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Qu Y, Thamm AMK, Czerwinski M, Masada S, Kim KH, Jones G, Liang P, De Luca V. Geissoschizine synthase controls flux in the formation of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids in a Catharanthus roseus mutant. PLANTA 2018; 247:625-634. [PMID: 29147812 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-017-2812-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
A Catharanthus roseus mutant accumulates high levels of ajmalicine at the expense of catharanthine and vindoline. The altered chemistry depends on increased expression and biochemical activities of strictosidine β-glucosidase and ajmalicine synthase activities and reduced expression and biochemical activity of geissoschizine synthase. The Madagascar periwinkle [Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don] is a commercially important horticultural flower species and is a valuable source for several monoterpenoid indole alkaloids (MIAs), such as the powerful antihypertensive drug ajmalicine and the antineoplastic agents, vinblastine and vincristine. While biosynthesis of the common MIA precursor strictosidine and its reactive aglycones has been elucidated, the branch point steps leading to the formation of different classes of MIAs remain poorly characterized. Screening of 3600 ethyl methyl sulfonate mutagenized C. roseus plants using a simple thin-layer chromatography screen yielded a mutant (M2-0754) accumulating high levels of ajmalicine together with significantly lower levels of catharanthine and vindoline. Comparative bioinformatic analyses, virus-induced gene silencing, and biochemical characterization identified geissoschizine synthase, the gateway enzyme that controls flux for the formation of iboga and aspidosperma MIAs. The reduction of geissoschizine synthase transcripts in this high ajmalicine mutant, together with increased transcripts and enzyme activities of strictosidine β-glucosidase and of heteroyohimbine synthase, explains the preferential formation of ajmalicine in the mutant instead of catharanthine and vindoline that accumulates in the wild-type parent. Reciprocal crosses established that that the high ajmalicine phenotype is inherited as a Mendelian recessive trait.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Qu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON, L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - Antje M K Thamm
- Havas Life Bird and Schulte, Urachstrasse 19, 79102, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Matthew Czerwinski
- Grain Farmers of Ontario, 679 Southgate Drive, Guelph, ON, N1G 4S2, Canada
| | - Sayaka Masada
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry and Narcotics, National Institute of Health Sciences, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, 1-18-1 Kamiyoga, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 158-8501, Japan
| | - Kyung Hee Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON, L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - Graham Jones
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON, L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - Ping Liang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON, L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - Vincenzo De Luca
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON, L2S 3A1, Canada.
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Stavrinides A, Tatsis EC, Foureau E, Caputi L, Kellner F, Courdavault V, O'Connor SE. Unlocking the diversity of alkaloids in Catharanthus roseus: nuclear localization suggests metabolic channeling in secondary metabolism. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 22:336-41. [PMID: 25772467 PMCID: PMC4372254 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2015.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2014] [Revised: 01/24/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The extraordinary chemical diversity of the plant-derived monoterpene indole alkaloids, which include vinblastine, quinine, and strychnine, originates from a single biosynthetic intermediate, strictosidine aglycone. Here we report for the first time the cloning of a biosynthetic gene and characterization of the corresponding enzyme that acts at this crucial branchpoint. This enzyme, an alcohol dehydrogenase homolog, converts strictosidine aglycone to the heteroyohimbine-type alkaloid tetrahydroalstonine. We also demonstrate how this enzyme, which uses a highly reactive substrate, may interact with the upstream enzyme of the pathway. Tetrahydroalstonine synthase catalyzes the formation of a plant-derived alkaloid Tetrahydroalstonine synthase is localized to the nucleus Tetrahydroalstonine synthase and the preceding pathway enzyme interact Discovery of a gene controlling structural diversity of monoterpene indole alkaloids
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Stavrinides
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The John Innes Centre, Colney, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Evangelos C Tatsis
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The John Innes Centre, Colney, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Emilien Foureau
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, EA2106 "Biomolécules et Biotechnologies Végétales", 37200 Tours, France
| | - Lorenzo Caputi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The John Innes Centre, Colney, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Franziska Kellner
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The John Innes Centre, Colney, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Vincent Courdavault
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, EA2106 "Biomolécules et Biotechnologies Végétales", 37200 Tours, France.
| | - Sarah E O'Connor
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The John Innes Centre, Colney, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK.
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Cachet X, Porée FH, Michel S, Lemoine P. Tetra-hydro-alstonine. Acta Crystallogr Sect E Struct Rep Online 2014; 69:o1389-90. [PMID: 24427031 PMCID: PMC3884471 DOI: 10.1107/s1600536813021168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2013] [Accepted: 07/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
In the title compound, C21H24N2O3 [systematic name: methyl (20α)-16,17-didehydro-19α-methyl-18-oxayohimban-16-carboxylate], the molecule adopts an L-type conformation. The crystal packing is governed by one N—H⋯π and one C—H⋯π interactions. The crystal cohesion is ensured by intermolecular van der Waals contacts [shortest O⋯O contact = 3.199 (2) Å].
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Cachet
- Laboratoire de Pharmacognosie, UMR CNRS 8638, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques de Paris Descartes, 4, avenue de l'Observatoire, 75270 Paris Cedex 06, France
| | - François-Hugues Porée
- Laboratoire de Pharmacognosie, UMR CNRS 8638, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques de Paris Descartes, 4, avenue de l'Observatoire, 75270 Paris Cedex 06, France
| | - Sylvie Michel
- Laboratoire de Pharmacognosie, UMR CNRS 8638, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques de Paris Descartes, 4, avenue de l'Observatoire, 75270 Paris Cedex 06, France
| | - Pascale Lemoine
- Laboratoire de Cristallographie et RMN biologiques, UMR CNRS 8015, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques de Paris Descartes, 4, avenue de l'Observatoire, 75270 Paris Cedex 06, France
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Lee HY, Yerkes N, O'Connor SE. Aza-tryptamine substrates in monoterpene indole alkaloid biosynthesis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 16:1225-9. [PMID: 20064432 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2009.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2009] [Revised: 10/27/2009] [Accepted: 11/13/2009] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Biosynthetic pathways can be hijacked to yield novel compounds by introduction of novel starting materials. Here we have altered tryptamine, which serves as the starting substrate for a variety of alkaloid biosynthetic pathways, by replacing the indole with one of four aza-indole isomers. We show that two aza-tryptamine substrates can be successfully incorporated into the products of the monoterpene indole alkaloid pathway in Catharanthus roseus. Use of unnatural heterocycles in precursor-directed biosynthesis, in both microbial and plant natural product pathways, has not been widely demonstrated, and successful incorporation of starting substrate analogs containing the aza-indole functionality has not been previously reported. This work serves as a starting point to explore fermentation of aza-alkaloids from other tryptophan- and tryptamine-derived natural product pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyang-Yeol Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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Bernhardt P, Yerkes N, O'Connor SE. Bypassing stereoselectivity in the early steps of alkaloid biosynthesis. Org Biomol Chem 2009; 7:4166-8. [PMID: 19795053 DOI: 10.1039/b916027m] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Total synthesis of glycosylated seco-iridoid stereoisomers allows the identification and bypassing of the stereoselectivity of early steps in monoterpene indole alkaloid biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Bernhardt
- MIT Department of Chemistry, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, 18-592, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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O'Connor SE, Maresh JJ. Chemistry and biology of monoterpene indole alkaloid biosynthesis. Nat Prod Rep 2006; 23:532-47. [PMID: 16874388 DOI: 10.1039/b512615k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 679] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E O'Connor
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Building 18-592, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307, USA.
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Verpoorte R, van der Heijden R, Moreno PR. Chapter 3 Biosynthesis of Terpenoid Indole Alkaloids in Catharanthus roseus Cells. THE ALKALOIDS: CHEMISTRY AND PHARMACOLOGY 1997. [DOI: 10.1016/s0099-9598(08)60017-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Eilert U, De Luca V, Constabel F, Kurz WG. Elicitor-mediated induction of tryptophan decarboxylase and strictosidine synthase activities in cell suspension cultures of Catharanthus roseus. Arch Biochem Biophys 1987; 254:491-7. [PMID: 3579315 DOI: 10.1016/0003-9861(87)90128-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Treatment of one cell line (No. 615) of Catharanthus roseus c.v. Little Delicata with an elicitor preparation of autoclaved and homogenized Pythium aphanidermatum culture resulted in rapid accumulation of indole alkaloids. Alkaloid formation was preceded by rapid transient increases in the extractable activities of the enzymes tryptophan decarboxylase and strictosidine synthase. The induction of these two enzyme activities occurred when cells were transferred to alkaloid production medium or treatment with fungal elicitors. Treatment of this cell line with translational or transcriptional inhibitors prevented the Pythium-induced increases of enzyme activity as well as alkaloid accumulation. When cells were transferred to alkaloid production medium the induction of strictosidine synthase activity preceded that of tryptophan decarboxylase by many hours even when cells were also treated with Pythium elicitor. Results suggested that tryptophan decarboxylase induction proceeds only when endogenous tryptamine levels were decreased by two-third. The internal cellular level of tryptamine, therefore, could regulate expression of tryptophan decarboxylase, whereas induction of strictosidine synthase or of another enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway could control channeling of tryptamine into alkaloids. The results demonstrate that fungal elicitors can be used to facilitate studies of the factors which regulate expression of indole alkaloid pathway enzymes and their ultimate pathway products.
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DiCosmo F, Quesnel A, Misawa M, Tallevi SG. Increased synthesis of ajmalicine and catharanthine by cell suspension cultures of Catharanthus roseus in response to fungal culture-filtrates. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 1987; 14:101-6. [PMID: 3619437 DOI: 10.1007/bf02798428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The ammonium sulfate-precipitated fraction from mycelia and culture-filtrates and the crude, cell-free culture filtrates from the growth medium of the fungi Chrysosporium palmorum, Eurotium rubrum, Micromucor isabellina, and Pythium aphanidermatum when aseptically added to cell suspensions of Cantharanthus roseus caused a rapid and dramatic increase in indole alkaloid biosynthesis. Up to 400 micrograms/L ajmalicine and 600 micrograms/L catharanthine were detected in C. roseus cell suspension grown in the presence of the M. isabellina fungal culture filtrate for 3 d. Untreated cells produced only trace levels of ajmalicine and catharanthine per liter of cell suspension after 15 d of culture.
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