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Misra A, Chaudhary MK, Rawat P, Tripathi D, Barik SK, Srivastava S. Benzyl-isoquinoline alkaloids rich extract of Coptis teeta Wall., exhibit potential efficacy in calcium-oxalate and uric-acid linked metabolic disorders. Fitoterapia 2024; 177:106050. [PMID: 38838823 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Coptis teeta Wall., an endangered but valuable medicinal species having various folklore uses in Indian and Chinese Traditional system of medicine. Its distribution is restricted to India, China and Tibet. In India, C. teeta is traditionally used in joint disorders, urinary infections and inflammatory diseases, however the scientific validation is missing. Thus, the present study aims to validate the anti-lithiatic and anti-gout activity of C. teeta rhizome extract (CTME) through in-vitro biological assays. The metabolic fingerprinting of CTME through reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array (RP-HPLC-PDA) showed the presence of five benzyl-isoquinoline alkaloids, namely berberine (2.59%), coptisine (0.746%) jatrorrhizine (0.133%), palmatine (0.03%) and tetrahydropalmatine (0.003%). The anti-gout potency analysed via in-vitro xanthine oxidase (XOD) inhibition assay, followed by HPTLC (High performance thin layer chromatography) mediated bio-autographic inhibition of XOD signifies that CTME exhibit strong inhibition of XOD (IC50: 3.014 μg/ml), insignificantly different (p > 0.05) from allopurinol (IC50: 2.47 μg/ml). The XOD bioautographic assay advocates that the efficacy is primarily due to berberine and coptisine alkaloids. The CTME has significant anti-lithiatic activity, and thereby limiting the progression of crystal nidus formation, mediated via inhibition of calcium oxalate crystals nucleation and aggregation. Additionally, the extract also exhibits potential effect on inhibition of oxidative stress associated inflammation, which plays crucial role in alleviating urolithiasis and gouty conditions. Validating the traditional claims of C. teeta will not only confirm its medicinal benefits for targeted pathological conditions but also enhance its industrial demand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Misra
- Pharmacognosy Division, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, UP, India
| | - Mridul Kant Chaudhary
- Pharmacognosy Division, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, UP, India
| | - Poonam Rawat
- Pharmacognosy Division, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, UP, India
| | - Deepali Tripathi
- FEST Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicological Research, Lucknow, UP, India
| | - Saroj Kanta Barik
- Department of Botany, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, India
| | - Sharad Srivastava
- Pharmacognosy Division, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, UP, India.
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Zhao X, Pan Y, Tan J, Lv H, Wang Y, Chen DX. Metabolomics and transcriptomics reveal the mechanism of alkaloid synthesis in Corydalis yanhusuo bulbs. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0304258. [PMID: 38781178 PMCID: PMC11115222 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Corydalis yanhusuo W.T. Wang is a traditional herb. Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) are the main pharmacological active ingredients that play an important role in sedation, relieving pain, promoting blood circulation, and inhibiting cancer cells. However, there are few studies on the biosynthetic pathway of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids in Corydalis yanhusuo, especially on some specific components, such as tetrahydropalmatine. We carried out widely targeted metabolome and transcriptomic analyses to construct the biosynthetic pathway of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids and identified candidate genes. In this study, 702 metabolites were detected, including 216 alkaloids. Protoberberine-type and aporphine-type alkaloids are the main chemical components in C. yanhusuo bulbs. Key genes for benzylisoquinoline alkaloids biosynthesis, including 6-OMT, CNMT, NMCH, BBE, SOMT1, CFS, SPS, STOX, MSH, TNMT and P6H, were successfully identified. There was no significant difference in the content of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids and the expression level of genes between the two suborgans (mother-bulb and son-bulb). The expression levels of BIA genes in the expansion stage (MB-A and SB-A) were significantly higher than those in the maturity stage (MB-C and SB-C), and the content of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids was consistent with the pattern of gene regulation. Five complete single genes were likely to encode the functional enzyme of CoOMT, which participated in tetrahydropalmatine biosynthesis in C. yanhusuo bulbs. These studies provide a strong theoretical basis for the subsequent development of metabolic engineering of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (especially tetrahydropalmatine) of C. yanhusuo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Zhao
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fine Variety Breeding Techniques of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Sub-Center of National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuan Pan
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fine Variety Breeding Techniques of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Sub-Center of National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Chongqing, China
| | - Jun Tan
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fine Variety Breeding Techniques of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Sub-Center of National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Chongqing, China
| | - Hui Lv
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fine Variety Breeding Techniques of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Sub-Center of National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fine Variety Breeding Techniques of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Sub-Center of National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Chongqing, China
| | - Da-xia Chen
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fine Variety Breeding Techniques of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Sub-Center of National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Chongqing, China
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Niu ZX, Wang YT, Wang JF. Recent advances in total synthesis of protoberberine and chiral tetrahydroberberine alkaloids. Nat Prod Rep 2024. [PMID: 38712365 DOI: 10.1039/d4np00016a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Covering: Up to 2024Due to the widespread distribution of protoberberine alkaloids (PBs) and tetrahydroberberine alkaloids (THPBs) in nature, coupled with their myriad unique physiological activities, they have garnered considerable attention from medical practitioners. Over the past few decades, synthetic chemists have devised various total synthesis methods to attain these structures, continually expanding reaction pathways to achieve more efficient synthetic strategies. Simultaneously, the chiral construction of THPBs has become a focal point. In this comprehensive review, we categorically summarized the developmental trajectory of the total synthesis of these alkaloids based on the core closure strategies of protoberberine and tetrahydroberberine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Xi Niu
- Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450018, China.
| | - Ya-Tao Wang
- First People's Hospital of Shangqiu, Shangqiu 476000, Henan Province, China.
- Department of Orthopedics, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun 130033, China
| | - Jun-Feng Wang
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 660, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA.
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Chi Y, Liu C, Liu W, Tian X, Hu J, Wang B, Liu D, Liu Y. Population genetic variation and geographic distribution of suitable areas of Coptis species in China. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1341996. [PMID: 38567137 PMCID: PMC10985201 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1341996] [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: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Introduction The rhizomes of Coptis plants have been used in traditional Chinese medicine over 2000 years. Due to increasing market demand, the overexploitation of wild populations, habitat degradation and indiscriminate artificial cultivation of Coptis species have severely damaged the native germplasms of species in China. Methods Genome-wide simple-sequence repeat (SSR) markers were developed using the genomic data of C. chinensis. Population genetic diversity and structure of 345 Coptis accessions collected from 32 different populations were performed based on these SSRs. The distribution of suitable areas for three taxa in China was predicted and the effects of environmental variables on genetic diversity in relation to different population distributions were further analyzed. Results 22 primer pairs were selected as clear, stable, and polymorphic SSR markers. These had an average of 16.41 alleles and an average polymorphism information content (PIC) value of 0.664. In the neighbor-joining (N-J) clustering analysis, the 345 individuals clustered into three groups, with C. chinensis, C. chinensis var. brevisepala and C. teeta being clearly separated. All C. chinensis accessions were further divided into four subgroups in the population structure analysis. The predicted distributions of suitable areas and the environmental variables shaping these distributions varied considerably among the three species. Discussion Overall, the amount of solar radiation, precipitation and altitude were the most important environmental variables influencing the distribution and genetic variation of three species. The findings will provide key information to guide the conservation of genetic resources and construction of a core reserve for species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Chi
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Changli Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Xufang Tian
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Juan Hu
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Bo Wang
- Hubei Institute for Drug Control, Wuhan, China
| | - Di Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Yifei Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Resource and Chemistry, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
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Lee S, Park NI, Park Y, Park KC, Kim ES, Son YK, Choi BS, Kim NS, Choi IY. O- and N-Methyltransferases in benzylisoquinoline alkaloid producing plants. Genes Genomics 2024; 46:367-378. [PMID: 38095842 DOI: 10.1007/s13258-023-01477-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Secondary metabolites such as benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIA) have attracted considerable attention because of their pharmacological properties and potential therapeutic applications. Methyltransferases (MTs) can add methyl groups to alkaloid molecules, altering their physicochemical properties and bioactivity, stability, solubility, and recognition by other cellular components. Five types of O-methyltransferases and two types of N-methyltransferases are involved in BIA biosynthesis. OBJECTIVE Since MTs may be the source for the discovery and development of novel biomedical, agricultural, and industrial compounds, we performed extensive molecular and phylogenetic analyses of O- and N-methyltransferases in BIA-producing plants. METHODS MTs involved in BIA biosynthesis were isolated from transcriptomes of Berberis koreana and Caulophyllum robustum. We also mined the methyltransferases of Coptis japonica, Papaver somniferum, and Nelumbo nucifera from the National Center for Biotechnology Information protein database. Then, we analyzed the functional motifs and phylogenetic analysis. RESULT We mined 42 O-methyltransferases and 8 N-methyltransferases from the five BIA-producing plants. Functional motifs for S-adenosyl-L-methionine-dependent methyltransferases were retained in most methyltransferases, except for the three O-methyltransferases from N. nucifera. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the methyltransferases were grouped into four clades, I, II, III and IV. The clustering patterns in the phylogenetic analysis suggested a monophyletic origin of methyltransferases and gene duplication within species. The coexistence of different O-methyltransferases in the deep branch subclade might support some cases of substrate promiscuity. CONCLUSIONS Methyltransferases may be a source for the discovery and development of novel biomedical, agricultural, and industrial compounds. Our results contribute to further understanding of their structure and reaction mechanisms, which will require future functional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungki Lee
- Biological Resources Assessment Division, National Institute of Biological Resources, Incheon, 22689, Republic of Korea
| | - Nam-Il Park
- Department of Plant Science, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung, 25457, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeri Park
- Department of Plant Science, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung, 25457, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyong-Cheul Park
- Department of Smart Farm and Agricultural Industry, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Sil Kim
- Biological Resources Assessment Division, National Institute of Biological Resources, Incheon, 22689, Republic of Korea
| | - Youn Kyoung Son
- Biological Resources Assessment Division, National Institute of Biological Resources, Incheon, 22689, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Nam-Soo Kim
- NBIT Co., Ltd, Chuncheon, 24341, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ik-Young Choi
- Department of Smart Farm and Agricultural Industry, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 24341, Republic of Korea.
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Li L, Wang X, Ma R, Hou M. An integrating strategy for systematic profiling of Chinese patent drug's chemicalome and associated metabolome: Huanghou antidiarrhea dropping pills as a case study. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2024; 1234:124029. [PMID: 38310833 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2024.124029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Huanghou antidiarrhea dropping pills (HADP) is an efficient Chinese patent drug that is clinically used to treat diarrhea. However, its functional materials remain unclear due to the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine, which is a multi-component and multi-target complex system. In this study, we investigated the intrinsic chemical components and combined with in vivo metabolism to reveal the functional material basis of HADP. Spectral behavior (accurate molecular weight and secondary fragmentation) and chromatographic behavior (retention time) were key criterions that throughout the whole research of components identification, prototypes screening, and tissue distribution. Mass defect filter (MDF), characteristic product ion filter (PIF), and neutral loss filter (NLF) were other three criterions for metabolites searching. Consequently, a total of 102 components in HADP, including alkaloids, lignans, lactones, gingerols, and alkaloid complexes were identified or tentatively characterized. About 39 metabolites that related to 37 prototypes were calculated and matched in bio-samples. Among them, 14 prototypes and 18 metabolites were detected distribution in colon, liver, heart, spleen, lung or kidney. This study provides a systematic investigation into the metabolism of HADP and offers effective analytical strategies for the characterization of compounds and metabolites in Chinese patent drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Li
- Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210000, China; The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010050, China
| | - Xuguang Wang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010050, China
| | - Ruiting Ma
- The Academy of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210097, China; The Inner Mongolia Mental Health Center, Hohhot 010010, China.
| | - Mingxing Hou
- Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210000, China; The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010050, China.
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Li X, Xu B, Sahito ZA, Chen S, Liang Z. Transcriptome analysis reveals cadmium exposure enhanced the isoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis and disease resistance in Coptis chinensis. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 271:115940. [PMID: 38218103 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.115940] [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: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Coptis chinensis Franch is a perennial herb from the Ranunculaceae family with a long history of medicinal use. As the medicinal part, the rhizome of coptis often accumulates excessive cadmium (Cd) even at low concentrations in the soil, which not only compromises its medicinal safety but also raises concerns about adverse effects on human health. Therefore, effective strategies are needed to mitigate this accumulation and ensure its safe use in traditional medicine. This study utilized transcriptome profiling and physiological analysis to explore molecular mechanisms associated with ecological significance and the active accumulation of Cd in C. chinensis. The response to Cd in C. chinensis was assessed through RNA sequencing, Cd determination and isoquinoline alkaloid measurement using its roots, stems, and leaves. The transcriptome revealed, a total of 2667, 2998, or 2815 up-regulated deferentially expressed genes in roots, stems or leaves in response to Cd exposure. Furthermore, we identified phenylpropanoid and isoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis as the key pathways response to Cd exposure, which suggests that C. chinensis may improve its tolerance to Cd through regulating the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway. Under Cd exposure, plant-pathogen interaction in leaves was identified as the key pathway, which indicates that upregulation of genes involved in plant-pathogen interaction could enhance disease resistance in C. chinensis. WGCNA analysis identified WRKY8 (Cluster-55763.31419) and WRKY47 (Cluster-55763.221590) as potential regulators of secondary metabolic synthesis and plant-pathogen interaction pathway in C. chinensis triggered by Cd. The measurement of berberine, coptisine, palmatine, and epiberberine also demonstrated that Cd simulated the four isoquinoline alkaloids in roots. Therefore, our study not only presented a transcriptome expression profiles that revealed significant upregulation of genes involved in metal transport and detoxification pathways but also suggested a possible mechanism to cope with Cd accumulation. This knowledge provides a new insight into gene manipulation for controlling Cd accumulation, enhancing resistance and promoting synthesis of secondary metabolites with potential medicinal properties in other medicinal plant species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Li
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Plant Secondary Metabolism and Regulation, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Bo Xu
- Tianjin Tasly Modern TCM Resources Co., Ltd., Tianjin 300410, China
| | - Zulfiqar Ali Sahito
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Resources Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Shaoning Chen
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Plant Secondary Metabolism and Regulation, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China.
| | - Zongsuo Liang
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Plant Secondary Metabolism and Regulation, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China; Zhejiang Sci-Tech University Shaoxing Academy of Biomedicine, Shaoxing 312000, China.
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Min X, Zhu T, Hu X, Hou C, He J, Liu X. Transcriptome and Metabolome Analysis of Isoquinoline Alkaloid Biosynthesis of Coptis chinensis in Different Years. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2232. [PMID: 38137054 PMCID: PMC10742649 DOI: 10.3390/genes14122232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Coptis chinensis is a perennial herb of the Ranunculaceae family. The isoquinoline alkaloid is the main active component of C. chinensis, mainly exists in its rhizomes and has high clinical application potential. The in vitro synthesis of isoquinoline alkaloids is difficult because their structures are complex; hence, plants are still the main source of them. In this study, two-year and four-year rhizomes of C. chinensis were selected to investigate the effect of growth years on the accumulation of isoquinoline alkaloids. Two-year and four-year C. chinensis were selected for metabolomics detection and transcriptomic analysis. A total of 413 alkaloids were detected by metabolomics analysis, of which 92 were isoquinoline alkaloids. (S)-reticuline was a significantly different accumulated metabolite of the isoquinoline alkaloids biosynthetic pathway in C. chinensis between the two groups. The results of transcriptome analysis showed that a total of 464 differential genes were identified, 36 of which were associated with the isoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis pathway of C. chinensis. Among them, 18 genes were correlated with the content of important isoquinoline alkaloids. Overall, this study provided a comprehensive metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis of the rapid growth stage of C. chinensis rhizome from the perspective of growth years. It brought new insights into the biosynthetic pathway of isoquinoline alkaloids and provided information for utilizing biotechnology to improve their contents in C. chinensis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Xia Liu
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Sciences, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430700, China; (X.M.); (T.Z.); (X.H.); (C.H.); (J.H.)
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Rubio A, Thomas A, Euler L, Geyer H, Krug O, Reis G, Padilha MC, Pereira HMG, Muniz-Santos R, Cameron LC, Stojanovic B, Kuehne D, Lagojda A, McLeod MD, Thevis M. Investigations into Annona fruit consumption as a potential source of dietary higenamine intake in the context of sports drug testing. Drug Test Anal 2023; 15:1488-1502. [PMID: 37525530 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Higenamine is prohibited in sports as a β2 -agonist by the World Anti-Doping Agency. As a key component of a great variety of plants, including the Annonaceae family, one aim of this research project was to evaluate whether the ingestion of Annona fruit could lead to higenamine adverse analytical findings. Single-dose administration studies including three Annona species (i.e., Annona muricata, Annona cherimola, and Annona squamosa) were conducted, leading to higenamine findings below the established minimum reporting level (MRL) of 10 ng/mL in urine. In consideration of cmax values (7.8 ng/mL) observed for higenamine up to 24 h, a multidose administration study was also conducted, indicating cumulative effects, which can increase the risk of exceeding the applicable MRL doping after Annona fruit ingestion. In this study, however, the MRL was not exceeded at any time point. Further, the major urinary excretion of higenamine in its sulfo-conjugated form was corroborated, its stability in urine was assessed, and in the absence of reference material, higenamine sulfo-conjugates were synthesized and comprehensively characterized, suggesting the predominant presence of higenamine 7-sulfate. In addition, the option to include complementary biomarkers of diet-related higenamine intake into routine doping controls was investigated. A characteristic urinary pattern attributed to isococlaurine, reticuline, and a yet not fully characterized bismethylated higenamine glucuronide was observed after Annona ingestion but not after supplement use, providing a promising dataset of urinary biomarkers, which supports the discrimination between different sources of urinary higenamine detected in sports drug testing programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rubio
- Laboratory Medicine Department, Hospital Universitario Son Espases, Palma, Spain
| | - Andreas Thomas
- Center for Preventive Doping Research - Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Luisa Euler
- Center for Preventive Doping Research - Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Hans Geyer
- Center for Preventive Doping Research - Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- European Monitoring Center for Emerging Doping Agents (EuMoCEDA), Cologne/Bonn, Germany
| | - Oliver Krug
- Center for Preventive Doping Research - Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- European Monitoring Center for Emerging Doping Agents (EuMoCEDA), Cologne/Bonn, Germany
| | - Gabriel Reis
- Brazilian Doping Control Laboratory (LBCD - LADETEC/IQ - UFRJ) - Chemistry Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Monica Costa Padilha
- Brazilian Doping Control Laboratory (LBCD - LADETEC/IQ - UFRJ) - Chemistry Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Renan Muniz-Santos
- Laboratory of Protein Biochemistry, The Federal University of State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luiz Claudio Cameron
- Laboratory of Protein Biochemistry, The Federal University of State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Dirk Kuehne
- Crop Science Division, Bayer AG, Monheim, Germany
| | | | - Malcolm Donald McLeod
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Mario Thevis
- Center for Preventive Doping Research - Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- European Monitoring Center for Emerging Doping Agents (EuMoCEDA), Cologne/Bonn, Germany
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Zhao W, Liu M, Liu K, Liu H, Liu X, Liu J. An Enzymatic Strategy for the Selective Methylation of High-Value-Added Tetrahydroprotoberberine Alkaloids. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15214. [PMID: 37894895 PMCID: PMC10607743 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Tetrahydroprotoberberines (THPBs) are plant-specific alkaloids with significant medicinal value. They are present in trace amounts in plants and are difficult to chemically synthesize due to stereoselectivity and an unfavorable environment. In this study, a selective methylation strategy was developed for the biocatalysis of seven high-value-added THPB compounds using 4'-O-methyltransferase (Cj4'OMT), norcoclaurine 6-O-methyltransferase (Cj6OMT), and (S)-scoulerine 9-O-methyltransferase (SiSOMT and PsSOMT) in engineered E. coli. The methyltransferases Cj4'OMT, Cj6OMT, PsSOMT, and SiSOMT were expressed heterologously in E. coli. Compound 1 (10-methoxy-2,3,9-tetrahydroxyberbine) was synthesized using the recombinant E. coli strain Cj4'OMT and the substrate 2,3,9,10-tetrahydroxyberbine. Compound 2 (9-methoxy-2,3,10-tetrahydroxyberbine) was produced in the recombinant Escherichia coli (E. coli) strain PsSOMT, and compounds 2 and 3 (discretamine) were produced in the recombinant E. coli strain SiSOMT. Compounds 4 (9,10-methoxy-2,3-tetrahydroxyberbine) and 5 (corypalmine) were obtained by co-culturing the recombinant strains Cj4'OMT and SiSOMT with substrate. Compounds 6 (scoulerine) and 7 (isoscoulerine) were produced by co-culturing the substrate with the recombinant strains Cj4'OMT and Cj6OMT. To increase the yield of novel compound 2, the flask culture conditions of the engineered SiSOMT strain were optimized, resulting in the production of 165.74 mg/L of this compound. This study thus presents an enzymatic approach to the synthesis of high-value-added THPBs with minimum environmental wastage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanli Zhao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China; (W.Z.)
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for the Research and Utilization of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Manyu Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China; (W.Z.)
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Kemeng Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China; (W.Z.)
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Hanqing Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China; (W.Z.)
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Xiufeng Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China; (W.Z.)
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Jihua Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China; (W.Z.)
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
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11
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Debat H, Bejerman N. Two novel flavi-like viruses shed light on the plant-infecting koshoviruses. Arch Virol 2023; 168:184. [PMID: 37338667 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-023-05813-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
The family Flaviviridae is composed of viruses with a positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome and includes viruses that are important veterinary and human pathogens. Most members of the family are arthropod- and vertebrate-infecting viruses, but more recently, divergent flavi-like viruses have been identified in marine invertebrate and vertebrate hosts. The striking discovery of gentian Kobu-sho-associated virus (GKaV), along with a recent report of a related virus from carrot, has expanded the known host range of flavi-like viruses to plants, suggesting they could be grouped in a proposed genus tentatively named "Koshovirus". Here, we report the identification and characterization of two novel RNA viruses that show a genetic and evolutionary relationship to the previously identified "koshoviruses". Their genome sequences were obtained from transcriptomic datasets of the flowering plants Coptis teeta and Sonchus asper. These two new viruses, which we have named "coptis flavi-like virus 1" (CopFLV1) and "sonchus flavi-like virus 1" (SonFLV1), are members of novel species characterized by the longest monopartite RNA genome observed so far among plant-associated RNA viruses, which is ca. 24 kb in size. Structural and functional annotations of the polyproteins of all koshoviruses resulted in the detection not only of the expected helicase and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase but also of several additional divergent domains, including AlkB oxygenase, trypsin-like serine protease, methyltransferase, and envelope E1 flavi-like domains. Phylogenetic analysis showed that CopFLV1, SonFLV1, GKaV, and the carrot flavi-like virus were grouped together in a monophyletic clade, strongly supporting the recent proposal for creation of the genus "Koshovirus" for the group of related plant-infecting flavi-like viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Humberto Debat
- Instituto de Patología Vegetal, Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (IPAVE-CIAP-INTA), Camino 60 Cuadras Km 5,5 (X5020ICA), Córdoba, Argentina.
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Unidad de Fitopatología y Modelización Agrícola, Córdoba, Argentina.
| | - Nicolás Bejerman
- Instituto de Patología Vegetal, Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (IPAVE-CIAP-INTA), Camino 60 Cuadras Km 5,5 (X5020ICA), Córdoba, Argentina.
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Unidad de Fitopatología y Modelización Agrícola, Córdoba, Argentina.
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12
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Gong Q, Aoki D, Matsushita Y, Yoshida M, Taniguchi T, Endoh K, Fukushima K. Microscopic distribution of alkaloids in freeze-fixed stems of Phellodendron amurense. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1203768. [PMID: 37351222 PMCID: PMC10283038 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1203768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Phellodendron amurense Rupr. contains rich alkaloids, which have been extensively applied in clinical treatments for their various biological activities. However, detailed microscopic distribution and roles of such alkaloids in P. amurense stem still need to be clarified. Methods In this study, the distribution of eight alkaloids in the transverse surface of freeze-fixed P. amurense stems in fall and summer has been visualized by cryo-time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy (cryo-TOF-SIMS/SEM), which was found in living tissues with relative contents of different alkaloids varying with the position. In addition, the contents of these alkaloids quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis suggested the seasonal variation from fall to the following summer. Results and discussion Distribution of eight alkaloids in the freeze-fixed stems of P. amurense from fall and summer seasons has been visualized and assigned into specific living tissues, with relative contents varying in different positions with seasons, which suggested their possible roles in the physiological processes of the plant itself or plant responding to changes in the surrounding conditions. Conclusion This study provided a significant basis for further discussion of the genes or enzymes involved in these processes, which will contribute to investigating biosynthetic pathways and specific in planta roles of alkaloids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinyue Gong
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Dan Aoki
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Matsushita
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masato Yoshida
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Toru Taniguchi
- Forest Bio-Research Center, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Hitachi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Keita Endoh
- Forest Tree Breeding Center, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Hitachi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Fukushima
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
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Tuo X, Yu Z, Li J, Qi Y, Peng G, Huang SX, Huang X, Huang JP. Characterization of two putative norlaudanosoline methyltransferases from Aristolochia debilis. JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 285:153983. [PMID: 37116390 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2023.153983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
In view of the nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and carcinogenicity of aristolochic acids (AAs), the removal of AAs from plants becomes an urgent priority for ensuring the safety of Aristolochia herbal materials. In this study, based on the root-predominant distribution of aristolochic acid I (AAI) in Aristolochia debilis, transcriptome sequencing, in combination with phylogenetic analyses, and gene expression pattern analysis together provided five candidate genes for investigating AAI biosynthesis. Comprehensive in vitro and in vivo enzymatic assays revealed that Ab6OMT1 (6-O-methyltransferase) and AbNMT1 (N-methyltransferase) exhibit promiscuity in substrate recognition, and they could act in a cooperative fashion to achieve conversion of norlaudanosoline, a predicted intermediate in AAI biosynthetic route, into 3'-hydroxy-N-methylcoclaurine through two different methylation reaction sequences. These results shed light on the molecular basis for AAI biosynthesis in Aristolochia herbs. More importantly, Ab6OMT1 and AbNMT1 may be employed as targets for the metabolic engineering of AAI biosynthesis to produce AAs-free Aristolochia herbal materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotao Tuo
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China.
| | - Zhiyin Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
| | - Junheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China.
| | - Yuxin Qi
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Synthetic Biology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China.
| | - Guoqing Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China.
| | - Sheng-Xiong Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China.
| | - Xueshuang Huang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Synthetic Biology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China.
| | - Jian-Ping Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China.
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14
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Park NI, Roy NS, Park Y, Choi BS, Jeon MJ, Oh JY, Kim BY, Kim YD, Kim YI, Um T, Kwak HJ, Kim NS, Kim S, Choi IY. Isolation and Characterization of the Genes Involved in the Berberine Synthesis Pathway in Asian Blue Cohosh, Caulophyllum robustum. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:1483. [PMID: 37050109 PMCID: PMC10096549 DOI: 10.3390/plants12071483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Caulophyllum robustum, commonly named Asian blue cohosh, is a perennial herb in the family Berberidaceae. It has traditionally been used for folk medicine in China. We isolated berberine from the leaves, stem, roots, and fruits of C. robustum, and this is the first report on berberine in this species. Transcriptome analysis was conducted for the characterization of berberine biosynthesis genes in C. robustum, in which, all the genes for berberine biosynthesis were identified. From 40,094 transcripts, using gene ontology (GO) analysis, 26,750 transcripts were assigned their functions in the categories of biological process, molecular function, and cellular component. In the analysis of genes expressed in different tissues, the numbers of genes in the categories of intrinsic component of membrane and transferase activity were up-regulated in leaves versus stem. The berberine synthesis genes in C. robustum were characterized by phylogenetic analysis with corresponding genes from other berberine-producing species. The co-existence of genes from different plant families in the deepest branch subclade implies that the differentiation of berberine synthesis genes occurred early in the evolution of berberine-producing plants. Furthermore, the copy number increment of the berberine synthesis genes was detected at the species level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nam-Il Park
- Department of Plant Science, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung 25457, Republic of Korea
| | - Neha Samir Roy
- Agriculture and Life Sciences Research Institute, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeri Park
- Agriculture and Life Sciences Research Institute, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Beom-Soon Choi
- Next Bio Information Technology, Bodeumkwan 504, Kangwon National University, Gangwondaehakgil-1, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Jin Jeon
- Microorganism Resources Division, National Institute of Biological Resources, Incheon 22689, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Yeon Oh
- Microorganism Resources Division, National Institute of Biological Resources, Incheon 22689, Republic of Korea
| | - Bo-Yun Kim
- Plant Resources Division, National Institute of Biological Resources, Incheon 22689, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Dong Kim
- Department of Life Science, Multidisciplinary Genome Institute, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-In Kim
- On Biological Resource Research Institute, Chuncheon 24239, Republic of Korea
| | - Taeyoung Um
- Agriculture and Life Sciences Research Institute, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwan Jong Kwak
- Agriculture and Life Sciences Research Institute, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Nam-Soo Kim
- Next Bio Information Technology, Bodeumkwan 504, Kangwon National University, Gangwondaehakgil-1, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Soonok Kim
- Department of Life Science, Multidisciplinary Genome Institute, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Republic of Korea
| | - Ik-Young Choi
- Agriculture and Life Sciences Research Institute, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea
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15
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Lashley A, Miller R, Provenzano S, Jarecki SA, Erba P, Salim V. Functional Diversification and Structural Origins of Plant Natural Product Methyltransferases. Molecules 2022; 28:43. [PMID: 36615239 PMCID: PMC9822479 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28010043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In plants, methylation is a common step in specialized metabolic pathways, leading to a vast diversity of natural products. The methylation of these small molecules is catalyzed by S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM)-dependent methyltransferases, which are categorized based on the methyl-accepting atom (O, N, C, S, or Se). These methyltransferases are responsible for the transformation of metabolites involved in plant defense response, pigments, and cell signaling. Plant natural product methyltransferases are part of the Class I methyltransferase-superfamily containing the canonical Rossmann fold. Recent advances in genomics have accelerated the functional characterization of plant natural product methyltransferases, allowing for the determination of substrate specificities and regioselectivity and further realizing the potential for enzyme engineering. This review compiles known biochemically characterized plant natural product methyltransferases that have contributed to our knowledge in the diversification of small molecules mediated by methylation steps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Lashley
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Shreveport, LA 71115, USA
| | - Ryan Miller
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Shreveport, LA 71115, USA
- School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Stephanie Provenzano
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Shreveport, LA 71115, USA
- School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
| | - Sara-Alexis Jarecki
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Shreveport, LA 71115, USA
| | - Paul Erba
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Shreveport, LA 71115, USA
- School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Vonny Salim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Shreveport, LA 71115, USA
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16
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Yang Y, Sun Y, Wang Z, Yin M, Sun R, Xue L, Huang X, Wang C, Yan X. Full-length transcriptome and metabolite analysis reveal reticuline epimerase-independent pathways for benzylisoquinoline alkaloids biosynthesis in Sinomenium acutum. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:1086335. [PMID: 36605968 PMCID: PMC9808091 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1086335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) are a large family of plant natural products with important pharmaceutical applications. Sinomenium acutum is a medicinal plant from the Menispermaceae family and has been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis for hundreds of years. Sinomenium acutum contains more than 50 BIAs, and sinomenine is a representative BIA from this plant. Sinomenine was found to have preventive and curative effects on opioid dependence. Despite the broad applications of S. acutum, investigation on the biosynthetic pathways of BIAs from S. acutum is limited. In this study, we comprehensively analyzed the transcriptome data and BIAs in the root, stem, leaf, and seed of S. acutum. Metabolic analysis showed a noticeable difference in BIA contents in different tissues. Based on the study of the full-length transcriptome, differentially expressed genes, and weighted gene co-expression network, we proposed the biosynthetic pathways for a few BIAs from S. acutum, such as sinomenine, magnoflorine, and tetrahydropalmatine, and screened candidate genes involved in these biosynthesis processes. Notably, the reticuline epimerase (REPI/STORR), which converts (S)-reticuline to (R)-reticuline and plays an essential role in morphine and codeine biosynthesis, was not found in the transcriptome data of S. acutum. Our results shed light on the biogenesis of the BIAs in S. acutum and may pave the way for the future development of this important medicinal plant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Ying Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- WuXi AppTec (Tianjin) Co., Ltd., Tianjin, China
| | - Zhaoxin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Maojing Yin
- College of Pharmaceutical Engineering of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- School of Medicine, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Runze Sun
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Synthetic Biology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua, Hunan, China
| | - Lu Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Xueshuang Huang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Synthetic Biology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua, Hunan, China
| | - Chunhua Wang
- School of Medicine, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaohui Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
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17
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Roy NS, Park NI, Kim NS, Park Y, Kim BY, Kim YD, Yu JK, Kim YI, Um T, Kim S, Choi IY. Comparative Transcriptomics for Genes Related to Berberine and Berbamine Biosynthesis in Berberidaceae. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:2676. [PMID: 36297700 PMCID: PMC9610958 DOI: 10.3390/plants11202676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Berberine and berbamine are bioactive compounds of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) present in Berberis species. The contents of berbamine are 20 times higher than berberine in leaf tissues in three closely related species: Berberis koreana, B. thunbergii and B. amurensis. This is the first report on the quantification of berberine compared to the berbamine in the Berberis species. Comparative transcriptome analyses were carried out with mRNAs from the leaf tissues of the three-species. The comparison of the transcriptomes of B. thunbergii and B. amurensis to those of B. koreana, B. thunbergii showed a consistently higher number of differentially expressed genes than B. amurensis in KEGG and DEG analyses. All genes encoding enzymes involved in berberine synthesis were identified and their expressions were variable among the three species. There was a single copy of CYP80A/berbamunine synthase in B. koreana. Methyltransferases and cytochrome P450 mono-oxidases (CYPs) are key enzymes for BIA biosynthesis. The current report contains the copy numbers and other genomic characteristics of the methyltransferases and CYPs in Berberis species. Thus, the contents of the current research are valuable for molecular characterization for the medicinal utilization of the Berberis species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Samir Roy
- Agriculture and Life Sciences Research Institute, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea
| | - Nam-Il Park
- Department of Plant Science, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung 25457, Korea
| | - Nam-Soo Kim
- NBIT, Kangwon National University, Gangwondaehakgil-1, Bodeumkwan 504, Chuncheon 24341, Korea
| | - Yeri Park
- Department of Plant Science, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung 25457, Korea
| | - Bo-Yun Kim
- Plant Resources Division, National Institute of Biological Resources, Incheon 22689, Korea
| | - Young-Dong Kim
- Department of Life Science, Multidisciplinary Genome Institute, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Korea
| | - Ju-Kyung Yu
- Syngenta Crop Protection LLC, 9 Davis Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Yong-In Kim
- On Biological Resource Research Institute, Chuncheon 24239, Korea
| | - Taeyoung Um
- Agriculture and Life Sciences Research Institute, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea
| | - Soonok Kim
- Microorganism Resources Division, National Institute of Biological Resources, Incheon 22689, Korea
| | - Ik-Young Choi
- Agriculture and Life Sciences Research Institute, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea
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18
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He J, Lyu R, Luo Y, Xiao J, Xie L, Wen J, Li W, Pei L, Cheng J. A phylotranscriptome study using silica gel-dried leaf tissues produces an updated robust phylogeny of Ranunculaceae. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2022; 174:107545. [PMID: 35690374 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2022.107545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The utility of transcriptome data in plant phylogenetics has gained popularity in recent years. However, because RNA degrades much more easily than DNA, the logistics of obtaining fresh tissues has become a major limiting factor for widely applying this method. Here, we used Ranunculaceae to test whether silica-dried plant tissues could be used for RNA extraction and subsequent phylogenomic studies. We sequenced 27 transcriptomes, 21 from silica gel-dried (SD-samples) and six from liquid nitrogen-preserved (LN-samples) leaf tissues, and downloaded 27 additional transcriptomes from GenBank. Our results showed that although the LN-samples produced slightly better reads than the SD-samples, there were no significant differences in RNA quality and quantity, assembled contig lengths and numbers, and BUSCO comparisons between two treatments. Using these data, we conducted phylogenomic analyses, including concatenated- and coalescent-based phylogenetic reconstruction, molecular dating, coalescent simulation, phylogenetic network estimation, and whole genome duplication (WGD) inference. The resulting phylogeny was consistent with previous studies with higher resolution and statistical support. The 11 core Ranunculaceae tribes grouped into two chromosome type clades (T- and R-types), with high support. Discordance among gene trees is likely due to hybridization and introgression, ancient genetic polymorphism and incomplete lineage sorting. Our results strongly support one ancient hybridization event within the R-type clade and three WGD events in Ranunculales. Evolution of the three Ranunculaceae chromosome types is likely not directly related to WGD events. By clearly resolving the Ranunculaceae phylogeny, we demonstrated that SD-samples can be used for RNA-seq and phylotranscriptomic studies of angiosperms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian He
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Rudan Lyu
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Yike Luo
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Jiamin Xiao
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Lei Xie
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, PR China.
| | - Jun Wen
- Department of Botany, National Museum of Natural History, MRC 166, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20013-7012, USA.
| | - Wenhe Li
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Linying Pei
- Beijing Engineering Technology Research Center for Garden Plants, Beijing Forestry University Forest Science Co. Ltd., Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Jin Cheng
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, PR China
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Zhan X, Chen Z, Chen R, Shen C. Environmental and Genetic Factors Involved in Plant Protection-Associated Secondary Metabolite Biosynthesis Pathways. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:877304. [PMID: 35463424 PMCID: PMC9024250 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.877304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Plant specialized metabolites (PSMs) play essential roles in the adaptation to harsh environments and function in plant defense responses. PSMs act as key components of defense-related signaling pathways and trigger the extensive expression of defense-related genes. In addition, PSMs serve as antioxidants, participating in the scavenging of rapidly rising reactive oxygen species, and as chelators, participating in the chelation of toxins under stress conditions. PSMs include nitrogen-containing chemical compounds, terpenoids/isoprenoids, and phenolics. Each category of secondary metabolites has a specific biosynthetic pathway, including precursors, intermediates, and end products. The basic biosynthetic pathways of representative PSMs are summarized, providing potential target enzymes of stress-mediated regulation and responses. Multiple metabolic pathways share the same origin, and the common enzymes are frequently to be the targets of metabolic regulation. Most biosynthetic pathways are controlled by different environmental and genetic factors. Here, we summarized the effects of environmental factors, including abiotic and biotic stresses, on PSM biosynthesis in various plants. We also discuss the positive and negative transcription factors involved in various PSM biosynthetic pathways. The potential target genes of the stress-related transcription factors were also summarized. We further found that the downstream targets of these Transcription factors (TFs) are frequently enriched in the synthesis pathway of precursors, suggesting an effective role of precursors in enhancing of terminal products. The present review provides valuable insights regarding screening targets and regulators involved in PSM-mediated plant protection in non-model plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaori Zhan
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement and Quality Control of Medicinal Plants, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhehao Chen
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Rong Chen
- School of Public Health, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chenjia Shen
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement and Quality Control of Medicinal Plants, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
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20
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Li K, Chen X, Zhang J, Wang C, Xu Q, Hu J, Kai G, Feng Y. Transcriptome Analysis of Stephania tetrandra and Characterization of Norcoclaurine-6-O-Methyltransferase Involved in Benzylisoquinoline Alkaloid Biosynthesis. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:874583. [PMID: 35432428 PMCID: PMC9009073 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.874583] [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: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Stephania tetrandra (S. Moore) is a source of traditional Chinese medicine that is widely used to treat rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, edema, and hypertension. Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) are the main bioactive compounds. However, the current understanding of the biosynthesis of BIAs in S. tetrandra is poor. Metabolite and transcriptomic analyses of the stem, leaf, xylem, and epidermis of S. tetrandra were performed to identify candidate genes associated with BIAs biosynthesis. According to the metabolite analysis, the majority of the BIAs accumulated in the root, especially in the epidermis. Transcriptome sequencing revealed a total of 113,338 unigenes that were generated by de novo assembly. Among them, 79,638 unigenes were successfully annotated, and 42 candidate structural genes associated with 15 steps of BIA biosynthesis identified. Additionally, a new (S)-norcoclaurine-6-O-methyltransferase (6OMT) gene was identified in S. tetrandra, named St6OMT2. Recombinant St6OMT2 catalyzed (S)-norcoclaurine methylation to form (S)-coclaurine in vitro. Maximum activity of St6OMT2 was determined at 30°C and pH 6.0 in NaAc-HAc buffer. Its half-life at 50°C was 22 min with the Km and kcat of 28.2 μM and 1.5 s-1, respectively. Our results provide crucial transcriptome information for S. tetrandra, shedding light on the understanding of BIAs biosynthesis and further gene functional characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunlun Li
- Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biotechnology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuefei Chen
- Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biotechnology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianbo Zhang
- Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biotechnology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Can Wang
- Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biotechnology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiwei Xu
- Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biotechnology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiangning Hu
- Zhejiang Conba Pharmaceutical Limited Company, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutical Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guoyin Kai
- Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biotechnology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yue Feng
- Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biotechnology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
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21
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Potential Therapeutic Applications of Plant-Derived Alkaloids against Inflammatory and Neurodegenerative Diseases. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:7299778. [PMID: 35310033 PMCID: PMC8926539 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7299778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Alkaloids are a type of natural compound possessing different pharmacological activities. Natural products, including alkaloids, which originate from plants, have emerged as potential protective agents against neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs) and chronic inflammations. A wide array of prescription drugs are used against these conditions, however, not free of limitations of potency, side effects, and intolerability. In the context of personalized medicine, further research on alkaloids to unravel novel therapeutic approaches in reducing complications is critical. In this review, a systematic survey was executed to collect the literature on alkaloids and their health complications, from which we found that majority of alkaloids exhibit anti-inflammatory action via nuclear factor-κB and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and neuroprotective interaction through acetylcholinesterase (AChE), COX, and β-site amyloid precursor protein activity. In silico ADMET and ProTox-II-related descriptors were calculated to predict the pharmacological properties of 280 alkaloids isolated from traditional medicinal plants towards drug development. Out of which, eight alkaloids such as tetrahydropalmatine, berberine, tetrandrine, aloperine, sinomenine, oxymatrine, harmine, and galantamine are found to be optimal within the categorical range when compared to nicotine. These alkaloids could be exploited as starting materials for novel drug synthesis or, to a lesser extent, manage inflammation and neurodegenerative-related complications.
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22
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Cui X, Meng F, Pan X, Qiu X, Zhang S, Li C, Lu S. Chromosome-level genome assembly of Aristolochia contorta provides insights into the biosynthesis of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids and aristolochic acids. HORTICULTURE RESEARCH 2022; 9:uhac005. [PMID: 35147168 PMCID: PMC8973263 DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhac005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Aristolochic acids (AAs) and their derivatives exist in multiple Aristolochiaceae species which had been or are being used as medicinal materials. During the past decades, AAs have received increasing attention due to their nephrotoxicity and carcinogenecity. Elimination of AAs in medicinal materials using biotechnological approaches is important to improve medication safety. However, it has not been achieved because of the limited information of AA biosynthesis available. Here, we report a high-quality reference-grade genome assembly of the AA-containing vine, Aristolochia contorta. Total size of the assembly is 209.27 Mb, which is assembled into 7 pseudochromosomes. Synteny analysis, Ks distribution and 4DTv suggest absences of whole-genome duplication events in A. contorta after the angiosperm-wide WGD. Based on genomic, transcriptomic and metabolic data, pathways and candidate genes of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid (BIA) and AA biosynthesis in A. contorta were proposed. Five O-methyltransferase genes, including AcOMT1-3, AcOMT5 and AcOMT7, were cloned and functionally characterized. The results provide a high-quality reference genome for AA-containing species of Aristolochiaceae. It lays a solid foundation for further elucidation of AA biosynthesis and regulation and molecular breeding of Aristolochiaceae medicinal materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyun Cui
- Medicinal Plant Cultivation Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Fanqi Meng
- Medicinal Plant Cultivation Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xian Pan
- Medicinal Plant Cultivation Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Qiu
- Medicinal Plant Cultivation Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Sixuan Zhang
- Medicinal Plant Cultivation Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Caili Li
- Medicinal Plant Cultivation Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shanfa Lu
- Medicinal Plant Cultivation Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
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23
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Zhong F, Chen Y, Chen J, Liao H, Li Y, Ma Y. Jatrorrhizine: A Review of Sources, Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics and Toxicity. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:783127. [PMID: 35095493 PMCID: PMC8793695 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.783127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Jatrorrhizine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, is a bioactive metabolite in common medicinal plants, such as Berberis vernae Schneid., Tinospora sagittata (Oliv.) Gagnep. and Coptis chinensis Franch. These plants have been used for centuries in traditional medicine for their wide-ranging pharmacological properties. This review emphasizes the latest and comprehensive information on the sources, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and toxicity of jatrorrhizine. Studies on this alkaloid were collected from scientific internet databases, including the Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, Elsevier, Springer, Wiley Online Library and Europe PMC and CNKI, using a combination of keywords involving “jatrorrhizine”, “sources”, “pharmacology,” “pharmacokinetics,” and “toxicology”. Jatrorrhizine exhibits anti-diabetic, antimicrobial, antiprotozoal, anticancer, anti-obesity and hypolipidemic properties, along with central nervous system activities and other beneficial activity. Studies of jatrorrhizine have laid the foundation for its application to the treatment of various diseases, but some issues still exist. Further investigations might emphasize 1) specific curative mechanisms of jatrorrhizine and clinical utility, 2) application prospect in the treatment of metabolic disorders, 3) comprehensive investigations of the toxicity mechanisms and 4) interactions of jatrorrhizine with other pharmaceuticals and development of derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Furong Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Characteristic Chinese Medicine Resources in Southwest China, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.,School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Characteristic Chinese Medicine Resources in Southwest China, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.,School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jia Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Characteristic Chinese Medicine Resources in Southwest China, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.,School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Hailang Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Characteristic Chinese Medicine Resources in Southwest China, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.,School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yirou Li
- State Key Laboratory of Characteristic Chinese Medicine Resources in Southwest China, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.,School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuntong Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Characteristic Chinese Medicine Resources in Southwest China, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.,School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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24
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Complete biosynthesis of the bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids guattegaumerine and berbamunine in yeast. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2112520118. [PMID: 34903659 PMCID: PMC8713753 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2112520118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
This work demonstrates microbial biosynthesis of bisbenzylisoquinoline (bisBIA) alkaloids. We show that several didomain epimerases can function in yeast to epimerize the nonnative substrate N-methylcoclaurine, an essential step in bisBIA biosynthesis. The N-methylcoclaurine epimerase activity was increased 10-fold by combining individual reductase and oxidase domains from different plant species. Strain engineering and optimization of media and growth conditions increased the bisBIA titer over 10,000-fold. We show that strains can be engineered to primarily produce one bisBIA product by selection of the cytochrome P450 variant that couples the monomer BIA subunits. We then leverage our bisBIA biosynthetic strain as a platform for the screening of other plant enzymes to produce two additional plant natural products de novo in a heterologous host. Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) are a diverse class of medicinal plant natural products. Nearly 500 dimeric bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids (bisBIAs), produced by the coupling of two BIA monomers, have been characterized and display a range of pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and antiarrhythmic activities. In recent years, microbial platforms have been engineered to produce several classes of BIAs, which are rare or difficult to obtain from natural plant hosts, including protoberberines, morphinans, and phthalideisoquinolines. However, the heterologous biosyntheses of bisBIAs have thus far been largely unexplored. Here, we describe the engineering of yeast strains that produce the Type I bisBIAs guattegaumerine and berbamunine de novo. Through strain engineering, protein engineering, and optimization of growth conditions, a 10,000-fold improvement in the production of guattegaumerine, the major bisBIA pathway product, was observed. By replacing the cytochrome P450 used in the final coupling reaction with a chimeric variant, the product profile was inverted to instead produce solely berbamunine. Our highest titer engineered yeast strains produced 108 and 25 mg/L of guattegaumerine and berbamunine, respectively. Finally, the inclusion of two additional putative BIA biosynthesis enzymes, SiCNMT2 and NnOMT5, into our bisBIA biosynthetic strains enabled the production of two derivatives of bisBIA pathway intermediates de novo: magnocurarine and armepavine. The de novo heterologous biosyntheses of bisBIAs presented here provide the foundation for the production of additional medicinal bisBIAs in yeast.
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25
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Hao DC, Li P, Xiao PG, He CN. Dissection of full-length transcriptome and metabolome of Dichocarpum (Ranunculaceae): implications in evolution of specialized metabolism of Ranunculales medicinal plants. PeerJ 2021; 9:e12428. [PMID: 34760397 PMCID: PMC8574218 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Several main families of Ranunculales are rich in alkaloids and other medicinal compounds; many species of these families are used in traditional and folk medicine. Dichocarpum is a representative medicinal genus of Ranunculaceae, but the genetic basis of its metabolic phenotype has not been investigated, which hinders its sustainable conservation and utilization. We use the third-generation high-throughput sequencing and metabolomic techniques to decipher the full-length transcriptomes and metabolomes of five Dichocarpum species endemic in China, and 71,598 non-redundant full-length transcripts were obtained, many of which are involved in defense, stress response and immunity, especially those participating in the biosynthesis of specialized metabolites such as benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs). Twenty-seven orthologs extracted from trancriptome datasets were concatenated to reconstruct the phylogenetic tree, which was verified by the clustering analysis based on the metabolomic profile and agreed with the Pearson correlation between gene expression patterns of Dichocarpum species. The phylogenomic analysis of phytometabolite biosynthesis genes, e.g., (S)-norcoclaurine synthase, methyltransferases, cytochrome p450 monooxygenases, berberine bridge enzyme and (S)-tetrahydroprotoberberine oxidase, revealed the evolutionary trajectories leading to the chemodiversity, especially that of protoberberine type, aporphine type and bis-BIA abundant in Dichocarpum and related genera. The biosynthesis pathways of these BIAs are proposed based on full-length transcriptomes and metabolomes of Dichocarpum. Within Ranunculales, the gene duplications are common, and a unique whole genome duplication is possible in Dichocarpum. The extensive correlations between metabolite content and gene expression support the co-evolution of various genes essential for the production of different specialized metabolites. Our study provides insights into the transcriptomic and metabolomic landscapes of Dichocarpum, which will assist further studies on genomics and application of Ranunculales plants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pei Li
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Pei-Gen Xiao
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chun-Nian He
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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26
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Plant isoquinoline alkaloids: Advances in the chemistry and biology of berberine. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 226:113839. [PMID: 34536668 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Alkaloids are one of the most important classes of plant bioactives. Among these isoquinoline alkaloids possess varied structures and exhibit numerous biological activities. Basically these are biosynthetically produced via phenylpropanoid pathway. However, occasionally some mixed pathways may also occur to provide structural divergence. Among the various biological activities anticancer, antidiabetic, antiinflammatory, and antimicrobial are important. A few notable bioactive isoquinoline alkaloids are antidiabetic berberine, anti-tussive codeine, analgesic morphine, and muscle relaxant papaverine etc. Berberine is one of the most discussed bioactives from this class possessing broad-spectrum pharmacological activities. Present review aims at recent updates of isoquinoline alkaloids with major emphasis on berberine, its detailed chemistry, important biological activities, structure activity relationship and implementation in future research.
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Gene Expression and Isoform Identification of PacBio Full-Length cDNA Sequences for Berberine Biosynthesis in Berberis koreana. PLANTS 2021; 10:plants10071314. [PMID: 34203474 PMCID: PMC8308982 DOI: 10.3390/plants10071314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Berberis koreana is a medicinal plant containing berberine, which is a bioactive compound of the benzylisoquinoline alkaloid (BIA) class. BIA is widely used in the food and drug industry for its health benefits. To investigate the berberine biosynthesis pathway, gene expression analysis was performed in leaves, flowers, and fruits at different stages of growth. This was followed by full-length cDNA sequencing analysis using the PacBio sequencer platform to determine the number of isoforms of those expressed genes. We identified 23,246 full-length unigenes, among which 8479 had more than one isoform. The number of isoforms ranged between two to thirty-one among all genes. Complete isoform analysis was carried out on the unigenes encoding BIA synthesis. Thirteen of the sixteen genes encoding enzymes for berberine synthesis were present in more than one copy. This demonstrates that gene duplication and translation into isoforms may contribute to the functional specificity of the duplicated genes and isoforms in plant alkaloid synthesis. Our study also demonstrated the streamlining of berberine biosynthesis via the absence of genes for enzymes of other BIAs, but the presence of all the genes for berberine biosynthesize in B. koreana. In addition to genes encoding enzymes for the berberine biosynthesis pathway, the genes encoding enzymes for other BIAs were not present in our dataset except for those encoding corytuberine synthase (CTS) and berbamunine synthase (BS). Therefore, this explains how B. koreana produces berberine by blocking the pathways leading to other BIAs, effectively only allowing the pathway to lead to berberine synthesis.
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28
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Liu Y, Wang B, Shu S, Li Z, Song C, Liu D, Niu Y, Liu J, Zhang J, Liu H, Hu Z, Huang B, Liu X, Liu W, Jiang L, Alami MM, Zhou Y, Ma Y, He X, Yang Y, Zhang T, Hu H, Barker MS, Chen S, Wang X, Nie J. Analysis of the Coptis chinensis genome reveals the diversification of protoberberine-type alkaloids. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3276. [PMID: 34078898 PMCID: PMC8172641 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23611-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Chinese goldthread (Coptis chinensis Franch.), a member of the Ranunculales, represents an important early-diverging eudicot lineage with diverse medicinal applications. Here, we present a high-quality chromosome-scale genome assembly and annotation of C. chinensis. Phylogenetic and comparative genomic analyses reveal the phylogenetic placement of this species and identify a single round of ancient whole-genome duplication (WGD) shared by the Ranunculaceae. We characterize genes involved in the biosynthesis of protoberberine-type alkaloids in C. chinensis. In particular, local genomic tandem duplications contribute to member amplification of a Ranunculales clade-specific gene family of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 719. The functional versatility of a key CYP719 gene that encodes the (S)-canadine synthase enzyme involved in the berberine biosynthesis pathway may play critical roles in the diversification of other berberine-related alkaloids in C. chinensis. Our study provides insights into the genomic landscape of early-diverging eudicots and provides a valuable model genome for genetic and applied studies of Ranunculales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifei Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China.
| | - Bo Wang
- Hubei Institute for Drug Control, Wuhan, China
| | - Shaohua Shu
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zheng Li
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Chi Song
- Wuhan Benagen Tech Solutions Company Limited, Wuhan, China
| | - Di Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Niu
- Wuhan Benagen Tech Solutions Company Limited, Wuhan, China
| | - Jinxin Liu
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jingjing Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Heping Liu
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhigang Hu
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Bisheng Huang
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiuyu Liu
- National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Liping Jiang
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | | | - Yuxin Zhou
- Hubei Institute for Drug Control, Wuhan, China
| | - Yutao Ma
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiangxiang He
- Wuhan Benagen Tech Solutions Company Limited, Wuhan, China
| | - Yicheng Yang
- Wuhan Benagen Tech Solutions Company Limited, Wuhan, China
| | - Tianyuan Zhang
- Wuhan Benagen Tech Solutions Company Limited, Wuhan, China
| | - Hui Hu
- Jing Brand Chizhengtang Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Huangshi, China
| | - Michael S Barker
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Shilin Chen
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Xuekui Wang
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Jing Nie
- Hubei Institute for Drug Control, Wuhan, China.
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29
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Chen DX, Pan Y, Wang Y, Cui YZ, Zhang YJ, Mo RY, Wu XL, Tan J, Zhang J, Guo LA, Zhao X, Jiang W, Sun TL, Hu XD, Li LY. The chromosome-level reference genome of Coptis chinensis provides insights into genomic evolution and berberine biosynthesis. HORTICULTURE RESEARCH 2021; 8:121. [PMID: 34059652 PMCID: PMC8166882 DOI: 10.1038/s41438-021-00559-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Coptis chinensis Franch, a perennial herb, is mainly distributed in southeastern China. The rhizome of C. chinensis has been used as a traditional medicine for more than 2000 years in China and many other Asian countries. The pharmacological activities of C. chinensis have been validated by research. Here, we present a de novo high-quality genome of C. chinensis with a chromosome-level genome of ~958.20 Mb, a contig N50 of 1.58 Mb, and a scaffold N50 of 4.53 Mb. We found that the relatively large genome size of C. chinensis was caused by the amplification of long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons. In addition, a whole-genome duplication event in ancestral Ranunculales was discovered. Comparative genomic analysis revealed that the tyrosine decarboxylase (TYDC) and (S)-norcoclaurine synthase (NCS) genes were expanded and that the aspartate aminotransferase gene (ASP5) was positively selected in the berberine metabolic pathway. Expression level and HPLC analyses showed that the berberine content was highest in the roots of C. chinensis in the third and fourth years. The chromosome-level reference genome of C. chinensis provides important genomic data for molecular-assisted breeding and active ingredient biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da-Xia Chen
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, 400065, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fine Variety Breeding Techniques of Chinese Materia Medica, 400065, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Sub-center of National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, 400065, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuan Pan
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, 400065, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fine Variety Breeding Techniques of Chinese Materia Medica, 400065, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Sub-center of National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, 400065, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, 400065, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fine Variety Breeding Techniques of Chinese Materia Medica, 400065, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Sub-center of National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, 400065, Chongqing, China
| | - Yan-Ze Cui
- Novogene Bioinformatics Institute, Building 301, Zone A10 Jiuxianqiao North 13 Road, Chaoyang District, 100083, Beijing, China
| | - Ying-Jun Zhang
- Novogene Bioinformatics Institute, Building 301, Zone A10 Jiuxianqiao North 13 Road, Chaoyang District, 100083, Beijing, China
| | - Rang-Yu Mo
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, 400065, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fine Variety Breeding Techniques of Chinese Materia Medica, 400065, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Sub-center of National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, 400065, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiao-Li Wu
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, 400065, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fine Variety Breeding Techniques of Chinese Materia Medica, 400065, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Sub-center of National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, 400065, Chongqing, China
| | - Jun Tan
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, 400065, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fine Variety Breeding Techniques of Chinese Materia Medica, 400065, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Sub-center of National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, 400065, Chongqing, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, 400065, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fine Variety Breeding Techniques of Chinese Materia Medica, 400065, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Sub-center of National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, 400065, Chongqing, China
| | - Lian-An Guo
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, 400065, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fine Variety Breeding Techniques of Chinese Materia Medica, 400065, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Sub-center of National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, 400065, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiao Zhao
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, 400065, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fine Variety Breeding Techniques of Chinese Materia Medica, 400065, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Sub-center of National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, 400065, Chongqing, China
| | - Wenkai Jiang
- Novogene Bioinformatics Institute, Building 301, Zone A10 Jiuxianqiao North 13 Road, Chaoyang District, 100083, Beijing, China
| | - Tian-Lin Sun
- Novogene Bioinformatics Institute, Building 301, Zone A10 Jiuxianqiao North 13 Road, Chaoyang District, 100083, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Di Hu
- Novogene Bioinformatics Institute, Building 301, Zone A10 Jiuxianqiao North 13 Road, Chaoyang District, 100083, Beijing, China.
| | - Long-Yun Li
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, 400065, Chongqing, China.
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fine Variety Breeding Techniques of Chinese Materia Medica, 400065, Chongqing, China.
- Chongqing Sub-center of National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, 400065, Chongqing, China.
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Su X, Liu Y, Han L, Wang Z, Cao M, Wu L, Jiang W, Meng F, Guo X, Yu N, Gui S, Xing S, Peng D. A candidate gene identified in converting platycoside E to platycodin D from Platycodon grandiflorus by transcriptome and main metabolites analysis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9810. [PMID: 33963244 PMCID: PMC8105318 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89294-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Platycodin D and platycoside E are two triterpenoid saponins in Platycodon grandiflorus, differing only by two glycosyl groups structurally. Studies have shown β-Glucosidase from bacteria can convert platycoside E to platycodin D, indicating the potential existence of similar enzymes in P. grandiflorus. An L9(34) orthogonal experiment was performed to establish a protocol for calli induction as follows: the optimal explant is stems with nodes and the optimum medium formula is MS + NAA 1.0 mg/L + 6-BA 0.5 mg/L to obtain callus for experimental use. The platycodin D, platycoside E and total polysaccharides content between callus and plant organs varied wildly. Platycodin D and total polysaccharide content of calli was found higher than that of leaves. While, platycoside E and total polysaccharide content of calli was found lower than that of leaves. Associating platycodin D and platycoside E content with the expression level of genes involved in triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis between calli and leaves, three contigs were screened as putative sequences of β-Glucosidase gene converting platycoside E to platycodin D. Besides, we inferred that some transcription factors can regulate the expression of key enzymes involved in triterpernoid saponins and polysaccharides biosynthesis pathway of P. grandiflorus. Totally, a candidate gene encoding enzyme involved in converting platycoside E to platycodin D, and putative genes involved in polysaccharide synthesis in P. grandiflorus had been identified. This study will help uncover the molecular mechanism of triterpenoid saponins biosynthesis in P. grandiflorus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinglong Su
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China.,Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine Resources Protection and Development, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Yingying Liu
- College of Humanities and International Education Exchange, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Lu Han
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Zhaojian Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China.,Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine Resources Protection and Development, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Mengyang Cao
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China.,Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine Resources Protection and Development, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Liping Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Weimin Jiang
- College of Life Sciences and Environment, Hengyang Normal University, Hengyang, 421008, Hunan, China
| | - Fei Meng
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Xiaohu Guo
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Nianjun Yu
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Shuangying Gui
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Preparation Technology and Application, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Shihai Xing
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China.,Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine Resources Protection and Development, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Research and Development of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China.
| | - Daiyin Peng
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China.,Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine Resources Protection and Development, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China.,Synergetic Innovation Center of Anhui Authentic Chinese Medicine Quality Improvement, Hefei, 230038, China.
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31
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Coptisine, a protoberberine alkaloid, relaxes mouse airway smooth muscle via blockade of VDLCCs and NSCCs. Biosci Rep 2021; 40:222118. [PMID: 32095824 PMCID: PMC7042126 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20190534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/Aims: Recently, effective and purified ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) were extracted to play crucial roles in the treatment of pulmonary diseases. Our previous research focused on TCM drug screening aimed at abnormal airway muscle contraction during respiratory diseases. Coptisine, an effective ingredient extracted from bitter herbs has shown a series of antioxidant, antibacterial, cardioprotective and neuroprotective pharmacological properties. In the current study, we questioned whether coptisine could also participate in asthma treatment through relaxing abnormal contracted mouse airway smooth muscle (ASM). The present study aimed to characterize the relaxant effects of coptisine on mouse ASM and uncover the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods: To investigate the role of coptisine on pre-contracted mouse ASM, a series of biological techniques, including force measurement and patch-clamp experiments were employed. Results: Coptisine was found to inhibit high K+ or acetylcholine chloride (ACh)-induced pre-contracted mouse tracheal rings in a dose-dependent manner. Further research demonstrated that the coptisine-induced mouse ASM relaxation was mediated by alteration of calcium mobilization via voltage-dependent L-type Ca2+ channels (VDLCCs) and non-selective cation channels (NSCCs). Conclusion: Our data showed that mouse ASM could be relaxed by coptisine via altering the intracellular Ca2+ concentration through blocking VDLCCs and NSCCs, which suggested that this pharmacological active constituent might be classified as a potential new drug for the treatment of abnormal airway muscle contraction.
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Xu D, Lin H, Tang Y, Huang L, Xu J, Nian S, Zhao Y. Integration of full-length transcriptomics and targeted metabolomics to identify benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes in Corydalis yanhusuo. HORTICULTURE RESEARCH 2021; 8:16. [PMID: 33423040 PMCID: PMC7797006 DOI: 10.1038/s41438-020-00450-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Corydalis yanhusuo W.T. Wang is a classic herb that is frequently used in traditional Chinese medicine and is efficacious in promoting blood circulation, enhancing energy, and relieving pain. Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) are the main bioactive ingredients in Corydalis yanhusuo. However, few studies have investigated the BIA biosynthetic pathway in C. yanhusuo, and the biosynthetic pathway of species-specific chemicals such as tetrahydropalmatine remains unclear. We performed full-length transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses to identify candidate genes that might be involved in BIA biosynthesis and identified a total of 101 full-length transcripts and 19 metabolites involved in the BIA biosynthetic pathway. Moreover, the contents of 19 representative BIAs in C. yanhusuo were quantified by classical targeted metabolomic approaches. Their accumulation in the tuber was consistent with the expression patterns of identified BIA biosynthetic genes in tubers and leaves, which reinforces the validity and reliability of the analyses. Full-length genes with similar expression or enrichment patterns were identified, and a complete BIA biosynthesis pathway in C. yanhusuo was constructed according to these findings. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a total of ten enzymes that may possess columbamine-O-methyltransferase activity, which is the final step for tetrahydropalmatine synthesis. Our results span the whole BIA biosynthetic pathway in C. yanhusuo. Our full-length transcriptomic data will enable further molecular cloning of enzymes and activity validation studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingqiao Xu
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, 712046, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hanfeng Lin
- Department of Resources Science of Traditional Chinese Medicines and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 210009, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuping Tang
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, 712046, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lu Huang
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, 712046, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jian Xu
- Department of Resources Science of Traditional Chinese Medicines and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 210009, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Sihui Nian
- Institute of Modern Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Wannan Medical College, 241002, Wuhu, Anhui, China.
| | - Yucheng Zhao
- Department of Resources Science of Traditional Chinese Medicines and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 210009, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
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Li Q, Bu J, Ma Y, Yang J, Hu Z, Lai C, Xu Y, Tang J, Cui G, Wang Y, Zhao Y, Jin B, Shen Y, Guo J, Huang L. Characterization of O-methyltransferases involved in the biosynthesis of tetrandrine in Stephania tetrandra. JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 250:153181. [PMID: 32460036 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2020.153181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Tetrandrine is the most effective small molecule that has been found to inhibit the Ebola virus. It is a typical bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid and is the main active ingredient in Stephania tetrandra. Metabolic engineering and synthetic biology are potential methods for efficient and rapid acquisition of tetrandrine. S-adenosyl-L-methionine: (S)-norcoclaurine-6-O-methyltransferase (6OMT) is a rate-limiting step involved in the biosynthesis of tetrandrine. In this study, we identify S-adenosyl-L-methionine: (S)-norcoclaurine-6-O-methyltransferase from S. tetrandra, which catalyzes the conversion of (S)-norcoclaurine to (S)-coclaurine. Four 6OMT-like genes were cloned from S. tetrandra. An in vitro enzyme assay showed that St6OMT1 could catalyze the conversion of (S)-norcoclaurine to produce (S)-coclaurine. St6OMT2 can catalyze the production of very few (S)-coclaurine molecules, accompanied by more by-products with m/z 300, compared to St6OMT1. The newly discovered 6OMTs will provide an optional genetic component for benzylisoquinoline alkaloid (BIA) synthetic biology research. This work will lay the foundation for the analysis of the biosynthetic pathway of tetrandrine in S. tetrandra.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qishuang Li
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, No. 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, China; State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Junling Bu
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Ying Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Jian Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Zhimin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Changjiangsheng Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Yanqin Xu
- College of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 1688 Meilin Avenue, Nanchang 330004, China.
| | - Jinfu Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Guanghong Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Yanan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Yujun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Baolong Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Ye Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Juan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Luqi Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 South Side Street, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100700, China.
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Yan X, Qin X, Li W, Liang D, Qiao J, Li Y. Functional characterization and catalytic activity improvement of BAHD acyltransferase from Celastrus angulatus Maxim. PLANTA 2020; 252:6. [PMID: 32556997 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-020-03413-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
A BAHD terpene alcohol acyltransferase, CaAT20, was identified from Celastrus angulatus Maxim, expressed in E. coli and functionally characterized. S405A mutant of CaAT20 increased the enzyme activity. Acylation is a diversely physiological process in the biosynthesis of plant secondary metabolites. Plant BAHD acyltransferases play an important role in the modification of volatile esters with biological activities. In this research, a BAHD acyltransferase (CaAT20) was identified from Celastrus angulatus Maxim and the function of this enzyme was characterized. CaAT20 could convert geraniol to geranyl esters by using benzoyl-CoA and acetyl-CoA as the acyl donors respectively. Furthermore, the catalytic activity of CaAT20 for benzoyl-CoA was higher than that of acetyl-CoA. Site-directed mutation of CaAT20 was carried out based on the results of molecular simulation. In vitro site-directed mutant S405A of CaAT20 increased the volume of binding cavity so as to facilitate the entry of geraniol, indicating a more efficient acylation for geraniol and benzoyl-CoA. Our research provides new insight for the catalytic functions of CaAT20.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoguang Yan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China
- SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyu Qin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China
- SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiguo Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China
- SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongmei Liang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China
- SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianjun Qiao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China
- SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanni Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China.
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Liu L, He L, Yin C, Huang R, Shen W, Ge H, Sun M, Li S, Gao Y, Xiong W. Effects of palmatine on BDNF/TrkB-mediated trigeminal neuralgia. Sci Rep 2020; 10:4998. [PMID: 32193501 PMCID: PMC7081188 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-61969-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN), a sudden, needle-like pain in the distribution area of the trigeminal nerve, can seriously affect the physical and mental health of patients. In chronic pain conditions including TN, increased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may enhance pain transmission. This study compares the effect of palmatine administration on the expression of BDNF and its receptor TrkB (tropomyosin receptor kinase B) in trigeminal ganglion cells of Sprague-Dawley rats in a sham versus TN model group. Within 14 days of surgery, the mechanical allodynia threshold of the TN group was significantly lower than that of the sham group, while the TN + palmatine group had a higher mechanical pain sensitivity threshold than the TN group (p < 0.05). Real-time quantitative PCR, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence showed that BDNF and TrkB expression in the TN group was higher than that in the sham group, while palmatine treatment could reverse these changes. Western blotting showed that palmatine treatment could reduce the elevated phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) in TN rats. Thus, the BDNF/TrkB pathway may be involved in the pain transmission process of TN, and palmatine treatment may reduce pain transmission by inhibiting the BDNF/TrkB pathway and suppressing ERK1/2 phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Liu
- Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Lingkun He
- Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Cancan Yin
- Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Ruoyu Huang
- Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Wenhao Shen
- Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Huixiang Ge
- Department of Physiology, Basic Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Mengyun Sun
- Department of Physiology, Basic Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Shujuan Li
- Second Clinic Medical College of Grade 2017, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yun Gao
- Department of Physiology, Basic Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
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Zhong F, Huang L, Qi L, Ma Y, Yan Z. Full-length transcriptome analysis of Coptis deltoidea and identification of putative genes involved in benzylisoquinoline alkaloids biosynthesis based on combined sequencing platforms. PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 102:477-499. [PMID: 31902069 DOI: 10.1007/s11103-019-00959-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The study carry out comprehensive transcriptome analysis of C. deltoidea and exploration of BIAs biosynthesis and accumulation based on UHPLC-MS/MS and combined sequencing platforms. Coptis deltoidea is an important medicinal plant with a long history of medicinal use, which is rich in benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs). In this study, Ultra performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS) and combined sequencing platforms were performed for exploration of BIAs biosynthesis, accumulation and comprehensive transcriptome analysis of C. deltoidea. By metabolism profiling, the accumulation of ten BIAs was analyzed using UHPLC-MS/MS and different contents were observed in different organs. From transcriptome sequencing result, we applied single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing to C. deltoidea and generated a total of 75,438 full-length transcripts. We proposed the candidate biosynthetic pathway of tyrosine, precursor of BIAs, and identified 64 full length-transcripts encoding enzymes putatively involved in BIAs biosynthesis. RNA-Seq data indicated that the majority of genes exhibited relatively high expression level in roots. Transport of BIAs was also important for their accumulation. Here, 9 ABC transporters and 2 MATE transporters highly homologous to known alkaloid transporters related with BIAs transport in roots and rhizomes were identified. These findings based on the combined sequencing platforms provide valuable genetic information for C. deltoidea and the results of transcriptome combined with metabolome analysis can help us better understand BIAs biosynthesis and transport in this medicinal plant. The information will be critical for further characterization of C. deltoidea transcriptome and molecular-assisted breeding for this medicinal plant with scarce resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Furong Zhong
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Systematic Research, Development and Utilization of Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Ling Huang
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Systematic Research, Development and Utilization of Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Luming Qi
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Systematic Research, Development and Utilization of Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Yuntong Ma
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Systematic Research, Development and Utilization of Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China.
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China.
| | - Zhuyun Yan
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Systematic Research, Development and Utilization of Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
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Menéndez-Perdomo IM, Facchini PJ. Isolation and characterization of two O-methyltransferases involved in benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis in sacred lotus ( Nelumbo nucifera). J Biol Chem 2020; 295:1598-1612. [PMID: 31914404 PMCID: PMC7008365 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.011547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 12/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) are a major class of plant metabolites with many pharmacological benefits. Sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is an ancient aquatic plant of medicinal value because of antiviral and immunomodulatory activities linked to its constituent BIAs. Although more than 30 BIAs belonging to the 1-benzylisoquinoline, aporphine, and bisbenzylisoquinoline structural subclasses and displaying a predominant R-enantiomeric conformation have been isolated from N. nucifera, its BIA biosynthetic genes and enzymes remain unknown. Herein, we report the isolation and biochemical characterization of two O-methyltransferases (OMTs) involved in BIA biosynthesis in sacred lotus. Five homologous genes, designated NnOMT1-5 and encoding polypeptides sharing >40% amino acid sequence identity, were expressed in Escherichia coli Functional characterization of the purified recombinant proteins revealed that NnOMT1 is a regiospecific 1-benzylisoquinoline 6-O-methyltransferase (6OMT) accepting both R- and S-substrates, whereas NnOMT5 is mainly a 7-O-methyltransferase (7OMT), with relatively minor 6OMT activity and a strong stereospecific preference for S-enantiomers. Available aporphines were not accepted as substrates by either enzyme, suggesting that O-methylation precedes BIA formation from 1-benzylisoquinoline intermediates. Km values for NnOMT1 and NnOMT5 were 20 and 13 μm for (R,S)-norcoclaurine and (S)-N-methylcoclaurine, respectively, similar to those for OMTs from other BIA-producing plants. Organ-based correlations of alkaloid content, OMT activity in crude extracts, and OMT gene expression supported physiological roles for NnOMT1 and NnOMT5 in BIA metabolism, occurring primarily in young leaves and embryos of sacred lotus. In summary, our work identifies two OMTs involved in BIA metabolism in the medicinal plant N. nucifera.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter J Facchini
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada.
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Identification and characterization of methyltransferases involved in benzylisoquinoline alkaloids biosynthesis from Stephania intermedia. Biotechnol Lett 2019; 42:461-469. [DOI: 10.1007/s10529-019-02785-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Morris JS, Facchini PJ. Molecular Origins of Functional Diversity in Benzylisoquinoline Alkaloid Methyltransferases. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 10:1058. [PMID: 31543888 PMCID: PMC6730481 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.01058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
O- and N-methylations are ubiquitous and recurring features in the biosynthesis of many specialized metabolites. Accordingly, the methyltransferase (MT) enzymes catalyzing these modifications are directly responsible for a substantial fraction of the vast chemodiversity observed in plants. Enabled by DNA sequencing and synthesizing technologies, recent studies have revealed and experimentally validated the trajectories of molecular evolution through which MTs, such as those biosynthesizing caffeine, emerge and shape plant chemistry. Despite these advances, the evolutionary origins of many other alkaloid MTs are still unclear. Focusing on benzylisoquinoline alkaloid (BIA)-producing plants such as opium poppy, we review the functional breadth of BIA N- and O-MT enzymes and their relationship with the chemical diversity of their host species. Drawing on recent structural studies, we discuss newfound insight regarding the molecular determinants of BIA MT function and highlight key hypotheses to be tested. We explore what is known and suspected concerning the evolutionary histories of BIA MTs and show that substantial advances in this domain are within reach. This new knowledge is expected to greatly enhance our conceptual understanding of the evolutionary origins of specialized metabolism.
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A Multi-Level Strategy Based on Metabolic and Molecular Genetic Approaches for the Characterization of Different Coptis Medicines Using HPLC-UV and RAD-seq Techniques. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23123090. [PMID: 30486378 PMCID: PMC6321400 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23123090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Coptis plants (Ranunculaceae) to have played an important role in the prevention and treatment human diseases in Chinese history. In this study, a multi-level strategy based on metabolic and molecular genetic methods was performed for the characterization of four Coptis herbs (C. chinensis, C. deltoidea, C. omeiensis and C. teeta) using high performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) and restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq) techniques. Protoberberine alkaloids including berberine, palmatine, coptisine, epiberberine, columbamine, jatrorrhizine, magnoflorine and groenlandicine in rhizomes were identified and determined based on the HPLC-UV method. Among them, berberine was demonstrated as the most abundant compound in these plants. RAD-seq was applied to discover single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) data. A total of 44,747,016 reads were generated and 2,443,407 SNPs were identified in regarding to four plants. Additionally, with respect to complicated metabolic and SNP data, multivariable statistical methods of principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were successively applied to interpret the structure characteristics. The metabolic variation and genetic relationship among different Coptis plants were successfully illustrated based on data visualization. Summarily, this comprehensive strategy has been proven as a reliable and effective approach to characterize Coptis plants, which can provide additional information for their quality assessment.
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