maize (Zea mays L.) cuticular wax metabolism, 2 cuticular wax-related traits, the chlorophyll extraction rate (CER) and water loss rate (WLR) of 389 maize inbred lines, were investigated and a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed using 1.25 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). In total, 57 nonredundant quantitative trait loci (QTL) explaining 5.57% to 15.07% of the phenotypic variation for each QTL were identified. These QTLs contained 183 genes, among which 21 strong candidates were identified based on functional annotations and previous publications. Remarkably, 3 candidate genes that express differentially during cuticle development encode β-ketoacyl-CoA synthase (KCS). While ZmKCS19 was known to be involved in cuticle wax metabolism, ZmKCS12 and ZmKCS3 functions were not reported. The association between ZmKCS12 and WLR was confirmed by resequencing 106 inbred lines, and the variation of WLR was significant between different haplotypes of ZmKCS12. In this study, the loss-of-function mutant of ZmKCS12 exhibited wrinkled leaf morphology, altered wax crystal morphology, and decreased C32 wax monomer levels, causing an increased WLR and sensitivity to drought. These results confirm that ZmKCS12 plays a vital role in maize C32 wax monomer synthesis and is critical for drought tolerance. In sum, through GWAS of 2 cuticular wax-associated traits, this study reveals comprehensively the genetic architecture in maize cuticular wax metabolism and provides a valuable reference for the genetic improvement of stress tolerance in maize.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crops Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
- The Shennong Laboratory, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Jiaxin Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crops Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Mengfan Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crops Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Peipei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crops Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Qidong Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crops Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Sainan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crops Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Jianping Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crops Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Hongbin Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crops Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Yiru Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yadong Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crops Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Xiaoduo Lu
- Institute of Advanced Agricultural Technology, Qilu Normal University, Jinan 250200, China
| | - Jihua Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crops Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
- The Shennong Laboratory, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Jun Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Mingyue Gou
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crops Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
- The Shennong Laboratory, Zhengzhou 450002, China
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3
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Chemelewski R, McKinley BA, Finlayson S, Mullet JE. Epicuticular wax accumulation and regulation of wax pathway gene expression during bioenergy Sorghum stem development. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1227859. [PMID: 37936930 PMCID: PMC10626490 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1227859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Bioenergy sorghum is a drought-tolerant high-biomass C4 grass targeted for production on annual cropland marginal for food crops due primarily to abiotic constraints. To better understand the overall contribution of stem wax to bioenergy sorghum's resilience, the current study characterized sorghum stem cuticular wax loads, composition, morphometrics, wax pathway gene expression and regulation using vegetative phase Wray, R07020, and TX08001 genotypes. Wax loads on sorghum stems (~103-215 µg/cm2) were much higher than Arabidopsis stem and leaf wax loads. Wax on developing sorghum stem internodes was enriched in C28/30 primary alcohols (~65%) while stem wax on fully developed stems was enriched in C28/30 aldehydes (~80%). Scanning Electron Microscopy showed minimal wax on internodes prior to the onset of elongation and that wax tubules first appear associated with cork-silica cell complexes when internode cell elongation is complete. Sorghum homologs of genes involved in wax biosynthesis/transport were differentially expressed in the stem epidermis. Expression of many wax pathway genes (i.e., SbKCS6, SbCER3-1, SbWSD1, SbABCG12, SbABCG11) is low in immature apical internodes then increases at the onset of stem wax accumulation. SbCER4 is expressed relatively early in stem development consistent with accumulation of C28/30 primary alcohols on developing apical internodes. High expression of two SbCER3 homologs in fully elongated internodes is consistent with a role in production of C28/30 aldehydes. Gene regulatory network analysis aided the identification of sorghum homologs of transcription factors that regulate wax biosynthesis (i.e., SbSHN1, SbWRI1/3, SbMYB94/96/30/60, MYS1) and other transcription factors that could regulate and specify expression of the wax pathway in epidermal cells during cuticle development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Chemelewski
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Brian A. McKinley
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Scott Finlayson
- Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - John E. Mullet
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
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Xu D, Wang Z, Zhuang W, Wang T, Xie Y. Family characteristics, phylogenetic reconstruction, and potential applications of the plant BAHD acyltransferase family. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1218914. [PMID: 37868312 PMCID: PMC10585174 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1218914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
The BAHD acyltransferase family is a class of proteins in plants that can acylate a variety of primary and specialized secondary metabolites. The typically acylated products have greatly improved stability, lipid solubility, and bioavailability and thus show significant differences in their physicochemical properties and pharmacological activities. Here, we review the protein structure, catalytic mechanism, and phylogenetic reconstruction of plant BAHD acyltransferases to describe their family characteristics, acylation reactions, and the processes of potential functional differentiation. Moreover, the potential applications of the BAHD family in human activities are discussed from the perspectives of improving the quality of economic plants, enhancing the efficacy of medicinal plants, improving plant biomass for use in biofuel, and promoting stress resistance of land plants. This review provides a reference for the research and production of plant BAHD acyltransferases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghuan Xu
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for the Research and Utilization of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences (Nanjing Botanical Garden Mem. Sun Yat-Sen), Nanjing, China
| | - Zhong Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for the Research and Utilization of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences (Nanjing Botanical Garden Mem. Sun Yat-Sen), Nanjing, China
| | - Weibing Zhuang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for the Research and Utilization of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences (Nanjing Botanical Garden Mem. Sun Yat-Sen), Nanjing, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for the Research and Utilization of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences (Nanjing Botanical Garden Mem. Sun Yat-Sen), Nanjing, China
| | - Yinfeng Xie
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
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5
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Castorina G, Bigelow M, Hattery T, Zilio M, Sangiorgio S, Caporali E, Venturini G, Iriti M, Yandeau-Nelson MD, Consonni G. Roles of the MYB94/FUSED LEAVES1 (ZmFDL1) and GLOSSY2 (ZmGL2) genes in cuticle biosynthesis and potential impacts on Fusarium verticillioides growth on maize silks. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1228394. [PMID: 37546274 PMCID: PMC10399752 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1228394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Maize silks, the stigmatic portions of the female flowers, have an important role in reproductive development. Silks also provide entry points for pathogens into host tissues since fungal hyphae move along the surface of the silks to reach the site of infection, i.e., the developing kernel. The outer extracellular surface of the silk is covered by a protective hydrophobic cuticle, comprised of a complex array of long-chain hydrocarbons and small amounts of very long chain fatty acids and fatty alcohols. This work illustrates that two previously characterized cuticle-related genes separately exert roles on maize silk cuticle deposition and function. ZmMYB94/FUSED LEAVES 1 (ZmFDL1) MYB transcription factor is a key regulator of cuticle deposition in maize seedlings. The ZmGLOSSY2 (ZmGL2) gene, a putative member of the BAHD superfamily of acyltransferases with close sequence similarity to the Arabidopsis AtCER2 gene, is involved in the elongation of the fatty acid chains that serve as precursors of the waxes on young leaves. In silks, lack of ZmFDL1 action generates a decrease in the accumulation of a wide number of compounds, including alkanes and alkenes of 20 carbons or greater and affects the expression of cuticle-related genes. These results suggest that ZmFDL1 retains a regulatory role in silks, which might be exerted across the entire wax biosynthesis pathway. Separately, a comparison between gl2-ref and wild-type silks reveals differences in the abundance of specific cuticular wax constituents, particularly those of longer unsaturated carbon chain lengths. The inferred role of ZmGL2 is to control the chain lengths of unsaturated hydrocarbons. The treatment of maize silks with Fusarium verticillioides conidia suspension results in altered transcript levels of ZmFDL1 and ZmGL2 genes. In addition, an increase in fungal growth was observed on gl2-ref mutant silks 72 hours after Fusarium infection. These findings suggest that the silk cuticle plays an active role in the response to F. verticillioides infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Castorina
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali (DiSAA), Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Madison Bigelow
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Travis Hattery
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Massimo Zilio
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali (DiSAA), Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Sangiorgio
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali (DiSAA), Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Venturini
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali (DiSAA), Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marcello Iriti
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali (DiSAA), Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marna D. Yandeau-Nelson
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Gabriella Consonni
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali (DiSAA), Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Milan, Italy
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6
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Liu L, Xu H, Zhang W, Xing J, Zhu M, Zhang Y, Wang Y. Genome-Wide Analysis of the BAHD Family in Welsh Onion and CER2-LIKEs Involved in Wax Metabolism. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1286. [PMID: 37372466 DOI: 10.3390/genes14061286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BAHD acyltransferases (BAHDs), especially those present in plant epidermal wax metabolism, are crucial for environmental adaptation. Epidermal waxes primarily comprise very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) and their derivatives, serving as significant components of aboveground plant organs. These waxes play an essential role in resisting biotic and abiotic stresses. In this study, we identified the BAHD family in Welsh onion (Allium fistulosum). Our analysis revealed the presence of AfBAHDs in all chromosomes, with a distinct concentration in Chr3. Furthermore, the cis-acting elements of AfBAHDs were associated with abiotic/biotic stress, hormones, and light. The motif of Welsh onion BAHDs indicated the presence of a specific BAHDs motif. We also established the phylogenetic relationships of AfBAHDs, identifying three homologous genes of CER2. Subsequently, we characterized the expression of AfCER2-LIKEs in a Welsh onion mutant deficient in wax and found that AfCER2-LIKE1 plays a critical role in leaf wax metabolism, while all AfCER2-LIKEs respond to abiotic stress. Our findings provide new insights into the BAHD family and lay a foundation for future studies on the regulation of wax metabolism in Welsh onion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lecheng Liu
- College of Horticulture and Gardening, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434025, China
| | - Huanhuan Xu
- College of Horticulture and Gardening, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434025, China
- Beijing Vegetable Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (North China), Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing Key Laboratory of Vegetable Germplasm Improvement, National Engineering Research Center for Vegetables, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Wanyue Zhang
- Beijing Vegetable Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (North China), Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing Key Laboratory of Vegetable Germplasm Improvement, National Engineering Research Center for Vegetables, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Jiayi Xing
- Beijing Vegetable Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (North China), Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing Key Laboratory of Vegetable Germplasm Improvement, National Engineering Research Center for Vegetables, Beijing 100097, China
- Department of Horticulture, Agricultural College, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China
| | - Mingzhao Zhu
- Beijing Vegetable Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (North China), Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing Key Laboratory of Vegetable Germplasm Improvement, National Engineering Research Center for Vegetables, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Yuchen Zhang
- College of Horticulture and Gardening, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434025, China
- Beijing Vegetable Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (North China), Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing Key Laboratory of Vegetable Germplasm Improvement, National Engineering Research Center for Vegetables, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Yongqin Wang
- Beijing Vegetable Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (North China), Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing Key Laboratory of Vegetable Germplasm Improvement, National Engineering Research Center for Vegetables, Beijing 100097, China
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7
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Chen JY, Mumtaz A, Gonzales-Vigil E. Evolution and molecular basis of substrate specificity in a 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthase gene cluster from Populus trichocarpa. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102496. [PMID: 36115459 PMCID: PMC9574513 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) are precursors to sphingolipids, glycerophospholipids, and plant cuticular waxes. In plants, members of a large 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthase (KCS) gene family catalyze the substrate-specific elongation of VLCFAs. Although it is well understood that KCSs have evolved to use diverse substrates, the underlying molecular determinants of their specificity are still unclear. In this study, we exploited the sequence similarity of a KCS gene cluster from Populus trichocarpa to examine the evolution and molecular determinants of KCS substrate specificity. Functional characterization of five members (PtKCS1, 2, 4, 8, 9) in yeast showed divergent product profiles based on VLCFA length, saturation, and position of the double bond. In addition, homology models, rationally designed chimeras, and site-directed mutants were used to identify two key regions (helix-4 and position 277) as being major determinants of substrate specificity. These results were corroborated with chimeras involving a more distantly related KCS, PtCER6 (the poplar ortholog of the Arabidopsis CER6), and used to show that helix-4 is necessary for the modulatory effect of PtCER2-like 5 on KCS substrate specificity. The role of position 277 in limiting product length was further tested by substitution with smaller amino acids, which shifted specificity towards longer products. Finally, treatment with KCS inhibitors (K3 herbicides) showed varying inhibitor sensitivities between the duplicated paralogs despite their sequence similarity. Together, this work sheds light on the molecular mechanisms driving substrate diversification in the KCS family and lays the groundwork for tailoring the production of specific VLCFAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeff Y Chen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, M1C 1A4 Canada; Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 3G5, Canada
| | - Arishba Mumtaz
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, M1C 1A4 Canada
| | - Eliana Gonzales-Vigil
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, M1C 1A4 Canada; Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 3G5, Canada.
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8
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Stenback KE, Flyckt KS, Hoang T, Campbell AA, Nikolau BJ. Modifying the yeast very long chain fatty acid biosynthetic machinery by the expression of plant 3-ketoacyl CoA synthase isozymes. Sci Rep 2022; 12:13235. [PMID: 35918413 PMCID: PMC9346008 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-17080-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotes express a multi-component fatty acid elongase to produce very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs), which are building blocks of diverse lipids. Elongation is achieved by cyclical iteration of four reactions, the first of which generates a new carbon-carbon bond, elongating the acyl-chain. This reaction is catalyzed by either ELONGATION DEFECTIVE LIKE (ELO) or 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthase (KCS) enzymes. Whereas plants express both ELO and KCS enzymes, other eukaryotes express only ELOs. We explored the Zea mays KCS enzymatic redundancies by expressing each of the 26 isozymes in yeast strains that lacked endogenous ELO isozymes. Expression of the 26 maize KCS isozymes in wild-type, scelo2 or scelo3 single mutants did not affect VLCFA profiles. However, a complementation screen of each of the 26 KCS isozymes revealed five that were capable of complementing the synthetically lethal scelo2; scelo3 double mutant. These rescued strains express novel VLCFA profiles reflecting the different catalytic capabilities of the KCS isozymes. These novel strains offer a platform to explore the relationship between VLCFA profiles and cellular physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenna E Stenback
- Roy J Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School Blavatnik Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kayla S Flyckt
- Roy J Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.,Corteva Agriscience, Johnston, IA, USA
| | - Trang Hoang
- Roy J Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.,Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Alexis A Campbell
- Roy J Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.,School of Education, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Basil J Nikolau
- Roy J Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA. .,Center for Metabolic Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.
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9
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Zhukov A, Popov V. Synthesis of C 20-38 Fatty Acids in Plant Tissues. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094731. [PMID: 35563119 PMCID: PMC9101283 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094731] [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: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA) are involved in a number of important plant physiological functions. Disorders in the expression of genes involved in the synthesis of VLCFA lead to a number of phenotypic consequences, ranging from growth retardation to the death of embryos. The elongation of VLCFA in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is carried out by multiple elongase complexes with different substrate specificities and adapted to the synthesis of a number of products required for a number of metabolic pathways. The information about the enzymes involved in the synthesis of VLCFA with more than 26 atoms of Carbon is rather poor. Recently, genes encoding enzymes involved in the synthesis of both regular-length fatty acids and VLCFA have been discovered and investigated. Polyunsaturated VLCFA in plants are formed mainly by 20:1 elongation into new monounsaturated acids, which are then imported into chloroplasts, where they are further desaturated. The formation of saturated VLCFA and their further transformation into a number of aliphatic compounds included in cuticular waxes and suberin require the coordinated activity of a large number of different enzymes.
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Gonzales-Vigil E, vonLoessl ME, Chen JY, Li S, Haslam TM, Kunst L, Mansfield SD. Understanding the Role of Populus ECERIFERUM2-Likes in the Biosynthesis of Very-Long-Chain Fatty Acids for Cuticular Waxes. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 62:827-838. [PMID: 33749753 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcab040] [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: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Cuticular waxes are derived from very-long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) precursors made by the concerted action of four enzymes that form the fatty acid (FA) elongation complex. The condensing enzyme of the complex confers specificity to substrates of different chain lengths, yet on its own cannot account for the biosynthesis of VLCFAs longer than 28 carbons (C28). Recent evidence from Arabidopsis thaliana points to a synergistic role of clade II BAHD acyltransferases and condensing enzymes in the elongation of VLCFAs beyond C28. In Populus trichocarpa, clade II is composed of seven uncharacterized paralogous genes (PtCER2-like1-7). In the present study, five of these genes were heterologously expressed in yeast and their respective FA profiles were determined. PtCER2-likes differentially altered the accumulation of C28 and C30 FAs when expressed in the presence of the condensing enzyme AtCER6. Among these, PtCER2-like5 produced the highest levels of C28 FAs in yeast and its expression was localized to the epidermis in β-glucuronidase-reporter poplar lines, consistent with a role in cuticular wax biosynthesis. Complementation of the A. thaliana cer2-5 mutant with PtCER2-like5 increased the levels of C28-derived cuticular waxes at the expense of C30-derived components. Together, these results demonstrate that the role of CER2-likes in cuticular wax biosynthesis is conserved in Populus clade II BAHD acyltransferases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliana Gonzales-Vigil
- Department of Wood Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - Michelle E vonLoessl
- Department of Wood Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Jeff Y Chen
- Department of Wood Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - Sitong Li
- Department of Wood Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Tegan M Haslam
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Ljerka Kunst
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Shawn D Mansfield
- Department of Wood Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
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Batsale M, Bahammou D, Fouillen L, Mongrand S, Joubès J, Domergue F. Biosynthesis and Functions of Very-Long-Chain Fatty Acids in the Responses of Plants to Abiotic and Biotic Stresses. Cells 2021; 10:cells10061284. [PMID: 34064239 PMCID: PMC8224384 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Very-long-chain fatty acids (i.e., fatty acids with more than 18 carbon atoms; VLCFA) are important molecules that play crucial physiological and structural roles in plants. VLCFA are specifically present in several membrane lipids and essential for membrane homeostasis. Their specific accumulation in the sphingolipids of the plasma membrane outer leaflet is of primordial importance for its correct functioning in intercellular communication. VLCFA are found in phospholipids, notably in phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine, where they could play a role in membrane domain organization and interleaflet coupling. In epidermal cells, VLCFA are precursors of the cuticular waxes of the plant cuticle, which are of primary importance for many interactions of the plant with its surrounding environment. VLCFA are also major components of the root suberin barrier, which has been shown to be fundamental for nutrient homeostasis and plant adaptation to adverse conditions. Finally, some plants store VLCFA in the triacylglycerols of their seeds so that they later play a pivotal role in seed germination. In this review, taking advantage of the many studies conducted using Arabidopsis thaliana as a model, we present our current knowledge on the biosynthesis and regulation of VLCFA in plants, and on the various functions that VLCFA and their derivatives play in the interactions of plants with their abiotic and biotic environment.
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Alexander LE, Gilbertson JS, Xie B, Song Z, Nikolau BJ. High spatial resolution imaging of the dynamics of cuticular lipid deposition during Arabidopsis flower development. PLANT DIRECT 2021; 5:e00322. [PMID: 33969255 PMCID: PMC8082717 DOI: 10.1002/pld3.322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The extensive collection of glossy (gl) and eceriferum (cer) mutants of maize and Arabidopsis have proven invaluable in dissecting the branched metabolic pathways that support cuticular lipid deposition. This bifurcated pathway integrates a fatty acid elongation-decarbonylative branch and a fatty acid elongation-reductive branch, which collectively has the capacity to generate hundreds of cuticular lipid metabolites. In this study, a combined transgenic and biochemical strategy was implemented to explore and compare the physiological function of three homologous genes, Gl2, Gl2-like, and CER2, in the context of this branched pathway. These biochemical characterizations integrated new extraction chromatographic procedures with high spatial resolution mass spectrometric imaging methods to profile the cuticular lipids on developing floral tissues transgenically expressing these transgenes in wild-type or cer2 mutant lines of Arabidopsis. Collectively, these datasets establish that both the maize Gl2 and Gl2-like genes are functional homologs of the Arabidopsis CER2 gene. In addition, the dynamic distribution of cuticular lipid deposition follows distinct floral organ localization patterns indicating that the fatty acid elongation-decarbonylative branch of the pathway is differentially localized from the fatty acid elongation-reductive branch of the pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liza E. Alexander
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular BiologyIowa State UniversityAmesIAUSA
- Center for Metabolic BiologyIowa State UniversityAmesIAUSA
| | - Jena S. Gilbertson
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular BiologyIowa State UniversityAmesIAUSA
- Present address:
Illinois College of OptometryChicagoIL60616USA
| | - Bo Xie
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular BiologyIowa State UniversityAmesIAUSA
- Center for Metabolic BiologyIowa State UniversityAmesIAUSA
- Present address:
Office of Intellectual Property and Technology TransferEconomic Development Core FacilityIowa State UniversityAmesIA50010USA
| | - Zhihong Song
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular BiologyIowa State UniversityAmesIAUSA
- Center for Metabolic BiologyIowa State UniversityAmesIAUSA
- Present address:
Office of Pharmaceutical QualityCenter for Drug Evaluation and ResearchU.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSilver SpringMD20993USA
| | - Basil J. Nikolau
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular BiologyIowa State UniversityAmesIAUSA
- Center for Metabolic BiologyIowa State UniversityAmesIAUSA
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