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Hu H, Liu H, Zeng Z, Xiao Y, Mai Y, Zhang Y, Meyers BC, Hao Y, Xia R. Genetic variation in a tandemly duplicated TPS gene cluster contributes to the diversity of aroma in lychee fruit. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2025; 246:2652-2665. [PMID: 40148923 DOI: 10.1111/nph.70090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2025] [Indexed: 03/29/2025]
Abstract
Fruits undergo a similar ripening process, yet they exhibit a range of differences in color, taste, and shape, both across different species and within the same species. How does this diversity arise? We uncovered a conserved fruit ripening process in lychee fruit in which a NAC transcription factor, LcNAC1, acts as a master regulator. LcNAC1 regulates the expression of two terpene synthase genes, LcTPSa1 and LcTPSa2, which belong to a gene cluster consisting of four TPS genes. LcTPSa1-LcTPSa3 are responsible for catalyzing the production of farnesol, which in turn dictates the aromatic diversity in fruit of different lychee varieties. Through comparative, transcriptomic, and genomic analyses across various lychee varieties, we found these four TPS genes exhibit distinct expression levels due to natural genetic variation. These include copy number variations, presence/absence variations, insertions and deletions, and single nucleotide polymorphisms, many of which affect the binding affinity of LcNAC1. A single nucleotide mutation in LcTPSa1 caused a premature translational termination, resulting in a truncated version of the TPS protein, which surprisingly remains functional. All these genomic changes in the LcNAC1-regulated TPS genes are likely to contribute to the great aromatic diversity observed in lychee fruit. This diversification of fruit aroma in lychee varieties offers a compelling example of how species- or variety-specific traits evolve - the phenotypic diversity is primarily derived from natural genetic variation accumulated in downstream structural genes within an evolutionarily conserved regulatory circuit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Hu
- Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Precise Breeding of Future Crops, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Key Laboratory of Biology and Germplasm Enhancement of Horticultural Crops in (South China) at Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, China
| | - Hongsen Liu
- Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Precise Breeding of Future Crops, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Key Laboratory of Biology and Germplasm Enhancement of Horticultural Crops in (South China) at Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, China
| | - Zaohai Zeng
- Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Precise Breeding of Future Crops, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Key Laboratory of Biology and Germplasm Enhancement of Horticultural Crops in (South China) at Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, China
| | - Yaxuan Xiao
- Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Precise Breeding of Future Crops, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Key Laboratory of Biology and Germplasm Enhancement of Horticultural Crops in (South China) at Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, China
| | - Yingxiao Mai
- Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Precise Breeding of Future Crops, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Key Laboratory of Biology and Germplasm Enhancement of Horticultural Crops in (South China) at Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, China
| | - Yanqing Zhang
- Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Precise Breeding of Future Crops, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Key Laboratory of Biology and Germplasm Enhancement of Horticultural Crops in (South China) at Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, China
- College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China
| | - Blake C Meyers
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Yanwei Hao
- Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Precise Breeding of Future Crops, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Key Laboratory of Biology and Germplasm Enhancement of Horticultural Crops in (South China) at Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, China
| | - Rui Xia
- Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Precise Breeding of Future Crops, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Key Laboratory of Biology and Germplasm Enhancement of Horticultural Crops in (South China) at Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, China
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Cheng R, Yang S, Wang D, Qin F, Wang S, Meng S. Advances in the Biosynthesis of Plant Terpenoids: Models, Mechanisms, and Applications. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2025; 14:1428. [PMID: 40430993 PMCID: PMC12114759 DOI: 10.3390/plants14101428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2025] [Revised: 05/02/2025] [Accepted: 05/06/2025] [Indexed: 05/29/2025]
Abstract
Plants have evolved complex terpene defenses. Terpenoids accumulate in plant tissues or release as volatile in response to ever-changing environment, playing essential roles in chemo-ecological functions as defense against pathogen and insect, improving pollination and seed dispersal, facilitation plant-to-plant communication. They are also gaining attention in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, fragrance, and biofuels. Here, we highlight the recent progress in the fundamental pathways of terpenoid biosynthesis, key enzymes, and their corresponding genes involved in terpenoid synthesis. We identified the further exploration of biosynthetic networks and the development of novel terpenoid resources, proposed the need for further exploration of biosynthetic networks and the development of novel terpenoid resources. Based on that knowledge, future research should be directed towards the mechanisms governing terpenoid biosynthesis dependent environmental change and molecular breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renwu Cheng
- Guangzhou Collaborative Innovation Center on Science-Tech of Ecology and Landscape, Guangzhou 510520, China;
| | - Shuqi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Research Institute of Tropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou 510520, China; (S.Y.); (F.Q.); (S.W.)
| | - Dongli Wang
- College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China;
| | - Fangcuo Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Research Institute of Tropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou 510520, China; (S.Y.); (F.Q.); (S.W.)
| | - Shengkun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Research Institute of Tropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou 510520, China; (S.Y.); (F.Q.); (S.W.)
| | - Sen Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Research Institute of Tropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou 510520, China; (S.Y.); (F.Q.); (S.W.)
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Plantation and High Valued Utilization of Specialty Fruit Tree and Tea, Institute of Biological Resources, Jiangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanchang 330096, China
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Shen Y, Wang J, Si X, Liang X, Zheng Z, Li Y, Qi Y, Li F, Zhang Y, Guo T, Li P. Revealing the molecular mechanism of biosynthesis and transcriptional regulation of PAs, caffeine and linalool globally under simulative stress in coffee plants. Int J Biol Macromol 2025; 310:143103. [PMID: 40250650 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.143103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2025] [Revised: 03/24/2025] [Accepted: 04/10/2025] [Indexed: 04/20/2025]
Abstract
Coffee has become one of the most popular beverages worldwide due to the variety of bioactive compounds, which also play crucial roles against biotic and abiotic stresses. However, little is known about how these defensive compounds are produced in coffee. Here, we found that the whole biosynthetic pathways and the production of caffeine and proanthocyanidins (PAs) were promoted under Methyl Jasmonate (MeJA) treatment. Co-expression data showed that some transcription factors were shared by caffeine and PA regulation, and further several candidate caffeine regulators were identified. The biosynthesis of monoterpene linalool was also triggered by MeJA, and the functions of coffee linalool synthase were characterized. Evolution and expression analyses revealed that the expression variation of linalool synthase is likely the major reason for the low linalool content in coffee leaves, despite of the linalool synthase expansion in coffee genome. Additionally, the JA signaling key regulator MYC2 could directly bind to and activate the promoter of linalool synthase to regulate linalool biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihua Shen
- National Key Laboratory for Tea Plant Germplasm Innovation and Resource Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Jinsong Wang
- National Key Laboratory for Tea Plant Germplasm Innovation and Resource Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Xiongyuan Si
- Biotechnology Center, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Xiaoyu Liang
- National Key Laboratory for Tea Plant Germplasm Innovation and Resource Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Ziqing Zheng
- National Key Laboratory for Tea Plant Germplasm Innovation and Resource Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Yaling Li
- National Key Laboratory for Tea Plant Germplasm Innovation and Resource Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Yujia Qi
- National Key Laboratory for Tea Plant Germplasm Innovation and Resource Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Fangdong Li
- National Key Laboratory for Tea Plant Germplasm Innovation and Resource Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Yanrui Zhang
- National Key Laboratory for Tea Plant Germplasm Innovation and Resource Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Tieying Guo
- Dehong Tropical Agriculture Research Institute of Yunnan, Ruili 678600, China.
| | - Penghui Li
- National Key Laboratory for Tea Plant Germplasm Innovation and Resource Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China.
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Bai M, Yang X, Lorence DH, Wood KR, Ahlstrand NI, Flynn TW, Zhao S, Rønsted N, Simonsen HT. Genome sequencing of three Polyscias species reveals common features in terpene synthase gene family evolution in these species. THE PLANT GENOME 2025; 18:e20563. [PMID: 39972488 PMCID: PMC11839933 DOI: 10.1002/tpg2.20563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2024] [Revised: 12/11/2024] [Accepted: 12/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2025]
Abstract
The genus Polyscias, part of the Araliaceae family, is known for its significant ornamental and medicinal value, as well as its rich variety of metabolites. These plants are primarily found in tropical regions, particularly in Southeast Asia and the Pacific islands. The diverse geographical environments have led to the emergence of many unique and endangered species, although there is limited genomic information available about them. In this study, we generated high-quality reference genomes for three endangered species: two that are endemic to Hawai'i, Polyscias cf. bisattenuata and Polyscias lallanii, and one more widespread species, Polyscias macgillivrayi. We identified a total of 51,083, 60,881, and 29,060 genes in these three species, respectively. Whole-genome duplication analysis indicated that all three species underwent a common duplication event. By examining the phylogenetic and structural characteristics of the terpene synthase gene family in these species and closely related species, we identified several gene clusters that play crucial roles in metabolite synthesis. A variety of mono- and sesquiterpenoids were detected, with several of these compounds having been validated in previous studies. Our findings provide a foundation for further genetic and biochemical investigations of Polyscias, which may aid in the conservation of these endangered species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhou Bai
- Department of Biotechnology and BiomedicineTechnical University of DenmarkLyngbyDenmark
- BGI‐ShenzhenShenzhenChina
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Nina Rønsted
- National Tropical Botanical GardenKalaheoHawaiʻiUSA
- Natural History Museum of DenmarkUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
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Liu X, Shuai Y, Zhao X, Zhang M, Yan Y, Zhao J, Feng R, Wei Q. Genome-wide identification and evolution-profiling analysis of tps gene family in Camphora longepaniculata and screening of key TPS genes. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2025; 16:1546000. [PMID: 40093611 PMCID: PMC11906476 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2025.1546000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2025] [Indexed: 03/19/2025]
Abstract
Camphora longepaniculata is an important economic crop renowned for its rich volatile terpene compounds. Terpene synthases (TPS) are key enzymes in the biosynthesis of these compounds, playing significant roles in plant growth, development, and secondary metabolism. In this study, a total of 86 TPS genes were identified in Camphora longepaniculata, which were classified into five groups based on their evolutionary relationships. Analysis of cis-regulatory elements revealed associations between TPS genes and processes related to plant growth, development, and environmental stress responses. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis indicated that these TPS genes are predominantly linked to various enzymatic activities. Furthermore, analysis of duplication events revealed that tandem duplications (TD) and whole genome duplications (WGD) are major driving forces in the evolution of the TPS gene family. Notably, 18 TPS genes were found to be upregulated in high essential oil content varieties of Camphora longepaniculata. RT-qPCR validation further confirmed that TPS26, TPS28, and TPS47 exhibit upregulated expression during leaf development, highlighting their potential involvement in terpene biosynthesis during this crucial developmental stage. These findings lay a solid foundation for further exploration of the functions of TPS genes in Camphora longepaniculata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Liu
- Sichuan Oil Cinnamon Engineering Technology Research Center, Yibin University, Yibin, Sichuan, China
- Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Engineering, Yibin University, Yibin, Sichuan, China
| | - Yongkang Shuai
- Sichuan Oil Cinnamon Engineering Technology Research Center, Yibin University, Yibin, Sichuan, China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Sichuan Oil Cinnamon Engineering Technology Research Center, Yibin University, Yibin, Sichuan, China
- Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Engineering, Yibin University, Yibin, Sichuan, China
| | - Minghu Zhang
- Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Engineering, Yibin University, Yibin, Sichuan, China
| | - Yue Yan
- Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Engineering, Yibin University, Yibin, Sichuan, China
| | - Jia Zhao
- Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Engineering, Yibin University, Yibin, Sichuan, China
| | - Ruizhang Feng
- Sichuan Oil Cinnamon Engineering Technology Research Center, Yibin University, Yibin, Sichuan, China
- Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Engineering, Yibin University, Yibin, Sichuan, China
| | - Qin Wei
- Sichuan Oil Cinnamon Engineering Technology Research Center, Yibin University, Yibin, Sichuan, China
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Wang Q, Jiang J, Liang Y, Li S, Xia Y, Zhang L, Wang X. Expansion and functional divergence of terpene synthase genes in angiosperms: a driving force of terpene diversity. HORTICULTURE RESEARCH 2025; 12:uhae272. [PMID: 39897732 PMCID: PMC11725647 DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhae272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 09/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2025]
Abstract
Angiosperms are prolific producers of structurally diverse terpenes, which are essential for plant defense responses, as well as the formation of floral scents, fruit flavors, and medicinal constituents. Terpene synthase genes (TPSs) play crucial roles in the biosynthesis of terpenes. This study specifically focuses on the catalytic products of 222 functionally characterized TPSs in 24 angiosperms, which mainly comprise monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, and sesterterpene. Our systematic analysis of these TPSs uncovered a significant expansion of the angiosperm-specific TPS-a, b, and g subfamilies in comparison to the TPS-e/f and c subfamilies. The expanded subfamilies can be further partitioned into distinct branches, within which considerable functional innovation and diversification have been observed. Numerous TPSs exhibit bifunctional or even trifunctional activities in vitro, yet they exhibit only a single activity in vivo, which may be largely determined by their inherent properties, subcellular localization, and the availabilities of endogenous substrates. Additionally, we explored the biological functions of terpenes in various organs and tissues of angiosperms. We propose that the expansion and functional divergence of TPSs contribute to the adaptability and diversity of angiosperms, facilitating the production of a broad spectrum of terpenes that enable diverse interactions with the environment and other organisms. Our findings provide a foundation for comprehending the correlation between the evolutionary features of TPSs and the diversity of terpenes in angiosperms, which is significant for terpene biosynthesis research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Wang
- Genomics and Genetic Engineering Laboratory of Ornamental Plants, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, No. 866 Yuhangtang Road, West Lake District, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jie Jiang
- Genomics and Genetic Engineering Laboratory of Ornamental Plants, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, No. 866 Yuhangtang Road, West Lake District, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yuwei Liang
- Genomics and Genetic Engineering Laboratory of Ornamental Plants, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, No. 866 Yuhangtang Road, West Lake District, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Shanshan Li
- Genomics and Genetic Engineering Laboratory of Ornamental Plants, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, No. 866 Yuhangtang Road, West Lake District, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yiping Xia
- Genomics and Genetic Engineering Laboratory of Ornamental Plants, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, No. 866 Yuhangtang Road, West Lake District, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Liangsheng Zhang
- Genomics and Genetic Engineering Laboratory of Ornamental Plants, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, No. 866 Yuhangtang Road, West Lake District, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Yazhouwan National Laboratory, No. 8 Huanjin Road, Yazhou District, Sanya 572024, China
| | - Xiuyun Wang
- Genomics and Genetic Engineering Laboratory of Ornamental Plants, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, No. 866 Yuhangtang Road, West Lake District, Hangzhou 310058, China
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Bergman ME, Dudareva N. Plant specialized metabolism: Diversity of terpene synthases and their products. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 81:102607. [PMID: 39053147 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2024.102607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Terpenoids are ubiquitous to all kingdoms of life and are one of the most diverse groups of compounds, both structurally and functionally. Despite being derived from common precursors, isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate, their exceptional diversity is partly driven by the substrate and product promiscuity of terpene synthases that produce a wide array of terpene skeletons. Plant terpene synthases can be subdivided into different subfamilies based on sequence homology and function. However, in many cases, structural architecture of the enzyme is more essential to product specificity than primary sequence alone, and distantly related terpene synthases can often mediate similar reactions. As such, the focus of this brief review is on some of the recent progress in understanding terpene synthase function and diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew E Bergman
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, 175 South University St., West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Purdue Center for Plant Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Natalia Dudareva
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, 175 South University St., West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Purdue Center for Plant Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
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8
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Chen X, Xu M, Han J, Schmidt-Dannert M, Peters RJ, Chen F. Discovery of bifunctional diterpene cyclases/synthases in bacteria supports a bacterial origin for the plant terpene synthase gene family. HORTICULTURE RESEARCH 2024; 11:uhae221. [PMID: 39398952 PMCID: PMC11469919 DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhae221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 10/15/2024]
Abstract
Land plants are well-known producers of terpenoids that play diverse roles in plant-environment interactions. The vast chemical diversity of terpenoids is initiated by terpene synthases. Plants contain a distinct mid-sized terpene synthase gene family termed TPS, which appears to have an ancient origin in a fused bacterial Class I (di)terpene synthase (TS) and Class II diterpene cyclase (DTC), corresponding to the catalytically relevant α-domain and βγ-didomains, respectively. However, while such fused tridomain bifunctional (Class I/II) diterpene cyclases/synthases (DCSs) have been found in plants (and fungi), no examples have been reported from bacteria, leaving the origin of the fusion event initiating the TPS gene family opaque. Here, the discovery of such tridomain bifunctional DCSs in bacteria is reported. Extensive genome mining unearthed five putative bacterial DCSs, with biochemical characterization revealing the expected bifunctional activity for three. The most intriguing was CseDCS from Candidatus sericytochromatia bacterium, which produces ent-kaurene, an intermediate in plant hormone biosynthesis, as this is the hypothesized activity for the ancestral TPS. Unlike the extant functionally equivalent TPSs, it was possible to split CseDCS into separate, independently acting DTC and TS, with the first producing the expected ent-copalyl diphosphate (CPP), serving as a CPP synthase (CPS), while the second converts this to ent-kaurene, serving as a kaurene synthase (KS). Nevertheless, sequence alignment and mutation analysis revealed intriguing similarities between this cyanobacterial fused CPS-KS and functionally equivalent TPSs. Regardless of the exact relationship, the discovery of fused bifunctional DCSs in bacteria supports the hypothesized origin of the plant TPS family from such a bacterial gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlu Chen
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Meimei Xu
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Jin Han
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Mark Schmidt-Dannert
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Reuben J Peters
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Feng Chen
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
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Srividya N, Kim H, Simone R, Lange BM. Chemical diversity in angiosperms - monoterpene synthases control complex reactions that provide the precursors for ecologically and commercially important monoterpenoids. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 119:28-55. [PMID: 38565299 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Monoterpene synthases (MTSs) catalyze the first committed step in the biosynthesis of monoterpenoids, a class of specialized metabolites with particularly high chemical diversity in angiosperms. In addition to accomplishing a rate enhancement, these enzymes manage the formation and turnover of highly reactive carbocation intermediates formed from a prenyl diphosphate substrate. At each step along the reaction path, a cationic intermediate can be subject to cyclization, migration of a proton, hydride, or alkyl group, or quenching to terminate the sequence. However, enzymatic control of ligand folding, stabilization of specific intermediates, and defined quenching chemistry can maintain the specificity for forming a signature product. This review article will discuss our current understanding of how angiosperm MTSs control the reaction environment. Such knowledge allows inferences about the origin and regulation of chemical diversity, which is pertinent for appreciating the role of monoterpenoids in plant ecology but also for aiding commercial efforts that harness the accumulation of these specialized metabolites for the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narayanan Srividya
- Institute of Biological Chemistry and M. J. Murdock Metabolomics Laboratory, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-7411, USA
| | - Hoshin Kim
- Physical and Computational Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - Raugei Simone
- Physical and Computational Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - Bernd Markus Lange
- Institute of Biological Chemistry and M. J. Murdock Metabolomics Laboratory, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-7411, USA
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