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Li Y, Yang Y, Li L, Tang K, Hao X, Kai G. Advanced metabolic engineering strategies for increasing artemisinin yield in Artemisia annua L. HORTICULTURE RESEARCH 2024; 11:uhad292. [PMID: 38414837 PMCID: PMC10898619 DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhad292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Artemisinin, also known as 'Qinghaosu', is a chemically sesquiterpene lactone containing an endoperoxide bridge. Due to the high activity to kill Plasmodium parasites, artemisinin and its derivatives have continuously served as the foundation for antimalarial therapies. Natural artemisinin is unique to the traditional Chinese medicinal plant Artemisia annua L., and its content in this plant is low. This has motivated the synthesis of this bioactive compound using yeast, tobacco, and Physcomitrium patens systems. However, the artemisinin production in these heterologous hosts is low and cannot fulfil its increasing clinical demand. Therefore, A. annua plants remain the major source of this bioactive component. Recently, the transcriptional regulatory networks related to artemisinin biosynthesis and glandular trichome formation have been extensively studied in A. annua. Various strategies including (i) enhancing the metabolic flux in artemisinin biosynthetic pathway; (ii) blocking competition branch pathways; (iii) using transcription factors (TFs); (iv) increasing peltate glandular secretory trichome (GST) density; (v) applying exogenous factors; and (vi) phytohormones have been used to improve artemisinin yields. Here we summarize recent scientific advances and achievements in artemisinin metabolic engineering, and discuss prospects in the development of high-artemisinin yielding A. annua varieties. This review provides new insights into revealing the transcriptional regulatory networks of other high-value plant-derived natural compounds (e.g., taxol, vinblastine, and camptothecin), as well as glandular trichome formation. It is also helpful for the researchers who intend to promote natural compounds production in other plants species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongpeng Li
- Zhejiang Provincial TCM Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Resource Innovation and Transformation, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Active Ingredients of Medicinal and Edible Plants and Health, Jinhua Academy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Yinkai Yang
- Zhejiang Provincial TCM Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Resource Innovation and Transformation, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Active Ingredients of Medicinal and Edible Plants and Health, Jinhua Academy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Ling Li
- Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, Plant Biotechnology Research Center, Fudan-SJTU-Nottingham Plant Biotechnology R&D Center, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Kexuan Tang
- Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, Plant Biotechnology Research Center, Fudan-SJTU-Nottingham Plant Biotechnology R&D Center, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xiaolong Hao
- Zhejiang Provincial TCM Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Resource Innovation and Transformation, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Active Ingredients of Medicinal and Edible Plants and Health, Jinhua Academy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Guoyin Kai
- Zhejiang Provincial TCM Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Resource Innovation and Transformation, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Active Ingredients of Medicinal and Edible Plants and Health, Jinhua Academy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
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Salimian Rizi S, Rezayatmand Z, Ranjbar M, Yazdanpanahi N, Emami- Karvani ZD. The Effect of Bacillus Cereus on the Ion Homeostasis, Growth Parameters, and the Expression of Some Genes of Artemisinin Biosynthesis Pathway in Artemisia Absinthium Under Salinity Stress. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF BIOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 22:e3687. [PMID: 38827342 PMCID: PMC11139441 DOI: 10.30498/ijb.2024.394178.3687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Background Soil salinity is a major problem in the world that affects the growth and yield of plants. Application of new and up-to-date techniques can help plants in dealing with salinity stress. One of the approaches for reducing environmental stress is the use of rhizosphere bacteria. Objective The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of the inoculation of Bacillus cereus on physiological and biochemical indicators and the expression of some key genes involved in the Artemisinin biosynthesis pathway in Artemisia absinthium under salinity stress. Materials and Methods The study was conducted using three different salinity levels (0, 75, 150 mM/NaCl) and two different bacterial treatments (i. e, without bacterial inoculation and co-inoculation with B. cereus isolates). The data from the experiments were analyzed using factorial analysis, and the resulting interaction effects were subsequently examined and discussed. Results The results showed that with increasing salinity, root and stem length, root and stem weight, root and stem dry weight, and potassium content were decreased, although the content of sodium was increased. Rhizosphere bacteria increased the contents of Artemisinin, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron and the expression of Amorpha-4,11-diene synthase and Cytochrome P450 monooxygenase1 genes as well as the growth indicators; although decreased the sodium content. The highest ADS expression was related to co-inoculation with B. cereus isolates E and B in 150 mM salinity. The highest CYP71AV1 expression was related to co-inoculation with B. cereus isolates E and B in 150 mM salinity. Conclusion These findings showed that the increase in growth indices under salinity stress was probably due to the improvement of nutrient absorption conditions as a result of ion homeostasis, sodium ion reduction and Artemisinin production conditions by rhizosphere B. cereus isolates E and B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Salimian Rizi
- Department of Biology, Falavarjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Zahra Rezayatmand
- Department of Biology, Falavarjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Monireh Ranjbar
- Department of Biology, Falavarjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Nasrin Yazdanpanahi
- Department of Biotechnology, Falavarjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
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De Bruyn C, Ruttink T, Lacchini E, Rombauts S, Haegeman A, De Keyser E, Van Poucke C, Desmet S, Jacobs TB, Eeckhaut T, Goossens A, Van Laere K. Identification and characterization of CYP71 subclade cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of bitterness compounds in Cichorium intybus. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1200253. [PMID: 37426959 PMCID: PMC10324620 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1200253] [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: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Industrial chicory (Cichorium intybus var. sativum) and witloof (C. intybus var. foliosum) are crops with an important economic value, mainly cultivated for inulin production and as a leafy vegetable, respectively. Both crops are rich in nutritionally relevant specialized metabolites with beneficial effects for human health. However, their bitter taste, caused by the sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) produced in leaves and taproot, limits wider applications in the food industry. Changing the bitterness would thus create new opportunities with a great economic impact. Known genes encoding enzymes involved in the SL biosynthetic pathway are GERMACRENE A SYNTHASE (GAS), GERMACRENE A OXIDASE (GAO), COSTUNOLIDE SYNTHASE (COS) and KAUNIOLIDE SYNTHASE (KLS). In this study, we integrated genome and transcriptome mining to further unravel SL biosynthesis. We found that C. intybus SL biosynthesis is controlled by the phytohormone methyl jasmonate (MeJA). Gene family annotation and MeJA inducibility enabled the pinpointing of candidate genes related with the SL biosynthetic pathway. We specifically focused on members of subclade CYP71 of the cytochrome P450 family. We verified the biochemical activity of 14 C. intybus CYP71 enzymes transiently produced in Nicotiana benthamiana and identified several functional paralogs for each of the GAO, COS and KLS genes, pointing to redundancy in and robustness of the SL biosynthetic pathway. Gene functionality was further analyzed using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in C. intybus. Metabolite profiling of mutant C. intybus lines demonstrated a successful reduction in SL metabolite production. Together, this study increases our insights into the C. intybus SL biosynthetic pathway and paves the way for the engineering of C. intybus bitterness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte De Bruyn
- Plant Sciences Unit, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Melle, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tom Ruttink
- Plant Sciences Unit, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Melle, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Elia Lacchini
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Stephane Rombauts
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Annelies Haegeman
- Plant Sciences Unit, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Melle, Belgium
| | - Ellen De Keyser
- Plant Sciences Unit, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Melle, Belgium
| | - Christof Van Poucke
- Technology and Food Sciences Unit, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Melle, Belgium
| | | | - Thomas B. Jacobs
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tom Eeckhaut
- Plant Sciences Unit, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Melle, Belgium
| | - Alain Goossens
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Katrijn Van Laere
- Plant Sciences Unit, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Melle, Belgium
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Al-Khayri JM, Rashmi R, Toppo V, Chole PB, Banadka A, Sudheer WN, Nagella P, Shehata WF, Al-Mssallem MQ, Alessa FM, Almaghasla MI, Rezk AAS. Plant Secondary Metabolites: The Weapons for Biotic Stress Management. Metabolites 2023; 13:716. [PMID: 37367873 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13060716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The rise in global temperature also favors the multiplication of pests and pathogens, which calls into question global food security. Plants have developed special coping mechanisms since they are sessile and lack an immune system. These mechanisms use a variety of secondary metabolites as weapons to avoid obstacles, adapt to their changing environment, and survive in less-than-ideal circumstances. Plant secondary metabolites include phenolic compounds, alkaloids, glycosides, and terpenoids, which are stored in specialized structures such as latex, trichomes, resin ducts, etc. Secondary metabolites help the plants to be safe from biotic stressors, either by repelling them or attracting their enemies, or exerting toxic effects on them. Modern omics technologies enable the elucidation of the structural and functional properties of these metabolites along with their biosynthesis. A better understanding of the enzymatic regulations and molecular mechanisms aids in the exploitation of secondary metabolites in modern pest management approaches such as biopesticides and integrated pest management. The current review provides an overview of the major plant secondary metabolites that play significant roles in enhancing biotic stress tolerance. It examines their involvement in both indirect and direct defense mechanisms, as well as their storage within plant tissues. Additionally, this review explores the importance of metabolomics approaches in elucidating the significance of secondary metabolites in biotic stress tolerance. The application of metabolic engineering in breeding for biotic stress resistance is discussed, along with the exploitation of secondary metabolites for sustainable pest management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jameel M Al-Khayri
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ramakrishnan Rashmi
- Department of Life Sciences, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore 560 029, Karnataka, India
| | - Varsha Toppo
- Department of Life Sciences, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore 560 029, Karnataka, India
| | - Pranjali Bajrang Chole
- Department of Life Sciences, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore 560 029, Karnataka, India
| | - Akshatha Banadka
- Department of Life Sciences, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore 560 029, Karnataka, India
| | - Wudali Narasimha Sudheer
- Department of Life Sciences, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore 560 029, Karnataka, India
| | - Praveen Nagella
- Department of Life Sciences, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore 560 029, Karnataka, India
| | - Wael Fathi Shehata
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muneera Qassim Al-Mssallem
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fatima Mohammed Alessa
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mustafa Ibrahim Almaghasla
- Department of Arid Land Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
- Plant Pests, and Diseases Unit, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
| | - Adel Abdel-Sabour Rezk
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Virus and Phytoplasma, Plant Pathology Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza 12619, Egypt
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Qamar F, Khan S, Ashrafi K, Iqrar S, Quadri SN, Saifi M, Abdin M. Germline transformation of Artemisia annuaL. plant via in planta transformation technology “Floral dip”. BIOTECHNOLOGY REPORTS 2022; 36:e00761. [PMID: 36159743 PMCID: PMC9489500 DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2022.e00761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We for the first time proposed the in planta transformation technique in the Asteraceae plant family member Artemisia annua L. Numerous numbered, partially open, immature bud stage inflorescence is suitable for A. annua L. transformation. The infiltration media containing 1/2MS, Tween-20 (0.075%), and Acetosyringone (50mM) is found to be best for high efficiency transformation. Acetosyringone was more prevalent than Benzyl amino purine (BAP) for high efficiency transformation in A. annua L. Without including any labour intensive and time-consuming processes, we discovered a transformation efficiency of 26.9%, which is higher than previously reported studies. Transgene integration was further validated by quantitative Real time PCR using a low copy number hmgr as an endogenous reference gene.
The therapeutic efficacy of Artemisia annua L. is governed by artemisinin (ART), prevalently produced by A. annua extraction. Due to the modest amount of ART (0.01-1 %dw) in this plant, commercialization of ACTs is difficult. In this study, the floral-dip based transformation protocol for A. annua was developed to enhance expression of artemisinin biosynthesis genes and ART content. For dipping, the effective infiltration media components were optimized, and to obtain high transformation (26.9%) partially open bud stage capitulum of floral development was used. Hygromycin phospho-transferase (hptII) selection marker was used to validate the transformed T1 progenies. The copy numbers of the transgene (hptII) in T1 progenies were determined using a sensitive, high-throughput SYBR Green based quantitative RT-PCR. The results of the hptII transgene were compared with those of the low copy number, internal standard (hmgr). Using optimised PCR conditions, one, two and three transgene copies in T1 transformants were achieved.
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Czechowski T, Branigan C, Rae A, Rathbone D, Larson TR, Harvey D, Catania TM, Zhang D, Li Y, Salmon M, Bowles DJ, O´Maille P, Graham IA. Artemisia annua L. plants lacking Bornyl diPhosphate Synthase reallocate carbon from monoterpenes to sesquiterpenes except artemisinin. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:1000819. [PMID: 36311056 PMCID: PMC9597464 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1000819] [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: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The monoterpene camphor is produced in glandular secretory trichomes of the medicinal plant Artemisia annua, which also produces the antimalarial drug artemisinin. We have found that, depending on growth conditions, camphor can accumulate at levels ranging from 1- 10% leaf dry weight (LDW) in the Artemis F1 hybrid, which has been developed for commercial production of artemisinin at up to 1% LDW. We discovered that a camphor null (camphor-0) phenotype segregates in the progeny of self-pollinated Artemis material. Camphor-0 plants also show reduced levels of other less abundant monoterpenes and increased levels of the sesquiterpene precursor farnesyl pyrophosphate plus sesquiterpenes, including enzymatically derived artemisinin pathway intermediates but not artemisinin. One possible explanation for this is that high camphor concentrations in the glandular secretory trichomes play an important role in generating the hydrophobic conditions required for the non-enzymatic conversion of dihydroartemisinic acid tertiary hydroperoxide to artemisinin. We established that the camphor-0 phenotype associates with a genomic deletion that results in loss of a Bornyl diPhosphate Synthase (AaBPS) gene candidate. Functional characterization of the corresponding enzyme in vitro confirmed it can catalyze the first committed step in not only camphor biosynthesis but also in a number of other monoterpenes, accounting for over 60% of total volatiles in A. annua leaves. This in vitro analysis is consistent with loss of monoterpenes in camphor-0 plants. The AaBPS promoter drives high reporter gene expression in A. annua glandular secretory trichomes of juvenile leaves with expression shifting to non-glandular trichomes in mature leaves, which is consistent with AaBPS transcript abundance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Czechowski
- Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, Department of Biology, University of York, Heslington, York, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline Branigan
- Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, Department of Biology, University of York, Heslington, York, United Kingdom
| | - Anne Rae
- Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, Department of Biology, University of York, Heslington, York, United Kingdom
- Cherry Valley Farms Ltd, Cherry Valley House, Unit 1 Blossom Avenue, Humberston, North East Lincolnshire, United Kingdom
| | - Deborah Rathbone
- Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, Department of Biology, University of York, Heslington, York, United Kingdom
- Biorenewables Development Centre, 1 Hassacarr Close, Chessingham Park, Dunnington, York, United Kingdom
| | - Tony R. Larson
- Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, Department of Biology, University of York, Heslington, York, United Kingdom
| | - David Harvey
- Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, Department of Biology, University of York, Heslington, York, United Kingdom
| | - Theresa M. Catania
- Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, Department of Biology, University of York, Heslington, York, United Kingdom
| | - Dong Zhang
- Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, Department of Biology, University of York, Heslington, York, United Kingdom
- College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi Li
- Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, Department of Biology, University of York, Heslington, York, United Kingdom
| | - Melissa Salmon
- Department of Metabolic Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
- Patron Lab, Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom
| | - Dianna J. Bowles
- Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, Department of Biology, University of York, Heslington, York, United Kingdom
| | - Paul O´Maille
- Department of Metabolic Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
- SRI International, 333 Ravenswood Avenue, Menlo Park, CA, United States
| | - Ian A. Graham
- Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, Department of Biology, University of York, Heslington, York, United Kingdom
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Liao B, Shen X, Xiang L, Guo S, Chen S, Meng Y, Liang Y, Ding D, Bai J, Zhang D, Czechowski T, Li Y, Yao H, Ma T, Howard C, Sun C, Liu H, Liu J, Pei J, Gao J, Wang J, Qiu X, Huang Z, Li H, Yuan L, Wei J, Graham I, Xu J, Zhang B, Chen S. Allele-aware chromosome-level genome assembly of Artemisia annua reveals the correlation between ADS expansion and artemisinin yield. MOLECULAR PLANT 2022; 15:1310-1328. [PMID: 35655434 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2022.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Artemisia annua is the major natural source of artemisinin, an anti-malarial medicine commonly used worldwide. Here, we present chromosome-level haploid maps for two A. annua strains with different artemisinin contents to explore the relationships between genomic organization and artemisinin production. High-fidelity sequencing, optical mapping, and chromatin conformation capture sequencing were used to assemble the heterogeneous and repetitive genome and resolve the haplotypes of A. annua. Approximately 50,000 genes were annotated for each haplotype genome, and a triplication event that occurred approximately 58.12 million years ago was examined for the first time in this species. A total of 3,903,467-5,193,414 variants (SNPs, indels, and structural variants) were identified in the 1.5-Gb genome during pairwise comparison between haplotypes, consistent with the high heterozygosity of this species. Genomic analyses revealed a correlation between artemisinin concents and the copy number of amorpha-4,11-diene synthase genes. This correlation was further confirmed by resequencing of 36 A. annua samples with varied artemisinin contents. Circular consensus sequencing of transcripts facilitated the detection of paralog expression. Collectively, our study provides chromosome-level allele-aware genome assemblies for two A. annua strains and new insights into the biosynthesis of artemisinin and its regulation, which will contribute to conquering malaria worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baosheng Liao
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China; Key Laboratory of Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicine of the Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration, the Second Clinical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xiaofeng Shen
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China; Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Li Xiang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China; Artemisinin Research Center, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Shuai Guo
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China; Pharmacy College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Shiyu Chen
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China; Pharmacy College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Ying Meng
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Yu Liang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Dandan Ding
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Junqi Bai
- Key Laboratory of Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicine of the Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration, the Second Clinical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Dong Zhang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China; Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK
| | - Tomasz Czechowski
- Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK
| | - Yi Li
- Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK
| | - Hui Yao
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Tingyu Ma
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Caroline Howard
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1RQ, UK
| | - Chao Sun
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Haitao Liu
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jiushi Liu
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jin Pei
- Pharmacy College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Jihai Gao
- Pharmacy College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Jigang Wang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China; Artemisinin Research Center, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Xiaohui Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicine of the Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration, the Second Clinical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zhihai Huang
- Key Laboratory of Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicine of the Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration, the Second Clinical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Hongyi Li
- Key Laboratory of Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicine of the Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration, the Second Clinical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Ling Yuan
- Kentucky Tobacco Research and Development Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA; Key Laboratory of South China Agricultural Plant Molecular Analysis and Genetic Improvement & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510520, China
| | - Jianhe Wei
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Ian Graham
- Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK
| | - Jiang Xu
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Boli Zhang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300193, China.
| | - Shilin Chen
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China; Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
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Cankar K, Bundock P, Sevenier R, Häkkinen ST, Hakkert JC, Beekwilder J, van der Meer IM, de Both M, Bosch D. Inactivation of the germacrene A synthase genes by CRISPR/Cas9 eliminates the biosynthesis of sesquiterpene lactones in Cichorium intybus L. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2021; 19:2442-2453. [PMID: 34270859 PMCID: PMC8633505 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Chicory (Cichorium intybus var. sativum) is an industrial crop species cultivated for the production of a fructose polymer inulin, which is used as a low-calorie sweetener and prebiotic. Besides, inulin chicory taproots also accumulate sesquiterpene lactones (STLs). These are bitter tasting compounds, which need to be removed during inulin extraction, resulting in additional costs. In this work, we describe chicory lines where STL accumulation is almost completely eliminated. Genome editing using the CRISPR/Cas9 system was used to inactivate four genes that encode the enzyme that performs the first dedicated step in STL synthesis, germacrene A synthase (CiGAS). Chicory lines were obtained that carried null mutations in all four CiGAS genes. Lines lacking functional CiGAS alleles showed a normal phenotype upon greenhouse cultivation and show nearly complete elimination of the STL synthesis in the roots. It was shown that the reduction in STLs could be attributed to mutations in genetically linked copies of the CiGAS-short gene and not the CiGAS-long gene, which is relevant for breeding the trait into other cultivars. The inactivation of the STL biosynthesis pathway led to increase in phenolic compounds as well as accumulation of squalene in the chicory taproot, presumably due to increased availability of farnesyl pyrophosphate (FFP). These results demonstrate that STLs are not essential for chicory growth and that the inhibition of the STL biosynthesis pathway reduced the STL levels chicory which will facilitate inulin extraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Cankar
- Wageningen Plant ResearchWageningen University & ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | - Jules Beekwilder
- Wageningen Plant ResearchWageningen University & ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
| | | | | | - Dirk Bosch
- Wageningen Plant ResearchWageningen University & ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
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Forestier ECF, Brown GD, Harvey D, Larson TR, Graham IA. Engineering Production of a Novel Diterpene Synthase Precursor in Nicotiana benthamiana. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:757186. [PMID: 34745188 PMCID: PMC8564105 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.757186] [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: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Diterpene biosynthesis commonly originates with the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway in chloroplasts, leading to the C20 substrate, geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP). The previous work demonstrated that over-expression of genes responsible for the first and last steps in the MEP pathway in combination with GERANYLGERANYL PYROPHOSPHATE SYNTHASE (GGPPS) and CASBENE SYNTHASE (CAS) is optimal for increasing flux through to casbene in Nicotiana benthamiana. When the gene responsible for the last step in the MEP pathway, 4-HYDROXY-3-METHYLBUT-2-ENYL DIPHOSPHATE REDUCTASE (HDR), is removed from this combination, casbene is still produced but at lower amounts. Here, we report the unexpected finding that this reduced gene combination also results in the production of 16-hydroxy-casbene (16-OH-casbene), consistent with the presence of 16-hydroxy-geranylgeranyl phosphate (16-OH-GGPP) in the same material. Indirect evidence suggests the latter is formed as a result of elevated levels of 4-hydroxy-3-methyl-but-2-enyl pyrophosphate (HMBPP) caused by a bottleneck at the HDR step responsible for conversion of HMBPP to dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP). Over-expression of a GERANYLLINALOOL SYNTHASE from Nicotiana attenuata (NaGLS) produces 16-hydroxy-geranyllinalool (16-OH-geranyllinalool) when transiently expressed with the same reduced combination of MEP pathway genes in N. benthamiana. This work highlights the importance of pathway flux control in metabolic pathway engineering and the possibility of increasing terpene diversity through synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edith C. F. Forestier
- Department of Biology, Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Geoffrey D. Brown
- Department of Chemistry, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
| | - David Harvey
- Department of Biology, Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Tony R. Larson
- Department of Biology, Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Ian A. Graham
- Department of Biology, Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, University of York, York, United Kingdom
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10
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Amorpha-4,11-diene synthase: a key enzyme in artemisinin biosynthesis and engineering. ABIOTECH 2021; 2:276-288. [PMID: 36303880 PMCID: PMC9590458 DOI: 10.1007/s42994-021-00058-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Amorpha-4,11-diene synthase (ADS) catalyzes the first committed step in the artemisinin biosynthetic pathway, which is the first catalytic reaction enzymatically and genetically characterized in artemisinin biosynthesis. The advent of ADS in Artemisia annua is considered crucial for the emergence of the specialized artemisinin biosynthetic pathway in the species. Microbial production of amorpha-4,11-diene is a breakthrough in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. Recently, numerous new techniques have been used in ADS engineering; for example, assessing the substrate promiscuity of ADS to chemoenzymatically produce artemisinin. In this review, we discuss the discovery and catalytic mechanism of ADS, its application in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology, as well as the role of sesquiterpene synthases in the evolutionary origin of artemisinin.
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11
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Kowalczyk T, Wieczfinska J, Skała E, Śliwiński T, Sitarek P. Transgenesis as a Tool for the Efficient Production of Selected Secondary Metabolites from in Vitro Plant Cultures. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 9:E132. [PMID: 31973076 PMCID: PMC7076688 DOI: 10.3390/plants9020132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 01/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The plant kingdom abounds in countless species with potential medical uses. Many of them contain valuable secondary metabolites belonging to different classes and demonstrating anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial or antidiabetic properties. Many of these metabolites, e.g., paclitaxel, vinblastine, betulinic acid, chlorogenic acid or ferrulic acid, have potential applications in medicine. Additionally, these compounds have many therapeutic and health-promoting properties. The growing demand for these plant secondary metabolites forces the use of new green biotechnology tools to create new, more productive in vitro transgenic plant cultures. These procedures have yielded many promising results, and transgenic cultures have been found to be safe, efficient and cost-effective sources of valuable secondary metabolites for medicine and industry. This review focuses on the use of various in vitro plant culture systems for the production of secondary metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Kowalczyk
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Genetics, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland
| | - Joanna Wieczfinska
- Department of Immunopathology, Medical University of Lodz, Żeligowskiego 7/9, 90-752 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Ewa Skała
- Department of Biology and Pharmaceutical Botany, Medical University of Lodz, Muszynskiego 1, 90-151 Lodz, Poland; (E.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Tomasz Śliwiński
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Przemysław Sitarek
- Department of Biology and Pharmaceutical Botany, Medical University of Lodz, Muszynskiego 1, 90-151 Lodz, Poland; (E.S.); (P.S.)
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12
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Bogdanović M, Cankar K, Dragićević M, Bouwmeester H, Beekwilder J, Simonović A, Todorović S. Silencing of germacrene A synthase genes reduces guaianolide oxalate content in Cichorium intybus L. GM CROPS & FOOD 2019; 11:54-66. [PMID: 31668117 PMCID: PMC7064209 DOI: 10.1080/21645698.2019.1681868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) is a medicinal and industrial plant from the Asteraceae family that produces a variety of sesquiterpene lactones (STLs), most importantly bitter guaianolides: lactucin, lactucopicrin and 8-deoxylactucin as well as their modified forms such as oxalates. These compounds have medicinal properties; however, they also hamper the extraction of inulin - a very important food industry product from chicory roots. The first step in guaianolide biosynthesis is catalyzed by germacrene A synthase (GAS) which in chicory exists in two isoforms - GAS long (encoded by CiGASlo) and GAS short (encoded by CiGASsh). AmiRNA silencing was used to obtain plants with reduced GAS gene expression and level of downstream metabolites, guaianolide-15-oxalates, as the major STLs in chicory. This approach could be beneficial for engineering new chicory varieties with varying STL content, and especially varieties with reduced bitter compounds more suitable for inulin production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milica Bogdanović
- Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”- National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Republic of Serbia
| | | | - Milan Dragićević
- Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”- National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Republic of Serbia
| | - Harro Bouwmeester
- Plant Hormone Biology group, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Ana Simonović
- Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”- National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Republic of Serbia
| | - Slađana Todorović
- Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”- National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Republic of Serbia
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Czechowski T, Rinaldi MA, Famodimu MT, Van Veelen M, Larson TR, Winzer T, Rathbone DA, Harvey D, Horrocks P, Graham IA. Flavonoid Versus Artemisinin Anti-malarial Activity in Artemisia annua Whole-Leaf Extracts. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 10:984. [PMID: 31417596 PMCID: PMC6683762 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.00984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Artemisinin, a sesquiterpene lactone produced by Artemisia annua glandular secretory trichomes, is the active ingredient in the most effective treatment for uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum parasites. Other metabolites in A. annua or related species, particularly flavonoids, have been proposed to either act as antimalarials on their own or act synergistically with artemisinin to enhance antimalarial activity. We identified a mutation that disrupts the CHALCONE ISOMERASE 1 (CHI1) enzyme that is responsible for the second committed step of flavonoid biosynthesis. Detailed metabolite profiling revealed that chi1-1 lacks all major flavonoids but produces wild-type artemisinin levels, making this mutant a useful tool to test the antiplasmodial effects of flavonoids. We used whole-leaf extracts from chi1-1 and mutant lines impaired in artemisinin production in bioactivity in vitro assays against intraerythrocytic P. falciparum Dd2. We found that chi1-1 extracts did not differ from wild-type extracts in antiplasmodial efficacy nor initial rate of cytocidal action. Furthermore, extracts from the A. annua cyp71av1-1 mutant and RNAi lines impaired in amorpha-4,11-diene synthase gene expression, which are both severely compromised in artemisinin biosynthesis but unaffected in flavonoid metabolism, showed very low or no antiplasmodial activity. These results demonstrate that in vitro bioactivity against P. falciparum of flavonoids is negligible when compared to that of artemisinin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Czechowski
- Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, Department of Biology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Mauro A. Rinaldi
- Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, Department of Biology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Tony R. Larson
- Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, Department of Biology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Thilo Winzer
- Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, Department of Biology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Deborah A. Rathbone
- Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, Department of Biology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
- Biorenewables Development Centre, Dunnington, United Kingdom
| | - David Harvey
- Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, Department of Biology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Horrocks
- Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, Keele University, Keele, United Kingdom
- School of Medicine, Keele University, Keele, United Kingdom
| | - Ian A. Graham
- Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, Department of Biology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Ian A. Graham,
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