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Chen G, Guo Z, Shu Y, Zhao Y, Qiu L, Duan S, Lin Y, He S, Li X, Feng X, Xiang G, Nian B, Wang Y, Li Z, Chongkang Yang, Shi Y, Lu Y, Liu G, Yang S, Zhang G, Hao B. Biosynthetic pathway of prescription cucurbitacin IIa and high-level production of key triterpenoid intermediates in engineered yeast and tobacco. PLANT COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 5:100835. [PMID: 38425040 PMCID: PMC11211238 DOI: 10.1016/j.xplc.2024.100835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Cucurbitacin IIa is a triterpenoid isolated exclusively from Hemsleya plants and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that functions as the main ingredient of prescription Hemslecin capsules and tablets in China. Synthetic biology provides new strategies for production of such valuable cucurbitacins at a large scale; however, the biosynthetic pathway of cucurbitacin IIa has been unknown, and the heterologous production of cucurbitacins in galactose medium has been expensive and low yielding. In this study, we characterized the functions of genes encoding two squalene epoxidases (HcSE1-2), six oxidosqualene cyclases (HcOSC1-6), two CYP450s (HcCYP87D20 and HcCYP81Q59), and an acyltransferase (HcAT1) in cucurbitacin IIa biosynthesis by heterologous expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Nicotiana benthamiana. We achieved high-level production of the key cucurbitacin precursor 11-carbonyl-20β-hydroxy-Cuol from glucose in yeast via modular engineering of the mevalonate pathway and optimization of P450 expression levels. The resulting yields of 46.41 mg/l 11-carbonyl-20β-hydroxy-Cuol and 126.47 mg/l total cucurbitacin triterpenoids in shake flasks are the highest yields yet reported from engineered microbes. Subsequently, production of 11-carbonyl-20β-hydroxy-Cuol by transient gene expression in tobacco resulted in yields of 1.28 mg/g dry weight in leaves. This work reveals the key genes involved in biosynthesis of prescription cucurbitacin IIa and demonstrates that engineered yeast cultivated with glucose can produce high yields of key triterpenoid intermediates. We describe a low-cost and highly efficient platform for rapid screening of candidate genes and high-yield production of pharmacological triterpenoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Zhaokuan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Yanyu Shu
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Lei Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Shaofeng Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Yuan Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Simei He
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Xiaobo Li
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Xiaolin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Guisheng Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Bo Nian
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Yina Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Zhiyuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Chongkang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Yang Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Yingchun Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Guanze Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Shengchao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China
| | - Guanghui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China.
| | - Bing Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan, The Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Yunnan Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory, Kunming, Yunnan 650106, China.
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Lu J, Yan S, Xue Z. Biosynthesis and functions of triterpenoids in cereals. J Adv Res 2024:S2090-1232(24)00211-X. [PMID: 38788922 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2024.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Triterpenoids are versatile secondary metabolites with a diverse array of physiological activities, possessing valuable pharmacological effects and influencing the growth and development of plants. As more triterpenoids in cereals are unearthed and characterized, their biological roles in plant growth and development are gaining recognition. AIM OF THE REVIEW This review provides an overview of the structures, biosynthetic pathways, and diverse biological functions of triterpenoids identified in cereals. Our goal is to establish a basis for further exploration of triterpenoids with novel structures and functional activities in cereals, and to facilitate the potential application of triterpenoids in grain breeding, thus accelerating the development of superior grain varieties. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF THE REVIEW This review consolidates information on various triterpenoid skeletons and derivatives found in cereals, and summarizes the pivotal enzyme genes involved, including oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC) and other triterpenoid modifying enzymes like cytochrome P450, glycosyltransferase, and acyltransferase. Triterpenoid-modifying enzymes exhibit specificity towards catalytic sites within triterpenoid skeletons, generating a diverse array of functional triterpenoid derivatives. Furthermore, triterpenoids have been shown to significantly impact the nutritional value, yield, disease resistance, and stress response of cereals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaojiao Lu
- Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China; Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Plant Bioactive Substance Biosynthesis and Utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Shan Yan
- Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China; Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Plant Bioactive Substance Biosynthesis and Utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Zheyong Xue
- Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China; Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Plant Bioactive Substance Biosynthesis and Utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China; State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, China National Center for Rice Improvement, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou 310006, China.
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Dharni JS, Shi Y, Zhang C, Petersen C, Walia H, Staswick P. Growth and transcriptional response of wheat and rice to the tertiary amine BMVE. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 14:1273620. [PMID: 38269141 PMCID: PMC10806070 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1273620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Seed vigor is largely a product of sound seed development, maturation processes, genetics, and storage conditions. It is a crucial factor impacting plant growth and crop yield and is negatively affected by unfavorable environmental conditions, which can include drought and heat as well as cold wet conditions. The latter leads to slow germination and increased seedling susceptibility to pathogens. Prior research has shown that a class of plant growth regulators called substituted tertiary amines (STAs) can enhance seed germination, seedling growth, and crop productivity. However, inconsistent benefits have limited STA adoption on a commercial scale. Methods We developed a novel seed treatment protocol to evaluate the efficacy of 2-(N-methyl benzyl aminoethyl)-3-methyl butanoate (BMVE), which has shown promise as a crop seed treatment in field trials. Transcriptomic analysis of rice seedlings 24 h after BMVE treatment was done to identify the molecular basis for the improved seedling growth. The impact of BMVE on seed development was also evaluated by spraying rice panicles shortly after flower fertilization and subsequently monitoring the impact on seed traits. Results BMVE treatment of seeds 24 h after imbibition consistently improved wheat and rice seedling shoot and root growth in lab conditions. Treated wheat seedlings grown to maturity in a greenhouse also resulted in higher biomass than controls, though only under drought conditions. Treated seedlings had increased levels of transcripts involved in reactive oxygen species scavenging and auxin and gibberellic acid signaling. Conversely, several genes associated with increased reactive oxygen species/ROS load, abiotic stress responses, and germination hindering processes were reduced. BMVE spray increased both fresh and mature seed weights relative to the control for plants exposed to 96 h of heat stress. BMVE treatment during seed development also benefited germination and seedling growth in the next generation, under both ambient and heat stress conditions. Discussion The optimized experimental conditions we developed provide convincing evidence that BMVE does indeed have efficacy in plant growth enhancement. The results advance our understanding of how STAs work at the molecular level and provide insights for their practical application to improve crop growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaspinder Singh Dharni
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, United States
| | - Yu Shi
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, United States
| | - Chi Zhang
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, United States
| | | | - Harkamal Walia
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, United States
| | - Paul Staswick
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, United States
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Zhou Q, Sun P, Xiong HM, Xie J, Zhu GY, Tantillo DJ, Huang AC. Insight into neofunctionalization of 2,3-oxidosqualene cyclases in B,C-ring-opened triterpene biosynthesis in quinoa. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 241:764-778. [PMID: 37904576 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Bioactive triterpenes feature complex fused-ring structures, primarily shaped by the first-committed enzyme, 2,3-oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs) in plant triterpene biosynthesis. Triterpenes with B,C-ring-opened skeletons are extremely rare with unknown formation mechanisms, harbouring unchartered chemistry and biology. Here, through mining the genome of Chenopodium quinoa followed by functional characterization, we identified a stress-responsive and neofunctionalized OSC capable of generating B,C-ring-opened triterpenes, including camelliol A and B and the novel (-)-quinoxide A as wax components of the specialized epidermal bladder cells, namely the quinoxide synthase (CqQS). Protein structure analysis followed by site-directed mutagenesis identified key variable amino acid sites underlying functional interconversion between pentacyclic β-amyrin synthase (CqbAS1) and B,C-ring-opened triterpene synthase CqQS. Mutation of one key residue (N612K) in even evolutionarily distant Arabidopsis β-amyrin synthase could generate quinoxides, indicating a conserved mechanism for B,C-ring-opened triterpene formation in plants. Quantum computation combined with docking experiments further suggests that conformations of conserved W613 and F413 of CqQS might be key to selectively stabilizing intermediate carbocations towards B,C-ring-opened triterpene formation. Our findings shed light on quinoa triterpene skeletal diversity and mechanisms underlying B,C-ring-opened triterpene biosynthesis, opening avenues towards accessing their chemistry and biology and paving the way for quinoa trait engineering and quality improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, SUSTech-PKU Institute of Plant and Food Science, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
| | - Peng Sun
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, SUSTech-PKU Institute of Plant and Food Science, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
| | - Hao-Ming Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory of Respiratory Infectious Disease, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, 999078, China
| | - Jiali Xie
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, SUSTech-PKU Institute of Plant and Food Science, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
| | - Guo-Yuan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory of Respiratory Infectious Disease, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, 999078, China
| | - Dean J Tantillo
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Ancheng C Huang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, SUSTech-PKU Institute of Plant and Food Science, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
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Luo Y, Ma X, Qiu Y, Lu Y, Shen S, Li Y, Gao H, Chen K, Zhou J, Hu T, Tu L, Zhao H, Li D, Leng F, Gao W, Jiang T, Liu C, Huang L, Wu R, Tong Y. Structural and Catalytic Insight into the Unique Pentacyclic Triterpene Synthase TwOSC. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202313429. [PMID: 37840440 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202313429] [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: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
The oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC) catalyzed cyclization of the linear substrate (3S)-2,3-oxidosqualene to form diverse pentacyclic triterpenoid (PT) skeletons is one of the most complex reactions in nature. Friedelin has a unique PT skeleton involving a fascinating nine-step cation shuttle run (CSR) cascade rearrangement reaction, in which the carbocation formed at C2 moves to the other side of the skeleton, runs back to C3 to yield a friedelin cation, which is finally deprotonated. However, as crystal structure data of plant OSCs are lacking, it remains unknown why the CSR cascade reactions occur in friedelin biosynthesis, as does the exact catalytic mechanism of the CSR. In this study, we determined the first cryogenic electron microscopy structure of a plant OSC, friedelin synthase, from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f (TwOSC). We also performed quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics simulations to reveal the energy profile for the CSR cascade reaction and identify key residues crucial for PT skeleton formation. Furthermore, we semirationally designed two TwOSC mutants, which significantly improved the yields of friedelin and β-amyrin, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunfeng Luo
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Xiaoli Ma
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yufan Qiu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yun Lu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Siyu Shen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Yang Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Haiyun Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Kang Chen
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Media, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Jiawei Zhou
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Tianyuan Hu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Lichan Tu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Huan Zhao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Dan Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Faqiang Leng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Wei Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Changli Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Luqi Huang
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Media, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Ruibo Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yuru Tong
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
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Zhang M, Xing Y, Ma J, Zhang Y, Yu J, Wang X, Jia X. Investigation of the response of Platycodongrandiflorus (Jacq.) A. DC to salt stress using combined transcriptomics and metabolomics. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 23:589. [PMID: 38001405 PMCID: PMC10675982 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-023-04536-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A. DC is a famous traditional Chinese medicine in China and an authentic medicine in Inner Mongolia. It has been traditionally used as an expectorant in cough and also has anti-inflammatory and other pharmacological effects. As a homologous plant of medicine and food, P. grandiflorus is widely planted in Northeast China. Soil salinity isa limiting factor for its cultivation. In this study, we comprehensively described the physiological characteristics of P. grandiflorus and combined transcriptomics and metabolomics to study the response of roots of P. grandiflorus to salt stress. RESULTS Overall, 8,988 differentially expressed genes were activated and significantly altered the metabolic processes. In total, 428 differentially abundant metabolites were affected by salt stress. After moderate and severe salt stress, most of the differentially abundant metabolites were enriched in the L-phenylalanine metabolic pathway. Through the comprehensive analysis of the interaction between key genes and metabolites, the main pathways such as lignin compound biosynthesis and triterpene saponin biosynthesis were completed. The relative content of compounds related to lignin biosynthesis, such as caffeic acid, coniferin, and syringing, increased under salt stress, and the related genes such as PAL, C4H, and the key enzyme gene UGT72E2 were activated to adapt to the salt stress. Platycodon saponin is one of the major triterpene saponins in P. grandiflorus, and Platycodin D is its most abundant major bioactive component. Under severe salt stress, Platycodin D level increased by nearly 1.77-fold compared with the control group. Most of the genes involved insynthetic pathway of Platycodin D, such as HMGCR, GGPS, SE, and LUP, were upregulated under salt stress. CONCLUSION Salt stress led to a decrease in the biomass and affected the activities of antioxidant enzymes and contents of osmotic regulators in the plant. These results provided not only novel insights into the underlying mechanisms of response of P. grandiflorus to salt stress but also a foundation for future studies on the function of genes related to salt tolerance in the triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meixi Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Yushu Xing
- College of Pharmacy, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Jiannan Ma
- College of Pharmacy, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Juan Yu
- College of Pharmacy, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Xiaoqin Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China.
| | - Xin Jia
- College of Pharmacy, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China.
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Wei X, Li L, Xu L, Zeng L, Xu J. Genome-wide identification of the AOMT gene family in wax apple and functional characterization of SsAOMTs to anthocyanin methylation. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1213642. [PMID: 37822338 PMCID: PMC10562569 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1213642] [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: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Anthocyanins are major pigments in the peels of red-series wax apple fruits, and two principal components of them, namely, the cyanin and the peonidin, are non-methoxylated and methoxylated anthocyanins, respectively. Anthocyanin O-methyltransferases (AOMTs) are an important group of enzymes that have the ability to catalyze anthocyanins methylation to promote the solubility, stability, and bioactivity of anthocyanins. Although AOMT genes have been studied in a variety of plants, the function of them in wax apple is generally not well understood. Methods The anthocyanin composition in peels of two wax apple cultivars was determined by High Performance Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (HPLS-MS). The genome-wide analysis of the AOMT genes was performed with bioinformatics technology, and the expression patterns of different plant tissues, cultivars, fruit ripening stages, and exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) treatments were analyzed by transcriptome sequencing analysis and real-time quantitative PCR verification. An initial functional evaluation was carried out in vitro using recombinant the Anthocyanin O-methyltransferase Gene 5 of S. samarangense (SsAOMT5) protein. Results Only two main compositions of anthocyanin were found in peels of two wax apple cultivars, and it was worth noting that Tub Ting Jiang cultivar contained non-methoxylated anthocyanin (Cy3G) only, whereas Daye cultivar contained both non-methoxylated and methoxylated (Pn3G) anthocyanins. A total of six SsAOMT genes were identified in the whole genome of wax apple, randomly distributing on three chromosomes. A phylogenic analysis of the protein sequences divided the SsAOMT gene family into three subgroups, and all SsAOMTs had highly conserved domains of AOMT family. In total, four types of stress- related and five types of hormone- related cis-elements were discovered in the promoter region of the SsAOMTs. Expression pattern analysis showed that SsAOMT5 and SsAOMT6 were expressed in all tissues to varying degrees; notably, the expression of SsAOMT5 was high in the flower and fruit and significantly higher in Daye peels than those of other cultivars in the fruit ripening period. Exogenous ABA treatment significantly increased anthocyanin accumulation, but the increase of methoxylated anthocyanin content did not reach significant level compared with those without ABA treatment, whereas the expression of SsAOMT5 upregulated under ABA treatment. We identified two homologous SsAOMT5 genes from Daye cultivar (DSsAOMT5) and Tub Ting Jiang cultivar (TSsAOMT5); the results of functional analyses to two SsAOMT5 recombinant proteins in vitro demonstrated that DSsAOMT5 showed methylation modification activity, but TSsAOMT5 did not. Conclusion In conclusion, SsAOMT5 was responsible for methylated anthocyanin accumulation in the peels of wax apple and played an important role in red coloration in wax apple peels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuqing Wei
- College of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Fruit Research Institute, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Liang Li
- Fruit Research Institute, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Ling Xu
- Fruit Research Institute, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Lihui Zeng
- College of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jiahui Xu
- Fruit Research Institute, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
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8
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Zhang F, Zeng T, Wu R. QM/MM Modeling Aided Enzyme Engineering in Natural Products Biosynthesis. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:5018-5034. [PMID: 37556841 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c00779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Natural products and their derivatives are widely used across various industries, particularly pharmaceuticals. Modern engineered biosynthesis provides an alternative way of producing and meeting the growing need for diverse natural products. Natural enzymes, on the other hand, often exhibit unsatisfactory catalytic characteristics and necessitate further enzyme engineering modifications. QM/MM, as a powerful and extensively used computational tool in the field of enzyme catalysis, has been increasingly applied in rational enzyme engineering over the past decade. In this review, we summarize recent advances in QM/MM computational investigation on enzyme catalysis and enzyme engineering for natural product biosynthesis. The challenges and perspectives for future QM/MM applications aided enzyme engineering in natural product biosynthesis will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, Joint International Research Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Tao Zeng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Ruibo Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
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9
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Li Y, Wang J, Li L, Song W, Li M, Hua X, Wang Y, Yuan J, Xue Z. Natural products of pentacyclic triterpenoids: from discovery to heterologous biosynthesis. Nat Prod Rep 2023; 40:1303-1353. [PMID: 36454108 DOI: 10.1039/d2np00063f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
Covering: up to 2022Pentacyclic triterpenoids are important natural bioactive substances that are widely present in plants and fungi. They have significant medicinal efficacy, play an important role in reducing blood glucose and protecting the liver, and have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation, anti-fatigue, anti-viral, and anti-cancer activities. Pentacyclic triterpenoids are derived from the isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway, which generates common precursors of triterpenes and steroids, followed by cyclization with oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs) and decoration via cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYP450s) and glycosyltransferases (GTs). Many biosynthetic pathways of triterpenoid saponins have been elucidated by studying their metabolic regulation network through the use of multiomics and identifying their functional genes. Unfortunately, natural resources of pentacyclic triterpenoids are limited due to their low content in plant tissues and the long growth cycle of plants. Based on the understanding of their biosynthetic pathway and transcriptional regulation, plant bioreactors and microbial cell factories are emerging as alternative means for the synthesis of desired triterpenoid saponins. The rapid development of synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and fermentation technology has broadened channels for the accumulation of pentacyclic triterpenoid saponins. In this review, we summarize the classification, distribution, structural characteristics, and bioactivity of pentacyclic triterpenoids. We further discuss the biosynthetic pathways of pentacyclic triterpenoids and involved transcriptional regulation. Moreover, the recent progress and characteristics of heterologous biosynthesis in plants and microbial cell factories are discussed comparatively. Finally, we propose potential strategies to improve the accumulation of triterpenoid saponins, thereby providing a guide for their future biomanufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanlin Li
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China.
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Plant Bioactive Substance Biosynthesis and Utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China
| | - Jing Wang
- Institute of Forestry and Pomology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Linyong Li
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China.
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Plant Bioactive Substance Biosynthesis and Utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China
| | - Wenhui Song
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China.
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Plant Bioactive Substance Biosynthesis and Utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China
| | - Min Li
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China.
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Plant Bioactive Substance Biosynthesis and Utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China
| | - Xin Hua
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China.
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Plant Bioactive Substance Biosynthesis and Utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China
| | - Yu Wang
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China.
| | - Jifeng Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Fujian, PR China.
| | - Zheyong Xue
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China.
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Plant Bioactive Substance Biosynthesis and Utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China
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10
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Li X, Chen G, Gao QQ, Xiang CF, Yuan CX, Li XN, Shu YY, Zhang GH, Liang YL, Yang SC, Zhai CX, Zhao Y. Site-directed mutagenesis identified the key active site residues of 2,3-oxidosqualene cyclase HcOSC6 responsible for cucurbitacins biosynthesis in Hemsleya chinensis. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1138893. [PMID: 37056503 PMCID: PMC10086137 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1138893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Hemsleya chinensis is a Chinese traditional medicinal plant, containing cucurbitacin IIa (CuIIa) and cucurbitacin IIb (CuIIb), both of which have a wide range of pharmacological effects, including antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. However, few studies have been explored on the key enzymes that are involved in cucurbitacins biosynthesis in H. chinensis. Oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC) is a vital enzyme for cyclizing 2,3-oxidosqualene and its analogues. Here, a gene encoding the oxidosqualene cyclase of H. chinensis (HcOSC6), catalyzing to produce cucurbitadienol, was used as a template of mutagenesis. With the assistance of AlphaFold2 and molecular docking, we have proposed for the first time to our knowledge the 3D structure of HcOSC6 and its binding features to 2,3-oxidosqualene. Mutagenesis experiments on HcOSC6 generated seventeen different single-point mutants, showing that single-residue changes could affect its activity. Three key amino acid residues of HcOSC6, E246, M261 and D490, were identified as a prominent role in controlling cyclization ability. Our findings not only comprehensively characterize three key residues that are potentially useful for producing cucurbitacins, but also provide insights into the significant role they could play in metabolic engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Li
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation and Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Geng Chen
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation and Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Qing-Qing Gao
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation and Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Chun-Fan Xiang
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation and Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Cheng-Xiao Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation and Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Xiao-Ning Li
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation and Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Yan-Yu Shu
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation and Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Guang-Hui Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation and Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Yan-Li Liang
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation and Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Sheng-Chao Yang
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation and Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Chen-Xi Zhai
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Yan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology of Yunnan Province, National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation and Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
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11
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Jiao Y, Li X, Huang X, Liu F, Zhang Z, Cao L. The Identification of SQS/ SQE/ OSC Gene Families in Regulating the Biosynthesis of Triterpenes in Potentilla anserina. Molecules 2023; 28:2782. [PMID: 36985754 PMCID: PMC10051230 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28062782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The tuberous roots of Potentilla anserina (Pan) are an edible and medicinal resource in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, China. The triterpenoids from tuberous roots have shown promising anti-cancer, hepatoprotective, and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we carried out phylogenetic analysis of squalene synthases (SQSs), squalene epoxidases (SQEs), and oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs) in the pathway of triterpenes. In total, 6, 26, and 20 genes of SQSs, SQEs, and OSCs were retrieved from the genome of Pan, respectively. Moreover, 6 SQSs and 25 SQEs genes expressed in two sub-genomes (A and B) of Pan. SQSs were not expanded after whole-genome duplication (WGD), and the duplicated genes were detected in SQEs. Twenty OSCs were divided into two clades of cycloartenol synthases (CASs) and β-amyrin synthases (β-ASs) by a phylogenetic tree, characterized with gene duplication and evolutionary divergence. We speculated that β-ASs and CASs may participate in triterpenes synthesis. The data presented act as valuable references for future studies on the triterpene synthetic pathway of Pan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangmiao Jiao
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Dong Medicine, Ethnic Medicine Research Center, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China; (Y.J.); (X.L.); (X.H.); (F.L.)
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Synthetic Biology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China
| | - Xu Li
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Dong Medicine, Ethnic Medicine Research Center, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China; (Y.J.); (X.L.); (X.H.); (F.L.)
| | - Xueshuang Huang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Dong Medicine, Ethnic Medicine Research Center, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China; (Y.J.); (X.L.); (X.H.); (F.L.)
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Synthetic Biology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China
| | - Fan Liu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Dong Medicine, Ethnic Medicine Research Center, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China; (Y.J.); (X.L.); (X.H.); (F.L.)
| | - Zaiqi Zhang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Dong Medicine, Ethnic Medicine Research Center, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China; (Y.J.); (X.L.); (X.H.); (F.L.)
| | - Liang Cao
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Dong Medicine, Ethnic Medicine Research Center, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China; (Y.J.); (X.L.); (X.H.); (F.L.)
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12
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Luo Y, Jiang Y, Chen L, Li C, Wang Y. Applications of protein engineering in the microbial synthesis of plant triterpenoids. Synth Syst Biotechnol 2022; 8:20-32. [PMID: 36381964 PMCID: PMC9634032 DOI: 10.1016/j.synbio.2022.10.001] [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: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Triterpenoids are a class of natural products widely used in fields related to medicine and health due to their biological activities such as hepatoprotection, anti-inflammation, anti-viral, and anti-tumor. With the advancement in biotechnology, microorganisms have been used as cell factories to produce diverse natural products. Despite the significant progress that has been made in the construction of microbial cell factories for the heterogeneous biosynthesis of triterpenoids, the industrial production of triterpenoids employing microorganisms has been stymied due to the shortage of efficient enzymes as well as the low expression and low catalytic activity of heterologous proteins in microbes. Protein engineering has been demonstrated as an effective way for improving the specificity, catalytic activity, and stability of the enzyme, which can be employed to overcome these challenges. This review summarizes the current progress in the studies of Oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs), cytochrome P450s (P450s), and UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs), the key enzymes in the triterpenoids synthetic pathway. The main obstacles restricting the efficient catalysis of these key enzymes are analyzed, the applications of protein engineering for the three key enzymes in the microbial synthesis of triterpenoids are systematically reviewed, and the challenges and prospects of protein engineering are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Luo
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutics Engineering, Institute of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Yaozhu Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutics Engineering, Institute of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Linhao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutics Engineering, Institute of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Chun Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutics Engineering, Institute of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China,Key Laboratory for Industrial Biocatalysis, Ministry of Education, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutics Engineering, Institute of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China,Corresponding author.
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13
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Jiang P, Gao S, Chen Z, Sun H, Li P, Yue D, Pan Y, Wang X, Mi R, Dong Y, Jiang J, Zhou Z. Cloning and characterization of a phosphomevalonate kinase gene that is involved in saponin biosynthesis in the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 128:67-73. [PMID: 35921931 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2022.07.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus is one of the most dominant and economically important aquaculture species in China. Saponin, which possesses notable biological and pharmacological properties, is a key determinant of the nutritional and health value of A. japonicus. In the present study, we amplified the full-length cDNA of a phosphomevalonate kinase (PMK) gene (named AjPMK) using rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). Subsequently, we engineered a recombinant AjPMK (rAjPMK) protein and assessed its enzymatic activity by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Proteins that interact with rAjPMK were screened and identified via pull-down assay combined with liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). We found that the full-length cDNA of AjPMK contained 1354 bp and an open reading frame (ORF) of 612 bp. The AjPMK protein was predicted not to contain a signal peptide but to contain a phosphonolate kinase domain seen in higher eukaryotes and a P-loop with a relatively conserved nucleoside triphosphate hydrolase domain. The molecular weight of the AjPMK protein was estimated to be 23.81 kDa, and its isoelectric point was predicted to be 8.72. Phylogenetic analysis showed that AjPMK had a closer evolutionary relationship with genes from starfish than with those of other selected species. Besides, we found that rAjPMK synthesized mevalonate-5-diphosphate, interacted either directly or indirectly with crucial pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and was regulated by immune-related processes, including antioxidative reactions, stress resistance responses and enzyme hydrolysis. Moreover, AjPMK also interacted with farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase, an enzyme reported to be involved in saponin biosynthesis. Together, our findings implied that AjPMK may be directly involved in saponin biosynthesis and the regulation of various innate immune processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pingzhe Jiang
- Liaoning Ocean and Fisheries Science Research Institute, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Shan Gao
- Liaoning Ocean and Fisheries Science Research Institute, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Zhong Chen
- Liaoning Ocean and Fisheries Science Research Institute, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Hongjuan Sun
- Liaoning Ocean and Fisheries Science Research Institute, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Peipei Li
- Liaoning Ocean and Fisheries Science Research Institute, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Dongmei Yue
- Liaoning Ocean and Fisheries Science Research Institute, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Yongjia Pan
- Liaoning Ocean and Fisheries Science Research Institute, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Xuda Wang
- Liaoning Ocean and Fisheries Science Research Institute, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Rui Mi
- Liaoning Ocean and Fisheries Science Research Institute, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Ying Dong
- Liaoning Ocean and Fisheries Science Research Institute, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Jingwei Jiang
- Liaoning Ocean and Fisheries Science Research Institute, Dalian, 116023, China.
| | - Zunchun Zhou
- Liaoning Ocean and Fisheries Science Research Institute, Dalian, 116023, China.
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14
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Lertphadungkit P, Qiao X, Ye M, Bunsupa S. Characterization of oxidosqualene cyclases from Trichosanthes cucumerina L. reveals key amino acids responsible for substrate specificity of isomultiflorenol synthase. PLANTA 2022; 256:58. [PMID: 35980476 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-022-03972-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Two key amino acids of isomultiflorenol synthase, Y125 and M254, were first proposed. They could be associated with the production of isomultiflorenol. Oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs) are the first committed enzymes in the triterpenoid biosynthesis by converting 2,3-oxidosqualene to specific triterpenoid backbones. Thus, these enzymes are potential targets for developing plant-active compounds through the study of triterpenoid biosynthesis. We applied transcriptome information and metabolite profiling from Trichosanthes cucumerina L. to define the diversity of triterpenoids in this plant through OSCs. Isomultiflorenol synthase and cucurbitadienol synthase were previously identified in this plant. Here, three new OSCs, TcBAS, TcLAS, and TcCAS, were cloned and functionally characterized as β-amyrin synthase, lanosterol synthase, and cycloartenol synthase activities, respectively. We also took advantage of the multiple sequence alignment and molecular docking of OSCs exhibiting in this plant and other plant OSCs to identify key residues associated with isomultiflorenol synthase specificity. Two novel key amino acids, referred to the Y125 and M254, were first discovered. These results provide information on a possible catalytic mechanism for plant OSCs that produce specific products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pornpatsorn Lertphadungkit
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, 447 Sri-Ayutthaya Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Xue Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Min Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Somnuk Bunsupa
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, 447 Sri-Ayutthaya Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
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Noushahi HA, Khan AH, Noushahi UF, Hussain M, Javed T, Zafar M, Batool M, Ahmed U, Liu K, Harrison MT, Saud S, Fahad S, Shu S. Biosynthetic pathways of triterpenoids and strategies to improve their Biosynthetic Efficiency. PLANT GROWTH REGULATION 2022; 97:439-454. [PMID: 35382096 PMCID: PMC8969394 DOI: 10.1007/s10725-022-00818-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
"Triterpenoids" can be considered natural products derived from the cyclization of squalene, yielding 3-deoxytriterpenes (hydrocarbons) or 3-hydroxytriterpenes. Triterpenoids are metabolites of these two classes of triterpenes, produced by the functionalization of their carbon skeleton. They can be categorized into different groups based on their structural formula/design. Triterpenoids are an important group of compounds that are widely used in the fields of pharmacology, food, and industrial biotechnology. However, inadequate synthetic methods and insufficient knowledge of the biosynthesis of triterpenoids, such as their structure, enzymatic activity, and the methods used to produce pure and active triterpenoids, are key problems that limit the production of these active metabolites. Here, we summarize the derivatives, pharmaceutical properties, and biosynthetic pathways of triterpenoids and review the enzymes involved in their biosynthetic pathway. Furthermore, we concluded the screening methods, identified the genes involved in the pathways, and highlighted the appropriate strategies used to enhance their biosynthetic production to facilitate the commercial process of triterpenoids through the synthetic biology method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamza Armghan Noushahi
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070 Wuhan, China
- Plant Breeding and Phenomic Centre, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Talca, 3460000 Talca, Chile
| | - Aamir Hamid Khan
- National Key Lab of Crop Genetics Improvement, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070 Wuhan, China
| | - Usama Farhan Noushahi
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, 54000 Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Mubashar Hussain
- Institute of Applied Mycology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070 Wuhan, China
| | - Talha Javed
- College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, 350002 Fuzhou, China
| | - Maimoona Zafar
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070 Wuhan, China
| | - Maria Batool
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070 Wuhan, China
| | - Umair Ahmed
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070 Wuhan, China
| | - Ke Liu
- Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, 7250 Burnie, Tasmania Australia
| | - Matthew Tom Harrison
- Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, 7250 Burnie, Tasmania Australia
| | - Shah Saud
- College of Life Science, Linyi University, 276000 Linyi, Shandong China
| | - Shah Fahad
- Hainan Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresource, College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, 570228 Haikou, China
- Department of Agronomy, The University of Haripur, 22620 Haripur, Pakistan
| | - Shaohua Shu
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070 Wuhan, China
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16
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A conserved mechanism affecting hydride shifting and deprotonation in the synthesis of hopane triterpenes as compositions of wax in oat. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2118709119. [PMID: 35290128 PMCID: PMC8944845 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2118709119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Hopanoids are a group of biologically important triterpene scaffolds found in nature, but the discovery of hopane-type triterpene synthases in plants has not been reported. We discovered two types of triterpene synthases synthesizing hopanoid skeletons from monocot and dicot plants and elucidated a mechanism involving the deprotonation at different sites by site-directed mutagenesis experiments and the quantum mechanics and molecular mechanics calculation. Our results provide a genetic element for synthesizing biologically active hopane-type triterpenoids and serve as a foundation for studying the molecular mechanisms of methyl and hydride transfer in the triterpene cyclization mechanism. Triterpenoids are biologically active metabolites synthesized from a common linear precursor catalyzed by 2,3-oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs) to form diverse triterpenoid skeletons. OSCs corresponding to many discovered triterpene alcohols in nature have not been functionally and mechanistically characterized due to the diversity of chemical structures and complexity of the cyclization mechanism. We carried out a genome-wide investigation of OSCs from Avena strigosa and discovered two triterpene synthases, namely, AsHS1 and AsHS2, using a Nicotiana benthamiana expression system. These synthases produce hopenol B and hop-17(21)-en-3β-ol, which are components of surface wax in oat panicles and sheathes, respectively. We demonstrated that substitutions of two to three amino acid residues in AsHS1 with corresponding residues from AsHS2 allowed it to be completely converted into a hop-17(21)-en-3β-ol synthase. AsHS2 mutants with a substitution at site 410 could synthesize hopenol B alone or mixed with a side product isomotiol. The combined quantum mechanics and molecular mechanics calculation demonstrated that the side chain size of the residue at site 410 regulated the relative orientations between the hopyl C22 cation and Phe257, leading to a difference in deprotonation positions through providing or not providing cation–π interaction between the aromatic ring of F257 and the carbocation intermediate. A similar mechanism could be applied to a hopenol B synthase from a dicotyledonous plant Aquilegia. This study provided mechanistic insight into triterpenoid synthesis and discovered key amino acid residues acting on hydride transfer and a deprotonation site to differentiate between hopane-type scaffolds in diverse plant species.
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Lu Y, Luo Y, Zhou J, Hu T, Tu L, Tong Y, Su P, Liu Y, Wang J, Jiang Z, Wu X, Chen X, Huang L, Gao W. Probing the functions of friedelane-type triterpene cyclases from four celastrol-producing plants. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 109:555-567. [PMID: 34750899 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Triterpenes are among the most diverse plant natural products, and their diversity is closely related to various triterpene skeletons catalyzed by different 2,3-oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs). Celastrol, a friedelane-type triterpene with significant bioactivities, is specifically distributed in higher plants, such as Celastraceae species. Friedelin is an important precursor for the biosynthesis of celastrol, and it is synthesized through the cyclization of 2,3-oxidosqualene, with the highest number of rearrangements being catalyzed by friedelane-type triterpene cyclases. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the catalysis of friedelin production by friedelane-type triterpene cyclases have not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, transcriptome data of four celastrol-producing plants from Celastraceae were used to identify a total of 21 putative OSCs. Through functional characterization, the friedelane-type triterpene cyclases were separately verified in the four plants. Analysis of the selection pressure showed that purifying selection acted on these OSCs, and the friedelane-type triterpene cyclases may undergo weaker selective restriction during evolution. Molecular docking and site-directed mutagenesis revealed that changes in some amino acids that are unique to friedelane-type triterpene cyclases may lead to variations in catalytic specificity or efficiency, thereby affecting the synthesis of friedelin. Our research explored the functional diversity of triterpene synthases from a multispecies perspective. It also provides some references for further research on the relative mechanisms of friedelin biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Lu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yunfeng Luo
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiawei Zhou
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tianyuan Hu
- College of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lichan Tu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuru Tong
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ping Su
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Yuan Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiadian Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhouqian Jiang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyi Wu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaochao Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Luqi Huang
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Genome-Wide Identification of OSC Gene Family and Potential Function in the Synthesis of Ursane- and Oleanane-Type Triterpene in Momordica charantia. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010196. [PMID: 35008620 PMCID: PMC8745088 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The triterpenes in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) show a variety of medicinal activities. Oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC) plays an indispensable role in the formation of triterpene skeletons during triterpene biosynthesis. In this study, we identified nine genes encoding OSCs from bitter gourd (McOSC1-9). Analyses of their expression patterns in different tissues suggested that characteristic triterpenoids may be biosynthesized in different tissues and then transported. We constructed a hairy root system in which McOSC7 overexpression led to an increased accumulation of camaldulenic acid, enoxolone, and quinovic acid. Thus, the overexpression of McOSC7 increased the active components content in bitter gourd. Our data provide an important foundation for understanding the roles of McOSCs in triterpenoid synthesis.
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Wang J, Guo Y, Yin X, Wang X, Qi X, Xue Z. Diverse triterpene skeletons are derived from the expansion and divergent evolution of 2,3-oxidosqualene cyclases in plants. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 57:113-132. [PMID: 34601979 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2021.1979458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Triterpenoids are one of the largest groups of secondary metabolites and exhibit diverse structures, which are derived from C30 skeletons that are biosynthesized via the isoprenoid pathway by cyclization of 2,3-oxidosqualene. Triterpenoids have a wide range of biological activities, and are used in functional foods, drugs, and as industrial materials. Due to the low content levels in their native plants and limited feasibility and efficiency of chemical synthesis, heterologous biosynthesis of triterpenoids is the most promising strategy. Herein, we classified 121 triterpene alcohols/ketones according to their conformation and ring numbers, among which 51 skeletons have been experimentally characterized as the products of oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs). Interestingly, 24 skeletons that have not been reported from nature source were generated by OSCs in heterologous expression. Comprehensive evolutionary analysis of the identified 152 OSCs from 75 species in 25 plant orders show that several pentacyclic triterpene synthases repeatedly originated in multiple plant lineages. Comparative analysis of OSC catalytic reaction revealed that stabilization of intermediate cations, steric hindrance, and conformation of active center amino acid residues are primary factors affecting triterpene formation. Optimization of OSC could be achieved by changing of side-chain orientations of key residues. Recently, methods, such as rationally design of pathways, regulation of metabolic flow, compartmentalization engineering, etc., were introduced in improving chassis for the biosynthesis of triterpenoids. We expect that extensive study of natural variation of large number of OSCs and catalytical mechanism will provide basis for production of high level of triterpenoids by application of synthetic biology strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China.,Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Plant Bioactive Substance Biosynthesis and Utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China.,Institute of Forestry and Pomology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yanhong Guo
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China.,Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Plant Bioactive Substance Biosynthesis and Utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China
| | - Xue Yin
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China.,Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Plant Bioactive Substance Biosynthesis and Utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China
| | - Xiaoning Wang
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Xiaoquan Qi
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Zheyong Xue
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China.,Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Plant Bioactive Substance Biosynthesis and Utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China
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20
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Chen K, Zhang M, Ye M, Qiao X. Site-directed mutagenesis and substrate compatibility to reveal the structure-function relationships of plant oxidosqualene cyclases. Nat Prod Rep 2021; 38:2261-2275. [PMID: 33988197 DOI: 10.1039/d1np00015b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Covering: up to May 2020Oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs) catalyze one of the most complex polycyclization reactions in nature, using the linear 2,3-oxidosqualene to generate an array of triterpene skeletons in plants. Despite the structural diversity of the products, the protein sequences of plant OSCs are highly conserved, where a few key amino acids could govern the product selectivity. Due to the absence of crystal structures, site-directed mutagenesis and substrate structural modification become key approaches to understand the cyclization mechanism. In this review, 98 mutation sites in 25 plant OSCs have been summarized, and the conserved key residues have been identified by sequence alignment. Structure-function relationships are further discussed. Meanwhile, the substrate selectivity has been summarized to probe the active site cavity of plant OSCs. A total of 77 references are included.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Meng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Min Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Xue Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100191, China.
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Naraki S, Kakihara M, Kato S, Saga Y, Mannen K, Takase S, Takano A, Shinpo S, Hosouchi T, Nakane T, Suzuki H, Kushiro T. Two Triterpene Synthases from Imperata cylindrica Catalyzing the Formation of a Pair of Diastereoisomers through Boat or Chair Cyclization. Chembiochem 2021; 22:1992-2001. [PMID: 33660881 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202100077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Imperata cylindrica is known to produce a pair of triterpenes, isoarborinol and fernenol, that exhibit identical planar structures but possess opposite stereochemistry at six of the nine chiral centers. These differences arise from a boat or a chair cyclization of the B-ring of the substrate. Herein, we report the characterization of three OSC genes from I. cylindrica. IcOSC1 and IcOSC5 were identified as isoarborinol and fernenol synthases, respectively, while IcOSC3 was characterized as a multifunctional enzyme that produces glutinol and friedelin as its major products. Mutational studies of isoarborinol and fernenol synthases revealed that the residues surrounding the DCTAE motif partially affected the conformation of the B-ring during cyclization. Additionally, the IcOSC1-W255H mutant produced the rare triterpene boehmerol. The introduced histidine residue presumably abstracted a proton from the intermediary carbocation at C18 during the 1,2-rearrangement. Expression analysis indicated that all OSC genes were highly expressed in stems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shingo Naraki
- School of Agriculture, Meiji University, 1-1-1 Higashimita, Tama-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 214-8571, Japan
| | - Mai Kakihara
- School of Agriculture, Meiji University, 1-1-1 Higashimita, Tama-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 214-8571, Japan
| | - Sayuri Kato
- School of Agriculture, Meiji University, 1-1-1 Higashimita, Tama-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 214-8571, Japan
| | - Yusuke Saga
- School of Agriculture, Meiji University, 1-1-1 Higashimita, Tama-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 214-8571, Japan
| | - Kazuto Mannen
- Kazusa DNA Research Institute, 2-6-7 Kazusa-kamatari, Kisarazu, Chiba, 292-0818, Japan
| | - Shohei Takase
- School of Agriculture, Meiji University, 1-1-1 Higashimita, Tama-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 214-8571, Japan
| | - Akihito Takano
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Showa Pharmaceutical University, 3-3165 Higashitamagawagakuen, Machida, Tokyo, 194-8543, Japan
| | - Sayaka Shinpo
- Kazusa DNA Research Institute, 2-6-7 Kazusa-kamatari, Kisarazu, Chiba, 292-0818, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Hosouchi
- Kazusa DNA Research Institute, 2-6-7 Kazusa-kamatari, Kisarazu, Chiba, 292-0818, Japan
| | - Takahisa Nakane
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Showa Pharmaceutical University, 3-3165 Higashitamagawagakuen, Machida, Tokyo, 194-8543, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Suzuki
- Kazusa DNA Research Institute, 2-6-7 Kazusa-kamatari, Kisarazu, Chiba, 292-0818, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Kushiro
- School of Agriculture, Meiji University, 1-1-1 Higashimita, Tama-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 214-8571, Japan
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Lian X, Zhang X, Wang F, Wang X, Xue Z, Qi X. Characterization of a 2,3-oxidosqualene cyclase in the toosendanin biosynthetic pathway of Melia toosendan. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2020; 170:528-536. [PMID: 32794175 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.13189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Toosendanin, bearing a furan ring, is a limonoid belonging to the group of tetranortriterpenoids. Toosendanin is a phytochemical found in the medicinal plant Melia toosendan Sieb. et Zucc. of the Meliaceae family. Toosendanin and its derivatives demonstrate high insecticidal activity and are important pesticides derived from plants. Despite intensive investigation of limonoids over several decades, the biosynthetic pathway of these triterpenoids is less understood. To identify the key enzymes involved in the toosendanin biosynthetic pathway, we analyzed the contents of toosendanin in various plant tissues and parts and found that the highest level of toosendanin was found in the developing fruit and gradually decreased as the fruit matured. More than 346 116 transcripts were assembled based on 394 million paired-end Illumina reads and 6 million PacBio reads from the pooled RNA samples of fruits, leaves and young barks. A total of 186 263 genes were predicted. Six 2,3-oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC) genes were identified by analyzing the association between gene expression and metabolite profiles. Functional analyses using the Nicotiana benthamiana transient expression assay showed that MtOSC1 catalyzed 2,3-oxidosqualene to produce a tetracyclic triterpene skeleton, tirucalla-7,24-dien-3β-ol, which is predicted as the precursor for toosendanin biosynthesis. We identified another OSC, MtOSC6, which is a lupeol synthase. Using synthetic biology methods, these identified enzymes could be used to model a biosynthetic pathway to produce large quantities of toosendanin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xufan Lian
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
| | - Xiuli Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration (Northeast Forestry University), Ministry of Education, Harbin, 150040, China
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Plant Bioactive Substance Biosynthesis and Utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiaoning Wang
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Zheyong Xue
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
- Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration (Northeast Forestry University), Ministry of Education, Harbin, 150040, China
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Plant Bioactive Substance Biosynthesis and Utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Xiaoquan Qi
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
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23
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Yu Y, Rasool A, Liu H, Lv B, Chang P, Song H, Wang Y, Li C. Engineering Saccharomyces cerevisiae for high yield production of α-amyrin via synergistic remodeling of α-amyrin synthase and expanding the storage pool. Metab Eng 2020; 62:72-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2020.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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24
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Yin J, Yang J, Ma H, Liang T, Li Y, Xiao J, Tian H, Xu Z, Zhan Y. Expression characteristics and function of CAS and a new beta-amyrin synthase in triterpenoid synthesis in birch (Betula platyphylla Suk.). PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2020; 294:110433. [PMID: 32234222 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2020.110433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Triterpenoids produced by the secondary metabolism of Betula platyphylla Suk. exhibit important pharmacological activities, such as tumor inhibition, anti-HIV, and defense against pathogens, but the yield of natural synthesis is low, which is insufficient to meet people's needs. In this study, we identified two OSC genes of birch, named as BpCAS and Bpβ-AS, respectively. The expression of BpCAS and Bpβ-AS were higher levels in roots and in stems, respectively, and they induced expression in response to methyl jasmonate (MeJA), gibberellin (GA3), abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene and mechanical damage. The function of the two genes in the triterpene synthesis of birch was identified by reverse genetics. The inhibition of Bpβ-AS gene positively regulates synthesis of betulinic acid. BpCAS interference can significantly promote the upregulation of lupeol synthase gene (BPW) and β-amyrin synthase gene(BPY), and conversion of 2,3-oxidosqualene to the downstream products betulinic acid and oleanolic acid. This study provided a basis for the genetic improvement of triterpenoid synthesis in birch through genetic engineering. The obtained transgenic birch and suspension cells served as material resources for birch triterpenoid applications in further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yin
- Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Ministry of Education, Harbin, 150040, China; College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China; State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150040, China
| | - Jie Yang
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Hongsi Ma
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Tian Liang
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Ying Li
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Jialei Xiao
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150010, China
| | - Hongmei Tian
- Forest Botanical Garden of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, China
| | - Zhiqiang Xu
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Yaguang Zhan
- Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Ministry of Education, Harbin, 150040, China; College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China; State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150040, China.
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25
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Diao H, Chen N, Wang K, Zhang F, Wang YH, Wu R. Biosynthetic Mechanism of Lanosterol: A Completed Story. ACS Catal 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.9b05221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hongjuan Diao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, People’s Republic of China
| | - Nanhao Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Kai Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yong-Heng Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ruibo Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, People’s Republic of China
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Ji X, Lin S, Chen Y, Liu J, Yun X, Wang T, Qin J, Luo C, Wang K, Zhao Z, Zhan R, Xu H. Identification of α-Amyrin 28-Carboxylase and Glycosyltransferase From Ilex asprella and Production of Ursolic Acid 28- O-β-D-Glucopyranoside in Engineered Yeast. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:612. [PMID: 32508864 PMCID: PMC7251064 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.00612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Ilex asprella is a medicinal plant that is used extensively in southern China. The plant contains ursane-type triterpenoids and triterpenoid saponins which are known to be responsible for its pharmacological activities. Previously, a transcriptomic analysis of I. asprella was carried out and the gene IaAS1, which is important in the formation of the core structure α-amyrin, was identified. However, the genes related to the subsequent derivatization of the core structures of the triterpenoid remain largely unknown. Herein, we describe the cloning and functional characterization of an amyrin 28-carboxylase IaAO1 (designated as IaCYP716A210) and a glycosyltransferase IaAU1 (designated as UGT74AG5), based on transcriptomic data. The expression of IaAO1 in an α-amyrin producing yeast strain led to the accumulation of ursolic acid. An enzyme assay using recombinant protein IaAU1 purified from E. coli revealed that IaAU1 can catalyze the conversion of ursolic acid to ursolic acid 28-O-β-D-glucopyranoside. IaAU1 has regiospecificity for catalyzing the 28-O-glucosylation of ursane-/oleanane-type triterpene acids, as it can also catalyze the conversion of oleanolic acid, hederagenin, and ilexgenin A to their corresponding glycosyl compounds. Moreover, co-expression of IaAO1 and IaAU1 in the α-amyrin-producing yeast strain led to the production of ursolic acid 28-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, although in relatively low amounts. Our study reveals that IaAO1 and IaAU1 might play a role in the biosynthesis of pentacyclic triterpenoid saponins in I. asprella and provides insights into the potential application of metabolic engineering to produce ursane-type triterpene glycosides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Ji
- Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resource Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan (Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Joint Laboratory of National Engineering Research Center for the Pharmaceutics of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pharmacology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Shumin Lin
- Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resource Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan (Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Joint Laboratory of National Engineering Research Center for the Pharmaceutics of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuanyuan Chen
- Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resource Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan (Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Joint Laboratory of National Engineering Research Center for the Pharmaceutics of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiawei Liu
- Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resource Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan (Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Joint Laboratory of National Engineering Research Center for the Pharmaceutics of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyun Yun
- Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resource Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan (Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Joint Laboratory of National Engineering Research Center for the Pharmaceutics of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tiancheng Wang
- Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resource Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan (Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Joint Laboratory of National Engineering Research Center for the Pharmaceutics of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jialiang Qin
- Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resource Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan (Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Joint Laboratory of National Engineering Research Center for the Pharmaceutics of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chaoquan Luo
- Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resource Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan (Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Joint Laboratory of National Engineering Research Center for the Pharmaceutics of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kui Wang
- Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resource Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan (Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Joint Laboratory of National Engineering Research Center for the Pharmaceutics of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhongxiang Zhao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruoting Zhan
- Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resource Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan (Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Joint Laboratory of National Engineering Research Center for the Pharmaceutics of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Ruoting Zhan,
| | - Hui Xu
- Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resource Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan (Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Joint Laboratory of National Engineering Research Center for the Pharmaceutics of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Guangzhou, China
- Hui Xu,
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27
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Fanani MZ, Fukushima EO, Sawai S, Tang J, Ishimori M, Sudo H, Ohyama K, Seki H, Saito K, Muranaka T. Molecular Basis of C-30 Product Regioselectivity of Legume Oxidases Involved in High-Value Triterpenoid Biosynthesis. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 10:1520. [PMID: 31850023 PMCID: PMC6901910 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.01520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The triterpenes are structurally diverse group of specialized metabolites with important roles in plant defense and human health. Glycyrrhizin, with a carboxyl group at C-30 of its aglycone moiety, is a valuable triterpene glycoside, the production of which is restricted to legume medicinal plants belonging to the Glycyrrhiza species. Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) are important for generating triterpene chemodiversity by catalyzing site-specific oxidation of the triterpene scaffold. CYP72A154 was previously identified from the glycyrrhizin-producing plant Glycyrrhiza uralensis as a C-30 oxidase in glycyrrhizin biosynthesis, but its regioselectivity is rather low. In contrast, CYP72A63 from Medicago truncatula showed superior regioselectivity in C-30 oxidation, improving the production of glycyrrhizin aglycone in engineered yeast. The underlying molecular basis of C-30 product regioselectivity is not well understood. Here, we identified two amino acid residues that control C-30 product regioselectivity and contribute to the chemodiversity of triterpenes accumulated in legumes. Amino acid sequence comparison combined with structural analysis of the protein model identified Leu149 and Leu398 as important amino acid residues for C-30 product regioselectivity. These results were further confirmed by mutagenesis of CYP72A154 homologs from glycyrrhizin-producing species, functional phylogenomics analyses, and comparison of corresponding residues of C-30 oxidase homologs in other legumes. These findings could be combined with metabolic engineering to further enhance the production of high-value triterpene compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Much Zaenal Fanani
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Ery Odette Fukushima
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Universidad Regional Amazónica IKIAM, Tena, Ecuador
| | - Satoru Sawai
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
- Tokiwa Phytochemical Co., Ltd., Sakura, Japan
| | - Jianwei Tang
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Masato Ishimori
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | | | - Kiyoshi Ohyama
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Japan
- Department of Chemistry and Materials Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Meguro, Japan
| | - Hikaru Seki
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kazuki Saito
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Toshiya Muranaka
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Japan
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28
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Aminfar Z, Rabiei B, Tohidfar M, Mirjalili MH. Identification of key genes involved in the biosynthesis of triterpenic acids in the mint family. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15826. [PMID: 31676750 PMCID: PMC6825174 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52090-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Triterpenic acids (TAs), a large group of natural compounds with diverse biological activity, are produced by several plant taxa. Betulinic, oleanolic, and ursolic acids are the most medicinally important TAs and are mainly found in plants of the mint family. Metabolic engineering is strongly dependent on identifying the key genes in biosynthetic pathways toward the products of interest. In this study, gene expression tracking was performed by transcriptome mining, co-expression network analysis, and tissue-specific metabolite-expression analysis in order to identify possible key genes involved in TAs biosynthetic pathways. To this end, taxa-specific degenerate primers of six important genes were designed using an effective method based on the MEME algorithm in a phylogenetically related group of sequences and successfully applied in three members of the Lamiaceae (Rosmarinus officinalis, Salvia officinalis, and Thymus persicus). Based on the results of in-depth data analysis, genes encoding squalene epoxidase and oxido squalene cyclases are proposed as targets for boosting triterpene production. The results emphasize the importance of identifying key genes in triterpene biosynthesis, which may facilitate genetic manipulation or overexpression of target genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Aminfar
- Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agricultural science, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
| | - Babak Rabiei
- Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agricultural science, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.
| | - Masoud Tohidfar
- Department of Plant Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences & Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University G.C., Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Mirjalili
- Department of Agriculture, Medicinal Plants and Drugs Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, G. C., Tehran, Iran.
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29
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Suzuki A, Aikawa Y, Ito R, Hoshino T. Oryza sativa
Parkeol Cyclase: Changes in the Substrate‐Folding Conformation and the Deprotonation Sites on Mutation at Tyr257: Importance of the Hydroxy Group and Steric Bulk. Chembiochem 2019; 20:2862-2875. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201900314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Asuka Suzuki
- Graduate School of Science and Technology andDepartment of Applied Biological ChemistryFaculty of AgricultureNiigata University Ikarashi 2-8050 Nishi-ku Niigata 950–2181 Japan
| | - Yuko Aikawa
- Graduate School of Science and Technology andDepartment of Applied Biological ChemistryFaculty of AgricultureNiigata University Ikarashi 2-8050 Nishi-ku Niigata 950–2181 Japan
| | - Ryousuke Ito
- Graduate School of Science and Technology andDepartment of Applied Biological ChemistryFaculty of AgricultureNiigata University Ikarashi 2-8050 Nishi-ku Niigata 950–2181 Japan
| | - Tsutomu Hoshino
- Graduate School of Science and Technology andDepartment of Applied Biological ChemistryFaculty of AgricultureNiigata University Ikarashi 2-8050 Nishi-ku Niigata 950–2181 Japan
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30
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Stephenson MJ, Field RA, Osbourn A. The protosteryl and dammarenyl cation dichotomy in polycyclic triterpene biosynthesis revisited: has this 'rule' finally been broken? Nat Prod Rep 2019; 36:1044-1052. [PMID: 30783639 DOI: 10.1039/c8np00096d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Covering: 1948 up to the end of 2018. The triterpene alcohols represent an important and diverse class of natural products. This diversity is believed to originate from the differential enzymatically controlled cyclisation of 2,3-oxidosqualene. It is now a well-established presumption that all naturally occurring tetra- and penta-cyclic triterpene alcohols can be rationalised by the resolution of one of two intermediary tetracyclic cations, termed the protosteryl and dammarenyl cations. Here, a discussion of typical key triterpene structures and their proposed derivation from either of these progenitors is followed by comparison with a recently reported novel pentacyclic triterpene orysatinol which appears to correspond to an unprecedented divergence from this dichotomous protosteryl/dammarenyl view of triterpene biogenesis. Not only does this discovery widen the potential scope of triterpene scaffolds that could exist in nature, it could call into question the reliability of stereochemical assignments of some existing triterpene structures that are supported by only limited spectroscopic evidence. The discovery of orysatinol provides direct experimental evidence to support considering more flexibility in the stereochemical interpretation of the biogenic isoprene rule.
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31
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Zhou J, Hu T, Gao L, Su P, Zhang Y, Zhao Y, Chen S, Tu L, Song Y, Wang X, Huang L, Gao W. Friedelane-type triterpene cyclase in celastrol biosynthesis from Tripterygium wilfordii and its application for triterpenes biosynthesis in yeast. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2019; 223:722-735. [PMID: 30895623 DOI: 10.1111/nph.15809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Celastrol is a promising bioactive compound isolated from Tripterygium wilfordii and has been shown to possess many encouraging preclinical applications. However, the celastrol biosynthetic pathway is poorly understood, especially the key oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC) enzyme responsible for cyclisation of the main scaffold. Here, we report on the isolation and characterisation of three OSCs from T. wilfordii: TwOSC1, TwOSC2 and TwOSC3. Both TwOSC1 and TwOSC3 were multiproduct friedelin synthases, while TwOSC2 was a β-amyrin synthase. We further found that TwOSC1 and TwOSC3 were involved in the biosynthesis of celastrol and that their common product, friedelin, was a precursor of celastrol. We then reconstituted the biosynthetic pathway of friedelin in engineered yeast constructed by the CRISPR/Cas9 system, with protein modification and medium optimisation, leading to heterologous production of friedelin at 37.07 mg l-1 in a shake flask culture. Our study was the first to identify the genes responsible for biosynthesis of the main scaffold of celastrol and other triterpenes in T. wilfordii. As friedelin has been found in many plants, the results and approaches described here have laid a solid foundation for further explaining the biosynthesis of celastrol and related triterpenoids. Moreover, our results provide insights for metabolic engineering of friedelane-type triterpenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Zhou
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Tianyuan Hu
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Linhui Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Ping Su
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Yifeng Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Yujun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Shang Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Lichan Tu
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Yadi Song
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Xing Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Luqi Huang
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Wei Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
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32
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Qiao J, Luo Z, Gu Z, Zhang Y, Zhang X, Ma X. Identification of a Novel Specific Cucurbitadienol Synthase Allele in Siraitia grosvenorii Correlates with High Catalytic Efficiency. Molecules 2019; 24:E627. [PMID: 30754652 PMCID: PMC6384864 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24030627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 01/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Mogrosides, the main bioactive compounds isolated from the fruits of Siraitia grosvenorii, are a group of cucurbitane-type triterpenoid glycosides that exhibit a wide range of notable biological activities and are commercially available worldwide as natural sweeteners. However, the extraction cost is high due to their relatively low contents in plants. Therefore, molecular breeding needs to be achieved when conventional plant breeding can hardly improve the quality so far. In this study, the levels of 21 active mogrosides and two precursors in 15 S. grosvenorii varieties were determined by HPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS, respectively. The results showed that the variations in mogroside V content may be caused by the accumulation of cucurbitadienol. Furthermore, a total of four wild-type cucurbitadienol synthase protein variants (50R573L, 50C573L, 50R573Q, and 50C573Q) based on two missense mutation single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites were discovered. An in vitro enzyme reaction analysis indicated that 50R573L had the highest activity, with a specific activity of 10.24 nmol min-1 mg-1. In addition, a site-directed mutant, namely, 50K573L, showed a 33% enhancement of catalytic efficiency compared to wild-type 50R573L. Our findings identify a novel cucurbitadienol synthase allele correlates with high catalytic efficiency. These results are valuable for the molecular breeding of luohanguo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Qiao
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Zuliang Luo
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Zhe Gu
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China.
| | | | - Xindan Zhang
- Guilin GFS Monk Fruit Corp., Guilin 541006, China.
| | - Xiaojun Ma
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China.
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33
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Shang Y, Huang S. Multi-omics data-driven investigations of metabolic diversity of plant triterpenoids. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 97:101-111. [PMID: 30341835 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.14132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Revised: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The vast majority of structurally diverse metabolites play essential roles in mediating the interactions between plant and environment, and constitute a valuable resource for industrial applications. Recent breakthroughs in sequencing technology have greatly accelerated metabolic studies of natural plant products, providing opportunities to investigate the molecular basis underlying the diversity of specialized plant metabolites through large-scale analysis. Here, we focus on the biosynthesis of plant triterpenoids, especially the three diversifying reactions (cyclization, oxidation and glycosylation) that largely contribute to the structural diversity of triterpenoids. Gene mining through large-scale omics data and functional characterization of metabolic genes including enzymes, transcription factors and transporters could provide important insights into the evolution of specialized plant metabolism and pave the way for the production of high-value metabolites or derivatives using synthetic biology approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Shang
- The CAAS-YNNU-YINMORE Joint Academy of Potato Science, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Sanwen Huang
- Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, 518124, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops of the Ministry of Agriculture, Sino-Dutch Joint Laboratory of Horticultural Genomics, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100084, China
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34
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Lu Y, Zhou J, Hu T, Zhang Y, Su P, Wang J, Gao W, Huang L. A multifunctional oxidosqualene cyclase from Tripterygium regelii that produces both α- and β-amyrin. RSC Adv 2018; 8:23516-23521. [PMID: 35540266 PMCID: PMC9081704 DOI: 10.1039/c8ra03468k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Tripterygium regelii is a rich source of triterpenoids, containing many types of triterpenes with high chemical diversity and interesting pharmacological properties. The cDNA of the multifunctional oxidosqualene cyclase (TrOSC, GenBank accession number: MH161182), consisting of a 2289 bp open reading frame and coding for 762 amino acids, was cloned from the stems and roots of Tripterygium regelii. Phylogenetic analysis using OSC genes from other plants suggested that TrOSC might be a mixed-amyrin synthase. The coding sequence was cloned into the expression vector pYES2 and transformed into the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The resulting products were analysed by GC-MS. Surprisingly, although it showed 76% sequence identity to lupeol synthase from Ricinus communis, TrOSC was found to be a multifunctional triterpene synthase producing both α- and β-amyrin, the precursors of ursane and oleanane type triterpenes, respectively. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that the transcript of TrOSC accumulated mainly in roots and stems. Taken together, our findings contribute to the knowledge of key genes in the pentacyclic triterpene biosynthesis pathway. A multifunctional oxidosqualene cyclase was cloned from Tripterygium regelii and identified as a mixed-amyrin synthase, which can produce both α- and β-amyrin.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Lu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Capital Medical University
- Beijing 100069
- China
| | - Jiawei Zhou
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Capital Medical University
- Beijing 100069
- China
| | - Tianyuan Hu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Capital Medical University
- Beijing 100069
- China
| | - Yifeng Zhang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Capital Medical University
- Beijing 100069
- China
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs
| | - Ping Su
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs
- National Resource Center for Chinese MateriaMedica
- China Academy of ChineseMedical Sciences
- Beijing
- China
| | - Jiadian Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Capital Medical University
- Beijing 100069
- China
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs
| | - Wei Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Capital Medical University
- Beijing 100069
- China
- Beijing Key Lab of TCM Collateral Disease Theory Research
| | - Luqi Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs
- National Resource Center for Chinese MateriaMedica
- China Academy of ChineseMedical Sciences
- Beijing
- China
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