1
|
Yang C, Halitschke R, O'Connor SE. OXIDOSQUALENE CYCLASE 1 and 2 influence triterpene biosynthesis and defense in Nicotiana attenuata. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 194:2580-2599. [PMID: 38101922 PMCID: PMC10980520 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Triterpenes are a class of bioactive compounds with diverse biological functions, playing pivotal roles in plant defense against biotic stressors. Oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs) serve as gatekeepers in the biosynthesis of triterpenes. In this study, we utilized a Nicotiana benthamiana heterologous expression system to characterize NaOSC1 from Nicotiana attenuata as a multifunctional enzyme capable of synthesizing lupeol, dammarenediol II, 3-alpha,20-lupanediol, and 7 other triterpene scaffolds. We also demonstrated that NaOSC2 is, in contrast, a selective enzyme, producing only the β-amyrin scaffold. Through virus-induced gene silencing and in vitro toxicity assays, we elucidated the roles of NaOSC1 and NaOSC2 in the defense of N. attenuata against Manduca sexta larvae. Metabolomic and feature-based molecular network analyses of leaves with silenced NaOSC1 and NaOSC2 unveiled 3 potential triterpene glycoside metabolite clusters. Interestingly, features identified as triterpenes within these clusters displayed a significant negative correlation with larval mass. Our study highlights the pivotal roles of NaOSC1 and NaOSC2 from N. attenuata in the initial steps of triterpene biosynthesis, subsequently influencing defense against M. sexta through the modulation of downstream triterpene glycoside compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caiqiong Yang
- Department of Molecular Ecology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Straße 8, Jena D-07745, Germany
| | - Rayko Halitschke
- Mass Spectrometry and Metabolomics, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Straße 8, Jena D-07745, Germany
| | - Sarah E O'Connor
- Department of Natural Product Biosynthesis, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Straße 8, Jena D-07745, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Li Y, Wang J, Li L, Song W, Li M, Hua X, Wang Y, Yuan J, Xue Z. Natural products of pentacyclic triterpenoids: from discovery to heterologous biosynthesis. Nat Prod Rep 2023; 40:1303-1353. [PMID: 36454108 DOI: 10.1039/d2np00063f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
Covering: up to 2022Pentacyclic triterpenoids are important natural bioactive substances that are widely present in plants and fungi. They have significant medicinal efficacy, play an important role in reducing blood glucose and protecting the liver, and have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation, anti-fatigue, anti-viral, and anti-cancer activities. Pentacyclic triterpenoids are derived from the isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway, which generates common precursors of triterpenes and steroids, followed by cyclization with oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs) and decoration via cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYP450s) and glycosyltransferases (GTs). Many biosynthetic pathways of triterpenoid saponins have been elucidated by studying their metabolic regulation network through the use of multiomics and identifying their functional genes. Unfortunately, natural resources of pentacyclic triterpenoids are limited due to their low content in plant tissues and the long growth cycle of plants. Based on the understanding of their biosynthetic pathway and transcriptional regulation, plant bioreactors and microbial cell factories are emerging as alternative means for the synthesis of desired triterpenoid saponins. The rapid development of synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and fermentation technology has broadened channels for the accumulation of pentacyclic triterpenoid saponins. In this review, we summarize the classification, distribution, structural characteristics, and bioactivity of pentacyclic triterpenoids. We further discuss the biosynthetic pathways of pentacyclic triterpenoids and involved transcriptional regulation. Moreover, the recent progress and characteristics of heterologous biosynthesis in plants and microbial cell factories are discussed comparatively. Finally, we propose potential strategies to improve the accumulation of triterpenoid saponins, thereby providing a guide for their future biomanufacturing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanlin Li
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China.
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Plant Bioactive Substance Biosynthesis and Utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China
| | - Jing Wang
- Institute of Forestry and Pomology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Linyong Li
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China.
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Plant Bioactive Substance Biosynthesis and Utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China
| | - Wenhui Song
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China.
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Plant Bioactive Substance Biosynthesis and Utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China
| | - Min Li
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China.
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Plant Bioactive Substance Biosynthesis and Utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China
| | - Xin Hua
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China.
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Plant Bioactive Substance Biosynthesis and Utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China
| | - Yu Wang
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China.
| | - Jifeng Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Fujian, PR China.
| | - Zheyong Xue
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China.
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Plant Bioactive Substance Biosynthesis and Utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Antimicrobial Triterpenoids and Ingol Diterpenes from Propolis of Semi-Arid Region of Morocco. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27072206. [PMID: 35408603 PMCID: PMC9000693 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27072206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of propolis from a semi-arid region of Morocco were investigated. Fifteen compounds, including triterpenoids (1, 2, 7–12), macrocyclic diterpenes of ingol type (3–6) and aromatic derivatives (13–15), were isolated by various chromatographic methods. Their structures were elucidated by a combination of spectroscopic and chiroptical methods. Compounds 1 and 3 are new natural compounds, and 2, 4–6, and 9–11 are newly isolated from propolis. Moreover, the full nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) assignments of three of the known compounds (2, 4 and 5) were reported for the first time. Most of the compounds tested, especially the diterpenes 3, 4, and 6, exhibited very good activity against different strains of bacteria and fungi. Compound 3 showed the strongest activity with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) in the range of 4–64 µg/mL. The combination of isolated triterpenoids and ingol diterpenes was found to be characteristic for Euphorbia spp., and Euphorbia officinarum subsp. echinus could be suggested as a probable and new plant source of propolis.
Collapse
|
4
|
Lu Y, Luo Y, Zhou J, Hu T, Tu L, Tong Y, Su P, Liu Y, Wang J, Jiang Z, Wu X, Chen X, Huang L, Gao W. Probing the functions of friedelane-type triterpene cyclases from four celastrol-producing plants. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 109:555-567. [PMID: 34750899 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Triterpenes are among the most diverse plant natural products, and their diversity is closely related to various triterpene skeletons catalyzed by different 2,3-oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs). Celastrol, a friedelane-type triterpene with significant bioactivities, is specifically distributed in higher plants, such as Celastraceae species. Friedelin is an important precursor for the biosynthesis of celastrol, and it is synthesized through the cyclization of 2,3-oxidosqualene, with the highest number of rearrangements being catalyzed by friedelane-type triterpene cyclases. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the catalysis of friedelin production by friedelane-type triterpene cyclases have not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, transcriptome data of four celastrol-producing plants from Celastraceae were used to identify a total of 21 putative OSCs. Through functional characterization, the friedelane-type triterpene cyclases were separately verified in the four plants. Analysis of the selection pressure showed that purifying selection acted on these OSCs, and the friedelane-type triterpene cyclases may undergo weaker selective restriction during evolution. Molecular docking and site-directed mutagenesis revealed that changes in some amino acids that are unique to friedelane-type triterpene cyclases may lead to variations in catalytic specificity or efficiency, thereby affecting the synthesis of friedelin. Our research explored the functional diversity of triterpene synthases from a multispecies perspective. It also provides some references for further research on the relative mechanisms of friedelin biosynthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yun Lu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yunfeng Luo
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiawei Zhou
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tianyuan Hu
- College of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lichan Tu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuru Tong
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ping Su
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Yuan Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiadian Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhouqian Jiang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyi Wu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaochao Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Luqi Huang
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Oleanolic Acid: Extraction, Characterization and Biological Activity. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14030623. [PMID: 35276982 PMCID: PMC8838233 DOI: 10.3390/nu14030623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Oleanolic acid, a pentacyclic triterpenoid ubiquitously present in the plant kingdom, is receiving outstanding attention from the scientific community due to its biological activity against multiple diseases. Oleanolic acid is endowed with a wide range of biological activities with therapeutic potential by means of complex and multifactorial mechanisms. There is evidence suggesting that oleanolic acid might be effective against dyslipidemia, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, through enhancing insulin response, preserving the functionality and survival of β-cells and protecting against diabetes complications. In addition, several other functions have been proposed, including antiviral, anti-HIV, antibacterial, antifungal, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, gastroprotective, hypolipidemic and anti-atherosclerotic activities, as well as interfering in several stages of the development of different types of cancer; however, due to its hydrophobic nature, oleanolic acid is almost insoluble in water, which has led to a number of approaches to enhance its biopharmaceutical properties. In this scenario, the present review aimed to summarize the current knowledge and the research progress made in the last years on the extraction and characterization of oleanolic acid and its biological activities and the underlying mechanisms of action.
Collapse
|
6
|
Wang J, Guo Y, Yin X, Wang X, Qi X, Xue Z. Diverse triterpene skeletons are derived from the expansion and divergent evolution of 2,3-oxidosqualene cyclases in plants. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 57:113-132. [PMID: 34601979 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2021.1979458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Triterpenoids are one of the largest groups of secondary metabolites and exhibit diverse structures, which are derived from C30 skeletons that are biosynthesized via the isoprenoid pathway by cyclization of 2,3-oxidosqualene. Triterpenoids have a wide range of biological activities, and are used in functional foods, drugs, and as industrial materials. Due to the low content levels in their native plants and limited feasibility and efficiency of chemical synthesis, heterologous biosynthesis of triterpenoids is the most promising strategy. Herein, we classified 121 triterpene alcohols/ketones according to their conformation and ring numbers, among which 51 skeletons have been experimentally characterized as the products of oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs). Interestingly, 24 skeletons that have not been reported from nature source were generated by OSCs in heterologous expression. Comprehensive evolutionary analysis of the identified 152 OSCs from 75 species in 25 plant orders show that several pentacyclic triterpene synthases repeatedly originated in multiple plant lineages. Comparative analysis of OSC catalytic reaction revealed that stabilization of intermediate cations, steric hindrance, and conformation of active center amino acid residues are primary factors affecting triterpene formation. Optimization of OSC could be achieved by changing of side-chain orientations of key residues. Recently, methods, such as rationally design of pathways, regulation of metabolic flow, compartmentalization engineering, etc., were introduced in improving chassis for the biosynthesis of triterpenoids. We expect that extensive study of natural variation of large number of OSCs and catalytical mechanism will provide basis for production of high level of triterpenoids by application of synthetic biology strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China.,Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Plant Bioactive Substance Biosynthesis and Utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China.,Institute of Forestry and Pomology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yanhong Guo
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China.,Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Plant Bioactive Substance Biosynthesis and Utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China
| | - Xue Yin
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China.,Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Plant Bioactive Substance Biosynthesis and Utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China
| | - Xiaoning Wang
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Xiaoquan Qi
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Zheyong Xue
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China.,Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Plant Bioactive Substance Biosynthesis and Utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
A Review on Preparation of Betulinic Acid and Its Biological Activities. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26185583. [PMID: 34577056 PMCID: PMC8468263 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26185583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Betulinic acid, a pentacyclic triterpene, is distributed in a variety of plants, such as birch, eucalyptus and plane trees. It shows a wide spectrum of biological and pharmacological properties, such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antidiabetic, antimalarial, anti-HIV and antitumor effects. Among them, the antitumor activity of betulinic acid has been extensively studied. However, obtaining betulinic acid from natural resources can no longer meet the needs of medicine and nutrition, so methods such as chemical synthesis and microbial biotransformation have also been used to prepare betulinic acid. At the same time, with the development of synthetic biology and genetic engineering, and the elucidation of the biosynthetic pathways of terpenoid, the biosynthesis of betulinic acid has also been extensively researched. This article reviews the preparation of betulinic acid and its pharmacological activities, in order to provide a reference for the research and utilization of betulinic acid.
Collapse
|
8
|
Bachořík J, Urban M. Biocatalysis in the Chemistry of Lupane Triterpenoids. Molecules 2021; 26:2271. [PMID: 33919839 PMCID: PMC8070785 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26082271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Pentacyclic triterpenes are important representatives of natural products that exhibit a wide variety of biological activities. These activities suggest that these compounds may represent potential medicines for the treatment of cancer and viral, bacterial, or protozoal infections. Naturally occurring triterpenes usually have several drawbacks, such as limited activity and insufficient solubility and bioavailability; therefore, they need to be modified to obtain compounds suitable for drug development. Modifications can be achieved either by methods of standard organic synthesis or with the use of biocatalysts, such as enzymes or enzyme systems within living organisms. In most cases, these modifications result in the preparation of esters, amides, saponins, or sugar conjugates. Notably, while standard organic synthesis has been heavily used and developed, the use of the latter methodology has been rather limited, but it appears that biocatalysis has recently sparked considerably wider interest within the scientific community. Among triterpenes, derivatives of lupane play important roles. This review therefore summarizes the natural occurrence and sources of lupane triterpenoids, their biosynthesis, and semisynthetic methods that may be used for the production of betulinic acid from abundant and inexpensive betulin. Most importantly, this article compares chemical transformations of lupane triterpenoids with analogous reactions performed by biocatalysts and highlights a large space for the future development of biocatalysis in this field. The results of this study may serve as a summary of the current state of research and demonstrate the potential of the method in future applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Bachořík
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Palacký University in Olomouc, 17. listopadu 12, 771 46 Olomouc, Czech Republic;
| | - Milan Urban
- Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Palacký University in Olomouc, Hněvotínská 5, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Bai Y, Fernández-Calvo P, Ritter A, Huang AC, Morales-Herrera S, Bicalho KU, Karady M, Pauwels L, Buyst D, Njo M, Ljung K, Martins JC, Vanneste S, Beeckman T, Osbourn A, Goossens A, Pollier J. Modulation of Arabidopsis root growth by specialized triterpenes. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2021; 230:228-243. [PMID: 33616937 DOI: 10.1111/nph.17144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Plant roots are specialized belowground organs that spatiotemporally shape their development in function of varying soil conditions. This root plasticity relies on intricate molecular networks driven by phytohormones, such as auxin and jasmonate (JA). Loss-of-function of the NOVEL INTERACTOR OF JAZ (NINJA), a core component of the JA signaling pathway, leads to enhanced triterpene biosynthesis, in particular of the thalianol gene cluster, in Arabidopsis thaliana roots. We have investigated the biological role of thalianol and its derivatives by focusing on Thalianol Synthase (THAS) and Thalianol Acyltransferase 2 (THAA2), two thalianol cluster genes that are upregulated in the roots of ninja mutant plants. THAS and THAA2 activity was investigated in yeast, and metabolite and phenotype profiling of thas and thaa2 loss-of-function plants was carried out. THAA2 was shown to be responsible for the acetylation of thalianol and its derivatives, both in yeast and in planta. In addition, THAS and THAA2 activity was shown to modulate root development. Our results indicate that the thalianol pathway is not only controlled by phytohormonal cues, but also may modulate phytohormonal action itself, thereby affecting root development and interaction with the environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuechen Bai
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
| | - Patricia Fernández-Calvo
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
| | - Andrés Ritter
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
| | - Ancheng C Huang
- Department of Metabolic Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Colney Lane, Norwich,, NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Stefania Morales-Herrera
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
- VIB Center for Microbiology, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Keylla U Bicalho
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, São Paulo, 14800-060, Brazil
| | - Michal Karady
- Laboratory of Growth Regulators, Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences and Faculty of Science of Palacký University, Šlechtitelů 27, Olomouc, CZ-78371, Czech Republic
| | - Laurens Pauwels
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
| | - Dieter Buyst
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Maria Njo
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
| | - Karen Ljung
- Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, SE-901 83, Sweden
| | - José C Martins
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Steffen Vanneste
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
- Lab of Plant Growth Analysis, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon, 21985, Korea
| | - Tom Beeckman
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
| | - Anne Osbourn
- Department of Metabolic Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Colney Lane, Norwich,, NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Alain Goossens
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
| | - Jacob Pollier
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zhang T, Liu R, Chang M, Jin Q, Zhang H, Wang X. Health benefits of 4,4-dimethyl phytosterols: an exploration beyond 4-desmethyl phytosterols. Food Funct 2020; 11:93-110. [PMID: 31804642 DOI: 10.1039/c9fo01205b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
4,4-Dimethyl phytosterols possess two methyl groups at the carbon-4 atom of the aliphatic A-ring. The methyl groups are crucial for the molecular recognition of endogenous and exogenous bioactive compounds. Phytosterols have received worldwide attention owing to their recognized health benefits. However, 4,4-dimethyl phytosterols are less appreciated. Recent research studies revealed that 4,4-dimethyl phytosterols exert numerous beneficial effects on disease prevention, and are particularly involved in the endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS). The purpose of this review is to summarize and highlight the currently available information regarding the structures and sources of 4,4-dimethyl phytosterols, and to provide detailed preclinical studies performed to evaluate their potential for treating various diseases. Future research on 4,4-dimethyl phytosterols is warranted to confirm their relationship with the ECS, and to elucidate the mechanism directly toward clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Functional Food, Collaborative Innovation Center of Food Safety and Quality Control in Jiangsu Province, School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
An T, Zha W, Zi J. Biotechnological production of betulinic acid and derivatives and their applications. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 104:3339-3348. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-020-10495-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
12
|
Forestier E, Romero-Segura C, Pateraki I, Centeno E, Compagnon V, Preiss M, Berna A, Boronat A, Bach TJ, Darnet S, Schaller H. Distinct triterpene synthases in the laticifers of Euphorbia lathyris. Sci Rep 2019; 9:4840. [PMID: 30886213 PMCID: PMC6423090 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40905-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Euphorbia lathyris was proposed about fifty years ago as a potential agroenergetic crop. The tremendous amounts of triterpenes present in its latex has driven investigations for transforming this particular biological fluid into an industrial hydrocarbon source. The huge accumulation of terpenes in the latex of many plant species represent a challenging question regarding cellular homeostasis. In fact, the enzymes, the mechanisms and the controllers that tune the amount of products accumulated in specialized compartments (to fulfill ecological roles) or deposited at important sites (as essential factors) are not known. Here, we have isolated oxidosqualene cyclases highly expressed in the latex of Euphorbia lathyris. This triterpene biosynthetic machinery is made of distinct paralogous enzymes responsible for the massive accumulation of steroidal and non-steroidal tetracyclic triterpenes. More than eighty years after the isolation of butyrospermol from shea butter (Heilbronn IM, Moffet GL, and Spring FS J. Chem. Soc. 1934, 1583), a butyrospermol synthase is characterized in this work using yeast and in folia heterologous expression assays.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edith Forestier
- Plant Isoprenoid Biology team, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes, UPR2357 du CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 12 rue du Général Zimmer, Strasbourg cedex, 67084, France
| | - Carmen Romero-Segura
- Center for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB), Bellaterra, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irini Pateraki
- Center for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB), Bellaterra, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Emilio Centeno
- Center for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB), Bellaterra, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vincent Compagnon
- Plant Isoprenoid Biology team, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes, UPR2357 du CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 12 rue du Général Zimmer, Strasbourg cedex, 67084, France
| | - Myriam Preiss
- Plant Isoprenoid Biology team, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes, UPR2357 du CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 12 rue du Général Zimmer, Strasbourg cedex, 67084, France
| | - Anne Berna
- Plant Isoprenoid Biology team, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes, UPR2357 du CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 12 rue du Général Zimmer, Strasbourg cedex, 67084, France
| | - Albert Boronat
- Center for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB), Bellaterra, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Thomas J Bach
- Plant Isoprenoid Biology team, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes, UPR2357 du CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 12 rue du Général Zimmer, Strasbourg cedex, 67084, France
| | - Sylvain Darnet
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Pará, Brazil
| | - Hubert Schaller
- Plant Isoprenoid Biology team, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes, UPR2357 du CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 12 rue du Général Zimmer, Strasbourg cedex, 67084, France.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Improving lupeol production in yeast by recruiting pathway genes from different organisms. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2992. [PMID: 30816209 PMCID: PMC6395594 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-39497-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Lupeol is a pentacyclic triterpene that shows a variety of pharmacological properties. Compared to engineering the production of sesquiterpenes and diterpenes, it is much more challenging to engineer the biosynthesis of triterpenes in microbial platforms. This study showed our efforts on engineering the triterpene pathway in Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells by recruiting the codon-optimized three lupeol pathway genes from different organisms. By comparing their activities with their respective counterparts, the squalene synthase from Thermosynechococcus elongates (tSQS), the squalene epoxidase from Rattus norvegicus (rSE) and the lupeol synthase from Olea europaea (OeLUP) were introduced into E. coli BL21(DE3), a break-through from zero was observed for lupeol biosynthesis in a prokaryotic host. We also assessed the lupeol pathway under two different yeast backgrounds-WAT11 and EPY300, and have found that the engineered strains based on EPY300, named ECHHOe, processed the best lupeol-producing ability with the maximum lupeol titer being 200.1 mg l−1 at 30 °C in a 72 h-flask culture, which so far was the highest amount of lupeol obtained by a microbial system and provides a basis for further industrial application of lupeol in the future.
Collapse
|
14
|
D'Adamo S, Schiano di Visconte G, Lowe G, Szaub‐Newton J, Beacham T, Landels A, Allen MJ, Spicer A, Matthijs M. Engineering the unicellular alga Phaeodactylum tricornutum for high-value plant triterpenoid production. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2019; 17:75-87. [PMID: 29754445 PMCID: PMC6330534 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Revised: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Plant triterpenoids constitute a diverse class of organic compounds that play a major role in development, plant defence and environmental interaction. Several triterpenes have demonstrated potential as pharmaceuticals. One example is betulin, which has shown promise as a pharmaceutical precursor for the treatment of certain cancers and HIV. Major challenges for triterpenoid commercialization include their low production levels and their cost-effective purification from the complex mixtures present in their natural hosts. Therefore, attempts to produce these compounds in industrially relevant microbial systems such as bacteria and yeasts have attracted great interest. Here, we report the production of the triterpenes betulin and its precursor lupeol in the photosynthetic diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, a unicellular eukaryotic alga. This was achieved by introducing three plant enzymes in the microalga: a Lotus japonicus oxidosqualene cyclase and a Medicago truncatula cytochrome P450 along with its native reductase. The introduction of the L. japonicus oxidosqualene cyclase perturbed the mRNA expression levels of the native mevalonate and sterol biosynthesis pathway. The best performing strains were selected and grown in a 550-L pilot-scale photobioreactor facility. To our knowledge, this is the most extensive pathway engineering undertaken in a diatom and the first time that a sapogenin has been artificially produced in a microalga, demonstrating the feasibility of the photo-bio-production of more complex high-value, metabolites in microalgae.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah D'Adamo
- Eden LaboratoryAlgenuityStewartbyUK
- Wageningen Universiteit en ResearchcentrumBioprocess EngineeringWageningenThe Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | - Andrew Landels
- PML: Plymouth Marine LaboratoryPlymouthUK
- Rothamsted ResearchHarpendenUK
| | - Michael J. Allen
- PML: Plymouth Marine LaboratoryPlymouthUK
- BiosciencesCollege of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ExeterExeterUK
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Suzuki H, Fukushima EO, Umemoto N, Ohyama K, Seki H, Muranaka T. Comparative analysis of CYP716A subfamily enzymes for the heterologous production of C-28 oxidized triterpenoids in transgenic yeast. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY (TOKYO, JAPAN) 2018; 35:131-139. [PMID: 31819715 PMCID: PMC6879395 DOI: 10.5511/plantbiotechnology.18.0416a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Several enzymes of the CYP716A subfamily have been reported to be involved in triterpenoid biosynthesis. Members of this subfamily oxidize various positions along the triterpenoid backbone and the majority of them catalyze a three-step oxidation at the C-28 position. Interestingly, C-28 oxidation is a common feature in oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, and betulinic acid, which are widely distributed in plants and exhibit important biological activities. In this work, three additional CYP716A enzymes isolated from olive, sugar beet, and coffee, were characterized as multifunctional C-28 oxidases. Semi-quantitative comparisons of in vivo catalytic activity were made against the previously characterized enzymes CYP716A12, CYP716A15, and CYP716A52v2. When heterologously expressed in yeast, the isolated enzymes differed in both catalytic activity and substrate specificity. This study indicates that the screening of enzymes from different plants could be a useful means of identifying enzymes with enhanced catalytic activity and desired substrate specificity. Furthermore, we show that "naturally-evolved" enzymes can be useful in the heterologous production of pharmacologically and industrially important triterpenoids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hayato Suzuki
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Ery Odette Fukushima
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Center for Open Innovation Research and Education, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Naoyuki Umemoto
- Central Laboratories for Frontier Technology, Kirin Holdings Co., Ltd., Sakura, Tochigi 329-1414, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Ohyama
- Department of Chemistry and Materials Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Meguro, Tokyo 152-8551, Japan
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Suehiro-cho 1-7-22, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 244-0045, Japan
| | - Hikaru Seki
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Suehiro-cho 1-7-22, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 244-0045, Japan
| | - Toshiya Muranaka
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Suehiro-cho 1-7-22, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 244-0045, Japan
- E-mail: Tel: +81-6-6879-7423 Fax: +81-6-6879-7426
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Upregulating the mevalonate pathway and repressing sterol synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae enhances the production of triterpenes. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 102:6923-6934. [PMID: 29948122 PMCID: PMC6096838 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-9154-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Revised: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Pentacyclic triterpenes are diverse plant secondary metabolites derived from the mevalonate (MVA) pathway. Many of these molecules are potentially valuable, particularly as pharmaceuticals, and research has focused on their production in simpler and more amenable heterologous systems such as the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We have developed a new heterologous platform for the production of pentacyclic triterpenes in S. cerevisiae based on a combinatorial engineering strategy involving the overexpression of MVA pathway genes, the knockout of negative regulators, and the suppression of a competing pathway. Accordingly, we overexpressed S. cerevisiae ERG13, encoding 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) synthase, and a truncated and deregulated variant of the rate-limiting enzyme HMG-CoA reductase 1 (tHMGR). In the same engineering step, we deleted the ROX1 gene, encoding a negative regulator of the MVA pathway and sterol biosynthesis, resulting in a push-and-pull strategy to enhance metabolic flux through the system. In a second step, we redirected this enhanced metabolic flux from late sterol biosynthesis to the production of 2,3-oxidosqualene, the direct precursor of pentacyclic triterpenes. In yeast cells transformed with a newly isolated sequence encoding lupeol synthase from the Russian dandelion (Taraxacum koksaghyz), we increased the yield of pentacyclic triterpenes by 127-fold and detected not only high levels of lupeol but also a second valuable pentacyclic triterpene product, β-amyrin.
Collapse
|
17
|
Loeschcke A, Dienst D, Wewer V, Hage-Hülsmann J, Dietsch M, Kranz-Finger S, Hüren V, Metzger S, Urlacher VB, Gigolashvili T, Kopriva S, Axmann IM, Drepper T, Jaeger KE. The photosynthetic bacteria Rhodobacter capsulatus and Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 as new hosts for cyclic plant triterpene biosynthesis. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0189816. [PMID: 29281679 PMCID: PMC5744966 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0189816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclic triterpenes constitute one of the most diverse groups of plant natural products. Besides the intriguing biochemistry of their biosynthetic pathways, plant triterpenes exhibit versatile bioactivities, including antimicrobial effects against plant and human pathogens. While prokaryotes have been extensively used for the heterologous production of other classes of terpenes, the synthesis of cyclic triterpenes, which inherently includes the two-step catalytic formation of the universal linear precursor 2,3-oxidosqualene, is still a major challenge. We thus explored the suitability of the metabolically versatile photosynthetic α-proteobacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus SB1003 and cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 as alternative hosts for biosynthesis of cyclic plant triterpenes. Therefore, 2,3-oxidosqualene production was implemented and subsequently combined with different cyclization reactions catalyzed by the representative oxidosqualene cyclases CAS1 (cycloartenol synthase), LUP1 (lupeol synthase), THAS1 (thalianol synthase) and MRN1 (marneral synthase) derived from model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. While successful accumulation of 2,3-oxidosqualene could be detected by LC-MS analysis in both hosts, cyclase expression resulted in differential production profiles. CAS1 catalyzed conversion to only cycloartenol, but expression of LUP1 yielded lupeol and a triterpenoid matching an oxidation product of lupeol, in both hosts. In contrast, THAS1 expression did not lead to cyclic product formation in either host, whereas MRN1-dependent production of marnerol and hydroxymarnerol was observed in Synechocystis but not in R. capsulatus. Our findings thus indicate that 2,3-oxidosqualene cyclization in heterologous phototrophic bacteria is basically feasible but efficient conversion depends on both the respective cyclase enzyme and individual host properties. Therefore, photosynthetic α-proteo- and cyanobacteria are promising alternative candidates for providing new bacterial access to the broad class of triterpenes for biotechnological applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anita Loeschcke
- Institute of Molecular Enzyme Technology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS)
| | - Dennis Dienst
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS)
- Institute for Synthetic Microbiology, Department of Biology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Vera Wewer
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS)
- MS Platform, Department of Biology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jennifer Hage-Hülsmann
- Institute of Molecular Enzyme Technology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS)
| | - Maximilian Dietsch
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS)
- Institute for Synthetic Microbiology, Department of Biology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Sarah Kranz-Finger
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS)
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Department of Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Vanessa Hüren
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS)
- Institute for Synthetic Microbiology, Department of Biology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Sabine Metzger
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS)
- MS Platform, Department of Biology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Vlada B. Urlacher
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS)
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Department of Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Tamara Gigolashvili
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS)
- Botanical Institute, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Stanislav Kopriva
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS)
- Botanical Institute, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Ilka M. Axmann
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS)
- Institute for Synthetic Microbiology, Department of Biology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- * E-mail: (IMA); (TD)
| | - Thomas Drepper
- Institute of Molecular Enzyme Technology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS)
- * E-mail: (IMA); (TD)
| | - Karl-Erich Jaeger
- Institute of Molecular Enzyme Technology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS)
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences (IBG-1), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Abdelrahman M, El-Sayed M, Sato S, Hirakawa H, Ito SI, Tanaka K, Mine Y, Sugiyama N, Suzuki M, Yamauchi N, Shigyo M. RNA-sequencing-based transcriptome and biochemical analyses of steroidal saponin pathway in a complete set of Allium fistulosum-A. cepa monosomic addition lines. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0181784. [PMID: 28800607 PMCID: PMC5553718 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Allium is a rich source of steroidal saponins, and its medicinal properties have been attributed to these bioactive compounds. The saponin compounds with diverse structures play a pivotal role in Allium’s defense mechanism. Despite numerous studies on the occurrence and chemical structure of steroidal saponins, their biosynthetic pathway in Allium species is poorly understood. The monosomic addition lines (MALs) of the Japanese bunching onion (A. fistulosum, FF) with an extra chromosome from the shallot (A. cepa Aggregatum group, AA) are powerful genetic resources that enable us to understand many physiological traits of Allium. In the present study, we were able to isolate and identify Alliospiroside A saponin compound in A. fistulosum with extra chromosome 2A from shallot (FF2A) and its role in the defense mechanism against Fusarium pathogens. Furthermore, to gain molecular insight into the Allium saponin biosynthesis pathway, high-throughput RNA-Seq of the root, bulb, and leaf of AA, MALs, and FF was carried out using Illumina's HiSeq 2500 platform. An open access Allium Transcript Database (Allium TDB, http://alliumtdb.kazusa.or.jp) was generated based on RNA-Seq data. The resulting assembled transcripts were functionally annotated, revealing 50 unigenes involved in saponin biosynthesis. Differential gene expression (DGE) analyses of AA and MALs as compared with FF (as a control) revealed a strong up-regulation of the saponin downstream pathway, including cytochrome P450, glycosyltransferase, and beta-glucosidase in chromosome 2A. An understanding of the saponin compounds and biosynthesis-related genes would facilitate the development of plants with unique saponin content and, subsequently, improved disease resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa Abdelrahman
- Laboratory of Vegetable Crop Science, College of Agriculture, Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, Japan
- Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan
| | - Magdi El-Sayed
- Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt
| | - Shusei Sato
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan
| | | | - Shin-ichi Ito
- Laboratory of Molecular Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, Japan
| | - Keisuke Tanaka
- The NODAI Genome Research Center, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoko Mine
- Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobuo Sugiyama
- Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Minoru Suzuki
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan
| | - Naoki Yamauchi
- Laboratory of Vegetable Crop Science, College of Agriculture, Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, Japan
| | - Masayoshi Shigyo
- Laboratory of Vegetable Crop Science, College of Agriculture, Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, Japan
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Navarro Gallón SM, Elejalde-Palmett C, Daudu D, Liesecke F, Jullien F, Papon N, Dugé de Bernonville T, Courdavault V, Lanoue A, Oudin A, Glévarec G, Pichon O, Clastre M, St-Pierre B, Atehortùa L, Yoshikawa N, Giglioli-Guivarc'h N, Besseau S. Virus-induced gene silencing of the two squalene synthase isoforms of apple tree (Malus × domestica L.) negatively impacts phytosterol biosynthesis, plastid pigmentation and leaf growth. PLANTA 2017; 246:45-60. [PMID: 28349256 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-017-2681-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The use of a VIGS approach to silence the newly characterized apple tree SQS isoforms points out the biological function of phytosterols in plastid pigmentation and leaf development. Triterpenoids are beneficial health compounds highly accumulated in apple; however, their metabolic regulation is poorly understood. Squalene synthase (SQS) is a key branch point enzyme involved in both phytosterol and triterpene biosynthesis. In this study, two SQS isoforms were identified in apple tree genome. Both isoforms are located at the endoplasmic reticulum surface and were demonstrated to be functional SQS enzymes using an in vitro activity assay. MdSQS1 and MdSQS2 display specificities in their expression profiles with respect to plant organs and environmental constraints. This indicates a possible preferential involvement of each isoform in phytosterol and/or triterpene metabolic pathways as further argued using RNAseq meta-transcriptomic analyses. Finally, a virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) approach was used to silence MdSQS1 and MdSQS2. The concomitant down-regulation of both MdSQS isoforms strongly affected phytosterol synthesis without alteration in triterpene accumulation, since triterpene-specific oxidosqualene synthases were found to be up-regulated to compensate metabolic flux reduction. Phytosterol deficiencies in silenced plants clearly disturbed chloroplast pigmentation and led to abnormal development impacting leaf division rather than elongation or differentiation. In conclusion, beyond the characterization of two SQS isoforms in apple tree, this work brings clues for a specific involvement of each isoform in phytosterol and triterpene pathways and emphasizes the biological function of phytosterols in development and chloroplast integrity. Our report also opens the door to metabolism studies in Malus domestica using the apple latent spherical virus-based VIGS method.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra M Navarro Gallón
- EA2106 Biomolécules et Biotechnologies Végétales, Université François Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France
- Laboratorio de Biotecnologıa, Sede de Investigacion Universitaria, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia
| | - Carolina Elejalde-Palmett
- EA2106 Biomolécules et Biotechnologies Végétales, Université François Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Dimitri Daudu
- EA2106 Biomolécules et Biotechnologies Végétales, Université François Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Franziska Liesecke
- EA2106 Biomolécules et Biotechnologies Végétales, Université François Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Frédéric Jullien
- EA3061 Laboratoire de Biotechnologies Végétales appliquées aux plantes aromatiques et médicinales, Université Jean Monnet de Saint Etienne, Saint Etienne, France
| | - Nicolas Papon
- EA3142 Groupe d'Etude des Interactions Hôte-Pathogène, Université d'Angers, Angers, France
| | | | - Vincent Courdavault
- EA2106 Biomolécules et Biotechnologies Végétales, Université François Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Arnaud Lanoue
- EA2106 Biomolécules et Biotechnologies Végétales, Université François Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Audrey Oudin
- EA2106 Biomolécules et Biotechnologies Végétales, Université François Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Gaëlle Glévarec
- EA2106 Biomolécules et Biotechnologies Végétales, Université François Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Olivier Pichon
- EA2106 Biomolécules et Biotechnologies Végétales, Université François Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Marc Clastre
- EA2106 Biomolécules et Biotechnologies Végétales, Université François Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Benoit St-Pierre
- EA2106 Biomolécules et Biotechnologies Végétales, Université François Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Lucia Atehortùa
- Laboratorio de Biotecnologıa, Sede de Investigacion Universitaria, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia
| | | | | | - Sébastien Besseau
- EA2106 Biomolécules et Biotechnologies Végétales, Université François Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
da Silva FM, Paz WH, Vasconcelos LSF, da Silva AL, da Silva-Filho FA, de Almeida RA, de Souza AD, Pinheiro ML, Koolen HH. Chemical constituents from Salacia impressifolia (Miers) A. C. Smith collected at the Amazon rainforest. BIOCHEM SYST ECOL 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bse.2016.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
21
|
Zhou C, Li J, Li C, Zhang Y. Improvement of betulinic acid biosynthesis in yeast employing multiple strategies. BMC Biotechnol 2016; 16:59. [PMID: 27534392 PMCID: PMC4989488 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-016-0290-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Betulinic acid (BA) is a lupane-type triterpene which has been considered as a promising agent to cure melanoma with no side effects. Considering that BA is naturally produced in small quantities in plants, we previously reported the success in engineering its production in yeast. In the present study, we attempted to improve BA biosynthesis in yeast by the use of different strategies. Results We first isolated a gene encoding a lupeol C-28 oxidase (LO) from Betula platyphylla (designated as BPLO). BPLO showed a higher activity in BA biosynthesis compared to the previously reported LOs. In addition, two yeast platforms were compared for engineering the production of BA, which demonstrated that the WAT11 strain was better to host BA pathway than the CEN.PK strain. Based on the WAT11-chassiss, the Gal80p mutant was further constructed. The mutant produced 0.16 mg/L/OD600 of BA, which was 2.2 fold of that produced by the wild type strain (0.07 mg/L/OD600). Conclusions This study reported our efforts to improve BA production in yeast employing multiple strategies, which included the identification of a novel LO enzyme with a higher activity in BA biosynthesis, the evaluation of two yeast strains for hosting the BA pathway, and the up-regulation of the expression of the BA pathway genes by managing yeast GAL gene regulon circuit. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12896-016-0290-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chen Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jing Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Changfu Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Yansheng Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Liu T, Li X, Xie S, Wang L, Yang S. RNA-seq analysis of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis roots identified candidate genes for saponin synthesis. PLANT DIVERSITY 2016; 38:163-170. [PMID: 30159461 PMCID: PMC6112097 DOI: 10.1016/j.pld.2016.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Revised: 04/28/2016] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Paris polyphylla Smith var. yunnanensis (Franch.) Hand.-Mazz. is a rhizomatous, herbaceous, perennial plant that has been used for more than a thousand years in traditional Chinese medicine. It is facing extinction due to overharvesting. Steroids are the major therapeutic components in Paris roots, the commercial value of which increases with age. To date, no genomic data on the species have been available. In this study, transcriptome analysis of an 8-year-old root and a 4-year-old root provided insight into the metabolic pathways that generate the steroids. Using Illumina sequencing technology, we generated a high-quality sequence and demonstrated de novo assembly and annotation of genes in the absence of prior genome information. Approximately 87,577 unique sequences, with an average length of 614 bases, were obtained from the root cells. Using bioinformatics methods, we annotated approximately 65.51% of the unique sequences by conducting a similarity search with known genes in the National Center for Biotechnology Information's non-redundant database. The unique transcripts were functionally classified using the Gene Ontology hierarchy and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database. Of 3082 genes that were identified as significantly differentially expressed between roots of different ages, 1518 (49.25%) were upregulated and 1564 (50.75%) were downregulated in the older root. Metabolic pathway analysis predicted that 25 unigenes were responsible for the biosynthesis of the saponins steroids. These data represent a valuable resource for future genomic studies on this endangered species and will be valuable for efforts to genetically engineer P. polyphylla and facilitate saponin-rich plant development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Liu
- Yunnan Research Center on Good Agricultural Practice for Dominant Chinese Medicinal Materials, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Xiaoxian Li
- Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Shiqing Xie
- Yunnan Research Center on Good Agricultural Practice for Dominant Chinese Medicinal Materials, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Yunnan Research Center on Good Agricultural Practice for Dominant Chinese Medicinal Materials, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Shengchao Yang
- Yunnan Research Center on Good Agricultural Practice for Dominant Chinese Medicinal Materials, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Shan H, Wilson WK, Castillo DA, Matsuda SPT. Are Isoursenol and γ-Amyrin Rare Triterpenes in Nature or Simply Overlooked by Usual Analytical Methods? Org Lett 2015; 17:3986-9. [PMID: 26235440 DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.5b01851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Among pentacyclic triterpenes commonly found in plants, γ-amyrin and isoursenol are seldom reported and considered rare in nature. It was hypothesized that these triterpenes are instead routinely overlooked due to inadequate spectral characterization. γ-Amyrin was prepared by HCOOH isomerization of α-amyrin, and isoursenol was isolated from products of a heterologously expressed oxidosqualene cyclase. With precise NMR and GC-MS data, a metabolomics strategy was used to identify isoursenol and γ-amyrin in a wide range of plants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Shan
- †Biosciences Department and ‡Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
| | - William K Wilson
- †Biosciences Department and ‡Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
| | - Dorianne A Castillo
- †Biosciences Department and ‡Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
| | - Seiichi P T Matsuda
- †Biosciences Department and ‡Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Zhang GH, Ma CH, Zhang JJ, Chen JW, Tang QY, He MH, Xu XZ, Jiang NH, Yang SC. Transcriptome analysis of Panax vietnamensis var. fuscidicus discovers putative ocotillol-type ginsenosides biosynthesis genes and genetic markers. BMC Genomics 2015; 16:159. [PMID: 25765814 PMCID: PMC4355973 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-1332-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2014] [Accepted: 02/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND P. vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus, called "Yesanqi" in Chinese, is a new variety of P. vietnamensis, which was first found in Jinping County, the southern part of Yunnan Province, China. Compared with other Panax plants, this species contains higher content of ocotillol-type saponin, majonoside R2. Despite the pharmacological importance of ocotillol-type saponins, little is known about their biosynthesis in plants. Hence, P. vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus is a suitable medicinal herbal plant species to study biosynthesis of ocotillol-type saponins. In addition, the available genomic information of this important herbal plant is lacking. RESULTS To investigate the P. vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus transcriptome, Illumina HiSeq™ 2000 sequencing platform was employed. We produced 114,703,210 clean reads, assembled into 126,758 unigenes, with an average length of 1,304 bp and N50 of 2,108 bp. Among these 126,758 unigenes, 85,214 unigenes (67.23%) were annotated based on the information available from the public databases. The transcripts encoding the known enzymes involved in triterpenoid saponins biosynthesis were identified in our Illumina dataset. A full-length cDNA of three Squalene epoxidase (SE) genes were obtained using reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and the expression patterns of ten unigenes were analyzed by reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). Furthermore, 15 candidate cytochrome P450 genes and 17 candidate UDP-glycosyltransferase genes most likely to involve in triterpenoid saponins biosynthesis pathway were discovered from transcriptome sequencing of P. vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus. We further analyzed the data and found 21,320 simple sequence repeats (SSRs), 30 primer pairs for SSRs were randomly selected for validation of the amplification and polymorphism in 13 P. vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus accessions. Meanwhile, five major triterpene saponins in roots of P. vietnamensis var. fuscidicus were determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD). CONCLUSIONS The genomic resources generated from P. vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus provide new insights into the identification of putative genes involved in triterpenoid saponins biosynthesis pathway. This will facilitate our understanding of the biosynthesis of triterpenoid saponins at molecular level. The SSR markers identified and developed in this study show genetic diversity for this important crop and will contribute to marker-assisted breeding for P. vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guang-Hui Zhang
- Yunnan Research Center on Good Agricultural Practice for Dominant Chinese Medicinal Materials, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Chun-Hua Ma
- Yunnan Research Center on Good Agricultural Practice for Dominant Chinese Medicinal Materials, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jia-Jin Zhang
- Yunnan Research Center on Good Agricultural Practice for Dominant Chinese Medicinal Materials, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jun-Wen Chen
- Yunnan Research Center on Good Agricultural Practice for Dominant Chinese Medicinal Materials, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qing-Yan Tang
- Yunnan Research Center on Good Agricultural Practice for Dominant Chinese Medicinal Materials, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Mu-Han He
- Yunnan Research Center on Good Agricultural Practice for Dominant Chinese Medicinal Materials, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiang-Zeng Xu
- Yunnan Research Center on Good Agricultural Practice for Dominant Chinese Medicinal Materials, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ni-Hao Jiang
- Yunnan Research Center on Good Agricultural Practice for Dominant Chinese Medicinal Materials, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Sheng-Chao Yang
- Yunnan Research Center on Good Agricultural Practice for Dominant Chinese Medicinal Materials, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Triterpenoids and α-glucosidase inhibitory constituents from Salacia hainanensis. Fitoterapia 2014; 98:143-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2014.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2014] [Revised: 07/17/2014] [Accepted: 07/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
26
|
Peña-Rodríguez LM, Yam-Puc A, Knispel N, Schramek N, Huber C, Graßberger C, Ramírez-Torres FG, Escalante-Erosa F, García-Sosa K, Hiebert-Giesbrecht MR, Chan-Bacab MJ, Godoy-Hernández G, Bacher A, Eisenreich W. Isotopologue Profiling of Triterpene Formation under Physiological Conditions. Biosynthesis of Lupeol-3-(3′-R-hydroxy)-stearate in Pentalinon andrieuxii. J Org Chem 2014; 79:2864-73. [DOI: 10.1021/jo402677w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Luis M. Peña-Rodríguez
- Lehrstuhl
für Biochemie, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr.
4, D-85747 Garching, Germany
| | | | - Nihat Knispel
- Lehrstuhl
für Biochemie, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr.
4, D-85747 Garching, Germany
| | - Nicholas Schramek
- Lehrstuhl
für Biochemie, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr.
4, D-85747 Garching, Germany
| | - Claudia Huber
- Lehrstuhl
für Biochemie, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr.
4, D-85747 Garching, Germany
| | - Christoph Graßberger
- Lehrstuhl
für Biochemie, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr.
4, D-85747 Garching, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Manuel J. Chan-Bacab
- Departamento
de Microbiología Ambiental y Biotecnología, Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Av. Agustín Melgar s/n, Campeche, México
| | - Gregorio Godoy-Hernández
- Laboratorio
de Química Orgánica, ‡Unidad de Biotecnología and §Unidad de Bioquímica
y Biología Molecular de Plantas, Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán, C.43 No. 130, Col. Chuburná
de Hidalgo, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Adelbert Bacher
- Lehrstuhl
für Biochemie, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr.
4, D-85747 Garching, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Eisenreich
- Lehrstuhl
für Biochemie, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr.
4, D-85747 Garching, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Combinatorial biosynthesis of sapogenins and saponins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae using a C-16α hydroxylase from Bupleurum falcatum. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 111:1634-9. [PMID: 24434554 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1323369111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The saikosaponins comprise oleanane- and ursane-type triterpene saponins that are abundantly present in the roots of the genus Bupleurum widely used in Asian traditional medicine. Here we identified a gene, designated CYP716Y1, encoding a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase from Bupleurum falcatum that catalyzes the C-16α hydroxylation of oleanane- and ursane-type triterpenes. Exploiting this hitherto unavailable enzymatic activity, we launched a combinatorial synthetic biology program in which we combined CYP716Y1 with oxidosqualene cyclase, P450, and glycosyltransferase genes available from other plant species and reconstituted the synthesis of monoglycosylated saponins in yeast. Additionally, we established a culturing strategy in which applying methylated β-cyclodextrin to the culture medium allows the sequestration of heterologous nonvolatile hydrophobic terpenes, such as triterpene sapogenins, from engineered yeast cells into the growth medium, thereby greatly enhancing productivity. Together, our findings provide a sound base for the development of a synthetic biology platform for the production of bioactive triterpene sapo(ge)nins.
Collapse
|
28
|
Thimmappa R, Geisler K, Louveau T, O'Maille P, Osbourn A. Triterpene biosynthesis in plants. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PLANT BIOLOGY 2014; 65:225-57. [PMID: 24498976 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-arplant-050312-120229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 406] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The triterpenes are one of the most numerous and diverse groups of plant natural products. They are complex molecules that are, for the most part, beyond the reach of chemical synthesis. Simple triterpenes are components of surface waxes and specialized membranes and may potentially act as signaling molecules, whereas complex glycosylated triterpenes (saponins) provide protection against pathogens and pests. Simple and conjugated triterpenes have a wide range of applications in the food, health, and industrial biotechnology sectors. Here, we review recent developments in the field of triterpene biosynthesis, give an overview of the genes and enzymes that have been identified to date, and discuss strategies for discovering new triterpene biosynthetic pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ramesha Thimmappa
- Department of Metabolic Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, United Kingdom;
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
De Novo transcriptome sequencing reveals important molecular networks and metabolic pathways of the plant, Chlorophytum borivilianum. PLoS One 2013; 8:e83336. [PMID: 24376689 PMCID: PMC3871651 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0083336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2013] [Accepted: 11/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlorophytum borivilianum, an endangered medicinal plant species is highly recognized for its aphrodisiac properties provided by saponins present in the plant. The transcriptome information of this species is limited and only few hundred expressed sequence tags (ESTs) are available in the public databases. To gain molecular insight of this plant, high throughput transcriptome sequencing of leaf RNA was carried out using Illumina's HiSeq 2000 sequencing platform. A total of 22,161,444 single end reads were retrieved after quality filtering. Available (e.g., De-Bruijn/Eulerian graph) and in-house developed bioinformatics tools were used for assembly and annotation of transcriptome. A total of 101,141 assembled transcripts were obtained, with coverage size of 22.42 Mb and average length of 221 bp. Guanine-cytosine (GC) content was found to be 44%. Bioinformatics analysis, using non-redundant proteins, gene ontology (GO), enzyme commission (EC) and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) databases, extracted all the known enzymes involved in saponin and flavonoid biosynthesis. Few genes of the alkaloid biosynthesis, along with anticancer and plant defense genes, were also discovered. Additionally, several cytochrome P450 (CYP450) and glycosyltransferase unique sequences were also found. We identified simple sequence repeat motifs in transcripts with an abundance of di-nucleotide simple sequence repeat (SSR; 43.1%) markers. Large scale expression profiling through Reads per Kilobase per Million mapped reads (RPKM) showed major genes involved in different metabolic pathways of the plant. Genes, expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and unique sequences from this study provide an important resource for the scientific community, interested in the molecular genetics and functional genomics of C. borivilianum.
Collapse
|
30
|
Transcriptome analysis of Barbarea vulgaris infested with diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) larvae. PLoS One 2013; 8:e64481. [PMID: 23696897 PMCID: PMC3655962 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0064481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2012] [Accepted: 04/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The diamondback moth (DBM, Plutella xylostella) is a crucifer-specific pest that causes significant crop losses worldwide. Barbarea vulgaris (Brassicaceae) can resist DBM and other herbivorous insects by producing feeding-deterrent triterpenoid saponins. Plant breeders have long aimed to transfer this insect resistance to other crops. However, a lack of knowledge on the biosynthetic pathways and regulatory networks of these insecticidal saponins has hindered their practical application. A pyrosequencing-based transcriptome analysis of B. vulgaris during DBM larval feeding was performed to identify genes and gene networks responsible for saponin biosynthesis and its regulation at the genome level. Principal Findings Approximately 1.22, 1.19, 1.16, 1.23, 1.16, 1.20, and 2.39 giga base pairs of clean nucleotides were generated from B. vulgaris transcriptomes sampled 1, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h after onset of P. xylostella feeding and from non-inoculated controls, respectively. De novo assembly using all data of the seven transcriptomes generated 39,531 unigenes. A total of 37,780 (95.57%) unigenes were annotated, 14,399 of which were assigned to one or more gene ontology terms and 19,620 of which were assigned to 126 known pathways. Expression profiles revealed 2,016–4,685 up-regulated and 557–5188 down-regulated transcripts. Secondary metabolic pathways, such as those of terpenoids, glucosinolates, and phenylpropanoids, and its related regulators were elevated. Candidate genes for the triterpene saponin pathway were found in the transcriptome. Orthological analysis of the transcriptome with four other crucifer transcriptomes identified 592 B. vulgaris-specific gene families with a P-value cutoff of 1e−5. Conclusion This study presents the first comprehensive transcriptome analysis of B. vulgaris subjected to a series of DBM feedings. The biosynthetic and regulatory pathways of triterpenoid saponins and other DBM deterrent metabolites in this plant were classified. The results of this study will provide useful data for future investigations on pest-resistance phytochemistry and plant breeding.
Collapse
|
31
|
Fukushima EO, Seki H, Sawai S, Suzuki M, Ohyama K, Saito K, Muranaka T. Combinatorial Biosynthesis of Legume Natural and Rare Triterpenoids in Engineered Yeast. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 54:740-9. [DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pct015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
|
32
|
Go YS, Lee SB, Kim HJ, Kim J, Park HY, Kim JK, Shibata K, Yokota T, Ohyama K, Muranaka T, Arseniyadis S, Suh MC. Identification of marneral synthase, which is critical for growth and development in Arabidopsis. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2012; 72:791-804. [PMID: 22882494 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-313x.2012.05120.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Plants produce structurally diverse triterpenoids, which are important for their life and survival. Most triterpenoids and sterols share a common biosynthetic intermediate, 2,3-oxidosqualene (OS), which is cyclized by 2,3-oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC). To investigate the role of an OSC, marneral synthase 1 (MRN1), in planta, we characterized a Arabidopsis mrn1 knock-out mutant displaying round-shaped leaves, late flowering, and delayed embryogenesis. Reduced growth of mrn1 was caused by inhibition of cell expansion and elongation. Marnerol, a reduced form of marneral, was detected in Arabidopsis overexpressing MRN1, but not in the wild type or mrn1. Alterations in the levels of sterols and triterpenols and defects in membrane integrity and permeability were observed in the mrn1. In addition, GUS expression, under the control of the MRN1 gene promoter, was specifically detected in shoot and root apical meristems, which are responsible for primary growth, and the mRNA expression of Arabidopsis clade II OSCs was preferentially observed in roots and siliques containing developing seeds. The eGFP:MRN1 was localized to the endoplasmic reticulum in tobacco protoplasts. Taken together, this report provides evidence that the unusual triterpenoid pathway via marneral synthase is important for the growth and development of Arabidopsis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Young S Go
- Department of Plant Biotechnology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 500-757, Korea
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Huang L, Li J, Ye H, Li C, Wang H, Liu B, Zhang Y. Molecular characterization of the pentacyclic triterpenoid biosynthetic pathway in Catharanthus roseus. PLANTA 2012; 236:1571-81. [PMID: 22837051 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-012-1712-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2012] [Accepted: 07/06/2012] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Catharanthus roseus is an important medicinal plant and the sole commercial source of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids (MIA), anticancer compounds. Recently, triterpenoids like ursolic acid and oleanolic acid have also been found in considerable amounts in C. roseus leaf cuticular wax layer. These simple pentacyclic triterpenoids exhibit various pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and anti-microbial properties. Using the EST collection from C. roseus leaf epidermome ( http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/dbEST ), we have successfully isolated a cDNA (CrAS) encoding 2,3-oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC) and a cDNA (CrAO) encoding amyrin C-28 oxidase from the leaves of C. roseus. The functions of CrAS and CrAO were analyzed in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) systems. CrAS was characterized as a novel multifunctional OSC producing α- and β-amyrin in a ratio of 2.5:1, whereas CrAO was a multifunctional C-28 oxidase converting α-amyrin, β-amyrin and lupeol to ursolic-, oleanolic- and betulinic acids, respectively, via a successive oxidation at the C-28 position of the substrates. In yeast co-expressing CrAO and CrAS, ursolic- and oleanolic acids were detected in the yeast cell extracts, while the yeast cells co-expressing CrAO and AtLUP1 from Arabidopsis thaliana produced betulinic acid. Both CrAS and CrAO genes show a high expression level in the leaf, which was consistent with the accumulation patterns of ursolic- and oleanolic acids in C. roseus. These results suggest that CrAS and CrAO are involved in the pentacyclic triterpene biosynthesis in C. roseus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lili Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, The Chinese Academy of Science, 430074, Wuhan, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Racolta S, Juhl PB, Sirim D, Pleiss J. The triterpene cyclase protein family: a systematic analysis. Proteins 2012; 80:2009-19. [PMID: 22488823 DOI: 10.1002/prot.24089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2012] [Revised: 03/16/2012] [Accepted: 03/20/2012] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Triterpene cyclases catalyze a broad range of cyclization reactions to form polycyclic triterpenes. Triterpene cyclases that convert squalene to hopene are named squalene-hopene cyclases (SHC) and triterpene cyclases that convert oxidosqualene are named oxidosqualene cyclases (OSC). Many sequences have been published, but there is only one structure available for each of SHCs and OSCs. Although they catalyze a similar reaction, the sequence similarity between SHCs and OSCs is low. A family classification based on phylogenetic analysis revealed 20 homologous families which are grouped into two superfamilies, SHCs and OSCs. Based on this family assignment, the Triterpene Cyclase Engineering Database (TTCED) was established. It integrates available information on sequence and structure of 639 triterpene cyclases as well as on structurally and functionally relevant amino acids. Family specific multiple sequence alignments were generated to identify the functionally relevant residues. Based on sequence alignments, conserved residues in SHCs and OSCs were analyzed and compared to experimentally confirmed mutational data. Functional schematic models of the central cavities of OSCs and SHCs were derived from structure comparison and sequence conservation analysis. These models demonstrate the high similarity of the substrate binding cavity of SHCs and OSCs and the equivalences of the respective residues. The TTCED is a novel source for comprehensive information on the triterpene cyclase family, including a compilation of previously described mutational data. The schematic models present the conservation analysis in a readily available fashion and facilitate the correlation of residues to a specific function or substrate interaction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Racolta
- Institute of Technical Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Xue Z, Duan L, Liu D, Guo J, Ge S, Dicks J, ÓMáille P, Osbourn A, Qi X. Divergent evolution of oxidosqualene cyclases in plants. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2012; 193:1022-1038. [PMID: 22150097 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2011.03997.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Triterpenes are one of the largest classes of plant metabolites and have important functions. A diverse array of triterpenoid skeletons are synthesized via the isoprenoid pathway by enzymatic cyclization of 2,3-oxidosqualene. The genomes of the lower plants Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and moss (Physcomitrella patens) contain just one oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC) gene (for sterol biosynthesis), whereas the genomes of higher plants contain nine to 16 OSC genes. Here we carry out functional analysis of rice OSCs and rigorous phylogenetic analysis of 96 OSCs from higher plants, including Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa, Sorghum bicolor and Brachypodium distachyon. The functional analysis identified an amino acid sequence for isoarborinol synthase (OsIAS) (encoded by Os11g35710/OsOSC11) in rice. Our phylogenetic analysis suggests that expansion of OSC members in higher plants has occurred mainly through tandem duplication followed by positive selection and diversifying evolution, and consolidated the previous suggestion that dicot triterpene synthases have been derived from an ancestral lanosterol synthase instead of directly from their cycloartenol synthases. The phylogenetic trees are consistent with the reaction mechanisms of the protosteryl and dammarenyl cations which parent a wide variety of triterpene skeletal types, allowing us to predict the functions of the uncharacterized OSCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zheyong Xue
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanxincun 20, Fragrant Hill, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Lixin Duan
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanxincun 20, Fragrant Hill, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanxincun 20, Fragrant Hill, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Jie Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanxincun 20, Fragrant Hill, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Song Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanxincun 20, Fragrant Hill, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Jo Dicks
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Paul ÓMáille
- Department of Metabolic Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Anne Osbourn
- Department of Metabolic Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Xiaoquan Qi
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanxincun 20, Fragrant Hill, Beijing 100093, China
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Luo H, Sun C, Sun Y, Wu Q, Li Y, Song J, Niu Y, Cheng X, Xu H, Li C, Liu J, Steinmetz A, Chen S. Analysis of the transcriptome of Panax notoginseng root uncovers putative triterpene saponin-biosynthetic genes and genetic markers. BMC Genomics 2011; 12 Suppl 5:S5. [PMID: 22369100 PMCID: PMC3287501 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-12-s5-s5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Panax notoginseng (Burk) F.H. Chen is important medicinal plant of the Araliacease family. Triterpene saponins are the bioactive constituents in P. notoginseng. However, available genomic information regarding this plant is limited. Moreover, details of triterpene saponin biosynthesis in the Panax species are largely unknown. Results Using the 454 pyrosequencing technology, a one-quarter GS FLX titanium run resulted in 188,185 reads with an average length of 410 bases for P. notoginseng root. These reads were processed and assembled by 454 GS De Novo Assembler software into 30,852 unique sequences. A total of 70.2% of unique sequences were annotated by Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) similarity searches against public sequence databases. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) assignment discovered 41 unique sequences representing 11 genes involved in triterpene saponin backbone biosynthesis in the 454-EST dataset. In particular, the transcript encoding dammarenediol synthase (DS), which is the first committed enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway of major triterpene saponins, is highly expressed in the root of four-year-old P. notoginseng. It is worth emphasizing that the candidate cytochrome P450 (Pn02132 and Pn00158) and UDP-glycosyltransferase (Pn00082) gene most likely to be involved in hydroxylation or glycosylation of aglycones for triterpene saponin biosynthesis were discovered from 174 cytochrome P450s and 242 glycosyltransferases by phylogenetic analysis, respectively. Putative transcription factors were detected in 906 unique sequences, including Myb, homeobox, WRKY, basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH), and other family proteins. Additionally, a total of 2,772 simple sequence repeat (SSR) were identified from 2,361 unique sequences, of which, di-nucleotide motifs were the most abundant motif. Conclusion This study is the first to present a large-scale EST dataset for P. notoginseng root acquired by next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. The candidate genes involved in triterpene saponin biosynthesis, including the putative CYP450s and UGTs, were obtained in this study. Additionally, the identification of SSRs provided plenty of genetic makers for molecular breeding and genetics applications in this species. These data will provide information on gene discovery, transcriptional regulation and marker-assisted selection for P. notoginseng. The dataset establishes an important foundation for the study with the purpose of ensuring adequate drug resources for this species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongmei Luo
- The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Fukushima EO, Seki H, Ohyama K, Ono E, Umemoto N, Mizutani M, Saito K, Muranaka T. CYP716A subfamily members are multifunctional oxidases in triterpenoid biosynthesis. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2011; 52:2050-61. [PMID: 22039103 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcr146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 180] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2023]
Abstract
Triterpenoids are a diverse group of secondary metabolites that are associated with a variety of biological activities. Oleanolic acid, ursolic acid and betulinic acid are common triterpenoids in plants with diverse biological activities, including antifungal, antibacterial, anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and/or antitumor activities. In the present study, using the gene co-expression analysis tool of Medicago truncatula, we found a strong correlation between CYP716A12 and β-amyrin synthase (bAS), which encodes the enzyme responsible for the initial cyclization of 2,3-oxidosqualene to β-amyrin (the basic structural backbone of most triterpenoid saponins). Through an in vitro assay, we identified CYP716A12 as a β-amyrin 28-oxidase able to modify β-amyrin to oleanolic acid (through erythrodiol and, possibly, oleanolic aldehyde). We also confirmed its activity in vivo, by expressing CYP716A12 in transgenic yeast that endogenously produce β-amyrin. In addition, CYP716A12 was evaluated for its potential α-amyrin- and lupeol-oxidizing activities. Interestingly, CYP716A12 was able to generate ursolic acid (through uvaol and, possibly, ursolic aldehyde) and betulinic acid (through betulin). Hence, CYP716A12 was characterized as a multifunctional enzyme with β-amyrin 28-oxidase, α-amyrin 28-oxidase and lupeol 28-oxidase activities. We also identified homologs of CYP716A12 in grape (CYP716A15 and CYP716A17) that are involved in triterpenoid biosynthesis, which indicates the highly conserved functionality of the CYP716A subfamily among plants. These findings will be useful in the heterologous production of pharmacologically and industrially important triterpenoids, including oleanolic acid, ursolic acid and betulinic acid.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ery O Fukushima
- Kihara Institute for Biological Research, Yokohama City University, Maioka-cho 641-12, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 244-0813 Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Brendolise C, Yauk YK, Eberhard ED, Wang M, Chagne D, Andre C, Greenwood DR, Beuning LL. An unusual plant triterpene synthase with predominant α-amyrin-producing activity identified by characterizing oxidosqualene cyclases from Malus × domestica. FEBS J 2011; 278:2485-99. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2011.08175.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
|
39
|
Augustin JM, Kuzina V, Andersen SB, Bak S. Molecular activities, biosynthesis and evolution of triterpenoid saponins. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2011; 72:435-57. [PMID: 21333312 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2011.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 401] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2010] [Revised: 01/07/2011] [Accepted: 01/11/2011] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Saponins are bioactive compounds generally considered to be produced by plants to counteract pathogens and herbivores. Besides their role in plant defense, saponins are of growing interest for drug research as they are active constituents of several folk medicines and provide valuable pharmacological properties. Accordingly, much effort has been put into unraveling the modes of action of saponins, as well as in exploration of their potential for industrial processes and pharmacology. However, the exploitation of saponins for bioengineering crop plants with improved resistances against pests as well as circumvention of laborious and uneconomical extraction procedures for industrial production from plants is hampered by the lack of knowledge and availability of genes in saponin biosynthesis. Although the ability to produce saponins is rather widespread among plants, a complete synthetic pathway has not been elucidated in any single species. Current conceptions consider saponins to be derived from intermediates of the phytosterol pathway, and predominantly enzymes belonging to the multigene families of oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs), cytochromes P450 (P450s) and family 1 UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) are thought to be involved in their biosynthesis. Formation of unique structural features involves additional biosynthetical enzymes of diverse phylogenetic background. As an example of this, a serine carboxypeptidase-like acyltransferase (SCPL) was recently found to be involved in synthesis of triterpenoid saponins in oats. However, the total number of identified genes in saponin biosynthesis remains low as the complexity and diversity of these multigene families impede gene discovery based on sequence analysis and phylogeny. This review summarizes current knowledge of triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis in plants, molecular activities, evolutionary aspects and perspectives for further gene discovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jörg M Augustin
- Plant Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Center for Synthetic Biology, VKR Research Centre Pro-Active Plants, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Wu TK, Chang YC, Liu YT, Chang CH, Wen HY, Li WH, Shie WS. Mutation of isoleucine 705 of the oxidosqualene-lanosterol cyclase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae affects lanosterol's C/D-ring cyclization and 17α/β-exocyclic side chain stereochemistry. Org Biomol Chem 2011; 9:1092-7. [DOI: 10.1039/c0ob00582g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|
41
|
Wang Z, Guhling O, Yao R, Li F, Yeats TH, Rose JK, Jetter R. Two oxidosqualene cyclases responsible for biosynthesis of tomato fruit cuticular triterpenoids. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2011; 155:540-52. [PMID: 21059824 PMCID: PMC3075788 DOI: 10.1104/pp.110.162883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The first committed step in triterpenoid biosynthesis is the cyclization of epoxysqualene into various triterpene alcohol isomers, a reaction catalyzed by oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs). The different OSCs have characteristic product specificities, which are mainly due to differences in the numbers of high-energy intermediates the enzymes can stabilize. The goal of this investigation was to clone and characterize OSCs from tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), a species known to accumulate δ-amyrin in its fruit cuticular wax, in order to gain insights into the enzymatic formation of this particular triterpenoid. We used a homology-based approach to isolate two tomato OSCs and tested their biochemical properties by heterologous expression in yeast as well as overexpression in tomato. One of the enzymes was found to be a product-specific β-amyrin synthase, while the other one was a multifunctional OSC synthesizing 48% δ-amyrin and six other products. The product spectra of both OSCs together account for both the range and the relative amounts of the triterpenoids found in the fruit cuticle. Both enzymes were expressed exclusively in the epidermis of the tomato fruit, indicating that their major function is to form the cuticular triterpenoids. The relative expression levels of both OSC genes, determined by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, were consistent with product profiles in fruit and leaves of the tomato cultivar MicroTom. However, the transcript ratios were only partially consistent with the differences in amounts of product triterpenoids between the tomato cultivars MicroTom, M82, and Ailsa Craig; thus, transcriptional control of the two OSCs alone cannot explain the fruit triterpenoid profiles of the cultivars.
Collapse
|
42
|
Zhao CL, Cui XM, Chen YP, Liang Q. Key Enzymes of Triterpenoid Saponin Biosynthesis and the Induction of Their Activities and Gene Expressions in Plants. Nat Prod Commun 2010. [DOI: 10.1177/1934578x1000500736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Triterpenoid saponins are one of the key active components of many medicinal plants. The biosynthetic pathway of triterpenoid saponins in higher plants and a lot of experimental results both indicated that the key enzymes involved in triterpenoid saponin synthesis are squalene synthase (SS), squalene epoxidase (SE), lupeol synthase (LS), dammarenediol synthase (DS), β-amyrin synthase (β-AS), cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenase (PDMO), and glycosyltransferase (GT). The activities and coding genes of the key enzymes could be induced by a range of factors in various plant species. However, the effects of the factors on the content and composition of the triterpenoid saponins in specific plants are not certainly coincident, and different factors appear to induce the gene expressions of the key enzymes by different signal pathways and at different levels. This paper could provide a reference for strengthening the triterpenoid saponin-synthesizing capability of specific medicinal plants at enzyme and/or gene expression levels in order to improve the plants’ commercial values.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chang Ling Zhao
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Xiu Ming Cui
- Institute of Natural Products, Wenshan Sanqi Research Institute, Wenshan 663000, China
| | - Yan Ping Chen
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Quan Liang
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Wu TK, Chang CH, Wen HY, Liu YT, Li WH, Wang TT, Shie WS. Alteration of the Substrate’s Prefolded Conformation and Cyclization Stereochemistry of Oxidosqualene-Lanosterol Cyclase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by Substitution at Phenylalanine 699. Org Lett 2010; 12:500-3. [DOI: 10.1021/ol902694y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tung-Kung Wu
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, 300, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Cheng-Hsiang Chang
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, 300, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Hao-Yu Wen
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, 300, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Yuan-Ting Liu
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, 300, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Wen-Hsuan Li
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, 300, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Tsai-Ting Wang
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, 300, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Wen-Shiang Shie
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, 300, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan, Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Chandran D, Tai YC, Hather G, Dewdney J, Denoux C, Burgess DG, Ausubel FM, Speed TP, Wildermuth MC. Temporal global expression data reveal known and novel salicylate-impacted processes and regulators mediating powdery mildew growth and reproduction on Arabidopsis. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2009; 149:1435-51. [PMID: 19176722 PMCID: PMC2649394 DOI: 10.1104/pp.108.132985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2008] [Accepted: 01/23/2009] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Salicylic acid (SA) is a critical mediator of plant innate immunity. It plays an important role in limiting the growth and reproduction of the virulent powdery mildew (PM) Golovinomyces orontii on Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). To investigate this later phase of the PM interaction and the role played by SA, we performed replicated global expression profiling for wild-type and SA biosynthetic mutant isochorismate synthase1 (ics1) Arabidopsis from 0 to 7 d after infection. We found that ICS1-impacted genes constitute 3.8% of profiled genes, with known molecular markers of Arabidopsis defense ranked very highly by the multivariate empirical Bayes statistic (T(2) statistic). Functional analyses of T(2)-selected genes identified statistically significant PM-impacted processes, including photosynthesis, cell wall modification, and alkaloid metabolism, that are ICS1 independent. ICS1-impacted processes include redox, vacuolar transport/secretion, and signaling. Our data also support a role for ICS1 (SA) in iron and calcium homeostasis and identify components of SA cross talk with other phytohormones. Through our analysis, 39 novel PM-impacted transcriptional regulators were identified. Insertion mutants in one of these regulators, PUX2 (for plant ubiquitin regulatory X domain-containing protein 2), results in significantly reduced reproduction of the PM in a cell death-independent manner. Although little is known about PUX2, PUX1 acts as a negative regulator of Arabidopsis CDC48, an essential AAA-ATPase chaperone that mediates diverse cellular activities, including homotypic fusion of endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi membranes, endoplasmic reticulum-associated protein degradation, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis. Future work will elucidate the functional role of the novel regulator PUX2 in PM resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Divya Chandran
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology , University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Confalonieri M, Cammareri M, Biazzi E, Pecchia P, Fevereiro MPS, Balestrazzi A, Tava A, Conicella C. Enhanced triterpene saponin biosynthesis and root nodulation in transgenic barrel medic (Medicago truncatula Gaertn.) expressing a novel beta-amyrin synthase (AsOXA1) gene. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2009; 7:172-82. [PMID: 19055609 DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-7652.2008.00385.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Triterpene saponins are a group of bioactive compounds abundant in the genus Medicago, and have been studied extensively for their biological and pharmacological properties. In this article, we evaluated the effects of the ectopic expression of AsOXA1 cDNA from Aster sedifolius on the production of triterpene saponins in barrel medic (Medicago truncatula Gaertn.). AsOXA1 cDNA encodes beta-amyrin synthase, a key enzyme involved in triterpene saponin biosynthesis. One of the four transgenic lines expressing AsOXA1 accumulated significantly larger amounts of some triterpenic compounds in leaf and root than did control plants. In particular, the leaf exhibited significantly higher levels of bayogenin, medicagenic acid and zanhic acid. The amounts of medicagenic acid and zanhic acid, which represent the core of the M. truncatula leaf saponins, were 1.7 and 2.1 times higher, respectively, than the amounts extracted from the control line. In root, the production of bayogenin, hederagenin, soyasapogenol E and 2beta-hydroxyoleanolic acid was increased significantly. The increase in the total amounts of triterpenic compounds observed in the leaves of transgenic lines correlated with the AsOXA1 expression level. Interestingly, the plants expressing AsOXA1 showed, under different growth conditions, improved nodulation when compared with the control line. Nodulation enhancement was also accompanied by a significant change in the soyasapogenol B content. Our results indicate that the ectopic expression of AsOXA1 in barrel medic leads to a greater accumulation of triterpene saponins and enhanced root nodulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Confalonieri
- C.R.A. - Centro di Ricerca per le Produzioni Foraggere e Lattiero Casearie, Viale Piacenza 29, 26900 Lodi, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Shibuya M, Katsube Y, Otsuka M, Zhang H, Tansakul P, Xiang T, Ebizuka Y. Identification of a product specific beta-amyrin synthase from Arabidopsis thaliana. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2009; 47:26-30. [PMID: 18977664 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2008.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2008] [Revised: 07/14/2008] [Accepted: 09/04/2008] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Triterpene skeletons are produced by oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs). The genome sequencing of Arabidopsis thaliana revealed the presence of thirteen OSC homologous genes including At1g78950, which has been revised recently as two independent ORFs, namely At1g78950 and At1g78955. The cDNA corresponding to the revised At1g78950 was obtained by RT-PCR, ligated into Saccharomyces cerevisiae expression vector pYES2, and expressed in a lanosterol synthase deficient S. cerevisiae strain. LC-MS and NMR analyses of the accumulated product in the host cells showed that the product of At1g78950 is beta-amyrin, indicating that At1g78950 encodes a beta-amyrin synthase (EC 5.4.99.-).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Masaaki Shibuya
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Liang Y, Zhao S. Progress in understanding of ginsenoside biosynthesis. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2008; 10:415-21. [PMID: 18557901 DOI: 10.1111/j.1438-8677.2008.00064.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Ginseng is an economically important medicinal plant. The major bioactive ingredients of ginseng are ginsenosides, which are triterpene saponins. Because of difficulties in ginseng cultivation and the low productivity of ginseng cell and tissue culture, it has become important to improve ginsenoside levels by using metabolic engineering based on the biosynthetic pathway of ginsenosides. During the last decade, substantial advances have been made in biosynthesis of ginsenosides. This review is concerned with recent developments in our understanding of the biosynthesis of ginsenosides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y Liang
- College of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
| | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Allelic mutant series reveal distinct functions for Arabidopsis cycloartenol synthase 1 in cell viability and plastid biogenesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2008; 105:3163-8. [PMID: 18287026 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0712190105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Sterols have multiple functions in all eukaryotes. In plants, sterol biosynthesis is initiated by the enzymatic conversion of 2,3-oxidosqualene to cycloartenol. This reaction is catalyzed by cycloartenol synthase 1 (CAS1), which belongs to a family of 13 2,3-oxidosqualene cyclases in Arabidopsis thaliana. To understand the full scope of sterol biological functions in plants, we characterized allelic series of cas1 mutations. Plants carrying the weak mutant allele cas1-1 were viable but developed albino inflorescence shoots because of photooxidation of plastids in stems that contained low amounts of carotenoids and chlorophylls. Consistent with the CAS1 catalyzed reaction, mutant tissues accumulated 2,3-oxidosqualene. This triterpenoid precursor did not increase at the expense of the pathway end products. Two strong mutations, cas1-2 and cas1-3, were not transmissible through the male gametes, suggesting a role for CAS1 in male gametophyte function. To validate these findings, we analyzed a conditional CRE/loxP recombination-dependent cas1-2 mutant allele. The albino phenotype of growing leaf tissues was a typical defect observed shortly after the CRE/loxP-induced onset of CAS1 loss of function. In the induced cas1-2 seedlings, terminal phenotypes included arrest of meristematic activity, followed by necrotic death. Mutant tissues accumulated 2,3-oxidosqualene and contained low amounts of sterols. The vital role of sterols in membrane functioning most probably explains the requirement of CAS1 for plant cell viability. The observed impact of cas1 mutations on a chloroplastic function implies a previously unrecognized role of sterols or triterpenoid metabolites in plastid biogenesis.
Collapse
|
49
|
Basyuni M, Oku H, Tsujimoto E, Kinjo K, Baba S, Takara K. Triterpene synthases from the Okinawan mangrove tribe, Rhizophoraceae. FEBS J 2007; 274:5028-42. [PMID: 17803686 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2007.06025.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Oleanane-type triterpene is one of the most widespread triterpenes found in plants, together with the lupane type, and these two types often occur together in the same plant. Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Lamk. and Rhizophora stylosa Griff. (Rhizophoraceae) are known to produce both types of triterpenes. Four oxidosqualene cyclase cDNAs were cloned from the leaves of B. gymnorrhiza and R. stylosa by a homology-based PCR method. The ORFs of full-length clones termed BgbAS (2280 bp, coding for 759 amino acids), BgLUS (2286 bp, coding for 761 amino acids), RsM1 (2280 bp, coding for 759 amino acids) and RsM2 (2316 bp coding for 771 amino acids) were ligated into yeast expression plasmid pYES2 under the control of the GAL1 promoter. Expression of BgbAS and BgLUS in GIL77 resulted in the production of beta-amyrin and lupeol, suggesting that these genes encode beta-amyrin and lupeol synthase (LUS), respectively. Furthermore, RsM1 produced germanicol, beta-amyrin, and lupeol in the ratio of 63 : 33 : 4, whereas RsM2 produced taraxerol, beta-amyrin, and lupeol in the proportions 70 : 17 : 13. This result indicates that these are multifunctional triterpene synthases. Phylogenetic analysis and sequence comparisons revealed that BgbAS and RsM1 demonstrated high similarities (78-93%) to beta-amyrin synthases, and were located in the same branch as beta-amyrin synthase. BgLUS formed a new branch for lupeol synthase that was closely related to the beta-amyrin synthase cluster, whereas RsM2 was found in the first branch of the multifunctional triterpene synthase evolved from lupeol to beta-amyrin synthase. Based on these sequence comparisons and product profiles, we discuss the molecular evolution of triterpene synthases and the involvement of these genes in the formation of terpenoids in mangrove leaves.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Basyuni
- United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Kagoshima University, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Stiti N, Triki S, Hartmann MA. Formation of Triterpenoids throughout Olea europaea Fruit Ontogeny. Lipids 2007; 42:55-67. [PMID: 17393211 DOI: 10.1007/s11745-006-3002-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2006] [Accepted: 11/30/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Drupes were handpicked from olive (Olea europaea L.) trees, cv chemlali, at 13 distinct stages of fruit development, referred to as weeks after flowering (WAF), and analyzed for their free and esterified sterols and triterpenoids content. These two classes of compounds are synthesized via the acetate/mevalonate pathway and share common precursors up to oxidosqualene (OS). Cyclization of OS in either cycloartenol or beta-amyrin constitutes a branch point between primary (sterol pathway) and secondary (triterpenoid pathway) metabolisms. At the onset of fruit development, i.e., between 12 and 18 WAF, drupes were found to contain high amounts of alpha- and beta-amyrins as well as more-oxygenated compounds such as triterpenic diols (erythrodiol and uvaol) and acids (oleanolic, ursolic and maslinic acids). Concomitantly, sterol precursors were barely detectable. From 21 WAF, when the olive fruit reached its final size and began to turn from green to purple, alpha- and beta-amyrins were no longer present, while 4,4-dimethyl- and 4alpha-methylsterols started to be formed, indicating a redirection of the carbon flux from the triterpenoid pathway towards the sterol pathway. Between 21 and 30 WAF, sterol end products, mainly represented by sitosterol, progressively accumulated and triterpenic diols were replaced by triterpenic acids, essentially maslinic acid. Interestingly, the developing olive fruit was found to accumulate significant amounts of parkeol as an ester conjugate. Whatever the stage of development, triterpenoids represent the major triterpenic compounds of the olive fruit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naïm Stiti
- Laboratoire de Biochimie des Lipides, Faculté des Sciences, 1060 Tunis, Tunisia
| | | | | |
Collapse
|