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Wang Z, Chen X, Zhao Y, Jin D, Jiang C, Yao S, Li Z, Jiang X, Liu Y, Gao L, Xia T. A serine carboxypeptidase-like acyltransferase catalyzes consecutive four-step reactions of hydrolyzable tannin biosynthesis in Camellia oleifera. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38838090 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Hydrolyzable tannins (HTs), a class of polyphenolic compounds found in dicotyledonous plants, are widely used in food and pharmaceutical industries because of their beneficial effects on human health. Although the biosynthesis of simple HTs has been verified at the enzymatic level, relevant genes have not yet been identified. Here, based on the parent ion-fragment ion pairs in the feature fragment data obtained using UPLC-Q-TOF-/MS/MS, galloyl phenolic compounds in the leaves of Camellia sinensis and C. oleifera were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Correlation analysis between the transcript abundance of serine carboxypeptidase-like acyltransferases (SCPL-ATs) and the peak area of galloyl products in Camellia species showed that SCPL3 expression was highly correlated with HT biosynthesis. Enzymatic verification of the recombinant protein showed that CoSCPL3 from C. oleifera catalyzed the four consecutive steps involved in the conversion of digalloylglucose to pentagalloylglucose. We also identified the residues affecting the enzymatic activity of CoSCPL3 and determined that SCPL-AT catalyzes the synthesis of galloyl glycosides. The findings of this study provide a target gene for germplasm innovation of important cash crops that are rich in HTs, such as C. oleifera, strawberry, and walnut.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization/Key Laboratory of Tea Biology and Tea Processing of Ministry of Agriculture/Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
- Core Facility Center, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiangxiang Chen
- School of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Yue Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization/Key Laboratory of Tea Biology and Tea Processing of Ministry of Agriculture/Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Didi Jin
- School of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Changjuan Jiang
- School of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Shengbo Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization/Key Laboratory of Tea Biology and Tea Processing of Ministry of Agriculture/Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Zhu Li
- School of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaolan Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization/Key Laboratory of Tea Biology and Tea Processing of Ministry of Agriculture/Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Yajun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization/Key Laboratory of Tea Biology and Tea Processing of Ministry of Agriculture/Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
- School of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Liping Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization/Key Laboratory of Tea Biology and Tea Processing of Ministry of Agriculture/Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
- School of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Tao Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization/Key Laboratory of Tea Biology and Tea Processing of Ministry of Agriculture/Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
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Barreda L, Brosse C, Boutet S, Perreau F, Rajjou L, Lepiniec L, Corso M. Specialized metabolite modifications in Brassicaceae seeds and plants: diversity, functions and related enzymes. Nat Prod Rep 2024; 41:834-859. [PMID: 38323463 DOI: 10.1039/d3np00043e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Covering: up to 2023Specialized metabolite (SM) modifications and/or decorations, corresponding to the addition or removal of functional groups (e.g. hydroxyl, methyl, glycosyl or acyl group) to SM structures, contribute to the huge diversity of structures, activities and functions of seed and plant SMs. This review summarizes available knowledge (up to 2023) on SM modifications in Brassicaceae and their contribution to SM plasticity. We give a comprehensive overview on enzymes involved in the addition or removal of these functional groups. Brassicaceae, including model (Arabidopsis thaliana) and crop (Brassica napus, Camelina sativa) plant species, present a large diversity of plant and seed SMs, which makes them valuable models to study SM modifications. In this review, particular attention is given to the environmental plasticity of SM and relative modification and/or decoration enzymes. Furthermore, a spotlight is given to SMs and related modification enzymes in seeds of Brassicaceae species. Seeds constitute a large reservoir of beneficial SMs and are one of the most important dietary sources, providing more than half of the world's intake of dietary proteins, oil and starch. The seed tissue- and stage-specific expressions of A. thaliana genes involved in SM modification are presented and discussed in the context of available literature. Given the major role in plant phytochemistry, biology and ecology, SM modifications constitute a subject of study contributing to the research and development in agroecology, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food industrial sectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léa Barreda
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin (IJPB), 78000 Versailles, France.
| | - Céline Brosse
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin (IJPB), 78000 Versailles, France.
| | - Stéphanie Boutet
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin (IJPB), 78000 Versailles, France.
| | - François Perreau
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin (IJPB), 78000 Versailles, France.
| | - Loïc Rajjou
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin (IJPB), 78000 Versailles, France.
| | - Loïc Lepiniec
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin (IJPB), 78000 Versailles, France.
| | - Massimiliano Corso
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin (IJPB), 78000 Versailles, France.
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Jordan EN, Schmidt C, Kayser O. Foldseek reveals a CBGA prenylating enzyme GlyMa_02G168000 from Glycine max. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 696:149471. [PMID: 38219483 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.149471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
The present research provides an application for an aromatic prenyltransferase from Glycine max for use in heterologous microorganism expression to generate cannabinoids. The known cannabinoid prenyltransferase CsPT04 was queried in FoldSeek. An enzyme derived from Glycine max known as GLYMA_02G168000, which is a predicted homogentisate solanyltransferase, was identified and found to have affinity for the prenylation of geranyldiphosphate (GPP) and olivetolic acid (OA) to produce cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) and cannabigerol (CBG). The in vitro production of CBGA was accomplished through the heterologous expression of this prenyltransferase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. After growing the yeast cells, a purified microsomal fraction was harvested, which was rich in the membrane-bound prenyltransferase GlyMa_02G168000. Addition of purified microsomal fraction to a reaction matrix facilitated the successful prenylation of externally supplied OA with GPP, culminating in the production of CBGA. Structural comparisons revealed a notably closer similarity between GLYMA_02G168000 and CsPT04, compared to the similarity of other cannabinoid prenyltransferases with CsPT04. Herein, a novel application for a homogentisate solanyltransferase has been established towards the production of cannabinoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Noel Jordan
- Technical Biochemistry, TU Dortmund University, Emil-Figge-Straße 66, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Christina Schmidt
- Technical Biochemistry, TU Dortmund University, Emil-Figge-Straße 66, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Oliver Kayser
- Technical Biochemistry, TU Dortmund University, Emil-Figge-Straße 66, 44227, Dortmund, Germany.
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4
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Schmidt C, Aras M, Kayser O. Engineering cannabinoid production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Biotechnol J 2024; 19:e2300507. [PMID: 38403455 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202300507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Phytocannabinoids are natural products with highly interesting pharmacological properties mainly produced by plants. The production of cannabinoids in a heterologous host system has gained interest in recent years as a promising alternative to production from plant material. However, the systems reported so far do not achieve industrially relevant titers, highlighting the need for alternative systems. Here, we show the production of the cannabinoids cannabigerolic acid and cannabigerol from glucose and hexanoic acid in a heterologous yeast system using the aromatic prenyltransferase NphB from Streptomyces sp. strain CL190. The production was significantly increased by introducing a fusion protein consisting of ERG20WW and NphB. Furthermore, we improved the production of the precursor olivetolic acid to a titer of 56 mg L-1 . The implementation of the cannabinoid synthase genes enabled the production of Δ9 -tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, cannabidiolic acid as well as cannabichromenic acid, where the heterologous biosynthesis of cannabichromenic acid in a yeast system was demonstrated for the first time. In addition, we found that the product spectrum of the cannabinoid synthases localized to the vacuoles of the yeast cells was highly dependent on extracellular pH, allowing for easy manipulation. Finally, using a fed-batch approach, we showed cannabigerolic acid and olivetolic acid titers of up to 18.2 mg L-1 and 117 mg L-1 , respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Schmidt
- Technical Biochemistry Laboratory, Faculty of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Marco Aras
- Technical Biochemistry Laboratory, Faculty of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Oliver Kayser
- Technical Biochemistry Laboratory, Faculty of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
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Spitzer S, Wloka J, Pietruszka J, Kayser O. Generation of Cannabigerolic Acid Derivatives and Their Precursors by Using the Promiscuity of the Aromatic Prenyltransferase NphB. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202300441. [PMID: 37690998 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
NphB is an aromatic prenyltransferase with high promiscuity for phenolics including flavonoids, isoflavonoids, and plant polyketides. It has been demonstrated that cannabigerolic acid is successfully formed by the reaction catalysed by NphB using geranyl diphosphate and olivetolic acid as substrates. In this study, the substrate specificity of NphB was further determined by using olivetolic acid derivatives as potential substrates for the formation of new synthetic cannabinoids. The derivatives differ in the hydrocarbon chain attached to C6 of the core structure. We performed in silico experiments, including docking of olivetolic acid derivatives, to identify differences in their binding modes. Substrate acceptance was predicted. Based on these results, a library of olivetolic acid derivatives was constructed and synthesized by using different organic synthetic routes. Conversion was monitored in in vitro assays with purified NphB versions. For the substrates leading to a high conversion olivetolic acid-C8, olivetolic acid-C2 and 2-benzyl-4,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid, the products were further elucidated and identified as cannbigerolic acid derivatives. Therefore, these substrates show potential to be adapted in cannabinoid biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia Spitzer
- Technical Biochemistry Laboratory, Technical University Dortmund, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Jasmin Wloka
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, 52426, Jülich, Germany
| | - Jörg Pietruszka
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, 52426, Jülich, Germany
| | - Oliver Kayser
- Technical Biochemistry Laboratory, Technical University Dortmund, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
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6
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Wang L, Chen K, Zhang M, Ye M, Qiao X. Catalytic function, mechanism, and application of plant acyltransferases. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2021; 42:125-144. [PMID: 34151663 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2021.1931015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Acyltransferases (ATs) are important tailoring enzymes that contribute to the diversity of natural products. They catalyze the transfer of acyl groups to the skeleton, which improves the lipid solubility, stability, and pharmacological activity of natural compounds. In recent years, a number of ATs have been isolated from plants. In this review, we have summarized 141 biochemically characterized ATs during the period July 1997 to October 2020, including their function, heterologous expression systems, and catalytic mechanisms. Their catalytic performance and application potential has been further discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Kuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Min Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xue Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
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Srinivasan P, Smolke CD. Biosynthesis of medicinal tropane alkaloids in yeast. Nature 2020; 585:614-619. [PMID: 32879484 PMCID: PMC7529995 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2650-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 171] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Tropane alkaloids from nightshade plants are neurotransmitter inhibitors that are used for treating neuromuscular disorders and are classified as essential medicines by the World Health Organization1,2. Challenges in global supplies have resulted in frequent shortages of these drugs3,4. Further vulnerabilities in supply chains have been revealed by events such as the Australian wildfires5 and the COVID-19 pandemic6. Rapidly deployable production strategies that are robust to environmental and socioeconomic upheaval7,8 are needed. Here we engineered baker's yeast to produce the medicinal alkaloids hyoscyamine and scopolamine, starting from simple sugars and amino acids. We combined functional genomics to identify a missing pathway enzyme, protein engineering to enable the functional expression of an acyltransferase via trafficking to the vacuole, heterologous transporters to facilitate intracellular routing, and strain optimization to improve titres. Our integrated system positions more than twenty proteins adapted from yeast, bacteria, plants and animals across six sub-cellular locations to recapitulate the spatial organization of tropane alkaloid biosynthesis in plants. Microbial biosynthesis platforms can facilitate the discovery of tropane alkaloid derivatives as new therapeutic agents for neurological disease and, once scaled, enable robust and agile supply of these essential medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christina D Smolke
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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8
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The Serine Carboxypeptidase-Like Gene SCPL41 Negatively Regulates Membrane Lipid Metabolism in Arabidopsis thaliana. PLANTS 2020; 9:plants9060696. [PMID: 32486049 PMCID: PMC7355682 DOI: 10.3390/plants9060696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The Arabidopsis has 51 proteins annotated as serine carboxypeptidase-like (SCPL) enzymes. Although biochemical and cellular characterization indicates SCPLs involved in protein turnover or processing, little is known about their roles in plant metabolism. In this study, we identified an Arabidopsis mutant, bis4 (1-butanol insensitive 4), that was insensitive to the inhibitory effect of 1-butanol on seed germination. We cloned the gene that was defective in bis4 and found that it encoded an SCPL41 protein. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants constitutively expressing SCPL41 were generated, oil body staining and lipidomic assays indicated that SCPL41-overexpressing plants showed a decrease in membrane lipid content, especially digalactosyl diglyceride (DGDG) and monogalactosyl diglyceride (MGDG) contents, while the loss of SCPL41 increased the membrane lipid levels compared with those in wild-type plants. These findings suggested that SCPL41 had acquired novel functions in membrane lipid metabolism.
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Qiu F, Zeng J, Wang J, Huang JP, Zhou W, Yang C, Lan X, Chen M, Huang SX, Kai G, Liao Z. Functional genomics analysis reveals two novel genes required for littorine biosynthesis. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2020; 225:1906-1914. [PMID: 31705812 DOI: 10.1111/nph.16317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Some medicinal plants of the Solanaceae produce pharmaceutical tropane alkaloids (TAs), such as hyoscyamine and scopolamine. Littorine is a key biosynthetic intermediate in the hyoscyamine and scopolamine biosynthetic pathways. However, the mechanism underlying littorine formation from the precursors phenyllactate and tropine is not completely understood. Here, we report the elucidation of littorine biosynthesis through a functional genomics approach and functional identification of two novel biosynthesis genes that encode phenyllactate UDP-glycosyltransferase (UGT1) and littorine synthase (LS). UGT1 and LS are highly and specifically expressed in Atropa belladonna secondary roots. Suppression of either UGT1 or LS disrupted the biosynthesis of littorine and its TA derivatives (hyoscyamine and scopolamine). Purified His-tagged UGT1 catalysed phenyllactate glycosylation to form phenyllactylglucose. UGT1 and LS co-expression in tobacco leaves led to littorine synthesis if tropine and phenyllactate were added. This identification of UGT1 and LS provides the missing link in littorine biosynthesis. The results pave the way for producing hyoscyamine and scopolamine for medical use by metabolic engineering or synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Qiu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, SWU-TAAHC Medicinal Plant Joint R&D Centre, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Junlan Zeng
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, SWU-TAAHC Medicinal Plant Joint R&D Centre, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, SWU-TAAHC Medicinal Plant Joint R&D Centre, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Jian-Ping Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, CAS Centre for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biotechnology, College of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311402, China
| | - Chunxian Yang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, SWU-TAAHC Medicinal Plant Joint R&D Centre, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Xiaozhong Lan
- TAAHC-SWU Medicinal Plant Joint R&D Centre, Tibetan Collaborative Innovation Centre of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Resources, Xizang Agricultural and Animal Husbandry College, Nyingchi of Tibet, 860000, China
| | - Min Chen
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Luminescent and Real-Time Analytical Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Sheng-Xiong Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, CAS Centre for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Guoyin Kai
- Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biotechnology, College of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311402, China
| | - Zhihua Liao
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, SWU-TAAHC Medicinal Plant Joint R&D Centre, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
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Schachtsiek J, Hussain T, Azzouhri K, Kayser O, Stehle F. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) in Cannabis sativa L. PLANT METHODS 2019; 15:157. [PMID: 31889981 PMCID: PMC6931244 DOI: 10.1186/s13007-019-0542-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The raised demand of cannabis as a medicinal plant in recent years led to an increased interest in understanding the biosynthetic routes of cannabis metabolites. Since there is no established protocol to generate stable gene knockouts in cannabis, the use of a virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) method, resulting in a gene knockdown, to study gene functions is desirable. RESULTS For this, a computational approach was employed to analyze the Cannabis sativa L. transcriptomic and genomic resources. Reporter genes expected to give rise to easily scorable phenotypes upon silencing, i.e. the phytoene desaturase (PDS) and magnesium chelatase subunit I (ChlI), were identified in C. sativa. Subsequently, the targets of specific small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and silencing fragments were predicted and tested in a post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) approach. Here we show for the first time a gene knockdown in C. sativa using the Cotton leaf crumple virus (CLCrV) in a silencing vector system. Plants transiently transformed with the Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain AGL1, carrying the VIGS-vectors, showed the desired phenotypes, spotted bleaching of the leaves. The successful knockdown of the genes was additionally validated by quantitative PCR resulting in reduced expression of transcripts from 70 to 73% for ChlI and PDS, respectively. This is accompanied with the reduction of the chlorophyll a and carotenoid content, respectively. In summary, the data clearly demonstrate the potential for functional gene studies in cannabis using the CLCrV-based vector system. CONCLUSIONS The applied VIGS-method can be used for reverse genetic studies in C. sativa to identify unknown gene functions. This will gain deeper inside into unknown biosynthetic routes and will help to close the gap between available genomic data and biochemical information of this important medicinal plant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Schachtsiek
- Laboratory of Technical Biochemistry, Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Tajammul Hussain
- Laboratory of Technical Biochemistry, Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Khadija Azzouhri
- Laboratory of Technical Biochemistry, Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Oliver Kayser
- Laboratory of Technical Biochemistry, Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Felix Stehle
- Laboratory of Technical Biochemistry, Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
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Schachtsiek J, Stehle F. Dataset on nicotine-free, nontransgenic tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacuml.) edited by CRISPR-Cas9. Data Brief 2019; 26:104395. [PMID: 31516942 PMCID: PMC6732360 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2019.104395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
This dataset in brief is related to the research letter entitled “Nicotine-free, nontransgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacuml.) edited by CRISPR-Cas9” [1]. Cured tobacco products with a significantly reduced nicotine content helps people to overcome their nicotine addiction. Here we summarize additional data and method descriptions of the generation process of a nicotine-free, nontransgenic tobacco plant. This included the cloning, transformation and regeneration of transgenic tobacco plants, followed by the analysis of the nicotine content and genomic modifications caused by CRISPR-Cas9 mediated gene editing. Subsequently, nicotine-free plants were screened for loss of T-DNA cassette, i.e. nontransgenity. Finally, a metabolic footprint was recorded by 1H NMR analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Schachtsiek
- Laboratory of Technical Biochemistry, Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Felix Stehle
- Laboratory of Technical Biochemistry, Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
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12
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Zhu D, Chu W, Wang Y, Yan H, Chen Z, Xiang Y. Genome-wide identification, classification and expression analysis of the serine carboxypeptidase-like protein family in poplar. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2018; 162:333-352. [PMID: 28902414 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.12642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Revised: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that the serine carboxypeptidase-like (SCPL) proteins in several plants play a key part in plant growth, development and stress responses. However, little is known about the functions of the SCPL genes in poplar. We identified 57 SCPL genes and divided into 3 subfamilies, which were unevenly distributed on 19 poplar chromosomes. Gene structure indicated that SCPL genes contain more introns, and motifs of each subfamily were relatively conserved. There were a total of 14 pairs of paralogs, with 6 pairs of these paralogs generated by segmental duplication and 1 generated by tandem duplication. In microsynteny analysis, large-scale duplication events played a key part in the expansion of Carboxypeptidase III genes. Expression of these genes was higher in mature leaf. Quantitative real-time PCR showed that majority of the SCPL genes were induced by methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment. PtSCPL27 and PtSCPL40 were located on the cytomembrane by conducting subcellular localization analysis. Our paper provides a theoretical basis for further functional research of PtSCPL genes and will benefit the molecular breeding for resistance to disease in poplar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongyue Zhu
- Laboratory of Modern Biotechnology, School of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Wenyuan Chu
- Laboratory of Modern Biotechnology, School of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Yujiao Wang
- Laboratory of Modern Biotechnology, School of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Hanwei Yan
- Laboratory of Modern Biotechnology, School of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Zhu Chen
- Laboratory of Modern Biotechnology, School of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Yan Xiang
- Laboratory of Modern Biotechnology, School of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
- National Engineering Laboratory of Crop Stress Resistance Breeding, School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
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Wiens B, De Luca V. Molecular and biochemical characterization of a benzenoid/phenylpropanoid meta/para-O-methyltransferase from Rauwolfia serpentina roots. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2016; 132:5-15. [PMID: 27771009 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2016.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Revised: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, reserpine and rescinnamine contain 3, 4, 5-trimethoxybenzoate or 3, 4, 5-trimethoxycinnamate, respectively, within their structures and they accumulate in different plant organs and particularly within roots of Rauwolfia serpentina. This plant also accumulates acylated sugars substituted with 3, 4, 5-trimethoxybenzoate and 3, 4, 5-trimethoxycinnamate. In the present study, transcriptome and metabolome analyses of R. serpentina roots allowed the identification of 7 candidate O-methytransferase (OMT) genes that might be associated with the formation of 3, 4, 5-trimethoxybenzoate and 3, 4, 5-trimethoxycinnamate and led to the molecular cloning of 4 genes for functional expression and analysis. Two candidate genes were expressed in E. coli and were shown to use different phenolics as methyl acceptors. RsOMT1, a member of the caffeoyl CoA-OMT-like family of genes, converted 3, 5 dimethoxy-4-hydroxycinnamic, caffeic and 3, 4, 5 trihydroxybenzoic acids to trimethoxycinnamic-, ferulic/isoferulic- and 3-methoxy, 4, 5 dihydroxybenzoic or 4-methoxy, 3, 5 dihydroxybenzoic acids, respectively, when supplied with these substrates. RsOMT3, a member of the caffeic acid-OMT-like family of genes, only converted caffeic acid to ferulic acid. Both enzymes showed considerable promiscuity with respect to various flavonoid substrates that they accepted. The para-O-methylation activity of RsOMT1 is quite rare and unusual for plant OMTs. The involvement of RsOMT1 and RsOMT3 in the assembly of trimethoxybenzoic and trimethoxycinnamic acids is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brent Wiens
- Department of Biological Sciences, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario L2S 3A1, Canada.
| | - Vincenzo De Luca
- Department of Biological Sciences, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario L2S 3A1, Canada.
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Bontpart T, Cheynier V, Ageorges A, Terrier N. BAHD or SCPL acyltransferase? What a dilemma for acylation in the world of plant phenolic compounds. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2015; 208:695-707. [PMID: 26053460 DOI: 10.1111/nph.13498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2015] [Accepted: 05/06/2015] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Phenolic compounds are secondary metabolites involved in several plant growth and development processes, including resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. The biosynthetic pathways leading to the vast diversity of plant phenolic products often include an acylation step, with phenolic compounds being the donor or acceptor molecules. To date, two acyltransferase families using phenolic compounds as acceptor or donor molecules have been described, with each using a different 'energy-rich' acyl donor. BAHD-acyltransferases, named after the first four biochemically characterized enzymes of the group, use acyl-CoA thioesters as donor molecules, whereas SCPL (Serine CarboxyPeptidase Like)-acyltransferases use 1-O-β-glucose esters. Here, common and divergent specifications found in the literature for both enzyme families were analyzed to answer the following questions. Are both acyltransferases involved in the synthesis of the same molecule (or same group of molecules)? Are both acyltransferases recruited in the same plant? How does the subcellular localization of these enzymes impact metabolite trafficking in plant cells?
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Affiliation(s)
- Thibaut Bontpart
- INRA, UMR1083 SPO, 2, place, Viala, F-34060, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Agnès Ageorges
- INRA, UMR1083 SPO, 2, place, Viala, F-34060, Montpellier, France
| | - Nancy Terrier
- INRA, UMR1083 SPO, 2, place, Viala, F-34060, Montpellier, France
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Zirpel B, Stehle F, Kayser O. Production of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid from cannabigerolic acid by whole cells of Pichia (Komagataella) pastoris expressing Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid synthase from Cannabis sativa L. Biotechnol Lett 2015; 37:1869-75. [PMID: 25994576 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-015-1853-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2015] [Accepted: 05/01/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid synthase (THCAS) from Cannabis sativa was expressed intracellularly in different organisms to investigate the potential of a biotechnological production of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) using whole cells. RESULTS Functional expression of THCAS was obtained in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia (Komagataella) pastoris using a signal peptide from the vacuolar protease, proteinase A. No functional expression was achieved in Escherichia coli. The highest volumetric activities obtained were 98 pkat ml(-1) (intracellular) and 44 pkat ml(-1) (extracellular) after 192 h of cultivation at 15 °C using P. pastoris cells. Low solubility of CBGA prevents the THCAS application in aqueous cell-free systems, thus whole cells were used for a bioconversion of cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) to THCA. Finally, 1 mM (0.36 g THCA l(-1)) THCA could be produced by 10.5 gCDW l(-1) before enzyme activity was lost. CONCLUSION Whole cells of P. pastoris offer the capability of synthesizing pharmaceutical THCA production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastian Zirpel
- Laboratory of Technical Biochemistry, Department of Biochemical & Chemical Engineering, TU Dortmund University, Emil-Figge-Str. 66, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
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16
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Mugford ST, Louveau T, Melton R, Qi X, Bakht S, Hill L, Tsurushima T, Honkanen S, Rosser SJ, Lomonossoff GP, Osbourn A. Modularity of plant metabolic gene clusters: a trio of linked genes that are collectively required for acylation of triterpenes in oat. THE PLANT CELL 2013; 25:1078-92. [PMID: 23532069 PMCID: PMC3634678 DOI: 10.1105/tpc.113.110551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2013] [Revised: 02/25/2013] [Accepted: 03/05/2013] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Operon-like gene clusters are an emerging phenomenon in the field of plant natural products. The genes encoding some of the best-characterized plant secondary metabolite biosynthetic pathways are scattered across plant genomes. However, an increasing number of gene clusters encoding the synthesis of diverse natural products have recently been reported in plant genomes. These clusters have arisen through the neo-functionalization and relocation of existing genes within the genome, and not by horizontal gene transfer from microbes. The reasons for clustering are not yet clear, although this form of gene organization is likely to facilitate co-inheritance and co-regulation. Oats (Avena spp) synthesize antimicrobial triterpenoids (avenacins) that provide protection against disease. The synthesis of these compounds is encoded by a gene cluster. Here we show that a module of three adjacent genes within the wider biosynthetic gene cluster is required for avenacin acylation. Through the characterization of these genes and their encoded proteins we present a model of the subcellular organization of triterpenoid biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Xiaoquan Qi
- John Innes Centre, Norwich NR4 7UH, United Kingdom
| | - Saleha Bakht
- John Innes Centre, Norwich NR4 7UH, United Kingdom
| | - Lionel Hill
- John Innes Centre, Norwich NR4 7UH, United Kingdom
| | - Tetsu Tsurushima
- John Innes Centre, Norwich NR4 7UH, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Business, Han-nan University, Matsubara City, Osaka 580, Japan
| | - Suvi Honkanen
- John Innes Centre, Norwich NR4 7UH, United Kingdom
- Institute of Molecular Cell and Systems Biology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Susan J. Rosser
- Institute of Molecular Cell and Systems Biology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, United Kingdom
| | | | - Anne Osbourn
- John Innes Centre, Norwich NR4 7UH, United Kingdom
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18
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Sander M, Petersen M. Distinct substrate specificities and unusual substrate flexibilities of two hydroxycinnamoyltransferases, rosmarinic acid synthase and hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA:shikimate hydroxycinnamoyl-transferase, from Coleus blumei Benth. PLANTA 2011; 233:1157-71. [PMID: 21318289 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-011-1367-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2010] [Accepted: 01/24/2011] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
cDNAs and genes encoding a hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA:hydroxyphenyllactate hydroxycinnamoyltransferase (CbRAS; rosmarinic acid synthase) and a hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA:shikimate hydroxycinnamoyltransferase (CbHST) were isolated from Coleus blumei Benth. (syn. Solenostemon scutellarioides (L.) Codd; Lamiaceae). The proteins were expressed in E. coli and the substrate specificity of both enzymes was tested. CbRAS accepted several CoA-activated phenylpropenoic acids as donor substrates and D-(hydroxy)phenyllactates as acceptors resulting in ester formation while shikimate and quinate were not accepted. Unexpectedly, amino acids (D-phenylalanine, D-tyrosine, D-DOPA) also yielded products, showing that RAS can putatively catalyze amide formation. CbHST was able to transfer cinnamic, 4-coumaric, caffeic, ferulic as well as sinapic acid from CoA to shikimate but not to quinate or acceptor substrates utilized by CbRAS. In addition, 3-hydroxyanthranilate, 3-hydroxybenzoate and 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate were used as acceptor substrates. The reaction product with 3-aminobenzoate putatively is an amide. For both enzymes, structural requirements for donor and acceptor substrates were deduced. The acceptance of unusual acceptor substrates by CbRAS and CbHST resulted in the formation of novel compounds. The rather relaxed substrate as well as reaction specificity of both hydroxycinnamoyltransferases opens up possibilities for the evolution of novel enzymes forming novel secondary metabolites in plants and for the in vitro formation of new compounds with putatively interesting biological activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Sander
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Biologie und Biotechnologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Deutschhausstr. 17A, 35037 Marburg, Germany
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19
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Fraser CM, Chapple C. The phenylpropanoid pathway in Arabidopsis. THE ARABIDOPSIS BOOK 2011; 9:e0152. [PMID: 22303276 PMCID: PMC3268504 DOI: 10.1199/tab.0152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 371] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The phenylpropanoid pathway serves as a rich source of metabolites in plants, being required for the biosynthesis of lignin, and serving as a starting point for the production of many other important compounds, such as the flavonoids, coumarins, and lignans. In spite of the fact that the phenylpropanoids and their derivatives are sometimes classified as secondary metabolites, their relevance to plant survival has been made clear via the study of Arabidopsis and other plant species. As a model system, Arabidopsis has helped to elucidate many details of the phenylpropanoid pathway, its enzymes and intermediates, and the interconnectedness of the pathway with plant metabolism as a whole. These advances in our understanding have been made possible in large part by the relative ease with which mutations can be generated, identified, and studied in Arabidopsis. Herein, we provide an overview of the research progress that has been made in recent years, emphasizing both the genes (and gene families) associated with the phenylpropanoid pathway in Arabidopsis, and the end products that have contributed to the identification of many mutants deficient in the phenylpropanoid metabolism: the sinapate esters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M. Fraser
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Bioanalytical Computing, LLC, www.bioanalyticalcomputing.com
| | - Clint Chapple
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Address correspondence to
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20
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Milkowski C, Strack D. Sinapate esters in brassicaceous plants: biochemistry, molecular biology, evolution and metabolic engineering. PLANTA 2010; 232:19-35. [PMID: 20428885 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-010-1168-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2010] [Accepted: 03/21/2010] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Brassicaceous plants are characterized by a pronounced metabolic flux toward sinapate, produced by the shikimate/phenylpropanoid pathway, which is converted into a broad spectrum of O-ester conjugates. The abundant sinapate esters in Brassica napus and Arabidopsis thaliana reflect a well-known metabolic network, including UDP-glucose:sinapate glucosyltransferase (SGT), sinapoylglucose:choline sinapoyltransferase (SCT), sinapoylglucose:L-malate sinapoyltransferase (SMT) and sinapoylcholine (sinapine) esterase (SCE). 1-O-Sinapoylglucose, produced by SGT during seed development, is converted to sinapine by SCT and hydrolyzed by SCE in germinating seeds. The released sinapate feeds via sinapoylglucose into the biosynthesis of sinapoylmalate in the seedlings catalyzed by SMT. Sinapoylmalate is involved in protecting the leaves against the deleterious effects of UV-B radiation. Sinapine might function as storage vehicle for ready supply of choline for phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis in young seedlings. The antinutritive character of sinapine and related sinapate esters hamper the use of the valuable seed protein of the oilseed crop B. napus for animal feed and human nutrition. Due to limited variation in seed sinapine content within the assortment of B. napus cultivars, low sinapine lines cannot be generated by conventional breeding giving rise to genetic engineering of sinapate ester metabolism as a promising means. In this article we review the progress made throughout the last decade in identification of genes involved in sinapate ester metabolism and characterization of the encoded enzymes. Based on gene structures and enzyme recruitment, evolution of sinapate ester metabolism is discussed. Strategies of targeted metabolic engineering, designed to generate low-sinapate ester lines of B. napus, are evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Milkowski
- Interdisciplinary Center for Crop Plant Research (IZN), Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany.
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21
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Mugford ST, Osbourn A. Evolution of serine carboxypeptidase-like acyltransferases in the monocots. PLANT SIGNALING & BEHAVIOR 2010; 5:193-5. [PMID: 20173416 PMCID: PMC2884133 DOI: 10.4161/psb.5.2.11093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2009] [Accepted: 12/30/2009] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The serine carboxypeptidases are a large family of proteases. in higher plants some members of this family have diversified and adopted new functions as acyltransferases required for the synthesis of natural products. we recently reported the first serine carboxypeptidase-like (scpl) acyltransferase enzyme to be characterized from monocotyledonous plants.1 This enzyme, AsSCPL1, is required for acylation of antimicrobial terpenes (avenacins) that are produced in the roots of oat (Avena spp.) and that provide protection against soil-borne pathogens. The SCPL acyltransferase enzyme family has undergone substantial expansion following the divergence of monocots and dicots. Here we discuss the evolution of this SCPL enzyme family in monocots, their contribution to metabolic diversity, and the roles of these enzymes in biotic and abiotic stress tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam T Mugford
- Department of Metabolic Biology, John Innes Centre, Colney Lane, Norwich, UK
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Stehle F, Brandt W, Stubbs MT, Milkowski C, Strack D. Sinapoyltransferases in the light of molecular evolution. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2009; 70:1652-62. [PMID: 19695650 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2009.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2009] [Revised: 07/07/2009] [Accepted: 07/16/2009] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Acylation is a prevalent chemical modification that to a significant extent accounts for the tremendous diversity of plant metabolites. To catalyze acyl transfer reactions, higher plants have evolved acyltransferases that accept beta-acetal esters, typically 1-O-glucose esters, as an alternative to the ubiquitously occurring CoA-thioester-dependent enzymes. Shared homology indicates that the beta-acetal ester-dependent acyltransferases are derived from a common hydrolytic ancestor of the Serine CarboxyPeptidase (SCP) type, giving rise to the name Serine CarboxyPeptidase-Like (SCPL) acyltransferases. We have analyzed structure-function relationships, reaction mechanism and sequence evolution of Arabidopsis 1-O-sinapoyl-beta-glucose:L-malate sinapoyltransferase (AtSMT) and related enzymes to investigate molecular changes required to impart acyltransferase activity to hydrolytic enzymes. AtSMT has maintained the catalytic triad of the hydrolytic ancestor as well as part of the H-bond network for substrate recognition to bind the acyl acceptor L-malate. A Glu/Asp substitution at the amino acid position preceding the catalytic Ser supports binding of the acyl donor 1-O-sinapoyl-beta-glucose and was found highly conserved among SCPL acyltransferases. The AtSMT-catalyzed acyl transfer reaction follows a random sequential bi-bi mechanism that requires both substrates 1-O-sinapoyl-beta-glucose and L-malate bound in an enzyme donor-acceptor complex to initiate acyl transfer. Together with the strong fixation of the acyl acceptor L-malate, the acquisition of this reaction mechanism favours transacylation over hydrolysis in AtSMT catalysis. The model structure and enzymatic side activities reveal that the AtSMT-mediated acyl transfer proceeds via a short-lived acyl enzyme complex. With regard to evolution, the SCPL acyltransferase clade most likely represents a recent development. The encoding genes are organized in a tandem-arranged cluster with partly overlapping functions. With other enzymes encoded by the respective gene cluster on Arabidopsis chromosome 2, AtSMT shares the enzymatic side activity to disproportionate 1-O-sinapoyl-beta-glucoses to produce 1,2-di-O-sinapoyl-beta-glucose. In the absence of the acyl acceptor L-malate, a residual esterase activity became obvious as a remnant of the hydrolytic ancestor. With regard to the evolution of Arabidopsis SCPL acyltransferases, our results suggest early neofunctionalization of the hydrolytic ancestor toward acyltransferase activity and acyl donor specificity for 1-O-sinapoyl-beta-glucose followed by subfunctionalization to recognize different acyl acceptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Stehle
- Department of Secondary Metabolism, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry (IPB), Halle (Saale), Germany
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23
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Mugford ST, Qi X, Bakht S, Hill L, Wegel E, Hughes RK, Papadopoulou K, Melton R, Philo M, Sainsbury F, Lomonossoff GP, Roy AD, Goss RJM, Osbourn A. A serine carboxypeptidase-like acyltransferase is required for synthesis of antimicrobial compounds and disease resistance in oats. THE PLANT CELL 2009; 21:2473-84. [PMID: 19684243 PMCID: PMC2751944 DOI: 10.1105/tpc.109.065870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2009] [Revised: 07/07/2009] [Accepted: 07/29/2009] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Serine carboxypeptidase-like (SCPL) proteins have recently emerged as a new group of plant acyltransferases. These enzymes share homology with peptidases but lack protease activity and instead are able to acylate natural products. Several SCPL acyltransferases have been characterized to date from dicots, including an enzyme required for the synthesis of glucose polyesters that may contribute to insect resistance in wild tomato (Solanum pennellii) and enzymes required for the synthesis of sinapate esters associated with UV protection in Arabidopsis thaliana. In our earlier genetic analysis, we identified the Saponin-deficient 7 (Sad7) locus as being required for the synthesis of antimicrobial triterpene glycosides (avenacins) and for broad-spectrum disease resistance in diploid oat (Avena strigosa). Here, we report on the cloning of Sad7 and show that this gene encodes a functional SCPL acyltransferase, SCPL1, that is able to catalyze the synthesis of both N-methyl anthraniloyl- and benzoyl-derivatized forms of avenacin. Sad7 forms part of an operon-like gene cluster for avenacin synthesis. Oat SCPL1 (SAD7) is the founder member of a subfamily of monocot-specific SCPL proteins that includes predicted proteins from rice (Oryza sativa) and other grasses with potential roles in secondary metabolism and plant defense.
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Stehle F, Brandt W, Schmidt J, Milkowski C, Strack D. Activities of Arabidopsis sinapoylglucose: malate sinapoyltransferase shed light on functional diversification of serine carboxypeptidase-like acyltransferases. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2008; 69:1826-31. [PMID: 18490034 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2008.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2008] [Revised: 02/25/2008] [Accepted: 03/11/2008] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Analysis of the catalytic properties of the serine carboxypeptidase-like (SCPL) 1-O-sinapoyl-beta-glucose:l-malate sinapoyltransferase (SMT) from Arabidopsis showed that the enzyme exhibits besides its primary sinapoylation of l-malate, minor hydrolytic and disproportionation activities, producing free sinapic acid and 1,2-di-O-sinapoyl-beta-glucose, respectively. The ability of the enzyme to liberate sinapic acid from the donor molecule 1-O-sinapoyl-beta-glucose indicates the existence of a short-lived acylenzyme intermediate in the proposed random sequential bi-bi mechanism of catalysis. SMT-catalyzed formation of disinapoylglucose has been corroborated by docking studies with an established homology structure model that illustrates the possible binding of two 1-O-sinapoyl-beta-glucose molecules in the active site and the intermolecular reaction of the two glucose esters. The SMT gene is embedded in a tandem cluster of five SCPL sinapoyltransferase genes, which encode enzymes with high amino acid sequence identities and partially overlapping substrate specificities. We assume that in recent duplications of genes encoding SCPL proteins, neofunctionalization of the duplicates to accept 1-O-sinapoyl-beta-glucose as acyl donor was gained first, followed by subfunctionalization leading to different acyl acceptor specificities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Stehle
- Department of Secondary Metabolism, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry (IPB), Weinberg 3, D-06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
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