Transient expression and purification of β-caryophyllene synthase in Nicotiana benthamiana to produce β-caryophyllene in vitro

The sesquiterpene β-caryophyllene is an ubiquitous component in many plants that has commercially been used as an aroma in cosmetics and perfumes. Recent studies have shown its potential use as a therapeutic agent and biofuel. Currently, β-caryophyllene is isolated from large amounts of plant material. Molecular farming based on the Nicotiana benthamiana transient expression system may be used for a more sustainable production of β-caryophyllene. In this study, a full-length cDNA of a new duplicated β-caryophyllene synthase from Artemisia annua (AaCPS1) was isolated and functionally characterized. In order to produce β-caryophyllene in vitro, the AaCPS1 was cloned into a plant viral-based vector pEAQ-HT. Subsequently, the plasmid was transferred into the Agrobacterium and agroinfiltrated into N. benthamiana leaves. The AaCPS1 expression was analyzed by quantitative PCR at different time points after agroinfiltration. The highest level of transcripts was observed at 9 days post infiltration (dpi). The AaCPS1 protein was extracted from the leaves at 9 dpi and purified by cobalt–nitrilotriacetate (Co-NTA) affinity chromatography using histidine tag with a yield of 89 mg kg⁻¹ fresh weight of leaves. The protein expression of AaCPS1 was also confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and western blot analyses. AaCPS1 protein uses farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) as a substrate to produce β-caryophyllene. Product identification and determination of the activity of purified AaCPS1 were done by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). GC–MS results revealed that the AaCPS1 produced maximum 26.5 ± 1 mg of β-caryophyllene per kilogram fresh weight of leaves after assaying with FPP for 6 h. Using AaCPS1 as a proof of concept, we demonstrate that N. benthamiana can be considered as an expression system for production of plant proteins that catalyze the formation of valuable chemicals for industrial applications.

The Genome of Artemisia annua Provides Insight into the Evolution of Asteraceae Family and Artemisinin Biosynthesis

Artemisia annua, commonly known as sweet wormwood or Qinghao, is a shrub native to China and has long been used for medicinal purposes. A. annua is now cultivated globally as the only natural source of a potent anti-malarial compound, artemisinin. Here, we report a high-quality draft assembly of the 1.74-gigabase genome of A. annua, which is highly heterozygous, rich in repetitive sequences, and contains 63 226 protein-coding genes, one of the largest numbers among the sequenced plant species. We found that, as one of a few sequenced genomes in the Asteraceae, the A. annua genome contains a large number of genes specific to this large angiosperm clade. Notably, the expansion and functional diversification of genes encoding enzymes involved in terpene biosynthesis are consistent with the evolution of the artemisinin biosynthetic pathway. We further revealed by transcriptome profiling that A. annua has evolved the sophisticated transcriptional regulatory networks underlying artemisinin biosynthesis. Based on comprehensive genomic and transcriptomic analyses we generated transgenic A. annua lines producing high levels of artemisinin, which are now ready for large-scale production and thereby will help meet the challenge of increasing global demand of artemisinin.

A facile synthesis of molecularly imprinted polymers and their properties as electrochemical sensors for ethyl carbamate analysis

New molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), which exhibit specific recognition of ethyl carbamate (EC) have been synthesized and studied. In this process, EC was the template molecule and β-cyclodextrin derivatives were employed as functional monomers in the molecular imprinting technique (MIT). An EC molecularly imprinted sensor (EC-MIS) was prepared by using MIT surface modification. The EC-MIS was characterized by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and differential pulse voltammetry. EC detection performance, binding parameters and dynamics mechanism were investigated. The result showed that the synthetic route designed was appropriate and that new MIP and EC-MIS were successfully prepared. The EC-MIS exhibited a good molecular recognition of EC. A linear relationship between current and EC concentration was observed using cyclic voltammetry and the detection limit was 5.86 μg L⁻¹. The binding constant (K = 4.75 × 10⁶ L mol⁻¹) between EC and the EC-MIS, as well as, the number of binding sites (n = 1.48) has been determined. The EC-MIS recognition mechanism for the EC is a two-step process. The sensor was applied for the determination of EC in Chinese yellow wines, and the results were in good agreement with the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method.

An ethyl carbamate (EC) molecularly imprinted sensor (EC-MIS) has been prepared. The molecular recognition properties of EC were investigated, the binding parameters determined, and the dynamic mechanism of EC-MIS recognizing EC explored.

AaMYB1 and its orthologue AtMYB61 affect terpene metabolism and trichome development in Artemisia annua and Arabidopsis thaliana

The effective anti-malarial drug artemisinin (AN) isolated from Artemisia annua is relatively expensive due to the low AN content in the plant as AN is only synthesized within the glandular trichomes. Therefore, genetic engineering of A. annua is one of the most promising approaches for improving the yield of AN. In this work, the AaMYB1 transcription factor has been identified and characterized. When AaMYB1 is overexpressed in A. annua, either exclusively in trichomes or in the whole plant, essential AN biosynthetic genes are also overexpressed and consequently the amount of AN is significantly increased. Artemisia AaMYB1 constitutively overexpressing plants displayed a greater number of trichomes. In order to study the role of AaMYB1 on trichome development and other possibly connected biological processes, AaMYB1 was overexpressed in Arabidopsis thaliana. To support our findings in Arabidopsis thaliana, an AaMYB1 orthologue from this model plant, AtMYB61, was identified and atmyb61 mutants characterized. Both AaMYB1 and AtMYB61 affected trichome initiation, root development and stomatal aperture in A. thaliana. Molecular analyses indicated that two crucial trichome activator genes are misexpressed in atmyb61 mutant plants and in plants overexpressing AaMYB1. Furthermore, AaMYB1 and AtMYB61 are also essential for gibberellin (GA) biosynthesis and degradation in both species by positively affecting the expression of the enzymes that convert GA₉ into the bioactive GA₄ as well as the enzymes involved in the degradation of GA₄ . Overall, these results identify AaMYB1/AtMYB61 as a key component of the molecular network that connects important biosynthetic processes, and reveal its potential value for AN production through genetic engineering.

Comparison of the interaction between lactoferrin and isomeric drugs

The binding properties of pentacyclic triterpenoid isomeric drugs, i.e. ursolic acid (UA) and oleanolic acid (OA), to bovine lactoferrin (BLF) have been studied by molecule modeling, fluorescence spectroscopy, UV-visible absorbance spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy (IR). Molecular docking, performed to reveal the possible binding mode or mechanism, suggested that hydrophobic interaction and hydrogen bonding play important roles to stabilize the complex. The results of spectroscopic measurements showed that the two isomeric drugs both strongly quenched the intrinsic fluorescence of BLF through a static quenching procedure although some differences between UA and OA binding strength and non-radiation energy transfer occurred within the molecules. The number of binding sites was 3.44 and 3.10 for UA and OA, respectively, and the efficiency of Förster energy transfer provided a distance of 0.77 and 1.21nm for UA and OA, respectively. The conformation transformation of BLF affected by the drugs conformed to the "all-or-none" pattern. In addition, the changes of the ratios of α-helices, β-sheets and β-turns of BLF during the process of the interaction were obtained. The results of the experiments in combination with the calculations showed that there are two modes of pentacyclic triterpenoid binding to BLF instead of one binding mode only governed by the principle of the lowest bonding energy.

α-Mangostin Extraction from the Native Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) and the Binding Mechanisms of α-Mangostin to HSA or TRF

In order to obtain the biological active compound, α-mangostin, from the traditional native mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.), an extraction method for industrial application was explored. A high yield of α-mangostin (5.2%) was obtained by extraction from dried mangosteen pericarps with subsequent purification on macroporous resin HPD-400. The chemical structure of α-mangostin was verified mass spectrometry (MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR), infrared spectroscopy (IR) and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The purity of the obtained α-mangostin was 95.6% as determined by HPLC analysis. The binding of native α-mangostin to human serum albumin (HSA) or transferrin (TRF) was explored by combining spectral experiments with molecular modeling. The results showed that α-mangostin binds to HSA or TRF as static complexes but the binding affinities were different in different systems. The binding constants and thermodynamic parameters were measured by fluorescence spectroscopy and absorbance spectra. The association constant of HSA or TRF binding to α-mangostin is 6.4832×10⁵ L/mol and 1.4652×10⁵ L/mol at 298 K and 7.8619×10⁵ L/mol and 1.1582×10⁵ L/mol at 310 K, respectively. The binding distance, the energy transfer efficiency between α-mangostin and HSA or TRF were also obtained by virtue of the Förster theory of non-radiation energy transfer. The effect of α-mangostin on the HSA or TRF conformation was analyzed by synchronous spectrometry and fluorescence polarization studies. Molecular docking results reveal that the main interaction between α-mangostin and HSA is hydrophobic interactions, while the main interaction between α-mangostin and TRF is hydrogen bonding and Van der Waals forces. These results are consistent with spectral results.

The activity of the artemisinic aldehyde Δ11(13) reductase promoter is important for artemisinin yield in different chemotypes of Artemisia annua L

The artemisinic aldehyde double bond reductase (DBR2) plays an important role in the biosynthesis of the antimalarial artemisinin in Artemisia annua. Artemisinic aldehyde is reduced into dihydroartemisinic aldehyde by DBR2. Artemisinic aldehyde can also be oxidized by amorpha-4,11-diene 12-hydroxylase and/or aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 to artemisinic acid, a precursor of arteannuin B. In order to better understand the effects of DBR2 expression on the flow of artemisinic aldehyde into either artemisinin or arteannuin B, we determined the content of dihydroartemisinic aldehyde, artemisinin, artemisinic acid and arteannuin B content of A. annua varieties sorted into two chemotypes. The high artemisinin producers (HAPs), which includes the '2/39', 'Chongqing' and 'Anamed' varieties, produce more artemisinin than arteannuin B; the low artemisinin producers (LAPs), which include the 'Meise', 'Iran#8', 'Iran#14', 'Iran#24' and 'Iran#47' varieties, produce more arteannuin B than artemisinin. Quantitative PCR showed that the relative expression of DBR2 was significantly higher in the HAP varieties. We cloned and sequenced the promoter of the DBR2 gene from varieties of both the LAP and the HAP groups. There were deletions/insertions in the region just upstream of the ATG start codon in the LAP varities, which might be the reason for the different promoter activities of the HAP and LAP varieties. The relevance of promoter variation, DBR2 expression levels and artemisinin biosynthesis capabilities are discussed and a selection method for HAP varieties with a DNA marker is suggested. Furthermore, putative cis-acting regulatory elements differ between the HAP and LAP varieties.

Effects of overexpression of AaWRKY1 on artemisinin biosynthesis in transgenic Artemisia annua plants

The effective anti-malarial medicine artemisinin is costly because of the low content in Artemisia annua. Genetic engineering of A. annua is one of the most promising approaches to improve the yield of artemisinin. In this work, the transcription factor AaWRKY1, which is thought to be involved in the regulation of artemisinin biosynthesis, was cloned from A. annua var. Chongqing and overexpressed using the CaMV35S promoter or the trichome-specific CYP71AV1 promoter in stably transformed A. annua plants. The transcript level of AaWRKY1 was increased more than one hundred times under the CaMV35S promoter and about 40 times under the CYP71AV1 promoter. The overexpressed AaWRKY1 activated the transcription of CYP71AV1 and moreover the trichome-specific overexpression of AaWRKY1 improved the transcription of CYP71AV1 much more effectively than the constitutive overexpression of AaWRKY1, i.e. up to 33 times as compared to the wild-type plant. However the transcription levels of FDS, ADS, and DBR2 did not change significantly in transgenic plants. The significantly up-regulated CYP71AV1 promoted artemisinin biosynthesis, i.e. up to about 1.8 times as compared to the wild-type plant. It is demonstrated that trichome-specific overexpression of AaWRKY1 can significantly activate the transcription of CYP71AV1 and the up-regulated CYP71AV1 promotes artemisinin biosynthesis.

Studies on the expression of linalool synthase using a promoter-β-glucuronidase fusion in transgenic Artemisia annua

Artemisinin, an antimalarial endoperoxide sesquiterpene, is synthesized in glandular trichomes of Artemisia annua L. A number of other enzymes of terpene metabolism utilize intermediates of artemisinin biosynthesis, such as isopentenyl and farnesyl diphosphate, and may thereby influence the yield of artemisinin. In order to study the expression of such enzymes, we have cloned the promoter regions of some enzymes and fused them to β-glucuronidase (GUS). In this study, we have investigated the expression of the monoterpene synthase linalool synthase (LIS) using transgenic A. annua carrying the GUS gene under the control of the LIS promoter. The 652bp promoter region was cloned by the genome walker method. A number of putative cis-acting elements were predicted indicating that the LIS is driven by a complex regulation mechanism. Transgenic plants carrying the promoter-GUS fusion showed specific expression of GUS in T-shaped trichomes (TSTs) but not in glandular secretory trichomes, which is the site for artemisinin biosynthesis. GUS expression was observed at late stage of flower development in styles of florets and in TSTs and guard cells of basal bracts. GUS expression after wounding showed that LIS is involved in plant responsiveness to wounding. Furthermore, the LIS promoter responded to methyl jasmonate (MeJA). These results indicate that the promoter carries a number of cis-acting regulatory elements involved in the tissue-specific expression of LIS and in the response of the plant to wounding and MeJA treatment. Southern blot analysis indicated that the GUS gene was integrated in the A. annua genome as single or multi copies in different transgenic lines. Promoter activity analysis by qPCR showed that both the wild-type and the recombinant promoter are active in the aerial parts of the plant while only the recombinant promoter was active in roots. Due to the expression in TSTs but not in glandular trichomes, it may be concluded that LIS expression will most likely have little or no effect on artemisinin production.

Studies on the expression of sesquiterpene synthases using promoter-β-glucuronidase fusions in transgenic Artemisia annua L

In order to better understand the influence of sesquiterpene synthases on artemisinin yield in Artemisia annua, the expression of some sesquiterpene synthases has been studied using transgenic plants expressing promoter-GUS fusions. The cloned promoter sequences were 923, 1182 and 1510 bp for β-caryophyllene (CPS), epi-cedrol (ECS) and β-farnesene (FS) synthase, respectively. Prediction of cis-acting regulatory elements showed that the promoters are involved in complex regulation of expression. Transgenic A. annua plants carrying promoter-GUS fusions were studied to elucidate the expression pattern of the three sesquiterpene synthases and compared to the previously studied promoter of amorpha-4,11-diene synthase (ADS), a key enzyme of artemisinin biosynthesis. The CPS and ECS promoters were active in T-shaped trichomes of leaves and stems, basal bracts of flower buds and also in some florets cells but not in glandular secretory trichome while FS promoter activity was only observed in leaf cells and trichomes of transgenic shoots. ADS, CPS, ECS and FS transcripts were induced by wounding in a time depended manner. The four sesquiterpene synthases may be involved in responsiveness of A. annua to herbivory. Methyl jasmonate treatment triggered activation of the promoters of all four sesquiterpene synthases in a time depended manner. Southern blot result showed that the GUS gene was inserted into genomic DNA of transgenic lines as a single copy or two copies. The relative amounts of CPS and ECS as well as germacrene A synthase (GAS) transcripts are much lower than that of ADS transcript. Consequently, down-regulation of the expression of the CPS, ECS or GAS gene may not improve artemsinin yield. However, blocking the expression of FS may have effects on artemisinin production.

Trichome-specific expression of the amorpha-4,11-diene 12-hydroxylase (cyp71av1) gene, encoding a key enzyme of artemisinin biosynthesis in Artemisia annua, as reported by a promoter-GUS fusion

Artemisinin derivatives are effective anti-malarial drugs. In order to design transgenic plants of Artemisia annua with enhanced biosynthesis of artemisinin, we are studying the promoters of genes encoding enzymes involved in artemisinin biosynthesis. A 1,151 bp promoter region of the cyp71av1 gene, encoding amorpha-4,11-diene 12-hydroxylase, was cloned. Alignment of the cloned promoter and other cyp71av1 promoter sequences indicated that the cyp71av1 promoter may be different in different A. annua varieties. Comparison to the promoter of amorpha-4,11-diene synthase gene showed a number of putative cis-acting regulatory elements in common, suggesting a co-regulation of the two genes. The cyp71av1 promoter sequence was fused to the β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene and two varieties of A. annua and Nicotiana tabacum were transformed. In A. annua, GUS expression was exclusively localized to glandular secretory trichomes (GSTs) of leaf primordia and top expanded leaves. In older leaves, there is a shift of expression to T-shaped trichomes (TSTs). Only TSTs showed GUS staining in lower leaves and there is no GUS staining in old leaves. GUS expression in flower buds was specifically localized to GSTs. The recombinant promoter carries the cis-acting regulatory elements required for GST-specific expression. The cyp71av1 promoter shows activity in young tissues. The recombinant promoter was up to 200 times more active than the wild type promoter. GUS expression in transgenic N. tabacum was localized to glandular heads. Transcript levels were up-regulated by MeJA. Wound responsiveness experiment showed that the cyp71av1 promoter does not appear to play any role in the response of A. annua to mechanical stress.

Inducibility of chemical defenses in Norway spruce bark is correlated with unsuccessful mass attacks by the spruce bark beetle

Secondary attraction to aggregation pheromones plays a central role in the host colonization behavior of the European spruce bark beetle Ips typographus. However, it is largely unknown how the beetles pioneering an attack locate suitable host trees, and eventually accept or reject them. To find possible biomarkers for host choice by I. typographus, we analyzed the chemistry of 58 Norway spruce (Picea abies) trees that were subsequently either (1) successfully attacked and killed, (2) unsuccessfully attacked, or (3) left unattacked. The trees were sampled before the main beetle flight in a natural Norway spruce-dominated forest. No pheromones were used to attract beetles to the experimental trees. To test the trees' defense potential, each tree was treated in a local area with the defense hormone methyl jasmonate (MeJ), and treated and untreated bark were analyzed for 66 different compounds, including terpenes, phenolics and alkaloids. The chemistry of MeJ-treated bark correlated strongly with the success of I. typographus attack, revealing major chemical differences between killed trees and unsuccessfully attacked trees. Surviving trees produced significantly higher amounts of most of the 39 analyzed mono-, sesqui-, and diterpenes and of 4 of 20 phenolics. Alkaloids showed no clear pattern. Differences in untreated bark were less pronounced, where only 1,8-cineole and (-)-limonene were significantly higher in unsuccessfully attacked trees. Our results show that the potential of individual P. abies trees for inducing defense compounds upon I. typographus attack may partly determine tree resistance to this bark beetle by inhibiting its mass attack.

Functional expression and characterization of sesquiterpene synthases from Artemisia annua L. using transient expression system in Nicotiana benthamiana

Artemisia annua L. produces a number of sesquiterpene synthases, which catalyze the conversion of farnesyl diphosphate to various sesquiterpenes. The cDNAs encoding amorpha-4,11-diene synthase (ADS), a key enzyme in the artemisinin biosynthesis, and epi-cedrol synthase (ECS), a complex sesquiterpene cyclization synthase, were cloned into Cowpea mosaic virus-based viral vector (pEAQ-HT) with Kozak consensus motif and C-terminal histidine tag. The plasmids were transformed into Agrobacterium LBA4404 and, agroinfiltrated into Nicotiana benthamiana leaves along with vector (pJL3:p19) containing Tomato bushy stunt virus post-transcriptional gene silencing suppressor. Quantitative PCR was carried out to measure the transcript levels at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 days post-infiltration (dpi). The highest relative expression was observed at 9 dpi for both genes. Transiently expressed recombinant proteins of ADS and ECS were confirmed by SDS-PAGE and western blot. Recombinant proteins were extracted from 9 dpi leaves and purified by immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography using histidine tag, which produced yields of 90 and 96 mg kg⁻¹ fresh weight of leaves for ADS and ECS, respectively. Activities of the purified enzymes were assayed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for product identification and quantification using valencene as internal standard. The recombinant ADS and ECS converted farnesyl diphosphate into amorpha-4,11-diene (97 %) and epi-cedrol (96 %) as the major products, respectively. The purified enzymes exhibited the specific activity of 0.002 and 0.01 μmol min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ protein for ADS and ECS, respectively. The apparent k(cat) values were 2.1 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹ and 11 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹ for ADS and ECS, respectively.

KEY MESSAGE

Agroinfiltration of leaves of Nicotiana bentamiana can be used to produce recombinant biosynthetic enzymes as exemplified by two sesquiterpene synthases from Artemisia annua in relatively high yields.

Transient expression of hemagglutinin antigen from low pathogenic avian influenza A (H7N7) in Nicotiana benthamiana

The influenza A virus is of global concern for the poultry industry, especially the H5 and H7 subtypes as they have the potential to become highly pathogenic for poultry. In this study, the hemagglutinin (HA) of a low pathogenic avian influenza virus of the H7N7 subtype isolated from a Swedish mallard Anas platyrhynchos was sequenced, characterized and transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana. Recently, plant expression systems have gained interest as an alternative for the production of vaccine antigens. To examine the possibility of expressing the HA protein in N. benthamiana, a cDNA fragment encoding the HA gene was synthesized de novo, modified with a Kozak sequence, a PR1a signal peptide, a C-terminal hexahistidine (6×His) tag, and an endoplasmic retention signal (SEKDEL). The construct was cloned into a Cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV)-based vector (pEAQ-HT) and the resulting pEAQ-HT-HA plasmid, along with a vector (pJL3:p19) containing the viral gene-silencing suppressor p19 from Tomato bushy stunt virus, was agro-infiltrated into N. benthamiana. The highest gene expression of recombinant plant-produced, uncleaved HA (rHA0), as measured by quantitative real-time PCR was detected at 6 days post infiltration (dpi). Guided by the gene expression profile, rHA0 protein was extracted at 6 dpi and subsequently purified utilizing the 6×His tag and immobilized metal ion adsorption chromatography. The yield was 0.2 g purified protein per kg fresh weight of leaves. Further molecular characterizations showed that the purified rHA0 protein was N-glycosylated and its identity confirmed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. In addition, the purified rHA0 exhibited hemagglutination and hemagglutination inhibition activity indicating that the rHA0 shares structural and functional properties with native HA protein of H7 influenza virus. Our results indicate that rHA0 maintained its native antigenicity and specificity, providing a good source of vaccine antigen to induce immune response in poultry species.

Trichome isolation with and without fixation using laser microdissection and pressure catapulting followed by RNA amplification: expression of genes of terpene metabolism in apical and sub-apical trichome cells of Artemisia annua L

The aim of this project was to evaluate the effect of fixation on plant material prior to Laser Microdissection and Pressure Catapulting (LMPC) and to identify an appropriate method for preserving good RNA quality after cell isolation. Therefore, flower buds from Artemisia annua L. were exposed to either the fixative formaldehyde or a non-fixative buffer prior to cell isolation by LMPC. Proteinase K was used after cell isolation from fixed plant tissue, in an attempt to improve the RNA yield. The ability to detect gene expression using real-time quantitative PCR with or without previous amplification of RNA from cells isolated by LMPC was also evaluated. Conclusively, we describe a new technique, without fixation, enabling complete isolation of intact glandular secretory trichomes and specific single trichome cells of A. annua. This method is based on LMPC and preserves good RNA quality for subsequent RNA expression studies of both whole trichomes, apical and sub-apical cells from trichomes of A. annua. Using this method, expression of genes of terpene metabolism was studied by real-time quantitative PCR. Expression of genes involved in artemisinin biosynthesis was observed in both apical and sub-apical cells.

Relative expression of genes of terpene metabolism in different tissues of Artemisia annua L

BACKGROUND

Recently, Artemisia annua L. (annual or sweet wormwood) has received increasing attention due to the fact that the plant produces the sesquiterpenoid endoperoxide artemisinin, which today is widely used for treatment of malaria. The plant produces relatively small amounts of artemisinin and a worldwide shortage of the drug has led to intense research in order to increase the yield of artemisinin. In order to improve our understanding of terpene metabolism in the plant and to evaluate the competition for precursors, which may influence the yield of artemisinin, we have used qPCR to estimate the expression of 14 genes of terpene metabolism in different tissues.

RESULTS

The four genes of the artemisinin biosynthetic pathway (amorpha-4,11-diene synthase, amorphadiene-12-hydroxylase, artemisinic aldehyde ∆11(13) reductase and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1) showed remarkably higher expression (between ~40- to ~500-fold) in flower buds and young leaves compared to other tissues (old leaves, stems, roots, hairy root cultures). Further, dihydroartemisinic aldehyde reductase showed a very high expression only in hairy root cultures. Germacrene A and caryophyllene synthase were mostly expressed in young leaves and flower buds while epi-cedrol synthase was highly expressed in old leaves. 3-Hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A reductase exhibited lower expression in old leaves compared to other tissues. Farnesyldiphosphate synthase, squalene synthase, and 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase showed only modest variation in expression in the different tissues, while expression of 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase was 7-8-fold higher in flower buds and young leaves compared to old leaves.

CONCLUSIONS

Four genes of artemisinin biosynthesis were highly expressed in flower buds and young leaves (tissues showing a high density of glandular trichomes). The expression of dihydroartemisinic aldehyde reductase has been suggested to have a negative effect on artemisinin production through reduction of dihydroartemisinic aldehyde to dihydroartemisinic alcohol. However, our results show that this enzyme is expressed only at low levels in tissues producing artemisinin and consequently its effect on artemisinin production may be limited. Finally, squalene synthase but not other sesquiterpene synthases appears to be a significant competitor for farnesyl diphosphate in artemisinin-producing tissues.

Localization of enzymes of artemisinin biosynthesis to the apical cells of glandular secretory trichomes of Artemisia annua L

A method based on the laser microdissection pressure catapulting technique has been developed for isolation of whole intact cells. Using a modified tissue preparation method, one outer pair of apical cells and two pairs of sub-apical, chloroplast-containing cells, were isolated from glandular secretory trichomes of Artemisia annua. A. annua is the source of the widely used antimalarial drug artemisinin. The biosynthesis of artemisinin has been proposed to be located to the glandular trichomes. The first committed steps in the conversion of FPP to artemisinin are conducted by amorpha-4,11-diene synthase, amorpha-4,11-diene hydroxylase, a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (CYP71AV1) and artemisinic aldehyde Delta11(13) reductase. The expression of the three biosynthetic enzymes in the different cell types has been studied. In addition, the expression of farnesyldiphosphate synthase producing the precursor of artemisinin has been investigated. Our experiments showed expression of farnesyldiphosphate synthase in apical and sub-apical cells as well as in mesophyl cells while the three enzymes involved in artemisinin biosynthesis were expressed only in the apical cells. Elongation factor 1alpha was used as control and it was expressed in all cell types. We conclude that artemisinin biosynthesis is taking place in the two outer apical cells while the two pairs of chloroplast-containing cells have other functions in the overall metabolism of glandular trichomes.

Improved conditions for production of recombinant plant sesquiterpene synthases in Escherichia coli

Amorpha-4,11-diene synthase (ADS) from Artemisia annua and (+)-germacrene synthase (GDS) from Zingiber officinale were expressed in Escherichia coli under different conditions to optimize the yield of active soluble protein. The cDNAs of these enzymes were inserted into the pET28 vector (Novagen) and expressed in four different bacterial strains; BL21 (DE3), BL21 (DE3) Tuner, BL21 (DE3) pLysS and BL21 (DE3) pLysS Tuner using different inducing agents (IPTG, The Inducer). The effects of induction under osmotic stress in the presence of glycine betaine and sorbitol were investigated. Although background expression for ADS was reduced when using pLysS strains, no significant difference was noted for ADS activity in soluble whole cell lysates after induction with either IPTG or The Inducer. For GDS, on the other hand, the change between BL21 (DE3) cells and BL21 (DE3) Tuner, induced with IPTG, leads to a twofold increase in enzyme activity in the soluble fraction while a reduction in activity is observed when using the pLysS strains. The same doubling of activity is observed for GDS when the commonly used BL.21 (DE3) is induced with The Inducer. Addition of 2.5 mM glycine betaine and 660 mM sorbitol to the bacterial growth media resulted in reduction of growth rate and biomass yield but under these conditions the best overall protein production, for both enzymes, was obtained. Compared to the standard conditions previously used in our laboratory the yield of soluble active protein was increased 7- and 2.5-fold for ADS and GDS, using BL21 (DE3) pLysS Tuner and BL21 (DE3), respectively.

Production of the artemisinin precursor amorpha-4,11-diene by engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The gene encoding for amorpha-4,11-diene synthase from Artemisia annua was transformed into yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae in two fundamentally different ways. First, the gene was subcloned into the galactose-inducible, high-copy number yeast expression vector pYeDP60 and used to transform the Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain CEN.PK113-5D. Secondly, amorpha-4,11-diene synthase gene, regulated by the same promoter, was introduced into the yeast genome by homologous recombination. In protein extracts from galactose-induced yeast cells, a higher activity was observed for yeast expressing the enzyme from the plasmid. The genome-transformed yeast grows at the same rate as wild-type yeast while plasmid-carrying yeast grows somewhat slower than the wild-type yeast. The plasmid and genome-transformed yeasts produced 600 and 100 microg/l of the artemisinin precursor amorpha-4,11-diene, respectively, during 16-days' batch cultivation.

Cloning, expression, purification and characterization of recombinant (+)-germacrene D synthase from Zingiber officinale

A cDNA clone encoding a sesquiterpene synthase, (+)-germacrene D synthase, has been isolated from ginger (Zingiber officinale). The full-length cDNA (AY860846) contains a 1650-bp open reading frame coding for 550 amino acids (63.8kDa) with a theoretical pI=5.59. The deduced amino acid sequence is 30-46% identical with sequences of other sesquiterpene synthases from angiosperms. The recombinant enzyme, produced in Escherichia coli, catalyzed the formation of a major product, (+)-germacrene D (50.2% of total sesquiterpenoids produced) and a co-product, germacrene B (17.1%) and a number of minor by-products. The optimal pH for the recombinant enzyme is around 7.5. Substantial (+)-germacrene D synthase activity is observed in the presence of Mg2+, Mn2+, Ni2+ or Co2+, while the enzyme is inactive when Cu2+ or Zn2+ is used. The Km- and kcat-values are 0.88 microM and 3.34 x 10(-3) s(-1), respectively. A reaction mechanism involving a double 1,2-hydride shift has been established using deuterium labeled substrates in combination with GC-MS analysis.

Amorpha-4,11-diene synthase: mechanism and stereochemistry of the enzymatic cyclization of farnesyl diphosphate

Recombinant amorpha-4,11-diene synthase from Artemisia annua, expressed in Escherichia coli, was incubated with the deuterium-labeled farnesyl diphosphates, (1R)-[1-(2)H]FPP, (1S)-[1-(2)H]FPP, and [1,1-(2)H2]FPP. GC-MS analysis of amorpha-4,11-diene formed from the deuterated FPPs shows that the deuterium atoms are retained in the product. Furthermore, analysis of the MS-spectra obtained with the differently labeled substrate indicates that the H-1si-proton of FPP is transferred during the cyclization reaction to carbon 10 of amorphadiene while the H-1re-proton of FPP is retained on C-6 of the product. Proton NMR and COSY experiments proved that the original H-1si-proton of FPP is located at C-10 of amorpha-4,11-diene as a result of a 1,3-hydride shift following initial 1,6-ring closure. The results obtained support the previously suggested mechanism for the cyclization of farnesyl diphosphate by amorph-4,11-diene synthase involving isomerization of FPP to (R)-nerolidyl diphosphate (NPP), ionization of NPP, and C-1,C-6-ring closure to generate a bisabolyl cation, followed by a 1,3-hydride shift, 1,10-ring closure to generate the amorphane skeleton, and deprotonation at either C-12 or C-13 to afford the final product (1S,6R,7R,10R)-amorpha-4,11-diene.

Expression, purification, and characterization of recombinant amorpha-4,11-diene synthase from Artemisia annua L

A cDNA clone encoding amorpha-4,11-diene synthase from Artemisia annua was subcloned into a bacterial expression vector in frame with a His6-tag. Recombinant amorpha-4,11-diene synthase was produced in Escherichia coli and purified to apparent homogeneity. The enzyme showed pH optimum at pH 6.5, and a minimum at pH 7.5. Substantial activity was observed in the presence of Mg2+, Mn2+ or Co2+ as cofactor. The enzyme exhibits a low activity in the presence of Ni2+ and essentially no activity with Cu2+ or Zn2+. The sesquiterpenoids produced from farnesyl diphosphate in the presence of Mg2+ were analyzed by GC-MS. In addition to amorpha-4,11-diene, 15 sesquiterpenoids were produced. Only small quantitative differences in product pattern were observed at pH 6.5, 7.5, or 9.5. Amorpha-4,11-diene synthase showed significant increased product selectivity in the presence of Mn2+ or Co2+. Km for farnesyl diphosphate was 3.3, 8.0, and 0.7 microM in the presence of Mg2+, Mn2+ or Co2+, respectively. The corresponding kcat-values were 6.8, 15.0, and 1.3 x 10(-3) s(-1), respectively. Km and kcat for geranyl diphosphate were 16.9 microM and 7.0 x 10(-4) s(-1), respectively, at pH 6.5, in the presence of Mn2+.

Expression, purification and characterization of recombinant (E)-beta-farnesene synthase from Artemisia annua

A cDNA clone (GenBank Accession No. AY835398) encoding a sesquiterpene synthase, (E)-beta-farnesene synthase, has been isolated from Artemisia annua L. It contains a 1746-bp open reading frame coding for 574 amino acids (66.9 kDa) with a calculated pI=5.03. The deduced amino acid sequence is 30-50% identical with sequences of other sesquiterpene synthases from angiosperms. The recombinant enzyme, produced in Escherichia coli, catalyzed the formation of a single product, beta-farnesene, from farnesyl diphosphate. The pH optimum for the recombinant enzyme is around 6.5 and the K(m)- and k(cat)-values for farnesyl diphosphate, is 2.1 microM and 9.5 x 10(-3) s(-1), respectively resulting in the efficiency 4.5 x 10(-3) M(-1)s(-1). The enzyme exhibits substantial activity in the presence of Mg(2+), Mn(2+) or Co(2+) but essentially no activity when Zn(2+), Ni(2+) or Cu(2+) is used as cofactor. The concentration required for maximum activity are estimated to 5 mM, 0.5 mM and <10 microM for Mg(2+), Co(2+) or Mn(2+), respectively. Geranyl diphosphate is not a substrate for the recombinant enzyme.

Growth behavior in plant cell cultures based on emissions detected by a multisensor array

The use of a multisensor array based on chemical gas sensors to monitor plant cell cultures is described. The multisensor array, also referred to as an electronic nose, consisted of 19 different metal oxide semiconductor sensors and one carbon dioxide sensor. The device was used to continuously monitor the off-gas from two plant cell suspension cultures, Morinda citrifolia and Nicotiana tabacum, cultivated under batch conditions. By analyzing the multiarray responses using two pattern recognition methods, principal component analysis and artificial neural networks, it was possible to monitor the course of the cultivations and, in turn, to predict (1) the biomass concentration in both systems and (2) the formation of the secondary metabolite, antraquinone, by M. citrifolia. The results identify the multisensor array method as a potentially useful analytical tool for monitoring plant process variables that are otherwise difficult to analyze on-line.

Fusion of farnesyldiphosphate synthase and epi-aristolochene synthase, a sesquiterpene cyclase involved in capsidiol biosynthesis in Nicotiana tabacum

A clone encoding farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPPS) was obtained by PCR from a cDNA library made from young leaves of Artemisia annua. A cDNA clone encoding the tobacco epi-aristolochene synthase (eAS) was kindly supplied by J. Chappell (University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA). Two fusions were constructed, i.e. FPPS/eAS and eAS/FPPS. The stop codon of the N-terminal enzyme was removed and replaced by a short peptide (Gly-Ser-Gly) to introduce a linker between the two ORFs. These two fusions and the two single cDNA clones were separately introduced into a bacterial expression vector (pET32). Escherichia coli was transformed with the expression vectors and enzymatically active soluble proteins were obtained after induction with isopropyl thio-beta-d-thiogalactoside. The recombinant enzymes were purified using immobilized metal affinity chromatography on Co2+ columns. The fusion enzymes produced epi-aristolochene from isopentenyl diphosphate through a coupled reaction. The Km values of FPPS and eAS for isopentenyl diphosphate and farnesyl diphosphate, respectively, were essentially the same for the single and fused enzymes. The bifunctional enzymes showed a more efficient conversion of isopentenyl diphosphate to epi-aristolochene than the corresponding amount of single enzymes.

Purification, cloning and autoproteolytic processing of an aspartic proteinase from Centaurea calcitrapa

Plant aspartic proteinases (APs) have been isolated from several seed and leaf sources but the only well characterized enzymes from flowers are cardosins and cyprosins from cardoon, Cynara cardunculus L. Here we report a full-length cDNA clone encoding an AP named cenprosin from the flowers of Centaurea calcitrapa L., a thistle related to cardoon. As found for all eukaryotic APs, the deduced primary sequence consists of a signal sequence, a propart and a mature enzyme. In addition, an internal sequence region of 104 residues typical only of plant APs (a plant-specific insert) is present in the primary structure. Northern analysis revealed that the strongest expression is in fresh flowers. The enzyme is also expressed in fairly high amounts in seeds and in leaves, a feature not detected for cardoon APs. The corresponding enzyme was purified in its precursor form from fresh flowers using ammonium-sulfate precipitation followed by ion-exchange and hydrophobic-interaction chromatography. The processing of the precursor into its mature form was studied in vitro. The enzyme underwent autocatalytic processing at pH 3.0 resulting in two chains of 16 and 30 kDa. When dried flowers were used as a starting material for purification, only 16- and 30-kDa chains were obtained, suggesting that autoproteolytic activation of procenprosin in vivo occurs mainly during drying of the flowers. This may indicate a specific degradative role for the enzyme during senescence of the flowers.

Molecular cloning, expression, and characterization of amorpha-4,11-diene synthase, a key enzyme of artemisinin biosynthesis in Artemisia annua L

In plants, sesquiterpenes of different structural types are biosynthesized from the isoprenoid intermediate farnesyl diphosphate. The initial reaction of the biosynthesis is catalyzed by sesquiterpene cyclases (synthases). In Artemisia annua L. (annual wormwood), a number of such sesquiterpene cyclases are active. We have isolated a cDNA clone encoding one of these, amorpha-4,11-diene synthase, a putative key enzyme of artemisinin biosynthesis. This clone contains a 1641-bp open reading frame coding for 546 amino acids (63.9 kDa), a 12-bp 5'-untranslated end, and a 427-bp 3'-untranslated sequence. The deduced amino acid sequence is 32 to 51% identical with the sequence of other known sesquiterpene cyclases from angiosperms. When expressed in Escherichia coli, the recombinant enzyme catalyzed the formation of both olefinic (97.5%) and oxygenated (2.5%) sesquiterpenes from farnesyl diphosphate. GC-MS analysis identified the olefins as (E)-beta-farnesene (0.8%), amorpha-4,11diene (91.2%), amorpha-4,7(11)-diene (3.7%), gamma-humulene (1.0%), beta-sesquiphellandrene (0.5%), and an unknown olefin (0.2%) and the oxygenated sesquiterpenes as amorpha-4-en-11-ol (0.2%) (tentatively), amorpha-4-en-7-ol (2.1%), and alpha-bisabolol (0.3%) (tentatively). Using geranyl diphosphate as substrate, amorpha-4,11-diene synthase did not produce any monoterpenes. The recombinant enzyme has a broad pH optimum between 7.5 and 9.0 and the Km values for farnesyl diphosphate, Mg2+, and Mn2+ are 0.9, 70, and 13 microM, respectively, at pH 7.5. A putative reaction mechanism for amorpha-4,11-diene synthase is suggested.

Cloning, expression, and characterization of epi-cedrol synthase, a sesquiterpene cyclase from Artemisia annua L

Sesquiterpene cyclases (synthases) catalyze the conversion of the isoprenoid intermediate farnesyl diphosphate to various sesquiterpene structural types. In plants, many sesquiterpenes are produced as defensive chemicals (phytoalexins) or mediators of chemical communication (i.e., pollinator attractants). A number of sesquiterpene synthases are present in Artemisia annua L. (annual wormwood). We have isolated a cDNA clone encoding one of these, epi-cedrol synthase. This clone contains a 1641-bp open reading frame coding for 547 amino acids (63.5 kDa), a 38-bp 5'-untranslated end, and a 272-bp 3'-untranslated sequence. The deduced amino acid sequence was 32 to 43% identical with the sequences of other known sesquiterpene cyclases from angiosperms. When expressed in Escherichia coli, the recombinant enzyme catalyzed the formation of both olefinic (3%) and oxygenated (97%) sesquiterpenes from farnesyl diphosphate. GC-MS analysis identified the olefins as alpha-cedrene (57% of the olefins), beta-cedrene (13%), (E)-beta-farnesene (5%), alpha-acoradiene (1%), (E)-alpha-bisabolene (8%), and three unknown olefins (16%) and the oxygenated sesquiterpenes (97% of total sesquiterpene generated, exclusive of farnesol and nerolidol) as cedrol (4%) and epi-cedrol (96%). epi-Cedrol synthase was not active with geranylgeranyl diphosphate as substrate, whereas geranyl diphosphate was converted to monoterpenes by the recombinant enzyme at a rate of about 15% of that observed with farnesyl diphosphate as substrate. The monoterpene olefin products are limonene (45%), terpinolene (42%), gamma-terpinene (8%), myrcene (5%), and alpha-terpinene (2%); a small amount of the monoterpene alcohol terpinen-4-ol is also produced. The pH optimum for the recombinant enzyme is 8.5-9.0 (with farnesyl diphosphate as substrate) and the K(m) values for farnesyl diphosphate are 0.4 and 1.3 microM at pH 7. 0 and 9.0, respectively. The K(m) for Mg(2+) is 80 microM at pH 7.0 and 9.0.

Processing, activity, and inhibition of recombinant cyprosin, an aspartic proteinase from cardoon (Cynara cardunculus)

The cDNA encoding the precursor of an aspartic proteinase from the flowers of the cardoon, Cynara cardunculus, was expressed in Pichia pastoris, and the recombinant, mature cyprosin that accumulated in the culture medium was purified and characterized. The resultant mixture of microheterogeneous forms was shown to consist of glycosylated heavy chains (34 or 32 kDa) plus associated light chains with molecular weights in the region of 14,000-18,000, resulting from excision of most, but not all, of the 104 residues contributed by the unique region known as the plant specific insert. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under non-reducing conditions indicated that disulfide bonding held the heavy and light chains together in the heterodimeric enzyme forms. In contrast, when a construct was expressed in which the nucleotides encoding the 104 residues of the plant specific insert were deleted, the inactive, unprocessed precursor form (procyprosin) accumulated, indicating that the plant-specific insert has a role in ensuring that the nascent polypeptide is folded properly and rendered capable of being activated to generate mature, active proteinase. Kinetic parameters were derived for the hydrolysis of a synthetic peptide substrate by wild-type, recombinant cyprosin at a variety of pH and temperature values and the subsite requirements of the enzyme were mapped using a systematic series of synthetic inhibitors. The significance is discussed of the susceptibility of cyprosin to inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus proteinase and particularly of renin, some of which were found to have subnanomolar potencies against the plant enzyme.

Isolation and characterization of a cDNA from flowers of Cynara cardunculus encoding cyprosin (an aspartic proteinase) and its use to study the organ-specific expression of cyprosin

Poly(A)+ RNA isolated from flower buds of Cynara cardunculus has been used to prepare a cDNA library. Screening of the cDNA after expression of cloned DNA with antibodies raised against the large subunit of cyprosin 3 resulted in the isolation of six positive clones. One of these clones (cypro1s; a 1.7 kb Eco RI fragment) codes for cyprosin. The nucleotide sequence contain a 1419 bp open reading frame coding for 473 amino acids (aa) including a putative full-length mature protein (440 aa) and a partial prosequence (33 aa). Cypro1s contains a 162 bp 3' non-coding region followed by a poly(A) tail. The deduced amino acid sequence shows high homology to other plant aspartic proteinases. The homology to mammalian and microbial aspartic proteinases is somewhat lower. Plant aspartic proteinases contain an insert of around 100 aa. We are modelling where this plant-specific insert will appear in the structure of cyprosin. Using cypro1s as a probe in northern blot analysis, the expression of cyprosin in developing flowers and other tissues has been studied. The signal on the northern blot increased for RNA samples from early (flower buds 6 mm in length) to later stages of floral development (flower buds up to 40 mm in length). In late stages of floral development (open flowers 50 mm in length and styles from such flowers) no hybridization signal was visualized showing that the synthesis of mRNA encoding the cyprosin starts in early stages of floral development and switches off at maturation of the flower.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Phenylpropanoid Metabolism in Suspension Cultures of Vanilla planifolia Andr. : IV. Induction of Vanillic Acid Formation

Kinetin is used as an elicitor to induce vanillic acid formation in cell suspension cultures of Vanilla planifolia. Maximal induction is observed at a kinetin concentration of 20 micrograms per gram of fresh weight of cells. Vanillic acid synthesis is observed a few hours after elicitation. The effects of kinetin on the activity of some enzymes of the phenylpropanoid pathway, i.e. phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, 4-hydroxycinnamate:coenzyme A ligase and uridine 5'-diphosphate-glucose:trans-cinnamic acid glucosyltransferase, are reported and compared to the effects of chitosan. The former two enzymes are induced by chitosan with a maximum activity of approximately 25 to 40 hours after elicitation. All three enzymes are induced by kinetin with maximum activities for phenylalanine ammonia lyase and 4-hydroxycinnamate:coenzyme A ligase at approximately 50 hours after induction, whereas maximum glucosyltransferase activity is seen already after 24 hours. Furthermore, both elicitors induced the formation of lignin-like material, whereas only kinetin induced vanillic acid biosynthesis. Finally, kinetin but not chitosan induces catechol-4-O-methyltransferase activity, catalyzing the formation of 4-methoxycinnamic acids, which were shown to be intermediates of hydroxybenzoic acid biosynthesis within cells of V. planifolia. It is suggested that this methyltransferase is directly involved in the biosynthesis of vanillic acid.

Enzyme assays

The past year or so has seen the development of new enzyme assays, as well as the improvement of existing ones. Assays are becoming more rapid and sensitive as a result of modifications such as amplification of the enzyme product(s). Recombinant DNA technology is now being recognized as a particularly useful tool in the search for improved assay systems.

Phenylpropanoid Metabolism in Suspension Cultures of Vanilla planifolia Andr. : II. Effects of Precursor Feeding and Metabolic Inhibitors

Feeding of cinnamic acid and ferulic acid to non-treated and chitosan-treated cell suspension cultures of Vanilla planifolia resulted in the formation of trace amounts of p-hydroxy benzoic acid (5.2 micrograms per gram fresh weight of cells) and vanillic acid (6.4 micrograms per gram fresh weight of cells), respectively. Addition of a 4-hydroxycinnamate: CoA-ligase inhibitor, 3,4-(methylenedioxy)-cinnamic acid (MDCA), resulted in a reduced biosynthesis of ligneous material with a simultaneous significant increased vanillic acid formation (around 75 micrograms per gram fresh weight of cells). A K(1) of 100 micromolar for 4-hydroxycinnamate: CoA-ligase in a crude preparation was estimated for this inhibitor. It is suggested that the conversion of cinnamic acids into benzoic acids does not involve cinnamoyl CoA esters as intermediates. Feeding of (14)C-cinnamic acid and (14)C-ferulic acid to cells treated with MDCA indicate that cinnamic acid, but not ferulic acid, is a precursor of vanillic acid in these cultivated cells of V. planifolia.

Phenylpropanoid Metabolism in Suspension Cultures of Vanilla planifolia Andr. : III. Conversion of 4-Methoxycinnamic Acids into 4-Hydroxybenzoic Acids

Feeding of 4-methoxycinnamic acid, 3,4-dimethoxycinnamic acid and 3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamic acid to cell suspension cultures of Vanilla planifolia resulted in the formation of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, and syringic acid, respectively. The homologous 4-methoxybenzoic acids were demethylated to the same products. It is concluded that the side chain degrading enzyme system accepts the 4-methoxylated substrates while the demethylation occurs at the benzoic acid level. The demethylating enzyme is specific for the 4-position. Feeding of [O-(14)C-methyl]-3,4-dimethoxycinnamic acid revealed that the first step in the conversion is the glycosylation of the cinnamic acid to its glucose ester. A partial purification of a UDP-glucose: trans-cinnamic acid glucosyltransferase is reported. 4-Methoxy substituted cinnamic acids are better substrates for this enzyme than 4-hydroxy substituted cinnamic acid. It is suggested that 4-methoxy substituted cinnamic acids are intermediates in the biosynthetic conversion of cinnamic acids to benzoic acids in cells of V. planifolia.

Elicitor-Induced l-Tyrosine Decarboxylase from Plant Cell Suspension Cultures : I. Induction and Purification

l-Tyrosine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.25) activity was induced in cell suspension cultures of Thalictrum rugosum Ait. and Eschscholtzia californica Cham. with a yeast polysaccharide preparation (elicitor). The highest l-tyrosine decarboxylase activity in extracts from 7-day-old cell cultures of E. californica was observed 5 hours after addition of 30 to 40 micrograms elicitor per gram cell fresh weight. The enzyme extracted from cells of E. californica was purified 1540-fold to a specific activity of 2.6 micromoles CO(2) produced per minute per milligram protein at pH 8.4 and 30 degrees C. Purified enzyme from T. rugosum showed a specific activity of 0.18 micromoles per minute per milligram protein. The purification procedure involved ammonium sulfate fractionation, anion-exchange fast protein liquid chromatography, ultrafiltration, and hydrophobic interaction chromatography. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that the enzyme from the two plant cell cultures had subunits of identical molecular weight (56,300 +/- 300 daltons.

Elicitor-Induced l-Tyrosine Decarboxylase from Plant Cell Suspension Cultures : II. Partial Characterization

Properties of purified l-tyrosine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.25) from elicitor-induced cell suspension cultures of Eschscholtzia californica Cham. and Thalictrum rugosum Ait. are described. l-Tyrosine decarboxylase is a dimeric enzyme with a molecular weight of 112,600 +/- 600 daltons. The isoelectric point was estimated to be at pH 5.2 and pH 5.4 for the enzyme from E. californica and T. rugosum, respectively. The purified enzymes were stabilized in the presence of pyridoxal-5-phosphate. Optimum pH for the enzyme from both plants was found to be 8.4. Enzyme activity was dependent on exogeneously supplied pyridoxal-5-phosphate. The enzyme decarboxylated l-tyrosine and l-beta-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine but was inactive toward l-phenylalanine and l-tryptophan. Apparent K(m) values of Eschscholtzia- and Thalictrum-decarboxylase for l-tyrosine were 0.25 +/- 0.03 and 0.27 +/- 0.04 millimolar, respectively. Similar affinities were found for l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine. Eschscholtzial-tyrosine decarboxylase was strongly inhibited by the phenylalanine analogue l-alpha-aminooxy-beta-phenylpropionate and largely unaffected by d,l-alpha-monofluoromethyl-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine and alpha-difluoromethyltyrosine.

Permeabilization of cultivated plant cells by electroporation for release of intracellularly stored secondary products

Plant cell suspension cultures producing secondary metabolites have been permeabilized for product release by electroporation. The two cell cultures studied, i.e. Thalictrum rugosum and Chenopodium rubrum, require about 5 and 10 kV cm(-1), respectively, for complete permeabilization (release of all the intracellularly stored product). The number of electrical pulses and capacitance used had a relatively limited effect on product release while the viability of the cells was strongly influenced by the latter. Conditions for complete product release resulted in total loss of viability of the cells after treatment. The release of product from immobilized cells was also achieved by electroporation. Cells entrapped in alginate required less voltage for permeabilization than free or agarose entrapped cells.