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Liao Y, Du W, Wan J, Fan J, Pi J, Wu M, Wei Y, Ouyang Z. Mining and functional characterization of NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductases of the DNJ biosynthetic pathway in mulberry leaves. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 24:133. [PMID: 38395770 PMCID: PMC10885410 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-04815-0] [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: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND 1-Deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), the main active ingredient in mulberry leaves, with wide applications in the medicine and food industries due to its significant functions in lowering blood sugar, and lipids, and combating viral infections. Cytochrome P450 is a key enzyme for DNJ biosynthesis, its activity depends on the electron supply of NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductases (CPRs). However, the gene for MaCPRs in mulberry leaves remains unknown. RESULTS In this study, we successfully cloned and functionally characterized two key genes, MaCPR1 and MaCPR2, based on the transcriptional profile of mulberry leaves. The MaCPR1 gene comprised 2064 bp, with its open reading frame (ORF) encoding 687 amino acids. The MaCPR2 gene comprised 2148 bp, and its ORF encoding 715 amino acids. The phylogenetic tree indicates that MaCPR1 and MaCPR2 belong to Class I and Class II, respectively. In vitro, we found that the recombinant enzymes MaCPR2 protein could reduce cytochrome c and ferricyanide using NADPH as an electron donor, while MaCPR1 did not. In yeast, heterologous co-expression indicates that MaCPR2 delivers electrons to MaC3'H hydroxylase, a key enzyme catalyzing the production of chlorogenic acid from 3-O-p-coumaroylquinic acid. CONCLUSIONS These findings highlight the orchestration of hydroxylation process mediated by MaCPR2 during the biosynthesis of secondary metabolite biosynthesis in mulberry leaves. These results provided a foundational understanding for fully elucidating the DNJ biosynthetic pathway within mulberry leaves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangzhen Liao
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, PR, China
| | - Wenmin Du
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, PR, China
| | - Jingqiong Wan
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, PR, China
| | - Jiahe Fan
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, PR, China
| | - Jilan Pi
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, PR, China
| | - Min Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, PR, China
| | - Yuan Wei
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, PR, China
| | - Zhen Ouyang
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, PR, China.
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, PR, China.
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2
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Lu Y, Liu Y, Zhang Y, Gao H, Chen X, Tu L, Luo Y, Jiang Z, Yin Y, Zhou J, Hu T, Wu X, Wang J, Gao W, Huang L. Characterization of the Cytochrome P450 CYP716C52 in Celastrol Biosynthesis and Its Applications in Engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2024; 87:176-185. [PMID: 38277488 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.3c00674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Celastrol is a bioactive pentacyclic triterpenoid with promising therapeutic effects that is mainly distributed in Celastraceae plants. Although some enzymes involved in the celastrol biosynthesis pathway have been reported, many biosynthetic steps remain unknown. Herein, transcriptomics and metabolic profiles of multiple species in Celastraceae were integrated to screen for cytochrome P450s (CYPs) that are closely related to celastrol biosynthesis. The CYP716 enzyme, TwCYP716C52, was found to be able to oxidize the C-2 position of polpunonic acid, a precursor of celastrol, to form the wilforic acid C. RNAi-mediated repression of TwCYP716C52 in Tripterygium wilfordii suspension cells further confirmed its involvement in celastrol biosynthesis. The C-2 catalytic mechanisms of TwCYP716C52 were further explored by using molecular docking and site-directed mutagenesis experiments. Moreover, a modular optimization strategy was used to construct an engineered yeast to produce wilforic acid C at a titer of 5.8 mg·L-1. This study elucidates the celastrol biosynthetic pathway and provides important functional genes and sufficient precursors for further enzyme discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Lu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
- Chengdu Second People's Hospital, Chengdu 610017, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Yifeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Haiyun Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Xiaochao Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Lichan Tu
- School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Yunfeng Luo
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Zhouqian Jiang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Yan Yin
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Jiawei Zhou
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Tianyuan Hu
- School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Xiaoyi Wu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Jiadian Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Wei Gao
- 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 100050, China
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3
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Gao J, Ma L, Liu Y, Tu L, Wu X, Wang J, Li D, Zhang X, Gao W, Zhang Y, Liu C. CYP72D19 from Tripterygium wilfordii catalyzes C-2 hydroxylation of abietane-type diterpenoids. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2023; 42:1733-1744. [PMID: 37615706 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-023-03059-w] [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: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
KEY MESSAGE CYP72D19, the first functional gene of the CYP72D subfamily, catalyzes the C-2 hydroxylation of abietane-type diterpenoids. The abietane-type diterpenoids, e.g., triptolide, tripdiolide, and 2-epitripdiolide, are the main natural products for the anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and immunosuppressive activities of Tripterygium wilfordii, while their biosynthetic pathways are not resolved. Here, we cloned and characterized the CYP72D19-catalyzed C-2 hydroxylation of dehydroabietic acid, a compound that has been proven to be a biosynthetic intermediate in triptolide biosynthesis. Through molecular docking and site-directed mutagenesis, L386, L387, and I493 near the active pocket were found to have an important effect on the enzyme activity, which also indicates that steric hindrance of residues plays an important role in function. In addition, CYP72D19 also catalyzed a variety of abietane-type diterpenoids with benzene ring, presumably because the benzene ring of the substrate molecule stabilized the C-ring, allowing the protein and the substrate to form a relatively stable spatial structure. This is the first demonstration of CYP72D subfamily gene function. Our research provides important genetic elements for the structural modification of active ingredients and the heterologous production of other 2-hydroxyl abietane-type natural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
- National Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Lin Ma
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Lichan Tu
- Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, 310015, China
| | - Xiaoyi Wu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Jian Wang
- National Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Dan Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Xianan Zhang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Wei Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Yifeng Zhang
- National Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China.
| | - Changli Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
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4
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Zhang Y, Gao J, Ma L, Tu L, Hu T, Wu X, Su P, Zhao Y, Liu Y, Li D, Zhou J, Yin Y, Tong Y, Zhao H, Lu Y, Wang J, Gao W, Huang L. Tandemly duplicated CYP82Ds catalyze 14-hydroxylation in triptolide biosynthesis and precursor production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Nat Commun 2023; 14:875. [PMID: 36797237 PMCID: PMC9936527 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36353-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Triptolide is a valuable multipotent antitumor diterpenoid in Tripterygium wilfordii, and its C-14 hydroxyl group is often selected for modification to enhance both the bioavailability and antitumor efficacy. However, the mechanism for 14-hydroxylation formation remains unknown. Here, we discover 133 kb of tandem duplicated CYP82Ds encoding 11 genes on chromosome 12 and characterize CYP82D274 and CYP82D263 as 14-hydroxylases that catalyze the metabolic grid in triptolide biosynthesis. The two CYP82Ds catalyze the aromatization of miltiradiene, which has been repeatedly reported to be a spontaneous process. In vivo assays and evaluations of the kinetic parameters of CYP82Ds indicate the most significant affinity to dehydroabietic acid among multiple intermediates. The precursor 14-hydroxy-dehydroabietic acid is successfully produced by engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Our study provides genetic elements for further elucidation of the downstream biosynthetic pathways and heterologous production of triptolide and of the currently intractable biosynthesis of other 14-hydroxyl labdane-type secondary metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Ma
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Lichan Tu
- Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tianyuan Hu
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyi Wu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ping Su
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yujun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Dan Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiawei Zhou
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan Yin
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuru Tong
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Huan Zhao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yun Lu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiadian Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. .,Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Luqi Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
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5
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Sun Y, Zhang PT, Kou DR, Han YC, Fang JC, Ni JP, Jiang B, Wang X, Zhang YJ, Wang W, Kong XD. Terpene Synthases in Rice Pan-Genome and Their Responses to Chilo suppressalis Larvae Infesting. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:905982. [PMID: 35668795 PMCID: PMC9164016 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.905982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Terpene synthase (TPS) catalyzes the synthesis of terpenes and plays an important role in plant defense. This study identified 45 OsTPS genes (32 core genes and 13 variable genes) based on the high-quality rice gene-based pan-genome. This indicates limitations in OsTPS gene studies based on a single reference genome. In the present study, through collinearity between multiple rice genomes, one OsTPS gene absent in the reference (Nipponbare) genome was found and two TPS genes in the reference genome were found to have atypical structures, which would have been ignored in single genome analysis. OsTPS genes were divided into five groups and TPS-b was lost according to the phylogenetic tree. OsTPSs in TPS-c and TPS-g were all core genes indicating these two groups were stable during domestication. In addition, through the analysis of transcriptome data, some structural variations were found to affect the expression of OsTPS genes. Through the Ka/Ks calculation of OsTPS genes, we found that different OsTPS genes were under different selection pressure during domestication; for example, OsTPS22 and OsTPS29 experienced stronger positive selection than the other OsTPS genes. After Chilo suppressalis larvae infesting, 25 differentially expressed OsTPS genes were identified, which are involved in the diterpene phytoalexins precursors biosynthesis and ent-kaurene biosynthesis pathways. Overall, the present study conducted a bioinformatics analysis of OsTPS genes using a high-quality rice pan-genome, which provided a basis for further study of OsTPS genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Sun
- Key Laboratory for Conservation and Use of Important Biological Resources of Anhui Province, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Enzymology and Mechanism of Major Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China
| | - Pei-tao Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Conservation and Use of Important Biological Resources of Anhui Province, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Enzymology and Mechanism of Major Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China
| | - Dou-rong Kou
- Key Laboratory for Conservation and Use of Important Biological Resources of Anhui Province, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Enzymology and Mechanism of Major Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China
| | - Yang-chun Han
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Ji-chao Fang
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | | | - Bin Jiang
- Key Laboratory for Conservation and Use of Important Biological Resources of Anhui Province, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Enzymology and Mechanism of Major Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Key Laboratory for Conservation and Use of Important Biological Resources of Anhui Province, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Enzymology and Mechanism of Major Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China
| | - Yong-jun Zhang
- Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Wuhu Qingyijiang Seed Industry Co., Ltd., Wuhu, China
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6
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Mechanistic analysis for the origin of diverse diterpenes in Tripterygium wilfordii. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:2923-2933. [PMID: 35755287 PMCID: PMC9214345 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Tripterygium wilfordii is a valuable medicinal plant rich in biologically active diterpenoids, but there are few studies on the origins of these diterpenoids in its secondary metabolism. Here, we identified three regions containing tandemly duplicated diterpene synthase genes on chromosomes (Chr) 17 and 21 of T. wilfordii and obtained 11 diterpene synthases with different functions. We further revealed that these diterpene synthases underwent duplication and rearrangement at approximately 2.3–23.7 million years ago (MYA) by whole-genome triplication (WGT), transposon mediation, and tandem duplication, followed by functional divergence. We first demonstrated that four key amino acids in the sequences of TwCPS3, TwCPS5, and TwCPS6 were altered during evolution, leading to their functional divergence and the formation of diterpene secondary metabolites. Then, we demonstrated that the functional divergence of three TwKSLs was driven by mutations in two key amino acids. Finally, we discovered the mechanisms of evolution and pseudogenization of miltiradiene synthases in T. wilfordii and elucidated that the new function in TwMS1/2 from the terpene synthase (TPS)-b subfamily was caused by progressive changes in multiple amino acids after the WGT event. Our results provide key evidence for the formation of diverse diterpenoids during the evolution of secondary metabolites in T. wilfordii.
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7
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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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8
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Zhou J, Hu T, Liu Y, Tu L, Song Y, Lu Y, Zhang Y, Tong Y, Zhao Y, Su P, Wu X, Huang L, Gao W. Cytochrome P450 catalyses the 29-carboxyl group formation of celastrol. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2021; 190:112868. [PMID: 34273756 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2021.112868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Celastrol, a potent anticancer and anti-obesity drug, was first isolated from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. and it is produced in small quantities in many members of the Celastraceae family. The heterologous reconstitution of celastrol biosynthesis could be a promising method for the efficient production of celastrol and natural and unnatural derivatives thereof, yet only part of the biosynthetic pathway is known. Here, we report a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (TwCYP712K1) from T. wilfordii that performs the three-step oxidation of friedelin to polpunonic acid in the celastrol pathway. Heterologous expression of TwCYP712K1 showed that TwCYP712K1 catalyses not only the transformation of friedelin to polpunonic acid but also the oxidation of β-amyrin or α-amyrin. The role of TwCYP712K1 in the biosynthesis of celastrol was further revealed via RNA interference. Some key residues of TwCYP712K1 were also screened by molecular docking and site-directed mutagenesis. Our results lay a solid foundation for further elucidating the biosynthesis of celastrol and related triterpenoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Zhou
- Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100038, China; College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China; School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Tianyuan Hu
- College of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Lichan Tu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Yadi Song
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Yun Lu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Yifeng Zhang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Yuru Tong
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 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
| | - Ping Su
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Xiaoyi Wu
- 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
- Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100038, China; School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
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9
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Gao J, Zhang Y, Liu X, Wu X, Huang L, Gao W. Triptolide: pharmacological spectrum, biosynthesis, chemical synthesis and derivatives. Theranostics 2021; 11:7199-7221. [PMID: 34158845 PMCID: PMC8210588 DOI: 10.7150/thno.57745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Triptolide, an abietane-type diterpenoid isolated from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. F., has significant pharmacological activity. Research results show that triptolide has obvious inhibitory effects on many solid tumors. Therefore, triptolide has become one of the lead compounds candidates for being the next "blockbuster" drug, and multiple triptolide derivatives have entered clinical research. An increasing number of researchers have developed triptolide synthesis methods to meet the clinical need. To provide new ideas for researchers in different disciplines and connect different disciplines with researchers aiming to solve scientific problems more efficiently, this article reviews the research progress made with analyzes of triptolide pharmacological activity, biosynthetic pathways, and chemical synthesis pathways and reported in toxicological and clinical studies of derivatives over the past 20 years, which have laid the foundation for subsequent researchers to study triptolide in many ways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
- Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100038, China
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Yifeng Zhang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
- Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100038, China
| | - Xihong Liu
- Basic Medical College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Xiayi Wu
- 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, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Wei Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
- Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100038, China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
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10
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Yang M, Liu G, Yamamura Y, Chen F, Fu J. Divergent Evolution of the Diterpene Biosynthesis Pathway in Tea Plants ( Camellia sinensis) Caused by Single Amino Acid Variation of ent-Kaurene Synthase. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2020; 68:9930-9939. [PMID: 32841021 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.0c03488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Most plant terpenoids are classified as secondary metabolites. A small portion of them are products of primary metabolism biosynthesized by relatively conserved pathways. Gibberellins (GAs), which are essential for plant growth and development, are diterpenoid phytohormones. (E,E,E)-Geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) is the precursor for both GAs and other diterpenoids of secondary metabolism. ent-Kaurene biosynthesis from GGPP is a key step of GA formation, which is catalyzed by two sequential and dedicated diterpene synthases (diTPSs): ent-copalyl diphosphate synthase (CPS) and ent-kaurene synthase (KS) of the terpene synthase gene family. Sharing a common evolutionary origin, CPS and KS belong to different TPS subfamilies. Tea plant (Camellia sinensis), the subject of this study, is a leaf-based economic crop. Budbreak mainly manipulated by GAs is a primary factor for targeted tea breeding. The key genes for gibberellin biosynthesis are known; however, they have not yet been characterized in tea plants. Here, we identified and functionally characterized three diterpene biosynthesis-related genes, including one CPS and two highly similar KSs in tea plants. These genes were initially identified through transcriptome sequencing. The functional characterization determined by enzymatic activity assay indicated that CsCPS could catalyze GGPP to form ent-copalyl diphosphate (ent-CPP), which was further used as the substrate by CsKS1 to produce ent-kaurene or by CsKS2 to produce 16α-hydroxy-ent-kaurane with ent-kaurene as a minor product, respectively. We demonstrated that the divergent evolution of diterpene biosynthesis in tea plants resulted from gene duplication of KSs, followed by functional divergence caused by single amino acid variation. This study would provide an insight into the diterpenoid metabolism and GA biosynthesis in tea plants to further understand leaf bud development or insect resistance and to provide a genetic basis for tea plant breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Yang
- Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310008, China
- Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
- Key Laboratory of Tea Quality and Safety Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hangzhou 310008, China
| | - Guanhua Liu
- Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310008, China
- Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
- Key Laboratory of Tea Quality and Safety Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hangzhou 310008, China
- College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yoshimi Yamamura
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences for Research, University of Toyama, Toyama 9300194, Japan
| | - Feng Chen
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
| | - Jianyu Fu
- Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310008, China
- Key Laboratory of Tea Quality and Safety Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hangzhou 310008, China
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11
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Tu L, Su P, Zhang Z, Gao L, Wang J, Hu T, Zhou J, Zhang Y, Zhao Y, Liu Y, Song Y, Tong Y, Lu Y, Yang J, Xu C, Jia M, Peters RJ, Huang L, Gao W. Genome of Tripterygium wilfordii and identification of cytochrome P450 involved in triptolide biosynthesis. Nat Commun 2020; 11:971. [PMID: 32080175 PMCID: PMC7033203 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14776-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Triptolide is a trace natural product of Tripterygium wilfordii. It has antitumor activities, particularly against pancreatic cancer cells. Identification of genes and elucidation of the biosynthetic pathway leading to triptolide are the prerequisite for heterologous bioproduction. Here, we report a reference-grade genome of T. wilfordii with a contig N50 of 4.36 Mb. We show that copy numbers of triptolide biosynthetic pathway genes are impacted by a recent whole-genome triplication event. We further integrate genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic data to map a gene-to-metabolite network. This leads to the identification of a cytochrome P450 (CYP728B70) that can catalyze oxidation of a methyl to the acid moiety of dehydroabietic acid in triptolide biosynthesis. We think the genomic resource and the candidate genes reported here set the foundation to fully reveal triptolide biosynthetic pathway and consequently the heterologous bioproduction. Tripterygium wilfordii is a medical plant that can produce antitumor activity compound triptolide. Here, the authors assemble its genome and identify a cytochrome P450 that can catalyze oxidation of a methyl to the acid moiety of dehydroabietic acid in triptolide biosynthesis by integrating multi-omics data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lichan Tu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 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, China.,Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, USA
| | | | - Linhui Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiadian Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tianyuan Hu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiawei Zhou
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yifeng Zhang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 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, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yadi Song
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuru Tong
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yun Lu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Yang
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Cao Xu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Meirong Jia
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Reuben J Peters
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - 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. .,School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. .,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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12
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Zhang Y, Su P, Wu X, Zhou J, Zhao Y, Hu T, Tong Y, Huang L, Gao W. The gibberellin 13-oxidase that specifically converts gibberellin A 9 to A 20 in Tripterygium wilfordii is a 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase. PLANTA 2019; 250:1613-1620. [PMID: 31388830 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-019-03240-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
A novel GA13-oxidase ofTripterygium wilfordii, TwGA13ox, is a 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase. It specifically catalyzes the conversion of GA9to GA20, but not GA4to GA1. Gibberellins (GAs) play essential roles in plant growth and development. Previous characterization of GA20- and GA3-oxidases yielded a large number of genetic elements that can interconvert different GAs. However, enzymes that catalyze the 13-hydroxylation step are rarely identified. Here, we report that the GA13-oxidase of Tripterygium wilfordii, TwGA13ox, is a 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase instead of reported cytochrome P450 oxygenases, among 376 differential proteins in comparative proteomics. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the enzyme resides in its own independent branch in the DOXC class. Unexpectedly, it specifically catalyzes the conversion of GA9 to GA20, but not GA4 to GA1. Contrary to the previous research, TwGA13ox transcriptional expression was upregulated ~ 146 times by exogenous application of methyl jasmonate (MeJA). RNAi targeting of TwGA13ox in T. wilfordii led to an 89.9% decrease of triptolide, a diterpenoid epoxide with extensive anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties. In subsequent MeJA supplementation experiments, triptolide production increased 13.4-times. TwGA13ox displayed root-specific expression. Our results provide a new GA13-oxidase from plants and elucidate the metabolic associations within the diterpenoid biosynthetic pathway (GAs, triptolide) at the genetic level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifeng Zhang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Ping Su
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Xiaoyi Wu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Jiawei Zhou
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Yujun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Tianyuan Hu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Yuru Tong
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
- School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Luqi Huang
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China.
| | - Wei Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
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The Cadherin Cry1Ac Binding-Region is Necessary for the Cooperative Effect with ABCC2 Transporter Enhancing Insecticidal Activity of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ac Toxin. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11090538. [PMID: 31540044 PMCID: PMC6784258 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11090538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ac toxin binds to midgut proteins, as cadherin (CAD) and ABCC2 transporter, to form pores leading to larval death. In cell lines, co-expression of CAD and ABCC2 enhance Cry1Ac toxicity significantly, but the mechanism remains elusive. Here, we show that the expression of Helicoverpa armigera CAD (HaCAD-GFP) in Hi5 cells induces susceptibility to Cry1Ac and enhanced Cry1Ac toxicity when co-expressed with H. armigera ABCC2 (HaABCC2-GFP), since Cry1Ac toxicity increased 735-fold compared to Hi5 cells expressing HaCAD-GFP alone or 28-fold compared to HaABCC2-GFP alone. In contrast, the expression of the Spodoptera litura CAD (SlCAD-GFP) in Hi5 cells did not induce susceptibility to Cry1Ac nor it potentiated Cry1Ac toxicity with HaABCC2-GFP. To identify the CAD regions involved in the enhancement of Cry1Ac toxicity with ABCC2, the different CAD domains were replaced between SlCAD-GFP and HaCad-GFP proteins, and cytotoxicity assays were performed in Hi5 cells in the absence or presence of HaABCC2-GFP. The HaCAD toxin-binding region (TB), specifically the CAD repeat-11, was necessary to enhance Cry1Ac toxicity with ABCC2. We propose that CAD TB is involved in recruiting Cry1Ac to localize it in a good position for its interaction with the ABCC2, resulting in efficient toxin membrane insertion enhancing Cry1Ac toxicity.
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14
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Su P, Gao L, Tong Y, Guan H, Liu S, Zhang Y, Zhao Y, Wang J, Hu T, Tu L, Zhou J, Ma B, Huang L, Gao W. Analysis of the role of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase 8 from Tripterygium wilfordii in diterpenoids biosynthesis. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2019; 285:184-192. [PMID: 31203883 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2019.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Tripterygium wilfordii is known to contain various types of bioactive diterpenoids that exhibit many remarkable activities. Many studies have recently been targeted toward the elucidation of the diterpenoids biosynthetic pathways in attempts to obtain these compounds with a view to solving the dilemma of low yield in plants. However, the short-chain prenyltransferases (SC-PTSs) responsible for the formation of geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP), a crucial precursor for synthesizing the skeleton structures of diterpenoids, have not been characterized in depth. Here, T. wilfordii transcriptome data were used to identify eight putative GGPPSs, including two small subunits of geranyl diphosphate synthase (GPPS.SSU). Of them, GGPPS1, GGPPS7, GGPPS8, GPPS.SSU II and GPPS.SSU were translocated mainly into chloroplasts, and GGPPS8 exhibited the optimal catalytic efficiency with respect to catalyzing the formation of GGPP. In addition, the expression pattern of GGPPS8 was similar to that of downstream terpene synthase genes that are directly correlated with triptolide production in roots, indicating that GGPPS8 was most likely to participate in triptolide biosynthesis in roots among the studied enzymes. GPPS.SSU was inactive alone but interacted with GGPPS1, GGPPS7 and GGPPS8 to change the product from GGPP to GPP. These findings implicate that these candidate genes can be regulated to shift the metabolic flux toward diterpenoid formation, increasing the yields of bioactive diterpenoids in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Su
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China; School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Linhui Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China; School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Yuru Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China; School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Hongyu Guan
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Third Affiliated Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Shuang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yifeng Zhang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Yujun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Jiadian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China; 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
| | - Jiawei Zhou
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Baowei Ma
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Luqi Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Wei Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
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15
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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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16
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Li XL, Xu YX, Li Y, Zhang R, Hu TY, Su P, Zhou M, Tang T, Zeng Y, Yang YL, Gao W. Rapid discovery and functional characterization of diterpene synthases from basidiomycete fungi by genome mining. Fungal Genet Biol 2019; 128:36-42. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2019.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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17
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Validation of suitable reference genes for quantitative gene expression analysis in Tripterygium wilfordii. Mol Biol Rep 2019; 46:4161-4174. [PMID: 31111371 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-019-04867-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Validation of suitable reference genes is critical in quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis. Suitable and reliable reference genes for the normalization of gene expression data are characterized by high gene expression stability across tissues and different experimental conditions. This study evaluated the gene expression stability of ten reference genes commonly used in Arabidopsis thaliana for their suitability in qRT-PCR analysis in Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.f. The orthologous sequences of these ten candidate genes were identified from T. wilfordii transcriptomic data (Project No. SRX472292). Five algorithms including GeNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, ΔCt, and RefFinder were used to assess the gene expression stability of these putative reference genes in different plant tissues and different stress conditions. The results identified ACTINT7 and TBP as the most suitable reference genes across all samples. The gene expressions of TwHMGR (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, KU246037.1) and of TwDXR (1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase, KJ174341.1) were investigated to validate the suitability of the reference genes. The validation analysis confirmed the suitability of ACTINT7 and TBP as the best reference genes for elucidating secondary metabolite biosynthesis pathway in T. wilfordii. In summary, this study identified the most suitable and reliable reference genes for future qRT-PCR- based studies in T. wilfordii.
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18
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Su P, Gao L, Liu S, Guan H, Wang J, Zhang Y, Zhao Y, Hu T, Tu L, Zhou J, Ma B, Liu X, Huang L, Gao W. Probing the function of protein farnesyltransferase in Tripterygium wilfordii. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2019; 38:211-220. [PMID: 30506368 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-018-2363-9] [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: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/25/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
We found two subunits FTase/GGTaseI-α and FTase-β formed a heterodimer to transfer a farnesyl group from FPP to protein N-dansyl-GCVLS, confirming they are responsible for protein farnesylation in planta. Tripterygium wilfordii is a medicinal plant with a broad spectrum of anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive and anti-cancer activities. Recently, a number of studies have focused on investigating the biosynthetic pathways of its bioactive compounds, whereas little attention has been paid to the enzymes which play important roles in regulating diverse developmental processes of T. wilfordii. In this study, we report for the first time the identification and characterization of two subunits of farnesyltransferase (FTase), farnesyltransferase/geranylgeranyltransferase I-α (TwFTase/GGTase I-α) and farnesyltransferase-β (TwFTase-β), in this important medicinal plant. Cell-free in vivo assays, yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) and pull-down assays showed that the two subunits interact with each other to form a heterodimer to perform the role of specifically transferring a farnesyl group from FPP to the CAAX-box protein N-dansyl-GCVLS. Furthermore, we discovered that the two subunits had the same cytoplasmic localization pattern and displayed the same tissue expression pattern. These results indicated that we identified a functional TwFTase enzyme which contains two functionally complementary subunits TwFTase/GGTase I-α and TwFTase-β, which provides us promising genetic targets to construct transgenic plants or screen for more adaptable T. wilfordii mutants, which are able to survive in changing environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Su
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 10069, China
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Linhui Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 10069, China
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Shuang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Hongyu Guan
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 10069, China
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Third Affiliated Hospital, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Jian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Yifeng Zhang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 10069, China
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Yujun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Tianyuan Hu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 10069, China
| | - Lichan Tu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 10069, China
| | - Jiawei Zhou
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 10069, China
| | - Baowei Ma
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 10069, China
| | - Xihong Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 10069, China
| | - Luqi Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China.
| | - Wei Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 10069, China.
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19
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Zhou J, Zhang Y, Hu T, Su P, Zhang Y, Liu Y, Huang L, Gao W. Functional characterization of squalene epoxidase genes in the medicinal plant Tripterygium wilfordii. Int J Biol Macromol 2018; 120:203-212. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.08.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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20
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Eudesmane-type sesquiterpene diols directly synthesized by a sesquiterpene cyclase in Tripterygium wilfordii. Biochem J 2018; 475:2713-2725. [DOI: 10.1042/bcj20180353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Revised: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Cryptomeridiol, a typical eudesmane diol, is the active principle component of the antispasmodic Proximol. Although it has been used for many years, the biosynthesis pathway of cryptomeridiol has remained blur. Among terpenoid natural products, terpenoid cyclases are responsible for cyclization and generation of hydrocarbon backbones. The cyclization is mediated by carbocationic cascades and ultimately terminated via deprotonation or nucleophilic capture. Isoprene precursors are, respectively, converted into hydrocarbons or hydroxylated backbones. A sesquiterpene cyclase in Tripterygium wilfordii (TwCS) was determined to directly catalyze (E,E)-farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) to unexpected eudesmane diols, primarily cryptomeridiol. The function of TwCS was characterized by a modular pathway engineering system in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The major product determined by NMR spectroscopy turned out to be cryptomeridiol. This unprecedented production was further investigated in vitro, which verified that TwCS can directly produce eudesmane diols from FPP. Some key residues for TwCS catalysis were screened depending on the molecular model of TwCS and mutagenesis studies. As cryptomeridiol showed a small amount of volatile and medicinal properties, the biosynthesis of cryptomeridiol was reconstructed in S. cerevisiae. Optimized assays including modular pathway engineering and the CRISPR–cas9 system were successfully used to improve the yield of cryptomeridiol in the S. cerevisiae. The best engineered strain TE9 (BY4741 erg9::Δ-200-176 rox1::mut/pYX212-IDI + TwCS/p424-tHMG1) ultimately produced 19.73 mg/l cryptomeridiol in a shake flask culture.
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Liu L, Chen Z, Yang Y, Xiao Y, Liu C, Ma Y, Soberón M, Bravo A, Yang Y, Liu K. A single amino acid polymorphism in ABCC2 loop 1 is responsible for differential toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ac toxin in different Spodoptera (Noctuidae) species. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 100:59-65. [PMID: 29964167 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2018.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis Cry toxins exert their toxicity by forming membrane pores after binding with larval midgut membrane proteins known as receptors. Spodoptera litura and Spodoptera frugiperda belong to the same genus, but S. litura is tolerant to Cry1Ac, while S. frugiperda is susceptible. The mechanism involved in the differential toxicity of Cry1Ac to these insect species is not understood. Amino acid sequences analysis of ABCC2, a well-recognized Cry1Ac receptor, from both species showed high sequence identity. Hi5 insect cells expressing SfABCC2 from S. frugiperda were 65-fold more susceptible than those expressing the SlABCC2 from S. litura. Substitution of fragments, point mutations and deletions between the ABCC2 of the two species revealed that ABCC2 amino acid Q125 from SfABCC2 or E125 from SlABCC2 was key factor for the differential Cry1Ac toxicity to Hi5 cells expressing these receptors. Consistently with this, cells expressing Helicoverpa armigera HaABCC2Q122-GFP, were more susceptible to Cry1Ac than cells expressing HaABCC2E122-GFP mutant. Q125 or E125 is located in a predicted exposed loop 1 region of ABCC2 indicating that this region could be important for Cry1Ac binding. These findings identified a single amino acid residue located in loop 1 of ABCC2 transporter as responsible for the different levels of susceptibility to Cry1Ac among various lepidopteran species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leilei Liu
- Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Zuwen Chen
- Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Yanchao Yang
- Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Yutao Xiao
- Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, 518120, China
| | - Chenxi Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Disease and Insect Pests, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yuemin Ma
- Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Mario Soberón
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, 62250, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Alejandra Bravo
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, 62250, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Yongbo Yang
- Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China.
| | - Kaiyu Liu
- Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China.
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