Enzymatic synthesis and purification of uridine diphosphate [14C]galacturonic acid: a substrate for pectin biosynthesis

Multiple Arabidopsis galacturonosyltransferases synthesize polymeric homogalacturonan by oligosaccharide acceptor-dependent or de novo synthesis

Homogalacturonan (HG), the most abundant pectic glycan, functions as a cell wall structural and signaling molecule essential for plant growth, development and response to pathogens. HG exists as a component of pectic homoglycans, heteroglycans and glycoconjugates. HG is synthesized by members of the GALACTURONOSYLTRANSFERASE (GAUT) family. UDP-GalA-dependent homogalacturonan:galacturonosyltransferase (HG:GalAT) activity has previously been demonstrated for GAUTs 1, 4 and 11, as well as the GAUT1:GAUT7 complex. Here, we show that GAUTs 10, 13 and 14 are also HG:GalATs and that GAUTs 1, 10, 11, 13, 14 and 1:7 synthesize polymeric HG in vitro. Comparison of the in vitro HG:GalAT specific activities of the heterologously-expressed proteins demonstrates GAUTs 10 and 11 with the lowest, GAUT1 and GAUT13 with moderate, and GAUT14 and the GAUT1:GAUT7 complex with the highest HG:GalAT activity. GAUT13 and GAUT14 are also shown to de novo synthesize (initiate) HG synthesis in the absence of exogenous HG acceptors, an activity previously demonstrated for GAUT1:GAUT7. The rate of de novo HG synthesis by GAUT13 and GAUT14 is similar to their acceptor dependent HG synthesis, in contrast to GAUT1:GAUT7 for which de novo synthesis occurred at much lower rates than acceptor-dependent synthesis. The results suggest a unique role for de novo HG synthesis by GAUTs 13 and 14. The reducing end of GAUT13-de novo-synthesized HG has covalently attached UDP, indicating that UDP-GalA serves as both a donor and acceptor substrate during de novo HG synthesis. The functional significance of unique GAUT HG:GalAT catalytic properties in the synthesis of different pectin glycan or glycoconjugate structures is discussed.

A two-phase model for the non-processive biosynthesis of homogalacturonan polysaccharides by the GAUT1:GAUT7 complex

Homogalacturonan (HG) is a pectic glycan in the plant cell wall that contributes to plant growth and development and cell wall structure and function, and interacts with other glycans and proteoglycans in the wall. HG is synthesized by the galacturonosyltransferase (GAUT) gene family. Two members of this family, GAUT1 and GAUT7, form a heteromeric enzyme complex in Arabidopsis thaliana Here, we established a heterologous GAUT expression system in HEK293 cells and show that co-expression of recombinant GAUT1 with GAUT7 results in the production of a soluble GAUT1:GAUT7 complex that catalyzes elongation of HG products in vitro The reaction rates, progress curves, and product distributions exhibited major differences dependent upon small changes in the degree of polymerization (DP) of the oligosaccharide acceptor. GAUT1:GAUT7 displayed >45-fold increased catalytic efficiency with DP11 acceptors relative to DP7 acceptors. Although GAUT1:GAUT7 synthesized high-molecular-weight polymeric HG (>100 kDa) in a substrate concentration-dependent manner typical of distributive (nonprocessive) glycosyltransferases with DP11 acceptors, reactions primed with short-chain acceptors resulted in a bimodal product distribution of glycan products that has previously been reported as evidence for a processive model of GT elongation. As an alternative to the processive glycosyltransfer model, a two-phase distributive elongation model is proposed in which a slow phase, which includes the de novo initiation of HG and elongation of short-chain acceptors, is distinguished from a phase of rapid elongation of intermediate- and long-chain acceptors. Upon reaching a critical chain length of DP11, GAUT1:GAUT7 elongates HG to high-molecular-weight products.

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the UGlcAE Gene Family in Tomato

The UGlcAE has the capability of interconverting UDP-d-galacturonic acid and UDP-d-glucuronic acid, and UDP-d-galacturonic acid is an activated precursor for the synthesis of pectins in plants. In this study, we identified nine UGlcAE protein-encoding genes in tomato. The nine UGlcAE genes that were distributed on eight chromosomes in tomato, and the corresponding proteins contained one or two trans-membrane domains. The phylogenetic analysis showed that SlUGlcAE genes could be divided into seven groups, designated UGlcAE1 to UGlcAE6, of which the UGlcAE2 were classified into two groups. Expression profile analysis revealed that the SlUGlcAE genes display diverse expression patterns in various tomato tissues. Selective pressure analysis indicated that all of the amino acid sites of SlUGlcAE proteins are undergoing purifying selection. Fifteen stress-, hormone-, and development-related elements were identified in the upstream regions (0.5 kb) of these SlUGlcAE genes. Furthermore, we investigated the expression patterns of SlUGlcAE genes in response to three hormones (indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellin (GA), and salicylic acid (SA)). We detected firmness, pectin contents, and expression levels of UGlcAE family genes during the development of tomato fruit. Here, we systematically summarize the general characteristics of the SlUGlcAE genes in tomato, which could provide a basis for further function studies of tomato UGlcAE genes.

De novo sequencing and assembly analysis of transcriptome in the Sodom apple (Calotropis gigantea)

Background

The Sodom apple (Calotropis gigantea), a member of the Asclepiadaceae family, is a large evergreen shrub native to continental Asia and northern Africa. As an important medicinal shrub and a fiber resource plant, there is an urgent need for developing molecular markers to facilitate breeding and genetic improvement of varieties.

Results

In this study, using the Illumina high throughput sequencing technique we obtained about 45 million paired end sequencing reads, De novo assembled and generated a total of 133,634 transcripts with a mean of 1837.47 bp in length. Based on protein homology searches against available databases, a total of 21,851 unigenes were functionally annotated. In particular, many transcripts that encode for putative proteins involved in fiber and secondary metabolite biosynthesis were identified and analyzed. Key fiber genes identified were validated experimentally through Real-Time PCR technique. Various transcription factors involved in regulating plant response to abiotic stress were also identified. In addition, based on the unigene sequences assembled, 11,623 microsatellites loci were detected, which provide very useful resources for developing microsatellite molecular markers.

Conclusion

This study is the first report on transcriptome information in the Calotropis species and provides rich gene transcript resources for conducting further studies on understanding the molecular basis of fiber and secondary metabolite biosynthesis, serving the genetic improvement and resource utilization in Calotropis plants.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-1908-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Preparation of UDP-galacturonic acid using UDP-sugar pyrophosphorylase

UDP-galacturonic acid, the activated form of galacturonic acid (GalUA), is synthesized both de novo and by salvage pathways. The UDP-GalUA pyrophosphorylase gene involved in the salvage pathway has not been identified. Here we show that UDP-sugar pyrophosphorylase from Pisum sativum with a broad specificity has UDP-GalUA pyrophosphorylase activity. The enzyme catalyzed the formation of UDP-GalUA and pyrophosphate from GalUA 1-phosphate and UTP with an equilibrium constant value of 0.24. The recombinant UDP-sugar pyrophosphorylase had optimal pH of 6.0, and the apparent K(m) values for GalUA 1-phosphate, UTP, UDP-GalUA, and pyrophosphate were 2.27, 1.15, 0.70, and 1.26 mM, respectively. In the presence of inorganic pyrophosphatase, the recombinant enzyme produced UDP-GalUA in an 84% yield (based on the GalUA 1-phosphate substrate) on a preparative scale. Thus, this UDP-sugar pyrophosphorylase is useful for the highly efficient production of UDP-GalUA for studies on pectin biosynthesis.

Functional identification of an Arabidopsis pectin biosynthetic homogalacturonan galacturonosyltransferase

Galacturonosyltransferases (GalATs) are required for the synthesis of pectin, a family of complex polysaccharides present in the cell walls of all land plants. We report the identification of a pectin GalAT (GAUT1) using peptide sequences obtained from Arabidopsis thaliana proteins partially purified for homogalacturonan (HG) alpha-1,4-GalAT activity. Transient expression of GAUT1 cDNA in the human embryonic kidney cell line HEK293 yielded uridine diphosphogalacturonic acid:GalAT activity. Polyclonal antibodies generated against GAUT1 immunoabsorbed HG alpha-1,4-GalAT activity from Arabidopsis solubilized membrane proteins. blast analysis of the Arabidopsis genome identified a family of 25 genes with high sequence similarity to GAUT1 and homologous genes in other dicots, in rice, and in Physcomitrella. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic Bayesian analysis of the Arabidopsis GAUT1-related gene family separates them into four related clades of GAUT and GAUT-like genes that are distinct from the other Arabidopsis members of glycosyltransferase family 8. The identification of GAUT1 as a HG GalAT and of the GAUT1-related gene family provides the genetic and biochemical tools required to study the function of these genes in pectin synthesis.

QUASIMODO1 is expressed in vascular tissue of Arabidopsis thaliana inflorescence stems, and affects homogalacturonan and xylan biosynthesis

An insertion in the promoter of the Arabidopsis thaliana QUA1 gene (qua1-1 allele) leads to a dwarf plant phenotype and a reduction in cell adhesion, particularly between epidermal cells in seedlings and young leaves. This coincides with a reduction in the level of homogalacturonan epitopes and the amount of GalA in isolated cell walls (Bouton et al., Plant Cell 14: 2577 2002). The present study was undertaken in order to investigate further the link between QUA1 and cell wall biosynthesis. We have used rapidly elongating inflorescence stems to compare cell wall biosynthesis in wild type and qua1-1 mutant tissue. Relative to the wild type, homogalacturonan alpha-1-4-D-galacturonosyltransferase activity was consistently reduced in qua1-1 stems (by about 23% in microsomal and 33% in detergent-solubilized membrane preparations). Activities of beta-1-4-D-xylan synthase, beta-1-4-D-galactan synthase and beta-glucan synthase II activities were also measured in microsomal membranes. Of these, only beta-1-4-D-xylan synthase was affected, and was reduced by about 40% in qua1-1 stems relative to wild type. The mutant phenotype was apparent in inflorescence stems, and was investigated in detail using microscopy and cell wall composition analyses. Using in situ PCR techniques, QUA1 mRNA was localized to discrete cells of the vascular tissue and subepidermal layers. In mutant stems, the organization of these tissues was disrupted and there was a modest reduction in homogalacturonan (JIM5) epitopes. This study demonstrates a specific role for QUA1 in the development of vascular tissue in rapidly elongating inflorescence stems and supports a role of QUA1 in pectin and hemicellulose cell wall synthesis through affects on alpha-1,4-D-galacturonosyltransferase and beta-1,4-D-xylan synthase activities.

Development of a filter assay for measuring homogalacturonan: alpha-(1,4)-Galacturonosyltransferase activity

Alpha-(1,4)-galacturonosyltransferases (GalATs) catalyze the addition of (1,4)-linked alpha-D-galacturonosyl residues onto the nonreducing end of homogalacturonan chains. The nucleotide-sugar donor for the enzymatic reaction is uridine diphospho-D-galactopyranosyluronic acid (UDP-D-GalpA). Many GalAT activity assays are based on the incorporation of D-[(14)C]GalpA from UDP-D-[(14)C]GalpA onto exogenously added homogalacturonan acceptors. Reactions based on this method can be time-consuming because multiple labor-intensive centrifugations and washes with organic solvents are required to remove the unincorporated UDP-D-[(14)C]GalpA from the (14)C-labeled products. Here we report the development of an alternative GalAT filter assay based on the ability of homogalacturonan to bind to cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC). GalAT assay reaction products made using radish (Raphanus sativus) microsomal membranes or solubilized proteins from tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Samsun) and Arabidopsis thaliana (cv. Columbia) were spotted onto Whatman 3MM paper treated with 2.5% (w/v) CPC. Unincorporated UDP-D-[(14)C]GalpA was selectively removed from the filters by washing with 150-250 mM NaCl. The versatility of this assay is demonstrated by using it to identify GalAT activity in fractions obtained during the partial purification of tobacco GalAT by SP Sepharose cation exchange chromatography and by detecting the GalAT-catalyzed incorporation of D-[(14)C]GalpA onto endogenous acceptors from Arabidopsis membranes.

The biosynthesis of UDP-galacturonic acid in plants. Functional cloning and characterization of Arabidopsis UDP-D-glucuronic acid 4-epimerase

UDP-GlcA 4-epimerase (UGlcAE) catalyzes the epimerization of UDP-alpha-D-glucuronic acid (UDP-GlcA) to UDP-alpha-D-galacturonic acid (UDP-GalA). UDP-GalA is a precursor for the synthesis of numerous cell-surface polysaccharides in bacteria and plants. Using a biochemical screen, a gene encoding AtUGlcAE1 in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) was identified and the recombinant enzyme biochemically characterized. The gene belongs to a small gene family composed of six isoforms. All members of the UGlcAE gene family encode a putative type-II membrane protein and have two domains: a variable N-terminal region approximately 120 amino acids long composed of a predicted cytosolic, transmembrane, and stem domain, followed by a large conserved C-terminal catalytic region approximately 300 amino acids long composed of a highly conserved catalytic domain found in a large protein family of epimerase/dehydratases. The recombinant epimerase has a predicted molecular mass of approximately 43 kD, although size-exclusion chromatography suggests that it may exist as a dimer (approximately 88 kD). AtUGlcAE1 forms UDP-GalA with an equilibrium constant value of approximately 1.9 and has an apparent K(m) value of 720 microm for UDP-GlcA. The enzyme has maximum activity at pH 7.5 and is active between 20 degrees C and 55 degrees C. Arabidopsis AtUGlcAE1 is not inhibited by UDP-Glc, UDP-Gal, or UMP. However, the enzyme is inhibited by UDP-Xyl and UDP-Ara, suggesting that these nucleotide sugars have a role in regulating the synthesis of pectin. The cloning of the AtUGlcAE1 gene will increase our ability to investigate the molecular factors that regulate pectin biosynthesis in plants. The availability of a functional recombinant UDP-GlcA 4-epimerase will be of considerable value for the facile generation of UDP-d-GalA in the amounts required for detailed studies of pectin biosynthesis.

Identification and characterization of a UDP-D-glucuronate 4-epimerase in Arabidopsis

One of the major sugars present in the plant cell wall is d-galacturonate, the dominant monosaccharide in pectic polysaccharides. Previous work indicated that one of the activated precursors necessary for the synthesis of pectins is UDP-d-galacturonate, which is synthesized from UDP-d-glucuronate by a UDP-d-glucuronate 4-epimerase (GAE). Here, we report the identification, cloning and characterization of a GAE6 from Arabidopsis thaliana. Functional analysis revealed that this enzyme converts UDP-d-glucuronate to UDP-d-galacturonate in vitro. An expression analysis of this epimerase and its five homologs in the Arabidopsis genome by quantitative RT-PCR and promoter::GUS fusions indicated differential expression of the family members in plant tissues and expression of all isoforms in the developing pollen of A. thaliana.

The biosynthesis of D-Galacturonate in plants. functional cloning and characterization of a membrane-anchored UDP-D-Glucuronate 4-epimerase from Arabidopsis

Pectic cell wall polysaccharides owe their high negative charge to the presence of D-galacturonate, a monosaccharide that appears to be present only in plants and some prokaryotes. UDP-D-galacturonate, the activated form of this sugar, is known to be formed by the 4-epimerization of UDP-D-glucuronate; however, no coding regions for the epimerase catalyzing this reaction have previously been described in plants. To better understand the mechanisms by which precursors for pectin synthesis are produced, we used a bioinformatics approach to identify and functionally express a UDP-D-glucuronate 4-epimerase (GAE1) from Arabidopsis. GAE1 is predicted to be a type II membrane protein that belongs to the family of short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases. The recombinant enzyme expressed in Pichia pastoris established a 1.3:1 equilibrium between UDP-D-galacturonate and UDP-D-glucuronate but did not epimerize UDP-D-Glc or UDP-D-Xyl. Enzyme assays on cell extracts localized total UDP-D-glucuronate 4-epimerase and recombinant GAE1 activity exclusively to the microsomal fractions of Arabidopsis and Pichia, respectively. GAE1 had a pH optimum of 7.6 and an apparent Km of 0.19 mm. The recombinant enzyme was strongly inhibited by UDP-D-Xyl but not by UDP, UDP-D-Glc, or UDP-D-Gal. Analysis of Arabidopsis plants transformed with a GAE1:GUS construct showed expression in all tissues. The Arabidopsis genome contains five GAE1 paralogs, all of which are transcribed and predicted to contain a membrane anchor. This suggests that all of these enzymes are targeted to an endomembrane system such as the Golgi where they may provide UDP-D-galacturonate to glycosyltransferases in pectin synthesis.

Analysis of nucleotide sugars from cell lysates by ion-pair solid-phase extraction and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

Analysis of nucleotide sugar metabolism is essential in studying glycosylation in cells. Here we describe practical methods for both extraction of nucleotide sugars from cell lysates and for their analytical separation. Solid-phase extraction cartridges containing graphitized carbon can be used for the purification of nucleotide sugars by using triethylammonium acetate buffer as a ion-pairing reagent for decreasing retention. After that they are separated by high-performance liquid chromatography using a C18 reversed-phase column and the same ion-pairing reagent for increasing retention. These new sample preparation and analysis methods enable good separation of structurally similar sugar nucleotides, compatibility with rapid evaporative concentration, and possibility to automation. Monitoring the production of GDP-deoxyhexoses in genetically engineered yeast and native bacterial cells are described here as specific applications.

Molecular genetics of nucleotide sugar interconversion pathways in plants

Nucleotide sugar interconversion pathways represent a series of enzymatic reactions by which plants synthesize activated monosaccharides for the incorporation into cell wall material. Although biochemical aspects of these metabolic pathways are reasonably well understood, the identification and characterization of genes encoding nucleotide sugar interconversion enzymes is still in its infancy. Arabidopsis mutants defective in the activation and interconversion of specific monosaccharides have recently become available, and several genes in these pathways have been cloned and characterized. The sequence determination of the entire Arabidopsis genome offers a unique opportunity to identify candidate genes encoding nucleotide sugar interconversion enzymes via sequence comparisons to bacterial homologues. An evaluation of the Arabidopsis databases suggests that the majority of these enzymes are encoded by small gene families, and that most of these coding regions are transcribed. Although most of the putative proteins are predicted to be soluble, others contain N-terminal extensions encompassing a transmembrane domain. This suggests that some nucleotide sugar interconversion enzymes are targeted to an endomembrane system, such as the Golgi apparatus, where they may co-localize with glycosyltransferases in cell wall synthesis. The functions of the predicted coding regions can most likely be established via reverse genetic approaches and the expression of proteins in heterologous systems. The genetic characterization of nucleotide sugar interconversion enzymes has the potential to understand the regulation of these complex metabolic pathways and to permit the modification of cell wall material by changing the availability of monosaccharide precursors.

The catalytic site of the pectin biosynthetic enzyme alpha-1,4-galacturonosyltransferase is located in the lumen of the Golgi

Alpha-1,4-galacturonosyltransferase (GalAT) is an enzyme required for the biosynthesis of the plant cell wall pectic polysaccharide homogalacturonan (HGA). GalAT activity in homogenates from pea (Pisum sativum L. var. Alaska) stem internodes co-localized in linear and discontinuous sucrose gradients with latent UDPase activity, an enzyme marker specific for Golgi membranes. GalAT activity was separated from antimycin A-insensitive NADH:cytochrome c reductase and cytochrome c oxidase activities, enzyme markers for the endoplasmic reticulum and the mitochondria, respectively. GalAT and latent UDPase activities were separated from the majority (80%) of callose synthase activity, a marker for the plasma membrane, suggesting that little or no GalAT is present in the plasma membrane. GalAT activities in proteinase K-treated and untreated Golgi vesicles were similar, whereas no GalAT activity was detected after treating Golgi vesicles with proteinase K in the presence of Triton X-100. These results demonstrate that the catalytic site of GalAT resides within the lumen of the Golgi. The products generated by Golgi-localized GalAT were converted by endopolygalacturonase treatment to mono- and di-galacturonic acid, thereby showing that GalAT synthesizes 1-->4-linked alpha-D-galacturonan. Our data provide the first enzymatic evidence that a glycosyltransferase involved in HGA synthesis is present in the Golgi apparatus. Together with prior results of in vivo labeling and immunocytochemical studies, these results show that pectin biosynthesis occurs in the Golgi. A model for the biosynthesis of the pectic polysaccharide HGA is proposed.

Pectins: structure, biosynthesis, and oligogalacturonide-related signaling

Pectin is a family of complex polysaccharides present in all plant primary cell walls. The complicated structure of the pectic polysaccharides, and the retention by plants of the large number of genes required to synthesize pectin, suggests that pectins have multiple functions in plant growth and development. In this review we summarize the current level of understanding of pectin primary and tertiary structure, and describe new methods that may be useful to study localized pectin structure in the plant cell wall. We also discuss progress in our understanding of how pectin is biosynthesized and review the biological activities and possible modes of action of pectic oligosaccharides referred to as oligogalacturonides. We present our view of critical questions regarding pectin structure, biosynthesis, and function that need to be addressed in the coming decade. As the plant community works towards understanding the functions of the tens of thousands of genes expressed by plants, a large number of those genes are likely to be involved in the synthesis, turnover, biological activity, and restructuring of pectin. A combination of genetic, molecular, biochemical and chemical approaches will be necessary to fully understand the function and biosynthesis of pectin.

WbpO, a UDP-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa serotype O6

WbpO is associated with B-band lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis in Pseudomonas aeruginosa serotype O6. This protein is thought to catalyze the enzymatic conversion of UDP-N-acetyl-d-galactosamine (UDP-GalNAc) to UDP-N-acetyl-d-galactosaminuronic acid (UDP-GalNAcA). WbpO was overexpressed with a C-terminal hexahistidine tag. The soluble form of expressed WbpO (WbpO(Sol)) exhibited a secondary structure with 29.2% alpha-helix and 20.1% beta-strand. However, no enzymatic activity could be detected using either high performance anion exchange chromatography or capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry analysis. An insoluble form of expressed WbpO was purified in the presence of guanidine hydrochloride by immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography. After refolding, this preparation of WbpO (designated as WbpO(Rf)) exhibited stable secondary structure at pH 7.5 to 8.2, and it was enzymatically active. Capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry analysis showed that WbpO(Rf) catalyzed the conversion of UDP-GalNAc to UDP-GalNAcA. 26 and 22% of the substrate could be converted to UDP-GalNAcA in the presence of NAD(+) and NADP(+) as the cofactors, respectively. The K(m) values of WbpO(Rf) for UDP-GalNAc, NAD(+), and NADP(+) were 7.79, 0.65, and 0.44 mm, respectively. WbpO(Rf) can also catalyze the conversion of UDP-GlcNAc to UDP-GlcNAcA. In conclusion, this is the first report of the overexpression, purification, and biochemical characterization of an NAD(+)/NADP(+)-dependent UDP-GalNAc dehydrogenase. Our results also complete the biosynthetic pathway for GalNAcA that is part of the O-antigen of P. aeruginosa serotype O6 lipopolysaccharide.

A facile enzymatic synthesis of uridine diphospho-[14C]galacturonic acid

Galacturonic acid (GalA) is a major component of plant cell-wall-derived pectins. It can be also found in the cell-surface polysaccharides of different microorganisms, including several symbiotic and pathogenic bacteria. Uridine diphosphogalacturonic acid (UDP-GalA) is a likely donor for GalA during the biosynthesis of these polysaccharides. A highly efficient, yet simple, method is presented for generating and purifying UDP-[14C]GalA. Commercially available UDP-[14C]-galactose was quantitatively oxidized (>95% conversion) to UDP-[14C]GalA in the presence of high levels of galactose oxidase and catalase, at prolonged incubation times. Following this one-step enzymatic oxidation, UDP-[14C]GalA was purified using a polyethyleneimine cellulose column with a single-step 1 M NaCl elution. The authenticity of the purified UDP-[14C]GalA was verified by its relative mobility on thin-layer chromatograms, analysis of its chemical hydrolysis products, and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Our yield of >90% is much higher than by previously described methods. The method may serve as a prototype for the preparation of other radiolabeled uronic acids and their nucleotide derivatives.

Enzymatic synthesis and purification of uridine diphospho-beta-l-arabinopyranose, a substrate for the biosynthesis of plant polysaccharides

Many plant cell wall components such as the polysaccharides xylans and pectins or the glycoproteins arabinogalactan proteins and extensins contain arabinosyl residues. The arabinosyl substituents are thought to be incorporated into these wall polymers by the action of arabinosyltransferases using UDP-l-arabinose as the precursor. UDP-l-arabinose is not commercially available and therefore a procedure for generating UDP-l-arabinose was developed for use in studies on the biosynthesis of the arabinose-containing polymers. In this procedure UDP-d-xylose is incubated with an enzyme preparation from wheat germ and the nucleotide sugars in the reaction mixture are extracted. High-performance anion-exchange chromatography of the extract resolves two major UV-absorbing components: one corresponding to UDP-xylose and a second that elutes earlier. TLC analysis of collected and hydrolyzed fractions demonstrated the presence of l-arabinose in the early eluting fraction. Further analysis by NMR identified the compound as UDP-beta-l-arabinopyranose. The procedure reported here provides an efficient method for preparing either radioactive UDP-l-[(14)C]arabinose or nonradioactive UDP-l-arabinose and can also be used as an assay for UDP-xylose-4-epimerase activity.

Enzymatic synthesis and purification of [(3)H]uridine diphosphate galacturonic acid for use in studying Golgi-localized transporters

Uridine 5'-diphosphate galacturonic acid (UDP-GalA) is a substrate for the galacturonosyltransferases that synthesize the three pectic polysaccharides homogalacturonan, rhamnogalacturonan I, and rhamnogalacturonan II. Pectin synthesis occurs in the Golgi and it is hypothesized that UDP-GalA is transported into the lumen of the Golgi by membrane-localized transporters. To study the transport and metabolism of UDP-GalA in the Golgi, UDP-GalA labeled in the uridine moiety is required. Here we present a high-yield method for the synthesis of [(3)H]UDP-GalA from [(3)H]UTP and Glc-1-P by sequential reactions catalyzed by UDP-Glc pyrophosphorylase, UDP-Glc dehydrogenase, and UDP-GlcA-4-epimerase and the separation of the reaction products over a Dionex CarboPac PA1 anion-exchange column using high-performance anion-exchange chromatography (HPAEC). Approximately half of the [(3)H]UTP was converted into [(3)H]UDP-GalA and the remaining 50% was recovered as [(3)H]UDP-GlcA. Both products were purified and the identity of the [(3)H]UDP-GalA was confirmed by its conversion into [(3)H]UDP-GlcA by UDP-GlcA-4-epimerase. The enzymatic synthesis of diverse nucleotide sugars radiolabeled in the nucleotide by the use of nucleotide-converting enzymes, combined with the high-resolution separation of the nucleotide sugars and their purification by HPAEC, can provide unique substrates required for the study of diverse nucleotide sugar transporters.

The mechanism of synthesis of a mixed-linkage (1-->3), (1-->4)beta-D-glucan in maize. Evidence for multiple sites of glucosyl transfer in the synthase complex

We examined the mechanism of synthesis in vitro of (1-->3), (1-->4)beta-D-glucan (beta-glucan), a growth-specific cell wall polysaccharide found in grasses and cereals. beta-Glucan is composed primarily of cellotriosyl and cellotetraosyl units linked by single (1-->3)beta-linkages. The ratio of cellotriosyl and cellotetraosyl units in the native polymer is strictly controlled at between 2 and 3 in all grasses, whereas the ratios of these units in beta-glucan formed in vitro vary from 1.5 with 5 &mgr;M UDP-glucose (Glc) to over 11 with 30 mM substrate. These results support a model in which three sites of glycosyl transfer occur within the synthase complex to produce the cellobiosyl-(1-->3)-D-glucosyl units. We propose that failure to fill one of the sites results in the iterative addition of one or more cellobiosyl units to produce the longer cellodextrin units in the polymer. Variations in the UDP-Glc concentration in excised maize (Zea mays) coleoptiles did not result in wide variations in the ratios of cellotriosyl and cellotetraosyl units in beta-glucan synthesized in vivo, indicating that other factors control delivery of UDP-Glc to the synthase. In maize sucrose synthase is enriched in Golgi membranes and plasma membranes and may be involved in the control of substrate delivery to beta-glucan synthase and cellulose synthase.

First molecular characterization of a uridine diphosphate galacturonate 4-epimerase: an enzyme required for capsular biosynthesis in Streptococcus pneumoniae type 1

Uridine diphosphate galacturonate 4-epimerases (UDPGLEs) are enzymes that convert UDP-glucuronate into UDP-galacturonate. Although the presence of UDPGLEs has been reported in prokaryoic and eukaryotic organisms, the genes coding for these enzymes are completely unknown. The galacturonic acid-containing capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 1 is synthesized through the action of a specific UDPGLE. We have constructed a defined deletion mutant in the cap1J gene (one of the 15 cap1 genes responsible for the synthesis of the type 1 capsule) that exhibited an unencapsulated phenotype. This mutant was unable to synthesize UDPGLE, suggesting that Cap1J was the type 1-specific UDPGLE of S. pneumoniae. Escherichia coli cells harbouring the recombinant plasmid pRMM38 (cap1J) overproduced a 40 kDa protein, characterized as Cap1J on the basis of the N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis, and expressed high levels of enzymatically active Cap1J epimerase. Cap1J was partially purified, although purification to electrophoretic homogeneity inactivated the enzyme irreversibly. The enzyme has the following characteristics: K(m) for UDP-glucuronate, 0.24 mM; pH optimum, 7.5; equilibrium constant (in the direction of UDP-galacturonate formation), 1.3; and an approximate M(r) of 80,000 for the active form. The Cap1J protein exhibited a fluorescence emission spectrum similar to that of NADH. Upon inactivation with p-hydroxymercuribenzoate, the addition of NAD+ and 2-mercaptoethanol were sufficient to reactivate the enzyme. Among several compounds tested, UDP-galactose and UDP-xylose exhibited the highest inhibition of the UDPGLE activity. Inactivation of UDPGLE activity was also observed in the presence of UMP and several reducing sugars. To our knowledge, this is the first example of a thoroughly molecular characterization of a UDPGLE.

Glycobiotechnology: enzymes for the synthesis of nucleotide sugars

Complex carbohydrates, as constituting part of glycoconjugates such as glycoproteins, glycolipids, hormones, antibiotics and other secondary metabolites, play an active role in inter- and intracellular communication. The aim of "glycobiotechnology" as an upcoming interdisciplinary research field is to develop highly efficient synthesis strategies, including in vivo and in vitro approaches, in order to bring such complex molecules into analytical and therapeutic studies. The enzymatic synthesis of glycosidic bonds by Leloir-glycosyltransferases is an efficient strategy for obtaining saccharides with absolute stereo- and regioselectivity in high yields and under mild conditions. There are, however, two obstacles hindering the realization of this process on a biotechnological scale, namely the production of recombinant Leloir-glycosyltransferases and the availability of enzymes for the synthesis of nucleotide sugars (the glycosyltransferase donor substrates). The present review surveys some synthetic targets which have attracted the interest of glycobiologists as well as recombinant expression systems which give Leloir-glycosyltransferase activities in the mU and U range. The main part summarizes publications concerned with the complex pathways of primary and secondary nucleotide sugars and the availability and use of these enzymes for synthesis applications. In this context, a survey of our work will demonstrate how enzymes from different sources and pathways can be combined for the synthesis of nucleotide deoxysugars and oligosaccharides.