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Li S, Zhou Z, Li Y, Hu Y, Huang Z, Hu G, Wang Y, Wang X, Lou Q, Gao L, Shen C, Gao R, Xu Z, Song J, Pu X. Construction of a high-efficiency GjCCD4a mutant and its application for de novo biosynthesis of five crocins in Escherichia coli. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 277:133985. [PMID: 39033887 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.133985] [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: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Crocins are bioactive natural products that rarely exist in plants. High costs and resource shortage severely limit its development and application. Synthetic biology studies on crocins are of considerable global interest. However, the lack of high-efficiency genetic tools and complex cascade biocatalytic systems have substantially hindered progress in crocin biosynthesis-related research. Based on mutagenesis, a high-efficiency GjCCD4a mutant (N212m) was constructed with a catalytic efficiency that was 25.08-fold higher than that of the wild-type. Solubilized GjCCD4a was expressed via fusion with an MBP tag. Moreover, N212m and ten other genes were introduced into Escherichia coli for the de novo biosynthesis of five crocins. The engineered E57 strain produced crocins III and V with a total yield of 11.50 mg/L, and the E579 strain produced crocins I-V with a total output of 8.43 mg/L at shake-flask level. This study identified a marvelous genetic element (N212m) for crocin biosynthesis and achieved its de novo biosynthesis in E. coli using glucose. This study provides a reference for the large-scale production of five crocins using E. coli cell factories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqi Li
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Ze Zhou
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Yufang Li
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Yan Hu
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Ziyi Huang
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Ge Hu
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Qian Lou
- Key Lab of Chinese Medicine Resources Conservation, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People's Republic of China, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Longlong Gao
- Key Lab of Chinese Medicine Resources Conservation, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People's Republic of China, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Chuanpu Shen
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Ranran Gao
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Zhichao Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Jingyuan Song
- Key Lab of Chinese Medicine Resources Conservation, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People's Republic of China, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Xiangdong Pu
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Granule, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
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2
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Eshaghi M, Rashidi-Monfared S. Co-regulatory network analysis of the main secondary metabolite (SM) biosynthesis in Crocus sativus L. Sci Rep 2024; 14:15839. [PMID: 38982154 PMCID: PMC11233700 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65870-z] [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: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is being embraced as the most important medicinal plant and the commercial source of saffron spice. Despite the beneficial economic and medicinal properties of saffron, the regulatory mechanism of the correlation of TFs and genes related to the biosynthesis of the apocarotenoids pathway is less obvious. Realizing these regulatory hierarchies of gene expression networks related to secondary metabolites production events is the main challenge owing to the complex and extensive interactions between the genetic behaviors. Recently, high throughput expression data have been highly feasible for constructing co-regulation networks to reveal the regulated processes and identifying novel candidate hub genes in response to complex processes of the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Herein, we performed Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA), a systems biology method, to identify 11 regulated modules and hub TFs related to secondary metabolites. Three specialized modules were found in the apocarotenoids pathway. Several hub TFs were identified in notable modules, including MADS, C2H2, ERF, bZIP, HD-ZIP, and zinc finger protein MYB and HB, which were potentially associated with apocarotenoid biosynthesis. Furthermore, the expression levels of six hub TFs and six co-regulated genes of apocarotenoids were validated with RT-qPCR. The results confirmed that hub TFs specially MADS, C2H2, and ERF had a high correlation (P < 0.05) and a positive effect on genes under their control in apocarotenoid biosynthesis (CCD2, GLT2, and ADH) among different C. sativus ecotypes in which the metabolite contents were assayed. Promoter analysis of the co-expressed genes of the modules involved in apocarotenoids biosynthesis pathway suggested that not only are the genes co-expressed, but also share common regulatory motifs specially related to hub TFs of each module and that they may describe their common regulation. The result can be used to engineer valuable secondary metabolites of C. sativus by manipulating the hub regulatory TFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahsa Eshaghi
- Department of Plant Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sajad Rashidi-Monfared
- Department of Plant Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
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Hu M, Liu J, Gan Y, Zhu H, Han R, Liu K, Liu Y, Zhao M, Li X, Xue Z. N-terminal truncated phospholipase A1 accessory protein PlaS from Serratia marcescens alleviates inhibitory on host cell growth and enhances PlaA1 enzymatic activity. BIORESOUR BIOPROCESS 2024; 11:61. [PMID: 38916814 PMCID: PMC11199421 DOI: 10.1186/s40643-024-00777-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Phospholipase A1 (PLA1) is a kind of specific phospholipid hydrolase widely used in food, medical, textile. However, limitations in its expression and enzymatic activity have prompted the investigation of the phospholipase-assisting protein PlaS. In this study, we elucidate the role of PlaS in enhancing the expression and activity of PlaA1 through N-terminal truncation. Our research demonstrates that truncating the N-terminal region of PlaS effectively overcomes its inhibitory effect on host cells, resulting in improved cell growth and increased protein solubility of the protein. The yeast two-hybrid assay confirms the interaction between PlaA1 and N-terminal truncated PlaS (∆N27 PlaS), highlighting their binding capabilities. Furthermore, in vitro studies using Biacore analysis reveal a concentration-dependent and specific binding between PlaA1 and ∆N27 PlaS, exhibiting high affinity. Molecular docking analysis provides insights into the hydrogen bond interactions between ∆N27 PlaS and PlaA1, identifying key amino acid residues crucial for their binding. Finally, the enzyme activity of PLA1 was boost to 8.4 U/mL by orthogonal test. Study significantly contributes to the understanding of the interaction mechanism between PlaS and PlaA1, offering potential strategies for enhancing PlaA1 activity through protein engineering approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengkai Hu
- Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Microbiology Molecular Beeding of Anhui Province, College of Biologic & Food Engineering, Anhui Polytechnic University, 8 Middle Beijing Road, Wuhu, 241000, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Microbiology Molecular Beeding of Anhui Province, College of Biologic & Food Engineering, Anhui Polytechnic University, 8 Middle Beijing Road, Wuhu, 241000, China
| | - Yufei Gan
- Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Microbiology Molecular Beeding of Anhui Province, College of Biologic & Food Engineering, Anhui Polytechnic University, 8 Middle Beijing Road, Wuhu, 241000, China
| | - Hao Zhu
- Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Microbiology Molecular Beeding of Anhui Province, College of Biologic & Food Engineering, Anhui Polytechnic University, 8 Middle Beijing Road, Wuhu, 241000, China
| | - Rumeng Han
- Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Microbiology Molecular Beeding of Anhui Province, College of Biologic & Food Engineering, Anhui Polytechnic University, 8 Middle Beijing Road, Wuhu, 241000, China
| | - Kun Liu
- Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Microbiology Molecular Beeding of Anhui Province, College of Biologic & Food Engineering, Anhui Polytechnic University, 8 Middle Beijing Road, Wuhu, 241000, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Microbiology Molecular Beeding of Anhui Province, College of Biologic & Food Engineering, Anhui Polytechnic University, 8 Middle Beijing Road, Wuhu, 241000, China
| | - Ming Zhao
- Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Microbiology Molecular Beeding of Anhui Province, College of Biologic & Food Engineering, Anhui Polytechnic University, 8 Middle Beijing Road, Wuhu, 241000, China
| | - Xiangfei Li
- Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Microbiology Molecular Beeding of Anhui Province, College of Biologic & Food Engineering, Anhui Polytechnic University, 8 Middle Beijing Road, Wuhu, 241000, China.
| | - Zhenglian Xue
- Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Microbiology Molecular Beeding of Anhui Province, College of Biologic & Food Engineering, Anhui Polytechnic University, 8 Middle Beijing Road, Wuhu, 241000, China.
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Han X, Zhao J, Zhou H, Zhou X, Deng Z, Liu Z, Yu Y. The biosynthesis of asiaticoside and madecassoside reveals tandem duplication-directed evolution of glycoside glycosyltransferases in the Apiales. PLANT COMMUNICATIONS 2024:101005. [PMID: 38902923 DOI: 10.1016/j.xplc.2024.101005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Certain plant species within the Apiales order accumulate triterpenoid saponins that feature a distinctive glucose-glucose-rhamnose (G-G-R) sugar chain attached at the C-28 position of the pentacyclic triterpene skeleton. Until recently, the genomic basis underlying the biosynthesis and evolution of this sugar chain has remained elusive. In this study, we identified two novel glycoside glycosyltransferases (GGTs) that can sequentially install the sugar chain's second D-glucose and third L-rhamnose during the biosynthesis of asiaticoside and madecassoside, two representative G-G-R sugar chain-containing triterpenoid saponins produced by Centella asiatica. Enzymatic assays revealed the remarkable substrate promiscuity of the two GGTs and the key residues crucial for sugar-donor selectivity of the glucosyltransferase and rhamnosyltransferase. We further identified syntenic tandem gene duplicates of the two GGTs in the Apiaceae and Araliaceae families, suggesting a well-conserved genomic basis underlying sugar chain assembly that likely has evolved in the early ancestors of the Apiales order. Moreover, expression patterns of the two GGTs in pierced leaves of C. asiatica were found to be correlated with the production of asiaticoside and madecassoside, implying their involvement in host defense against herbivores and pathogens. Our work sheds light on the biosynthesis and evolution of complex saponin sugars, paving the way for future engineering of diverse bioactive triterpenoids with unique glycoforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyang Han
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Jingyi Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Hong Zhou
- Joint Center for Single Cell Biology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xuan Zhou
- Joint Center for Single Cell Biology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Zixin Deng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Zhenhua Liu
- Joint Center for Single Cell Biology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
| | - Yi Yu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; State Key Laboratory of Non-Food Biomass and Enzyme Technology, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning 530007, China.
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5
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Nemati Z, Kazemi-Shahandashti SS, Garibay-Hernández A, Mock HP, Schmidt MHW, Usadel B, Blattner FR. Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses of yellow-flowered crocuses to infer alternative sources of saffron metabolites. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 24:369. [PMID: 38711012 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-05036-1] [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: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The increasing demand for saffron metabolites in various commercial industries, including medicine, food, cosmetics, and dyeing, is driven by the discovery of their diverse applications. Saffron, derived from Crocus sativus stigmas, is the most expensive spice, and there is a need to explore additional sources to meet global consumption demands. In this study, we focused on yellow-flowering crocuses and examined their tepals to identify saffron-like compounds. RESULTS Through metabolomic and transcriptomic approaches, our investigation provides valuable insights into the biosynthesis of compounds in yellow-tepal crocuses that are similar to those found in saffron. The results of our study support the potential use of yellow-tepal crocuses as a source of various crocins (crocetin glycosylated derivatives) and flavonoids. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that yellow-tepal crocuses have the potential to serve as a viable excessive source of some saffron metabolites. The identification of crocins and flavonoids in these crocuses highlights their suitability for meeting the demands of various industries that utilize saffron compounds. Further exploration and utilization of yellow-tepal crocuses could contribute to addressing the growing global demand for saffron-related products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Nemati
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Gatersleben, Germany.
- Present address: Institute of Medical Microbiology and hospital hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Seyyedeh-Sanam Kazemi-Shahandashti
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences (IBG-4: Bioinformatics), Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC) , CEPLAS, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
- Institute for Biological Data Science, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS), Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Adriana Garibay-Hernández
- Molecular Biotechnology and Systems Biology, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Hans-Peter Mock
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Gatersleben, Germany
| | - Maximilian H-W Schmidt
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences (IBG-4: Bioinformatics), Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC) , CEPLAS, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
- Institute of Grapevine Breeding, Geisenheim University, Geisenheim, Germany
| | - Björn Usadel
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences (IBG-4: Bioinformatics), Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC) , CEPLAS, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
- Institute for Biological Data Science, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS), Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Frank R Blattner
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Gatersleben, Germany
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Hua Z, Liu N, Yan X. Research progress on the pharmacological activity, biosynthetic pathways, and biosynthesis of crocins. Beilstein J Org Chem 2024; 20:741-752. [PMID: 38633914 PMCID: PMC11022409 DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.20.68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Crocins are water-soluble apocarotenoids isolated from the flowers of crocus and gardenia. They exhibit various pharmacological effects, including neuroprotection, anti-inflammatory properties, hepatorenal protection, and anticancer activity. They are often used as coloring and seasoning agents. Due to the limited content of crocins in plants and the high cost of chemical synthesis, the supply of crocins is insufficient to meet current demand. The biosynthetic pathways for crocins have been elucidated to date, which allows the heterologous production of these valuable compounds in microorganisms by fermentation. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the chemistry, pharmacological activity, biosynthetic pathways, and heterologous production of crocins, aiming to lay the foundation for the large-scale production of these valuable natural products by using engineered microbial cell factories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongwei Hua
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 10 Poyang Lake Road, Tuanbo New Town, Jinghai District, Tianjin 301617, China
| | - Nan Liu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 10 Poyang Lake Road, Tuanbo New Town, Jinghai District, Tianjin 301617, China
| | - Xiaohui Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 10 Poyang Lake Road, Tuanbo New Town, Jinghai District, Tianjin 301617, China
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Xu Z, Chen S, Wang Y, Tian Y, Wang X, Xin T, Li Z, Hua X, Tan S, Sun W, Pu X, Yao H, Gao R, Song J. Crocus genome reveals the evolutionary origin of crocin biosynthesis. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:1878-1891. [PMID: 38572115 PMCID: PMC10985130 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Crocus sativus (saffron) is a globally autumn-flowering plant, and its stigmas are the most expensive spice and valuable herb medicine. Crocus specialized metabolites, crocins, are biosynthesized in distant species, Gardenia (eudicot) and Crocus (monocot), and the evolution of crocin biosynthesis remains poorly understood. With the chromosome-level Crocus genome assembly, we revealed that two rounds of lineage-specific whole genome triplication occurred, contributing important roles in the production of carotenoids and apocarotenoids. According to the kingdom-wide identification, phylogenetic analysis, and functional assays of carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases (CCDs), we deduced that the duplication, site positive selection, and neofunctionalization of Crocus-specific CCD2 from CCD1 members are responsible for the crocin biosynthesis. In addition, site mutation of CsCCD2 revealed the key amino acids, including I143, L146, R161, E181, T259, and S292 related to the catalytic activity of zeaxanthin cleavage. Our study provides important insights into the origin and evolution of plant specialized metabolites, which are derived by duplication events of biosynthetic genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhichao Xu
- Key Lab of Chinese Medicine Resources Conservation, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People's Republic of China, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China
- State Key Laboratory of Basis and New Drug Development of Natural and Nuclear Drugs, Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine Resource, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100193, China
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Shanshan Chen
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Yalin Wang
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Ya Tian
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Xiaotong Wang
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Tianyi Xin
- Key Lab of Chinese Medicine Resources Conservation, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People's Republic of China, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China
- State Key Laboratory of Basis and New Drug Development of Natural and Nuclear Drugs, Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine Resource, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zishan Li
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Xin Hua
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Shengnan Tan
- Analysis and Testing Center of Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Wei Sun
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Xiangdong Pu
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Hui Yao
- Key Lab of Chinese Medicine Resources Conservation, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People's Republic of China, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China
- State Key Laboratory of Basis and New Drug Development of Natural and Nuclear Drugs, Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine Resource, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Ranran Gao
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Jingyuan Song
- Key Lab of Chinese Medicine Resources Conservation, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People's Republic of China, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China
- State Key Laboratory of Basis and New Drug Development of Natural and Nuclear Drugs, Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine Resource, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100193, China
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Morote L, Rubio-Moraga Á, López Jiménez AJ, Aragonés V, Diretto G, Demurtas OC, Frusciante S, Ahrazem O, Daròs JA, Gómez-Gómez L. Verbascum species as a new source of saffron apocarotenoids and molecular tools for the biotechnological production of crocins and picrocrocin. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 118:58-72. [PMID: 38100533 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Crocins are glucosylated apocarotenoids present in flowers and fruits of a few plant species, including saffron, gardenia, and Buddleja. The biosynthesis of crocins in these plants has been unraveled, and the enzymes engineered for the production of crocins in heterologous systems. Mullein (Verbascum sp.) has been identified as a new source of crocins and picrocrocin. In this work, we have identified eight enzymes involved in the cleavage of carotenoids in two Verbascum species, V. giganteum and V. sinuatum. Four of them were homologous to the previously identified BdCCD4.1 and BdCCD4.3 from Buddleja, involved in the biosynthesis of crocins. These enzymes were analyzed for apocarotenogenic activity in bacteria and Nicotiana benthamiana plants using a virus-driven system. Metabolic analyses of bacterial extracts and N. benthamiana leaves showed the efficient activity of these enzymes to produce crocins using β-carotene and zeaxanthin as substrates. Accumulations of 0.17% of crocins in N. benthamiana dry leaves were reached in only 2 weeks using a recombinant virus expressing VgCCD4.1, similar to the amounts previously produced using the canonical saffron CsCCD2L. The identification of these enzymes, which display a particularly broad substrate spectrum, opens new avenues for apocarotenoid biotechnological production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Morote
- Instituto Botánico, Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología Agroforestal y Genética, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Campus Universitario s/n, 02071, Albacete, Spain
| | - Ángela Rubio-Moraga
- Instituto Botánico, Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología Agroforestal y Genética, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Campus Universitario s/n, 02071, Albacete, Spain
- Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica y de Montes y Biotecnología. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología Agroforestal y Genética, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Campus Universitario s/n, 02071, Albacete, Spain
| | - Alberto José López Jiménez
- Instituto Botánico, Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología Agroforestal y Genética, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Campus Universitario s/n, 02071, Albacete, Spain
- Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica y de Montes y Biotecnología. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología Agroforestal y Genética, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Campus Universitario s/n, 02071, Albacete, Spain
| | - Verónica Aragonés
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universitat Politècnica de València), 46022, Valencia, Spain
| | - Gianfranco Diretto
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy, and Sustainable Development, Casaccia Research Centre, 00123, Rome, Italy
| | - Olivia Costantina Demurtas
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy, and Sustainable Development, Casaccia Research Centre, 00123, Rome, Italy
| | - Sarah Frusciante
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy, and Sustainable Development, Casaccia Research Centre, 00123, Rome, Italy
| | - Oussama Ahrazem
- Instituto Botánico, Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología Agroforestal y Genética, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Campus Universitario s/n, 02071, Albacete, Spain
- Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica y de Montes y Biotecnología. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología Agroforestal y Genética, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Campus Universitario s/n, 02071, Albacete, Spain
| | - José-Antonio Daròs
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universitat Politècnica de València), 46022, Valencia, Spain
| | - Lourdes Gómez-Gómez
- Instituto Botánico, Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología Agroforestal y Genética, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Campus Universitario s/n, 02071, Albacete, Spain
- Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Campus Universitario s/n, 02071, Albacete, Spain
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9
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Zhou J, Huang D, Liu C, Hu Z, Li H, Lou S. Research Progress in Heterologous Crocin Production. Mar Drugs 2023; 22:22. [PMID: 38248646 PMCID: PMC10820313 DOI: 10.3390/md22010022] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Crocin is one of the most valuable components of the Chinese medicinal plant Crocus sativus and is widely used in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. Traditional planting of C. sativus is unable to fulfill the increasing demand for crocin in the global market, however, such that researchers have turned their attention to the heterologous production of crocin in a variety of hosts. At present, there are reports of successful heterologous production of crocin in Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, microalgae, and plants that do not naturally produce crocin. Of these, the microalga Dunaliella salina, which produces high levels of β-carotene, the substrate for crocin biosynthesis, is worthy of attention. This article describes the biosynthesis of crocin, compares the features of each heterologous host, and clarifies the requirements for efficient production of crocin in microalgae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Zhou
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; (J.Z.); (D.H.); (C.L.); (Z.H.); (H.L.)
| | - Danqiong Huang
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; (J.Z.); (D.H.); (C.L.); (Z.H.); (H.L.)
| | - Chenglong Liu
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; (J.Z.); (D.H.); (C.L.); (Z.H.); (H.L.)
| | - Zhangli Hu
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; (J.Z.); (D.H.); (C.L.); (Z.H.); (H.L.)
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Longhua Innovation Institute for Biotechnology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Hui Li
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; (J.Z.); (D.H.); (C.L.); (Z.H.); (H.L.)
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Longhua Innovation Institute for Biotechnology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Sulin Lou
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; (J.Z.); (D.H.); (C.L.); (Z.H.); (H.L.)
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Longhua Innovation Institute for Biotechnology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
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10
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Li R, Liu H, Liu Y, Guo J, Chen Y, Lan X, Lu C. Insights into the mechanism underlying UV-B induced flavonoid metabolism in callus of a Tibetan medicinal plant Mirabilis himalaica. JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 288:154074. [PMID: 37651898 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2023.154074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Mirabilis himalaica is an important Tibetan medicinal plant in China. However, it has become a rare and class I endangered Tibetan medicine plant. Therefore, the use of callus to propagate germplasm resources is of great significance. We found that the flavonoid content of M. himalaica callus increased continuously with the extension of UV-B treatment. Multi-omics profiles were used to reveal the co-expression patterns of gene networks of flavonoid metabolism in M. himalaica callus during UV-B radiation. Results showed that five medicinal metabolics, including geranin, eriodictyol, astragalin, isoquercetin, pyrotechnic acid, and one anthocyanin malvide-3-O-glucoside were identified. The transcriptome data were divided into 46 modules according to the expression pattern by WGCNA (weighted gene co-expression network analysis), of which the module Turquoise had the strongest correlation with six target metabolites. We found that seven structural genes and twenty-five transcription factors were related to the metabolism of flavonoid synthesis, among which the structural genes CHI, C4H and UGT79B6 had strong co-expression relationships with the 6 target metabolites. WRKY42, WRKY7, bHLH128 and other transcription factors had strong co-expression relationships with multiple structural genes. Consequently, these findings suggest callus grown under UV-B treatment could be an effective alternative medical resource of M. himalaica, which is valuable for conservation and usage of this wild and endangered plant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongchen Li
- College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, National Engineering Research Center for Forest Tree Breeding and Ecological Remediation, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Huan Liu
- College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, National Engineering Research Center for Forest Tree Breeding and Ecological Remediation, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yanjing Liu
- College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, National Engineering Research Center for Forest Tree Breeding and Ecological Remediation, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Jiaojiao Guo
- College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, National Engineering Research Center for Forest Tree Breeding and Ecological Remediation, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yuzhen Chen
- College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, National Engineering Research Center for Forest Tree Breeding and Ecological Remediation, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Xiaozhong Lan
- The Provincial and Ministerial Co-Founded Collaborative Innovation Center for R & D in Tibet Characteristic Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Resources, The Center for Xizang Chinese (Tibetan) Medicine Resource, Joint Laboratory for Tibetan Materia Medica Resources Scientific Protection and Utilization Research of Tibetan Medical Research Center of Tibet, Tibet Agriculture and Animal Husbandry University, Nyingchi, 860000, China.
| | - Cunfu Lu
- College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, National Engineering Research Center for Forest Tree Breeding and Ecological Remediation, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.
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11
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Demurtas OC, Sulli M, Ferrante P, Mini P, Martí M, Aragonés V, Daròs JA, Giuliano G. Production of Saffron Apocarotenoids in Nicotiana benthamiana Plants Genome-Edited to Accumulate Zeaxanthin Precursor. Metabolites 2023; 13:729. [PMID: 37367887 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13060729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Crocins are glycosylated apocarotenoids with strong coloring power and anti-oxidant, anticancer, and neuro-protective properties. We previously dissected the saffron crocin biosynthesis pathway, and demonstrated that the CsCCD2 enzyme, catalyzing the carotenoid cleavage step, shows a strong preference for the xanthophyll zeaxanthin in vitro and in bacterio. In order to investigate substrate specificity in planta and to establish a plant-based bio-factory system for crocin production, we compared wild-type Nicotiana benthamiana plants, accumulating various xanthophylls together with α- and β-carotene, with genome-edited lines, in which all the xanthophylls normally accumulated in leaves were replaced by a single xanthophyll, zeaxanthin. These plants were used as chassis for the production in leaves of saffron apocarotenoids (crocins, picrocrocin) using two transient expression methods to overexpress CsCCD2: agroinfiltration and inoculation with a viral vector derived from tobacco etch virus (TEV). The results indicated the superior performance of the zeaxanthin-accumulating line and of the use of the viral vector to express CsCCD2. The results also suggested a relaxed substrate specificity of CsCCD2 in planta, cleaving additional carotenoid substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Costantina Demurtas
- Biotechnology and Agro-Industry Division, ENEA, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Casaccia Research Center, 00123 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Sulli
- Biotechnology and Agro-Industry Division, ENEA, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Casaccia Research Center, 00123 Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Ferrante
- Biotechnology and Agro-Industry Division, ENEA, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Casaccia Research Center, 00123 Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Mini
- Biotechnology and Agro-Industry Division, ENEA, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Casaccia Research Center, 00123 Rome, Italy
| | - Maricarmen Martí
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - Verónica Aragonés
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - José-Antonio Daròs
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - Giovanni Giuliano
- Biotechnology and Agro-Industry Division, ENEA, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Casaccia Research Center, 00123 Rome, Italy
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12
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Morote L, Lobato-Gómez M, Ahrazem O, Argandoña J, Olmedilla-Alonso B, López-Jiménez AJ, Diretto G, Cuciniello R, Bergamo P, Frusciante S, Niza E, Rubio-Moraga Á, Crispi S, Granell A, Gómez-Gómez L. Crocins-rich tomato extracts showed enhanced protective effects in vitro. J Funct Foods 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2023.105432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
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13
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Demurtas OC, Nicolia A, Diretto G. Terpenoid Transport in Plants: How Far from the Final Picture? PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:634. [PMID: 36771716 PMCID: PMC9919377 DOI: 10.3390/plants12030634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Contrary to the biosynthetic pathways of many terpenoids, which are well characterized and elucidated, their transport inside subcellular compartments and the secretion of reaction intermediates and final products at the short- (cell-to-cell), medium- (tissue-to-tissue), and long-distance (organ-to-organ) levels are still poorly understood, with some limited exceptions. In this review, we aim to describe the state of the art of the transport of several terpene classes that have important physiological and ecological roles or that represent high-value bioactive molecules. Among the tens of thousands of terpenoids identified in the plant kingdom, only less than 20 have been characterized from the point of view of their transport and localization. Most terpenoids are secreted in the apoplast or stored in the vacuoles by the action of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. However, little information is available regarding the movement of terpenoid biosynthetic intermediates from plastids and the endoplasmic reticulum to the cytosol. Through a description of the transport mechanisms of cytosol- or plastid-synthesized terpenes, we attempt to provide some hypotheses, suggestions, and general schemes about the trafficking of different substrates, intermediates, and final products, which might help develop novel strategies and approaches to allow for the future identification of terpenoid transporters that are still uncharacterized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Costantina Demurtas
- Biotechnology and Agro-Industry Division, Biotechnology Laboratory, Casaccia Research Center, ENEA—Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, 00123 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Nicolia
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Centre for Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, via Cavalleggeri 25, 84098 Pontecagnano Faiano, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Diretto
- Biotechnology and Agro-Industry Division, Biotechnology Laboratory, Casaccia Research Center, ENEA—Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, 00123 Rome, Italy
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14
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Ye S, Yin D, Sun X, Chen Q, Min T, Wang H, Wang L. Molecular Cloning, Expression, and Functional Analysis of Glycosyltransferase (TbUGGT) Gene from Trapa bispinosa Roxb. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27238374. [PMID: 36500465 PMCID: PMC9737334 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27238374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Trapa bispinosa Roxb. is an economical crop for medicine and food. Its roots, stems, leaves, and pulp have medicinal applications, and its shell is rich in active ingredients and is considered to have a high medicinal value. One of the main functional components of the Trapa bispinosa Roxb. shell is 1-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (βG), which can be used in medical treatment and is also an essential substrate for synthesizing the anticancer drug beta-penta-o-Galloyl-glucosen (PGG). Furthermore, gallate 1-beta-glucosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.136) has been found to catalyze gallic acid (GA) and uridine diphosphate glucose (UDPG) to synthesize βG. In our previous study, significant differences in βG content were observed in different tissues of Trapa bispinosa Roxb. In this study, Trapa bispinosa Roxb. was used to clone 1500 bp of the UGGT gene, which was named TbUGGT, to encode 499 amino acids. According to the specificity of the endogenous expression of foreign genes in Escherichia coli, the adaptation codon of the cloned original genes was optimized for improved expression. Bioinformatic and phylogenetic tree analyses revealed the high homology of TbUGGT with squalene synthases from other plants. The TbUGGT gene was constructed into a PET-28a expression vector and then transferred into Escherichia coli Transsetta (DE3) for expression. The recombinant protein had a molecular weight of 55 kDa and was detected using SDS-PAGE. The proteins were purified using multiple fermentation cultures to simulate the intracellular environment, and a substrate was added for in vitro reaction. After the enzymatic reaction, the levels of βG in the product were analyzed using HPLC and LC-MS, indicating the catalytic activity of TbUGGT. The cloning and functional analysis of TbUGGT may lay the foundation for further study on the complete synthesis of βG in E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijie Ye
- College of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China
| | - Dongjie Yin
- College of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China
| | - Xiaoyan Sun
- College of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China
| | - Qinyi Chen
- College of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China
| | - Ting Min
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China
| | - Hongxun Wang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China
| | - Limei Wang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-27-8395-6793
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15
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Gómez Gómez L, Morote L, Frusciante S, Rambla JL, Diretto G, Niza E, López-Jimenez AJ, Mondejar M, Rubio-Moraga Á, Argandoña J, Presa S, Martín-Belmonte A, Luján R, Granell A, Ahrazem O. Fortification and bioaccessibility of saffron apocarotenoids in potato tubers. Front Nutr 2022; 9:1045979. [DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.1045979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Carotenoids are C40 isoprenoids with well-established roles in photosynthesis, pollination, photoprotection, and hormone biosynthesis. The enzymatic or ROS-induced cleavage of carotenoids generates a group of compounds named apocarotenoids, with an increasing interest by virtue of their metabolic, physiological, and ecological activities. Both classes are used industrially in a variety of fields as colorants, supplements, and bio-actives. Crocins and picrocrocin, two saffron apocarotenoids, are examples of high-value pigments utilized in the food, feed, and pharmaceutical industries. In this study, a unique construct was achieved, namely O6, which contains CsCCD2L, UGT74AD1, and UGT709G1 genes responsible for the biosynthesis of saffron apocarotenoids driven by a patatin promoter for the generation of potato tubers producing crocins and picrocrocin. Different tuber potatoes accumulated crocins and picrocrocin ranging from 19.41–360 to 105–800 μg/g DW, respectively, with crocetin, crocin 1 [(crocetin-(β-D-glucosyl)-ester)] and crocin 2 [(crocetin)-(β-D-glucosyl)-(β-D-glucosyl)-ester)] being the main compounds detected. The pattern of carotenoids and apocarotenoids were distinct between wild type and transgenic tubers and were related to changes in the expression of the pathway genes, especially from PSY2, CCD1, and CCD4. In addition, the engineered tubers showed higher antioxidant capacity, up to almost 4-fold more than the wild type, which is a promising sign for the potential health advantages of these lines. In order to better investigate these aspects, different cooking methods were applied, and each process displayed a significant impact on the retention of apocarotenoids. More in detail, the in vitro bioaccessibility of these metabolites was found to be higher in boiled potatoes (97.23%) compared to raw, baked, and fried ones (80.97, 78.96, and 76.18%, respectively). Overall, this work shows that potatoes can be engineered to accumulate saffron apocarotenoids that, when consumed, can potentially offer better health benefits. Moreover, the high bioaccessibility of these compounds revealed that potato is an excellent way to deliver crocins and picrocrocin, while also helping to improve its nutritional value.
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16
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Shindo K, Sakemi Y, Shimode S, Takagi C, Uwagaki Y, Hattan JI, Akao M, Usui S, Kiyokawa A, Komaki M, Murahama M, Takemura M, Ishikawa I, Misawa N. Changes of Crocin and Other Crocetin Glycosides in Saffron Through Cooking Models, and Discovery of Rare Crocetin Glycosides in the Yellow Flowers of Freesia Hybrida. Front Nutr 2022; 9:885412. [PMID: 35911122 PMCID: PMC9331930 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.885412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Crocetin glycosides such as crocin are noted as functional food materials since the preventive effects of crocin have been reported against chronic disease and cancer. However, it is unclear how these apocarotenoids are structurally changed through cooking for our intake. We examined such changes in crocetin glycosides (crocin, tricrocin, and crocin-3) contained in saffron (stigmas of Crocus sativus) through cooking models. These glycosides were almost kept stable in boiling for 20 min (a boiled cooking model), while hydrolysis of the ester linkage between glucose and the crocetin aglycone occurred in a grilled cooking model (180°C, 5 min), along with a 13-cis isomerization reaction in a part of crocetin subsequently generated. We further here revealed that the yellow petals of freesia (Freesia x hybrida) with yellow flowers accumulate two unique crocetin glycosides, which were identified to be crocetin (mono)neapolitanosyl ester and crocetin dineapolitanosyl ester. A similar result as above was obtained on their changes through the cooking models. Utility applications of the freesia flowers as edible flowers are also suggested in this study. Additionally, we evaluated singlet oxygen (1O2)-quenching activities of the crocetin glycosides contained in saffron and freesia, and crocetin and 13-cis crocetin contained in the grilled saffron, indicating that they possessed moderate 1O2-quenching activities (IC50 24–64 μM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazutoshi Shindo
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Japan Women's University, Tokyo, Japan
- CaroProTech Corporation, Nomi-shi, Japan
- *Correspondence: Kazutoshi Shindo
| | - Yuka Sakemi
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Japan Women's University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Saki Shimode
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Japan Women's University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chiharu Takagi
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Japan Women's University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yohei Uwagaki
- Research Institute for Bioresources and Biotechnology, Ishikawa Prefectural University, Nonoichi-shi, Japan
| | - Jun-ichiro Hattan
- Research Institute for Bioresources and Biotechnology, Ishikawa Prefectural University, Nonoichi-shi, Japan
| | - Miu Akao
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Japan Women's University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shiori Usui
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Japan Women's University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayako Kiyokawa
- Ishikawa Agriculture and Forestry Research Center, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Masako Komaki
- Ishikawa Agriculture and Forestry Research Center, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Minoru Murahama
- Ishikawa Agriculture and Forestry Research Center, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Miho Takemura
- Research Institute for Bioresources and Biotechnology, Ishikawa Prefectural University, Nonoichi-shi, Japan
| | | | - Norihiko Misawa
- CaroProTech Corporation, Nomi-shi, Japan
- Research Institute for Bioresources and Biotechnology, Ishikawa Prefectural University, Nonoichi-shi, Japan
- Norihiko Misawa
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17
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Husaini AM, Haq SAU, Jiménez AJL. Understanding saffron biology using omics- and bioinformatics tools: stepping towards a better Crocus phenome. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:5325-5340. [PMID: 35106686 PMCID: PMC8807023 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-07053-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Saffron is a unique plant in many aspects, and its cellular processes are regulated at multiple levels. The genetic makeup in the form of eight chromosome triplets (2n = 3x = 24) with a haploid genetic content (genome size) of 3.45 Gbp is decoded into different types of RNA by transcription. The RNA then translates into peptides and functional proteins, sometimes involving post-translational modifications too. The interactions of the genome, transcriptome, proteome and other regulatory molecules ultimately result in the complex set of primary and secondary metabolites of saffron metabolome. These complex interactions manifest in the form of a set of traits 'phenome' peculiar to saffron. The phenome responds to the environmental changes occurring in and around saffron and modify its response in respect of growth, development, disease response, stigma quality, apocarotenoid biosynthesis, and other processes. Understanding these complex relations between different yet interconnected biological activities is quite challenging in saffron where classical genetics has a very limited role owing to its sterility, and the absence of a whole-genome sequence. Omics-based technologies are immensely helpful in overcoming these limitations and developing a better understanding of saffron biology. In addition to creating a comprehensive picture of the molecular mechanisms involved in apocarotenoid synthesis, stigma biogenesis, corm activity, and flower development, omics-technologies will ultimately lead to the engineering of saffron plants with improved phenome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amjad M Husaini
- Genome Engineering and Societal Biotechnology Lab, Division of Plant Biotechnology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar Campus, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190025, India.
| | - Syed Anam Ul Haq
- Genome Engineering and Societal Biotechnology Lab, Division of Plant Biotechnology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar Campus, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190025, India
| | - Alberto José López Jiménez
- Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología Agroforestal y Genética, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Agrónomos y de Montes, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
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18
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Rodriguez-Concepcion M, Daròs JA. Transient expression systems to rewire plant carotenoid metabolism. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 66:102190. [PMID: 35183926 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2022.102190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Enrichment of foodstuffs with health-promoting metabolites such as carotenoids is a powerful tool to fight against unhealthy eating habits. Dietary carotenoids are vitamin A precursors and reduce risk of several chronical diseases. Additionally, carotenoids and their cleavage products (apocarotenoids) are used as natural pigments and flavors by the agrofood industry. In the last few years, major advances have been made in our understanding of how plants make and store carotenoids in their natural compartments, the plastids. In part, this knowledge has been acquired by using transient expression systems, notably agroinfiltration and viral vectors. These techniques allow profound changes in the carotenoid profile of plant tissues at the desired developmental stage, hence preventing interference with normal plant growth and development. Here we review how transient expression approaches have contributed to learn about the structure and regulation of plant carotenoid biosynthesis and to rewire carotenoid metabolism and storage for efficient biofortification of plant tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Rodriguez-Concepcion
- Institute for Plant Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMCP), Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas - Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain.
| | - José-Antonio Daròs
- Institute for Plant Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMCP), Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas - Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain
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19
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Ahrazem O, Zhu C, Huang X, Rubio-Moraga A, Capell T, Christou P, Gómez-Gómez L. Metabolic Engineering of Crocin Biosynthesis in Nicotiana Species. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:861140. [PMID: 35350302 PMCID: PMC8957871 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.861140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Crocins are high-value soluble pigments that are used as colorants and supplements, their presence in nature is extremely limited and, consequently, the high cost of these metabolites hinders their use by other sectors, such as the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase 2L (CsCCD2L) is the key enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway of crocins in Crocus sativus. In this study, CsCCD2L was introduced into Nicotiana tabacum and Nicotiana glauca for the production of crocins. In addition, a chimeric construct containing the Brevundimonas sp. β-carotene hydroxylase (BrCrtZ), the Arabidopsis thaliana ORANGE mutant gene (AtOrMut), and CsCCD2L was also introduced into N. tabacum. Quantitative and qualitative studies on carotenoids and apocarotenoids in the transgenic plants expressing CsCCD2L alone showed higher crocin level accumulation in N. glauca transgenic plants, reaching almost 400 μg/g DW in leaves, while in N. tabacum 36 μg/g DW was obtained. In contrast, N. tabacum plants coexpressing CsCCD2L, BrCrtZ, and AtOrMut accumulated, 3.5-fold compared to N. tabacum plants only expressing CsCCD2L. Crocins with three and four sugar molecules were the main molecular species in both host systems. Our results demonstrate that the production of saffron apocarotenoids is feasible in engineered Nicotiana species and establishes a basis for the development of strategies that may ultimately lead to the commercial exploitation of these valuable pigments for multiple applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oussama Ahrazem
- Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología Agroforestal y Genética, Instituto Botánico, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Campus Universitario, Albacete, Spain
| | - Changfu Zhu
- Department of Plant Production and Forestry Science, University of Lleida-Agrotecnio Centre de Recerca en Agrotecnologia (CERCA) Center, Lleida, Spain
- School of Life Sciences, Changchun Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Xin Huang
- Department of Plant Production and Forestry Science, University of Lleida-Agrotecnio Centre de Recerca en Agrotecnologia (CERCA) Center, Lleida, Spain
| | - Angela Rubio-Moraga
- Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología Agroforestal y Genética, Instituto Botánico, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Campus Universitario, Albacete, Spain
| | - Teresa Capell
- Department of Plant Production and Forestry Science, University of Lleida-Agrotecnio Centre de Recerca en Agrotecnologia (CERCA) Center, Lleida, Spain
| | - Paul Christou
- Department of Plant Production and Forestry Science, University of Lleida-Agrotecnio Centre de Recerca en Agrotecnologia (CERCA) Center, Lleida, Spain
- Catalan Institute for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Catalan Institute for Research and Advanced Studies, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lourdes Gómez-Gómez
- Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología Agroforestal y Genética, Instituto Botánico, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Campus Universitario, Albacete, Spain
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Sun T, Rao S, Zhou X, Li L. Plant carotenoids: recent advances and future perspectives. MOLECULAR HORTICULTURE 2022; 2:3. [PMID: 37789426 PMCID: PMC10515021 DOI: 10.1186/s43897-022-00023-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Carotenoids are isoprenoid metabolites synthesized de novo in all photosynthetic organisms. Carotenoids are essential for plants with diverse functions in photosynthesis, photoprotection, pigmentation, phytohormone synthesis, and signaling. They are also critically important for humans as precursors of vitamin A synthesis and as dietary antioxidants. The vital roles of carotenoids to plants and humans have prompted significant progress toward our understanding of carotenoid metabolism and regulation. New regulators and novel roles of carotenoid metabolites are continuously revealed. This review focuses on current status of carotenoid metabolism and highlights recent advances in comprehension of the intrinsic and multi-dimensional regulation of carotenoid accumulation. We also discuss the functional evolution of carotenoids, the agricultural and horticultural application, and some key areas for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianhu Sun
- Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
- Plant Breeding and Genetics Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Sombir Rao
- Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
- Plant Breeding and Genetics Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Xuesong Zhou
- Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Li Li
- Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
- Plant Breeding and Genetics Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
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