1
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Rosenzweig AF, Wang Z, Morales-Amador A, Spotton K, Brady SF. A Family of Antibiotics That Evades Resistance by Binding Polyprenyl Phosphates. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:2394-2400. [PMID: 37937847 PMCID: PMC10904333 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Cilagicin is a Gram-positive active antibiotic that has a dual polyprenyl phosphate binding mechanism that impedes resistance development. Here we bioinformatically screened predicted non-ribosomal polypeptide synthetase encoded structures to search for antibiotics that might similarly avoid resistance development. Synthesis and bioactivity screening of the predicted structures that we identified led to three antibiotics that are active against multidrug-resistant Gram-positive pathogens, two of which, paenilagicin and virgilagicin, did not lead to resistance even after prolonged antibiotic exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam F Rosenzweig
- Laboratory of Genetically Encoded Small Molecules, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Zongqiang Wang
- Laboratory of Genetically Encoded Small Molecules, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Adrián Morales-Amador
- Laboratory of Genetically Encoded Small Molecules, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Kaylyn Spotton
- Laboratory of Genetically Encoded Small Molecules, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Sean F Brady
- Laboratory of Genetically Encoded Small Molecules, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, United States
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2
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Majumder A, Vuksanovic N, Ray LC, Bernstein HM, Allen KN, Imperiali B, Straub JE. Synergistic computational and experimental studies of a phosphoglycosyl transferase membrane/ligand ensemble. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105194. [PMID: 37633332 PMCID: PMC10519829 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Complex glycans serve essential functions in all living systems. Many of these intricate and byzantine biomolecules are assembled employing biosynthetic pathways wherein the constituent enzymes are membrane-associated. A signature feature of the stepwise assembly processes is the essentiality of unusual linear long-chain polyprenol phosphate-linked substrates of specific isoprene unit geometry, such as undecaprenol phosphate (UndP) in bacteria. How these enzymes and substrates interact within a lipid bilayer needs further investigation. Here, we focus on a small enzyme, PglC from Campylobacter, structurally characterized for the first time in 2018 as a detergent-solubilized construct. PglC is a monotopic phosphoglycosyl transferase that embodies the functional core structure of the entire enzyme superfamily and catalyzes the first membrane-committed step in a glycoprotein assembly pathway. The size of the enzyme is significant as it enables high-level computation and relatively facile, for a membrane protein, experimental analysis. Our ensemble computational and experimental results provided a high-level view of the membrane-embedded PglC/UndP complex. The findings suggested that it is advantageous for the polyprenol phosphate to adopt a conformation in the same leaflet where the monotopic membrane protein resides as opposed to additionally disrupting the opposing leaflet of the bilayer. Further, the analysis showed that electrostatic steering acts as a major driving force contributing to the recognition and binding of both UndP and the soluble nucleotide sugar substrate. Iterative computational and experimental mutagenesis support a specific interaction of UndP with phosphoglycosyl transferase cationic residues and suggest a role for critical conformational transitions in substrate binding and specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayan Majumder
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Leah C Ray
- Program in Biomolecular Pharmacology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hannah M Bernstein
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Karen N Allen
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Program in Biomolecular Pharmacology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
| | - Barbara Imperiali
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
| | - John E Straub
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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3
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Hou A, Goldfuss B, Dickschat JS. Functional Switch and Ethyl Group Formation in the Bacterial Polytrichastrene Synthase from Chryseobacterium polytrichastri. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:20781-20785. [PMID: 34318977 PMCID: PMC8518897 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202109465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
A reinvestigation of the linalool synthase from Chryseobacterium polytrichastri uncovered its diterpene synthase activity, yielding polytrichastrene A and polytrichastrol A with new skeletons, besides known wanju-2,5-diene and thunbergol. The enzyme mechanism was investigated by isotopic labeling experiments and DFT calculations to explain an unusual ethyl group formation. Rationally designed exchanges of active site residues showed major functional switches, resulting for I66F in the production of five more new compounds, including polytrichastrene B and polytrichastrol B, while A87T, A192V and the double exchange A87T, A192V gave a product shift towards wanju-2,5-diene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anwei Hou
- Kekulé-Institute for Organic Chemistry and BiochemistryUniversity of BonnGerhard-Domagk-Straße 153121BonnGermany
| | - Bernd Goldfuss
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of CologneGreinstraße 450939CologneGermany
| | - Jeroen S. Dickschat
- Kekulé-Institute for Organic Chemistry and BiochemistryUniversity of BonnGerhard-Domagk-Straße 153121BonnGermany
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4
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You MK, Lee YJ, Yu JS, Ha SH. The Predicted Functional Compartmentation of Rice Terpenoid Metabolism by Trans-Prenyltransferase Structural Analysis, Expression and Localization. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E8927. [PMID: 33255547 PMCID: PMC7728057 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21238927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Most terpenoids are derived from the basic terpene skeletons of geranyl pyrophosphate (GPP, C10), farnesyl-PP (FPP, C15) and geranylgeranyl-PP (GGPP, C20). The trans-prenyltransferases (PTs) mediate the sequential head-to-tail condensation of an isopentenyl-PP (C5) with allylic substrates. The in silico structural comparative analyses of rice trans-PTs with 136 plant trans-PT genes allowed twelve rice PTs to be identified as GGPS_LSU (OsGGPS1), homomeric G(G)PS (OsGPS) and GGPS_SSU-II (OsGRP) in Group I; two solanesyl-PP synthase (OsSPS2 and 3) and two polyprenyl-PP synthases (OsSPS1 and 4) in Group II; and five FPSs (OsFPS1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) in Group III. Additionally, several residues in "three floors" for the chain length and several essential domains for enzymatic activities specifically varied in rice, potentiating evolutionarily rice-specific biochemical functions of twelve trans-PTs. Moreover, expression profiling and localization patterns revealed their functional compartmentation in rice. Taken together, we propose the predicted topology-based working model of rice PTs with corresponding terpene metabolites: GPP/GGPPs mainly in plastoglobuli, SPPs in stroma, PPPs in cytosol, mitochondria and chloroplast and FPPs in cytosol. Our findings could be suitably applied to metabolic engineering for producing functional terpene metabolites in rice systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Kyoung You
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Graduate School of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Korea; (Y.J.L.); (J.S.Y.)
| | | | | | - Sun-Hwa Ha
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Graduate School of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Korea; (Y.J.L.); (J.S.Y.)
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5
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Huynh F, Tailby M, Finniear A, Stephens K, Allemann RK, Wirth T. Accelerating Biphasic Biocatalysis through New Process Windows. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 59:16490-16495. [PMID: 32567753 PMCID: PMC7540285 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202005183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Process intensification through continuous flow reactions has increased the production rates of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Catalytic reactions are accelerated through an unconventional and unprecedented use of a high-performance liquid/liquid counter current chromatography system. Product generation is significantly faster than in traditional batch reactors or in segmented flow systems, which is exemplified through stereoselective phase-transfer catalyzed reactions. This methodology also enables the intensification of biocatalysis as demonstrated in high yield esterifications and in the sesquiterpene cyclase-catalyzed synthesis of sesquiterpenes from farnesyl diphosphate as high-value natural products with applications in medicine, agriculture and the fragrance industry. Product release in sesquiterpene synthases is rate limiting due to the hydrophobic nature of sesquiterpenes, but a biphasic system exposed to centrifugal forces allows for highly efficient reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence Huynh
- School of ChemistryCardiff University, Main BuildingPark PlaceCardiffCF10 3ATUK
| | - Matthew Tailby
- School of ChemistryCardiff University, Main BuildingPark PlaceCardiffCF10 3ATUK
| | | | | | - Rudolf K. Allemann
- School of ChemistryCardiff University, Main BuildingPark PlaceCardiffCF10 3ATUK
| | - Thomas Wirth
- School of ChemistryCardiff University, Main BuildingPark PlaceCardiffCF10 3ATUK
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6
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Khatri Y, Hohlman RM, Mendoza J, Li S, Lowell AN, Asahara H, Sherman DH. Multicomponent Microscale Biosynthesis of Unnatural Cyanobacterial Indole Alkaloids. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:1349-1360. [PMID: 32302487 PMCID: PMC7323787 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Genome sequencing and bioinformatics tools have facilitated the identification and expression of an increasing number of cryptic biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). However, functional analysis of all components of a metabolic pathway to precisely determine biocatalytic properties remains time-consuming and labor intensive. One way to speed this process involves microscale cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) for direct gene to biochemical function analysis, which has rarely been applied to study multicomponent enzymatic systems in specialized metabolism. We sought to establish an in vitro transcription/translation (TT)-assay to assess assembly of cyanobacterial-derived hapalindole-type natural products (cNPs) because of their diverse bioactivity profiles and complex structural diversity. Using a CFPS system including a plasmid bearing famD2 prenyltransferase from Fischerella ambigua UTEX 1903, we showed production of the central prenylated intermediate (3GC) in the presence of exogenous geranyl-pyrophosphate (GPP) and cis-indole isonitrile. Further addition of a plasmid bearing the famC1 Stig cyclase resulted in synthesis of both FamD2 and FamC1 enzymes, which was confirmed by proteomics analysis, and catalyzed assembly of 12-epi-hapalindole U. Further combinations of Stig cyclases (FamC1-C4) produced hapalindole U and hapalindole H, while FisC identified from Fischerella sp. SAG46.79 generated 12-epi-fischerindole U. The CFPS system was further employed to screen six unnatural halogenated cis-indole isonitrile substrates using FamC1 and FisC, and the reactions were scaled-up using chemoenzymatic synthesis and identified as 5- and 6-fluoro-12-epi-hapalindole U, and 5- and 6-fluoro-12-epi-fischerindole U, respectively. This approach represents an effective, high throughput strategy to determine the functional role of biosynthetic enzymes from diverse natural product BGCs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Haruichi Asahara
- New England Biolabs, Inc., Ipswich, Massachusetts 01938, United States
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7
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Workman SD, Strynadka NCJ. A Slippery Scaffold: Synthesis and Recycling of the Bacterial Cell Wall Carrier Lipid. J Mol Biol 2020; 432:4964-4982. [PMID: 32234311 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2020.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The biosynthesis of bacterial cell envelope polysaccharides such as peptidoglycan relies on the use of a dedicated carrier lipid both for the assembly of precursors at the cytoplasmic face of the plasma membrane and for the translocation of lipid linked oligosaccharides across the plasma membrane into the periplasmic space. This dedicated carrier lipid, undecaprenyl phosphate, results from the dephosphorylation of undecaprenyl pyrophosphate, which is generated de novo in the cytoplasm by undecaprenyl pyrophosphate synthase and released as a by-product when newly synthesized glycans are incorporated into the existing cell envelope. The de novo synthesis of undecaprenyl pyrophosphate has been thoroughly characterized from a structural and mechanistic standpoint; however, its dephosphorylation to the active carrier lipid form, both in the course of de novo synthesis and recycling, has only been begun to be studied in depth in recent years. This review provides an overview of bacterial carrier lipid synthesis and presents the current state of knowledge regarding bacterial carrier lipid recycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean D Workman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the Center for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z3
| | - Natalie C J Strynadka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the Center for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z3.
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8
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Powers Z, Scharf A, Cheng A, Yang F, Himmelbauer M, Mitsuhashi T, Barra L, Taniguchi Y, Kikuchi T, Fujita M, Abe I, Porco JA. Biomimetic Synthesis of Meroterpenoids by Dearomatization-Driven Polycyclization. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019; 58:16141-16146. [PMID: 31515901 PMCID: PMC6814491 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201910710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
A biomimetic route to farnesyl pyrophosphate and dimethyl orsellinic acid (DMOA)-derived meroterpenoid scaffolds has yet to be reported despite great interest from the chemistry and biomedical research communities. A concise synthetic route with the potential to access DMOA-derived meroterpenoids is highly desirable to create a library of related compounds. Herein, we report novel dearomatization methodology followed by polyene cyclization to access DMOA-derived meroterpenoid frameworks in six steps from commercially available starting materials. Furthermore, several farnesyl alkene substrates were used to generate structurally novel, DMOA-derived meroterpenoid derivatives. DFT calculations combined with experimentation provided a rationale for the observed thermodynamic distribution of polycyclization products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Powers
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Molecular Discovery (BU-CMD), Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, USA
| | - Adam Scharf
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Molecular Discovery (BU-CMD), Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, USA
| | - Andrea Cheng
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Molecular Discovery (BU-CMD), Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, USA
| | - Feng Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Molecular Discovery (BU-CMD), Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, USA
| | - Martin Himmelbauer
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Molecular Discovery (BU-CMD), Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, USA
| | - Takaaki Mitsuhashi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyoku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | | | - Yoshimasa Taniguchi
- Central Laboratories for Key Technologies, Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd., 1-13-5, Fukuura Kanazawaku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Takashi Kikuchi
- Rigaku Corporation, 3-9-12 Matsubaracho, Akishima-shi, Tokyo, 196-8666, Japan
| | - Makoto Fujita
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyoku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Ikuro Abe
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyoku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - John A Porco
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Molecular Discovery (BU-CMD), Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, USA
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9
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Murai K, Lauterbach L, Teramoto K, Quan Z, Barra L, Yamamoto T, Nonaka K, Shiomi K, Nishiyama M, Kuzuyama T, Dickschat JS. An Unusual Skeletal Rearrangement in the Biosynthesis of the Sesquiterpene Trichobrasilenol from Trichoderma. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019; 58:15046-15050. [PMID: 31418991 PMCID: PMC7687074 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201907964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The skeletons of some classes of terpenoids are unusual in that they contain a larger number of Me groups (or their biosynthetic equivalents such as olefinic methylene groups, hydroxymethyl groups, aldehydes, or carboxylic acids and their derivatives) than provided by their oligoprenyl diphosphate precursor. This is sometimes the result of an oxidative ring-opening reaction at a terpene-cyclase-derived molecule containing the regular number of Me group equivalents, as observed for picrotoxan sesquiterpenes. In this study a sesquiterpene cyclase from Trichoderma spp. is described that can convert farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) directly via a remarkable skeletal rearrangement into trichobrasilenol, a new brasilane sesquiterpene with one additional Me group equivalent compared to FPP. A mechanistic hypothesis for the formation of the brasilane skeleton is supported by extensive isotopic labelling studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiichi Murai
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life SciencesThe University of Tokyo1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyu-kuTokyo113-8657Japan
| | - Lukas Lauterbach
- Kekulé-Institute for Organic Chemistry and BiochemistryUniversity of BonnGerhard-Domagk-Straße 153121BonnGermany
| | - Kazuya Teramoto
- Biotechnology Research CenterThe University of Tokyo1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyu-kuTokyo113-8657Japan
| | - Zhiyang Quan
- Kekulé-Institute for Organic Chemistry and BiochemistryUniversity of BonnGerhard-Domagk-Straße 153121BonnGermany
| | - Lena Barra
- Kekulé-Institute for Organic Chemistry and BiochemistryUniversity of BonnGerhard-Domagk-Straße 153121BonnGermany
| | - Tsuyoshi Yamamoto
- Kitasato Institute for Life SciencesKitasato University5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-kuTokyo108-8641Japan
| | - Kenichi Nonaka
- Kitasato Institute for Life SciencesKitasato University5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-kuTokyo108-8641Japan
| | - Kazuro Shiomi
- Kitasato Institute for Life SciencesKitasato University5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-kuTokyo108-8641Japan
| | - Makoto Nishiyama
- Biotechnology Research CenterThe University of Tokyo1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyu-kuTokyo113-8657Japan
- Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative MicrobiologyThe University of Tokyo1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyu-kuTokyo113-8657Japan
| | - Tomohisa Kuzuyama
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life SciencesThe University of Tokyo1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyu-kuTokyo113-8657Japan
- Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative MicrobiologyThe University of Tokyo1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyu-kuTokyo113-8657Japan
| | - Jeroen S. Dickschat
- Kekulé-Institute for Organic Chemistry and BiochemistryUniversity of BonnGerhard-Domagk-Straße 153121BonnGermany
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10
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Nagel R, Thomas JA, Adekunle FA, Mann FM, Peters RJ. Arginine in the FARM and SARM: A Role in Chain-Length Determination for Arginine in the Aspartate-Rich Motifs of Isoprenyl Diphosphate Synthases from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23102546. [PMID: 30301210 PMCID: PMC6214179 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23102546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Isoprenyl chains are found in many important metabolites. These are derived from precursors of the appropriate length produced by isoprenyl diphosphate synthases (IDSs). The human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis makes various isoprenoids/terpenoids, with important roles in their biosynthesis played by two closely related IDSs, encoded by grcC1 (Rv0562) and grcC2 (Rv0989c), with Rv0989c generating the 10-carbon precursor (E)-geranyl diphosphate (GPP), and Rv0562 the 20-carbon precursor (E,E,E)-geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP). Intriguingly, while Rv0562 contains the prototypical trans-IDS first and second aspartate-rich (DDxxD) motifs (FARM and SARM, respectively), Rv0989c uniquely contains arginine in place of the second Asp in the FARM and first Asp in the SARM. Here site-directed mutagenesis of the corresponding residues in both Rv0562 and Rv0989c reveals that these play a role in determination of product chain length. Specifically, substitution of Asp for the Arg in the FARM and SARM of Rv0989c leads to increased production of the longer 15-carbon farnesyl diphosphate (FPP), while substitution of Arg for the corresponding Asp in Rv0562 leads to increased release of shorter products, both FPP and GPP. Accordingly, while the primary role of the FARM and SARM is known to be chelation of the divalent magnesium ion co-factors that assist substrate binding and catalysis, the Arg substitutions found in Rv0989c seem to provide a novel means by which product chain length is moderated, at least in these M. tuberculosis IDSs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raimund Nagel
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
| | - Jill A Thomas
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
| | - Faith A Adekunle
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Kenosha, WI 53141, USA.
| | - Francis M Mann
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Kenosha, WI 53141, USA.
| | - Reuben J Peters
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
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11
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Huynh F, Grundy DJ, Jenkins RL, Miller DJ, Allemann RK. Sesquiterpene Synthase-Catalysed Formation of a New Medium-Sized Cyclic Terpenoid Ether from Farnesyl Diphosphate Analogues. Chembiochem 2018; 19:1834-1838. [PMID: 29802753 PMCID: PMC6334173 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201800218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Terpene synthases catalyse the first step in the conversion of prenyl diphosphates to terpenoids. They act as templates for their substrates to generate a reactive conformation, from which a Mg2+ -dependent reaction creates a carbocation-PPi ion pair that undergoes a series of rearrangements and (de)protonations to give the final terpene product. This tight conformational control was exploited for the (R)-germacrene A synthase- and germacradien-4-ol synthase-catalysed formation of a medium-sized cyclic terpenoid ether from substrates containing nucleophilic functional groups. Farnesyl diphosphate analogues with a 10,11-epoxide or an allylic alcohol were efficiently converted to a 11-membered cyclic terpenoid ether that was characterised by HRMS and NMR spectroscopic analyses. Further experiments showed that other sesquiterpene synthases, including aristolochene synthase, δ-cadinene synthase and amorphadiene synthase, yielded this novel terpenoid from the same substrate analogues. This work illustrates the potential of terpene synthases for the efficient generation of structurally and functionally novel medium-sized terpene ethers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence Huynh
- School of ChemistryCardiff UniversityMain BuildingPark PlaceCardiffCF10 3ATUK
| | - Daniel J. Grundy
- School of ChemistryCardiff UniversityMain BuildingPark PlaceCardiffCF10 3ATUK
| | - Robert L. Jenkins
- School of ChemistryCardiff UniversityMain BuildingPark PlaceCardiffCF10 3ATUK
| | - David J. Miller
- School of ChemistryCardiff UniversityMain BuildingPark PlaceCardiffCF10 3ATUK
| | - Rudolf K. Allemann
- School of ChemistryCardiff UniversityMain BuildingPark PlaceCardiffCF10 3ATUK
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12
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Tang X, Demiray M, Wirth T, Allemann RK. Concise synthesis of artemisinin from a farnesyl diphosphate analogue. Bioorg Med Chem 2018; 26:1314-1319. [PMID: 28404524 PMCID: PMC5930831 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2017.03.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Revised: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Artemisinin is one of the most potent anti-malaria drugs and many often-lengthy routes have been developed for its synthesis. Amorphadiene synthase, a key enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway of artemisinin, is able to convert an oxygenated farnesyl diphosphate analogue directly to dihydroartemisinic aldehyde, which can be converted to artemisinin in only four chemical steps, resulting in an efficient synthetic route to the anti-malaria drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoping Tang
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Park Place, Main Building, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Melodi Demiray
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Park Place, Main Building, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Thomas Wirth
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Park Place, Main Building, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK.
| | - Rudolf K Allemann
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Park Place, Main Building, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK.
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13
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Yamane M, Minami A, Liu C, Ozaki T, Takeuchi I, Tsukagoshi T, Tokiwano T, Gomi K, Oikawa H. Biosynthetic Machinery of Diterpene Pleuromutilin Isolated from Basidiomycete Fungi. Chembiochem 2017; 18:2317-2322. [PMID: 28924980 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201700434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The diterpene pleuromutilin is a ribosome-targeting antibiotic isolated from basidiomycete fungi, such as Clitopilus pseudo-pinsitus. The functional characterization of all biosynthetic enzymes involved in pleuromutilin biosynthesis is reported and a biosynthetic pathway proposed. In vitro enzymatic reactions and mutational analysis revealed that a labdane-related diterpene synthase, Ple3, catalyzed two rounds of cyclization from geranylgeranyl diphosphate to premutilin possessing a characteristic 5-6-8-tricyclic carbon skeleton. Biotransformation experiments utilizing Aspergillus oryzae transformants possessing modification enzyme genes allowed the biosynthetic pathway from premutilin to pleuromutilin to be proposed. The present study sets the stage for the enzymatic synthesis of natural products isolated from basidiomycete fungi, which are a prolific source of structurally diverse and biologically active terpenoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Momoka Yamane
- Division of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0810, Japan
| | - Atsushi Minami
- Division of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0810, Japan
| | - Chengwei Liu
- Division of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0810, Japan
| | - Taro Ozaki
- Division of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0810, Japan
| | - Ichiro Takeuchi
- Division of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0810, Japan
| | - Tae Tsukagoshi
- Division of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0810, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Tokiwano
- Division of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0810, Japan
| | - Katsuya Gomi
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, 981-8555, Japan
| | - Hideaki Oikawa
- Division of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0810, Japan
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14
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Xu J, Ai Y, Wang J, Xu J, Zhang Y, Yang D. Converting S-limonene synthase to pinene or phellandrene synthases reveals the plasticity of the active site. Phytochemistry 2017; 137:34-41. [PMID: 28215610 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2017.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Revised: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 02/11/2017] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
S-limonene synthase is a model monoterpene synthase that cyclizes geranyl pyrophosphate (GPP) to form S-limonene. It is a relatively specific enzyme as the majority of its products are composed of limonene. In this study, we converted it to pinene or phellandrene synthases after introducing N345A/L423A/S454A or N345I mutations. Further studies on N345 suggest the polarity of this residue plays a critical role in limonene production by stabilizing the terpinyl cation intermediate. If it is mutated to a non-polar residue, further cyclization or hydride shifts occurs so the carbocation migrates towards the pyrophosphate, leading to the production of pinene or phellandrene. On the other hand, mutant enzymes that still possess a polar residue at this position produce limonene as the major product. N345 is not the only polar residue that may stabilize the terpinyl cation because it is not strictly conserved among limonene synthases across species and there are also several other polar residues in this area. These residues could form a "polar pocket" that may collectively play this stabilizing role. Our study provides important insights into the catalytic mechanism of limonene synthases. Furthermore, it also has wider implications on the evolution of terpene synthases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinkun Xu
- Gene Engineering and Biotechnology Beijing Key Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875 China
| | - Ying Ai
- Gene Engineering and Biotechnology Beijing Key Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875 China
| | - Jianhui Wang
- Gene Engineering and Biotechnology Beijing Key Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875 China
| | - Jingwei Xu
- Gene Engineering and Biotechnology Beijing Key Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875 China
| | - Yongkang Zhang
- Gene Engineering and Biotechnology Beijing Key Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875 China
| | - Dong Yang
- Gene Engineering and Biotechnology Beijing Key Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875 China.
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15
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Muangphrom P, Seki H, Suzuki M, Komori A, Nishiwaki M, Mikawa R, Fukushima EO, Muranaka T. Functional Analysis of Amorpha-4,11-Diene Synthase (ADS) Homologs from Non-Artemisinin-Producing Artemisia Species: The Discovery of Novel Koidzumiol and (+)-α-Bisabolol Synthases. Plant Cell Physiol 2016; 57:1678-1688. [PMID: 27273626 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcw094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 04/29/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The production of artemisinin, the most effective antimalarial compound, is limited to Artemisia annua. Enzymes involved in artemisinin biosynthesis include amorpha-4,11-diene synthase (ADS), amorpha-4,11-diene 12-monooxygenase (CYP71AV1) and artemisinic aldehyde Δ(11)13 reductase (DBR2). Although artemisinin and its specific intermediates are not detected in other Artemisia species, we reported previously that CYP71AV1 and DBR2 homologs were expressed in some non-artemisinin-producing Artemisia plants. These homologous enzymes showed similar functions to their counterparts in A. annua and can convert fed intermediates into the following products along the artemisinin biosynthesis in planta These findings suggested a partial artemisinin-producing ability in those species. In this study, we examined genes highly homologous to ADS, the first committed gene in the pathway, in 13 Artemisia species. We detected ADS homologs in A. absinthium, A. kurramensis and A. maritima. We analyzed the enzymatic functions of all of the ADS homologs after obtaining their cDNA. We found that the ADS homolog from A. absinthium exhibited novel activity in the cyclization of farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) to koidzumiol, a rare natural sesquiterpenoid. Those from A. kurramensis and A. maritima showed similar, but novel, activities in the cyclization of FPP to (+)-α-bisabolol. The unique functions of the novel sesquiterpene synthases highly homologous to ADS found in this study could provide insight into the molecular basis of the exceptional artemisinin-producing ability in A. annua.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paskorn Muangphrom
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871 Japan
| | - Hikaru Seki
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871 Japan
| | - Munenori Suzuki
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871 Japan KNC Laboratories Co., Ltd., 3-2-34 Takatsukadai, Nishi-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 651-2271 Japan
| | - Aya Komori
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871 Japan KNC Laboratories Co., Ltd., 3-2-34 Takatsukadai, Nishi-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 651-2271 Japan
| | - Mika Nishiwaki
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871 Japan
| | - Ryota Mikawa
- 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 Continuing Professional Development Center, Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871 Japan
| | - Toshiya Muranaka
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871 Japan
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Ricigliano V, Kumar S, Kinison S, Brooks C, Nybo SE, Chappell J, Howarth DG. Regulation of sesquiterpenoid metabolism in recombinant and elicited Valeriana officinalis hairy roots. Phytochemistry 2016; 125:43-53. [PMID: 26920719 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2016.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2015] [Revised: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/18/2016] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The medicinal properties of Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) root preparations are attributed to the anxiolytic sesquiterpenoid valerenic acid and its biosynthetic precursors valerenal and valerenadiene, as well as the anti-inflammatory sesquiterpenoid β-caryophyllene. In order to study and engineer the biosynthesis of these pharmacologically active metabolites, a binary vector co-transformation system was developed for V. officinalis hairy roots. The relative expression levels and jasmonate-inducibility of a number of genes associated with sesquiterpenoid metabolism were profiled in roots: farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (VoFPS), valerendiene synthase (VoVDS), germacrene C synthase (VoGCS), and a cytochrome P450 (CYP71D442) putatively associated with terpene metabolism based on sequence homology. Recombinant hairy root lines overexpressing VoFPS or VoVDS were generated and compared to control cultures. Overexpression of the VoFPS cDNA increased levels of the corresponding transcript 4- to 8-fold and sesquiterpene hydrocarbon accumulation by 1.5- to 4-fold. Overexpression of the VoVDS cDNA increased the corresponding transcript levels 5- to 9-fold and markedly increased yields of the oxygenated sesquiterpenoids valerenic acid and valerenal. Our findings suggest that the availability of cytoplasmic farnesyl diphosphate and valerenadiene are potential bottlenecks in Valeriana-specific sesquiterpenoid biosynthesis, which is also subject to regulation by methyl jasmonate elicitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Ricigliano
- Department of Biological Sciences, St. John's University, Jamaica, NY 11439, United States.
| | - Santosh Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, United States
| | - Scott Kinison
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, United States
| | - Christopher Brooks
- Department of Biological Sciences, St. John's University, Jamaica, NY 11439, United States
| | - S Eric Nybo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, United States
| | - Joe Chappell
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, United States.
| | - Dianella G Howarth
- Department of Biological Sciences, St. John's University, Jamaica, NY 11439, United States.
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17
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Jennings BC, Danowitz AM, Wang YC, Gibbs RA, Distefano MD, Fierke CA. Analogs of farnesyl diphosphate alter CaaX substrate specificity and reactions rates of protein farnesyltransferase. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2016; 26:1333-6. [PMID: 26803203 PMCID: PMC4747817 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2015.12.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2015] [Revised: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Attempts to identify the prenyl-proteome of cells or changes in prenylation following drug treatment have used 'clickable' alkyne-modified analogs of the lipid substrates farnesyl- and geranylgeranyl-diphosphate (FPP and GGPP). We characterized the reactivity of four alkyne-containing analogs of FPP with purified protein farnesyltransferase and a small library of dansylated peptides using an in vitro continuous spectrofluorimetric assay. These analogs alter prenylation specificity and reactivity suggesting that in vivo results obtained using these FPP analogs should be interpreted cautiously.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amy M Danowitz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mercyhurst University, Erie, PA 16546, USA
| | - Yen-Chih Wang
- Department of Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Richard A Gibbs
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Mark D Distefano
- Department of Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Carol A Fierke
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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18
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Zhang M, Su P, Zhou YJ, Wang XJ, Zhao YJ, Liu YJ, Tong YR, Hu TY, Huang LQ, Gao W. Identification of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase genes from Tripterygium wilfordii. Plant Cell Rep 2015; 34:2179-88. [PMID: 26449416 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-015-1860-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2015] [Revised: 08/27/2015] [Accepted: 08/31/2015] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
We found triptolide synthesis is correlated with the expressions of TwGGPPS1 and TwGGPPS4 . This lays the foundation for future studies of biosynthetic pathways for triptolide and other diterpenoids in T. wilfordii. Tripterygium wilfordii is a traditional Chinese medical plant commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. One of its main bioactive compounds is triptolide, which is identified as an abietane-type diterpenoid natural product. Geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (GGPPS) catalyses the synthesis of GGPP (geranylgeranyl diphosphate), the common precursor of diterpenes, and is therefore a crucial enzyme in diterpene biosynthesis. A previous study showed that GGPP could be catalyzed by copalyl diphosphate synthase and kaurene synthase like of Salvia miltiorrhiza (SmCPS, SmKSL) to miltiradiene, a key intermediate in tanshinone biosynthesis. In this paper, five new full-length cDNAs (TwGGPPS) encoding GGPP synthases were cloned from T. wilfordii. Sequence comparisons revealed that all six TwGGPPSs (including TwGGPPS2 cloned previously) exhibit similarities to GGPPSs of other plants. Subsequent functional complement assays demonstrated that TwGGPPS1, TwGGPPS4 and TwGGPPS5 can participate in miltiradiene biosynthesis in the recombinant E. coli. Correlation analysis of gene expressions and secondary metabolite accumulation indicated that TwGGPPS1 and TwGGPPS4 are likely involved in the biosynthesis of triptolide. These findings lay the foundation for future studies of the biosynthetic pathways for triptolide and other diterpenoids in T. wilfordii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Zhang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
| | - Ping Su
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
- National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Yong-Jin Zhou
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Kemivägen 10, 41296, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Xiu-Juan Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
| | - Yu-Jun Zhao
- National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Yu-Jia Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Yu-Ru Tong
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
- National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Tian-Yuan Hu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Lu-Qi Huang
- National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China.
| | - Wei Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
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19
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Nyati P, Rivera-Perez C, Noriega FG. Negative Feedbacks by Isoprenoids on a Mevalonate Kinase Expressed in the Corpora Allata of Mosquitoes. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0143107. [PMID: 26566274 PMCID: PMC4643977 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 10/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Juvenile hormones (JH) regulate development and reproductive maturation in insects. JHs are synthesized through the mevalonate pathway (MVAP), an ancient metabolic pathway present in the three domains of life. Mevalonate kinase (MVK) is a key enzyme in the MVAP. MVK catalyzes the synthesis of phosphomevalonate (PM) by transferring the γ-phosphoryl group from ATP to the C5 hydroxyl oxygen of mevalonic acid (MA). Despite the importance of MVKs, these enzymes have been poorly characterized in insects. Results We functionally characterized an Aedes aegypti MVK (AaMVK) expressed in the corpora allata (CA) of the mosquito. AaMVK displayed its activity in the presence of metal cofactors. Different nucleotides were used by AaMVK as phosphoryl donors. In the presence of Mg2+, the enzyme has higher affinity for MA than ATP. The activity of AaMVK was regulated by feedback inhibition from long-chain isoprenoids, such as geranyl diphosphate (GPP) and farnesyl diphosphate (FPP). Conclusions AaMVK exhibited efficient inhibition by GPP and FPP (Ki less than 1 μM), and none by isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) and dimethyl allyl pyrophosphate (DPPM). These results suggest that GPP and FPP might act as physiological inhibitors in the synthesis of isoprenoids in the CA of mosquitoes. Changing MVK activity can alter the flux of precursors and therefore regulate juvenile hormone biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratik Nyati
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, United States of America
| | - Crisalejandra Rivera-Perez
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, United States of America
| | - Fernando G. Noriega
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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20
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Rising KA, Crenshaw CM, Koo HJ, Subramanian T, Chehade KAH, Starks C, Allen KD, Andres DA, Spielmann HP, Noel JP, Chappell J. Formation of a Novel Macrocyclic Alkaloid from the Unnatural Farnesyl Diphosphate Analogue Anilinogeranyl Diphosphate by 5-Epi-Aristolochene Synthase. ACS Chem Biol 2015; 10:1729-36. [PMID: 25897591 PMCID: PMC4570970 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.5b00145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
As part of an effort to identify substrate analogs suitable for helping to resolve structural features important for terpene synthases, the inhibition of 5-epi-aristolochene biosynthesis from farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) by the tobacco 5-epi-aristolochene synthase incubated with anilinogeranyl diphosphate (AGPP) was examined. The apparent noncompetitive nature of the inhibition supported further assessment of how AGPP might be bound to crystallographic forms of the enzyme. Surprisingly, the bound form of the inhibitor appeared to have undergone a cyclization event consistent with the native mechanism associated with FPP catalysis. Biocatalytic formation of a novel 13-membered macrocyclic paracyclophane alkaloid was confirmed by high-resolution GC-MS and NMR analysis. This work provides insights into new biosynthetic means for generating novel, functionally diversified, medium-sized terpene alkaloids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen A. Rising
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Lexington, Kentucky, United States
| | - Charisse M. Crenshaw
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Salk Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Hyun Jo Koo
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Salk Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Thangaiah Subramanian
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Lexington, Kentucky, United States
| | - Kareem A. H. Chehade
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Lexington, Kentucky, United States
| | - Courtney Starks
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Salk Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Keith D. Allen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Lexington, Kentucky, United States
| | - Douglas A. Andres
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Lexington, Kentucky, United States
| | - H. Peter Spielmann
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Lexington, Kentucky, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Lexington, Kentucky, United States
- Center for Structural Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Lexington, Kentucky, United States
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Lexington, Kentucky, United States
| | - Joseph P. Noel
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Salk Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Joe Chappell
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Lexington, Kentucky, United States
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Abstract
Plants are able to synthesize, store and release lipophilic organic molecules known as plant volatiles (PVs) utilizing specific biological pathways and different enzymes which play vital roles in the plant's defence and in dealing with biotic and abiotic stress situations. The process of generation, storage and release of PVs by plants acquired during the course of evolution is a very complex phenomenon. Bio-inspired molecular design of farnesol-based surfactants facilitates similar production, storage and release of PVs. The designed molecules adsorb at air-water interface and self-aggregate into micelles in aqueous system. The structural design of the molecules allows them to self-activate in water via intramolecular cation-π interactions. The activated molecules undergo molecular rearrangements generating volatile organic molecules both at interface and inside the micelle core. The molecules adsorbed at the interface initially release the formed volatile molecules creating vacant space at interface, thus thermodynamically directing the micelle to release the manufactured volatile products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avinash Bhadani
- The City College Center for Discovery and Innovation & Department of Chemistry, The City University of New York, New York, NY 10031, USA.
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22
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Nakatani Y, Ribeiro N, Streiff S, Gotoh M, Pozzi G, Désaubry L, Milon A. Search for the most 'primitive' membranes and their reinforcers: a review of the polyprenyl phosphates theory. ORIGINS LIFE EVOL B 2014; 44:197-208. [PMID: 25351682 PMCID: PMC4669544 DOI: 10.1007/s11084-014-9365-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2013] [Accepted: 09/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Terpenoids have an essential function in present-day cellular membranes, either as membrane reinforcers in Eucarya and Bacteria or as principal membrane constituents in Archaea. We have shown that some terpenoids, such as cholesterol and α, ω-dipolar carotenoids reinforce lipid membranes by measuring the water permeability of unilamellar vesicles. It was possible to arrange the known membrane terpenoids in a ‘phylogenetic’ sequence, and a retrograde analysis led us to conceive that single-chain polyprenyl phosphates might have been ‘primitive’ membrane constituents. By using an optical microscopy, we have observed that polyprenyl phosphates containing 15 to 30 C-atoms form giant vesicles in water in a wide pH range. The addition of 10 % molar of some polyprenols to polyprenyl phosphate vesicles have been shown to reduce the water permeability of membranes even more efficiently than the equimolecular addition of cholesterol. A ‘prebiotic’ synthesis of C10 and C15 prenols from C5 monoprenols was achieved in the presence of a montmorillonite clay. Hypothetical pathway from C1 or C2 units to ‘primitive’ membranes and that from ‘primitive’ membranes to archaeal lipids are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoichi Nakatani
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Strasbourg - CNRS, 67000, Strasbourg, France,
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23
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Hasan MM, Kim HS, Jeon JH, Kim SH, Moon B, Song JY, Shim SH, Baek KH. Metabolic engineering of Nicotiana benthamiana for the increased production of taxadiene. Plant Cell Rep 2014; 33:895-904. [PMID: 24463610 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-014-1568-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2013] [Revised: 01/08/2014] [Accepted: 01/09/2014] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
We report the production of taxadiene by transformation of N. benthamiana with a taxadiene synthase gene. The production was significantly increased by an elicitor treatment or metabolic pathway shunting. Paclitaxel (Taxol(®)) was first isolated from the bark of the pacific yew tree as an anticancer agent and has been used extensively to treat various types of cancer. Taxadiene, the first committed product of paclitaxel synthesis is cyclized from geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP), and further complex hydroxylation and acylation processes of the unique taxane core skeleton produce paclitaxel. To accomplish de novo production of taxadiene, we transformed Nicotiana benthamiana with a taxadiene synthase (TS) gene. The introduced TS gene under the transcriptional control of the CaMV 35S promoter was constitutively expressed in N. benthamiana, and the de novo production of taxadiene was confirmed by mass spectroscopy profiling. Transformed N. benthamiana homozygous lines produced 11-27 μg taxadiene/g of dry weight. The highest taxadiene production line TSS-8 was further treated with an elicitor, methyl jasmonate, and metabolic pathway shunting by suppression of the phytoene synthase gene expression which resulted in accumulation of increased taxadiene accumulation by 1.4- or 1.9-fold, respectively. In summary, we report that the production of taxadiene in N. benthamiana was possible by the ectopic expression of the TS gene, and higher accumulation of taxadiene could be achieved by elicitor treatment or metabolic pathway shunting of the terpenoid pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Mohidul Hasan
- School of Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongbuk, Gyeongsan, 712-749, Korea
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Shang N, Li Q, Ko TP, Chan HC, Li J, Zheng Y, Huang CH, Ren F, Chen CC, Zhu Z, Galizzi M, Li ZH, Rodrigues-Poveda CA, Gonzalez-Pacanowska D, Veiga-Santos P, de Carvalho TMU, de Souza W, Urbina JA, Wang AHJ, Docampo R, Li K, Liu YL, Oldfield E, Guo RT. Squalene synthase as a target for Chagas disease therapeutics. PLoS Pathog 2014; 10:e1004114. [PMID: 24789335 PMCID: PMC4006925 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2013] [Accepted: 03/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomatid parasites are the causative agents of many neglected tropical diseases and there is currently considerable interest in targeting endogenous sterol biosynthesis in these organisms as a route to the development of novel anti-infective drugs. Here, we report the first x-ray crystallographic structures of the enzyme squalene synthase (SQS) from a trypanosomatid parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. We obtained five structures of T. cruzi SQS and eight structures of human SQS with four classes of inhibitors: the substrate-analog S-thiolo-farnesyl diphosphate, the quinuclidines E5700 and ER119884, several lipophilic bisphosphonates, and the thiocyanate WC-9, with the structures of the two very potent quinuclidines suggesting strategies for selective inhibitor development. We also show that the lipophilic bisphosphonates have low nM activity against T. cruzi and inhibit endogenous sterol biosynthesis and that E5700 acts synergistically with the azole drug, posaconazole. The determination of the structures of trypanosomatid and human SQS enzymes with a diverse set of inhibitors active in cells provides insights into SQS inhibition, of interest in the context of the development of drugs against Chagas disease. Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and affects eight million individuals, primarily in Latin America. Currently there is no cure for chronic T. cruzi infections. Unlike humans, this parasite use a variety of sterols (e.g. ergosterol, 24-ethyl-cholesta-5,7,22-trien-3 beta ol, and its 22-dihydro analogs), rather than cholesterol in their cell membranes, so inhibiting endogenous sterol biosynthesis is an important therapeutic target. Here, we report the first structure of the parasite's squalene synthase, which catalyzes the first committed step in sterol biosynthesis, as well as the structures of a broad range of squalene synthase inhibitors active against the clinically relevant intracellular stages, opening the way to new approaches to treating this neglected tropical disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Shang
- Industrial Enzymes National Engineering Laboratory, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Qian Li
- Industrial Enzymes National Engineering Laboratory, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Ping Ko
- Industrial Enzymes National Engineering Laboratory, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsiu-Chien Chan
- Industrial Enzymes National Engineering Laboratory, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Jikun Li
- Center for Biophysics and Computational Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Yingying Zheng
- Industrial Enzymes National Engineering Laboratory, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Chun-Hsiang Huang
- Industrial Enzymes National Engineering Laboratory, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Feifei Ren
- Industrial Enzymes National Engineering Laboratory, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Chun-Chi Chen
- Industrial Enzymes National Engineering Laboratory, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhen Zhu
- Industrial Enzymes National Engineering Laboratory, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Melina Galizzi
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Zhu-Hong Li
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Carlos A. Rodrigues-Poveda
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina “Lopez-Neyra”, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Granada, Spain
| | - Dolores Gonzalez-Pacanowska
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina “Lopez-Neyra”, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Granada, Spain
| | - Phercyles Veiga-Santos
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, CCS, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Diretoria de Programa, Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Normalização e Qualidade Industrial–INMETRO, Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Tecia Maria Ulisses de Carvalho
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, CCS, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Diretoria de Programa, Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Normalização e Qualidade Industrial–INMETRO, Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Wanderley de Souza
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, CCS, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Diretoria de Programa, Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Normalização e Qualidade Industrial–INMETRO, Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Julio A. Urbina
- Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Cientificas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | | | - Roberto Docampo
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Kai Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Yi-Liang Liu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Eric Oldfield
- Center for Biophysics and Computational Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
- * E-mail: (EO); (RTG)
| | - Rey-Ting Guo
- Industrial Enzymes National Engineering Laboratory, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- * E-mail: (EO); (RTG)
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25
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Choi SR, Breugst M, Houk KN, Poulter CD. δ-Deuterium isotope effects as probes for transition-state structures of isoprenoid substrates. J Org Chem 2014; 79:3572-80. [PMID: 24665882 PMCID: PMC4004232 DOI: 10.1021/jo500394u] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The biosynthetic pathways to isoprenoid compounds involve transfer of the prenyl moiety in allylic diphosphates to electron-rich (nucleophilic) acceptors. The acceptors can be many types of nucleophiles, while the allylic diphosphates only differ in the number of isoprene units and stereochemistry of the double bonds in the hydrocarbon moieties. Because of the wide range of nucleophilicities of naturally occurring acceptors, the mechanism for prenyltransfer reactions may be dissociative or associative with early to late transition states. We have measured δ-secondary kinetic isotope effects operating through four bonds for substitution reactions with dimethylallyl derivatives bearing deuterated methyl groups at the distal (C3) carbon atom in the double bond under dissociative and associative conditions. Computational studies with density functional theory indicate that the magnitudes of the isotope effects correlate with the extent of bond formation between the allylic moiety and the electron-rich acceptor in the transition state for alkylation and provide insights into the structures of the transition states for associative and dissociative alkylation reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seoung-ryoung Choi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, 315 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Martin Breugst
- Department of Chemistry
& Biochemistry, University of California, 607 Charles E. Young Drive East, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Kendall N. Houk
- Department of Chemistry
& Biochemistry, University of California, 607 Charles E. Young Drive East, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - C. Dale Poulter
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, 315 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
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26
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Mabanglo MF, Hast MA, Lubock NB, Hellinga HW, Beese LS. Crystal structures of the fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus protein farnesyltransferase complexed with substrates and inhibitors reveal features for antifungal drug design. Protein Sci 2014; 23:289-301. [PMID: 24347326 PMCID: PMC3945837 DOI: 10.1002/pro.2411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2013] [Revised: 12/11/2013] [Accepted: 12/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Species of the fungal genus Aspergillus are significant human and agricultural pathogens that are often refractory to existing antifungal treatments. Protein farnesyltransferase (FTase), a critical enzyme in eukaryotes, is an attractive potential target for antifungal drug discovery. We report high-resolution structures of A. fumigatus FTase (AfFTase) in complex with substrates and inhibitors. Comparison of structures with farnesyldiphosphate (FPP) bound in the absence or presence of peptide substrate, corresponding to successive steps in ordered substrate binding, revealed that the second substrate-binding step is accompanied by motions of a loop in the catalytic site. Re-examination of other FTase structures showed that this motion is conserved. The substrate- and product-binding clefts in the AfFTase active site are wider than in human FTase (hFTase). Widening is a consequence of small shifts in the α-helices that comprise the majority of the FTase structure, which in turn arise from sequence variation in the hydrophobic core of the protein. These structural effects are key features that distinguish fungal FTases from hFTase. Their variation results in differences in steady-state enzyme kinetics and inhibitor interactions and presents opportunities for developing selective anti-fungal drugs by exploiting size differences in the active sites. We illustrate the latter by comparing the interaction of ED5 and Tipifarnib with hFTase and AfFTase. In AfFTase, the wider groove enables ED5 to bind in the presence of FPP, whereas in hFTase it binds only in the absence of substrate. Tipifarnib binds similarly to both enzymes but makes less extensive contacts in AfFTase with consequently weaker binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark F Mabanglo
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University Medical CenterDurham, North Carolina, 27710
| | - Michael A Hast
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University Medical CenterDurham, North Carolina, 27710
| | - Nathan B Lubock
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University Medical CenterDurham, North Carolina, 27710
| | - Homme W Hellinga
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University Medical CenterDurham, North Carolina, 27710
| | - Lorena S Beese
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University Medical CenterDurham, North Carolina, 27710
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27
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Nagel R, Berasategui A, Paetz C, Gershenzon J, Schmidt A. Overexpression of an isoprenyl diphosphate synthase in spruce leads to unexpected terpene diversion products that function in plant defense. Plant Physiol 2014; 164:555-69. [PMID: 24346420 PMCID: PMC3912089 DOI: 10.1104/pp.113.228940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Spruce (Picea spp.) and other conifers employ terpenoid-based oleoresin as part of their defense against herbivores and pathogens. The short-chain isoprenyl diphosphate synthases (IDS) are situated at critical branch points in terpene biosynthesis, producing the precursors of the different terpenoid classes. To determine the role of IDS and to create altered terpene phenotypes for assessing the defensive role of terpenoids, we overexpressed a bifunctional spruce IDS, a geranyl diphosphate and geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase in white spruce (Picea glauca) saplings. While transcript level (350-fold), enzyme activity level (7-fold), and in planta geranyl diphosphate and geranylgeranyl diphosphate levels (4- to 8-fold) were significantly increased in the needles of transgenic plants, there was no increase in the major monoterpenes and diterpene acids of the resin and no change in primary isoprenoids, such as sterols, chlorophylls, and carotenoids. Instead, large amounts of geranylgeranyl fatty acid esters, known from various gymnosperm and angiosperm plant species, accumulated in needles and were shown to act defensively in reducing the performance of larvae of the nun moth (Lymantria monacha), a conifer pest in Eurasia. These results show the impact of overexpression of an IDS and the defensive role of an unexpected accumulation product of terpenoid biosynthesis with the potential for a broader function in plant protection.
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28
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Wang H, Han J, Kanagarajan S, Lundgren A, Brodelius PE. Studies on the expression of sesquiterpene synthases using promoter-β-glucuronidase fusions in transgenic Artemisia annua L. PLoS One 2013; 8:e80643. [PMID: 24278301 PMCID: PMC3838408 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0080643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2012] [Accepted: 10/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to better understand the influence of sesquiterpene synthases on artemisinin yield in Artemisia annua, the expression of some sesquiterpene synthases has been studied using transgenic plants expressing promoter-GUS fusions. The cloned promoter sequences were 923, 1182 and 1510 bp for β-caryophyllene (CPS), epi-cedrol (ECS) and β-farnesene (FS) synthase, respectively. Prediction of cis-acting regulatory elements showed that the promoters are involved in complex regulation of expression. Transgenic A. annua plants carrying promoter-GUS fusions were studied to elucidate the expression pattern of the three sesquiterpene synthases and compared to the previously studied promoter of amorpha-4,11-diene synthase (ADS), a key enzyme of artemisinin biosynthesis. The CPS and ECS promoters were active in T-shaped trichomes of leaves and stems, basal bracts of flower buds and also in some florets cells but not in glandular secretory trichome while FS promoter activity was only observed in leaf cells and trichomes of transgenic shoots. ADS, CPS, ECS and FS transcripts were induced by wounding in a time depended manner. The four sesquiterpene synthases may be involved in responsiveness of A. annua to herbivory. Methyl jasmonate treatment triggered activation of the promoters of all four sesquiterpene synthases in a time depended manner. Southern blot result showed that the GUS gene was inserted into genomic DNA of transgenic lines as a single copy or two copies. The relative amounts of CPS and ECS as well as germacrene A synthase (GAS) transcripts are much lower than that of ADS transcript. Consequently, down-regulation of the expression of the CPS, ECS or GAS gene may not improve artemsinin yield. However, blocking the expression of FS may have effects on artemisinin production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongzhen Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Biomedicine, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Junli Han
- Department of Chemistry and Biomedicine, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | | | - Anneli Lundgren
- Department of Chemistry and Biomedicine, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Peter E. Brodelius
- Department of Chemistry and Biomedicine, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
- * E-mail:
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29
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Günnewich N, Higashi Y, Feng X, Choi KB, Schmidt J, Kutchan TM. A diterpene synthase from the clary sage Salvia sclarea catalyzes the cyclization of geranylgeranyl diphosphate to (8R)-hydroxy-copalyl diphosphate. Phytochemistry 2013; 91:93-9. [PMID: 22959531 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2012.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2011] [Revised: 06/25/2012] [Accepted: 07/25/2012] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The bicyclic diterpene (-)-sclareol is accumulated in glandular trichomes in Salvia sclarea (Schmiderer et al., 2008), and is a major terpenoid component of this plant species. It is used as the starting material for Ambrox synthesis, a synthetic ambergris analog used in the flavor and fragrance industry. In order to investigate the formation of sclareol, cDNA prepared from secretory cells of glandular trichomes from S. sclarea inflorescence were randomly sequenced. A putative copalyl diphosphate synthase encoding EST, SscTPS1, was functionally expressed in Escherichia coli. Whereas reaction of geranylgeranyl diphosphate with the putative copalyl diphosphate synthase followed by hydrolysis with alkaline phosphatase yielded a diastereomeric mixture of (13R)- and (13S)-manoyl oxide, HCl hydrolysis yielded (-)-sclareol (1) and 13-epi-sclareol as products. The product of the reaction of SscTPS1 with geranylgeranyl diphosphate was subjected to analysis by LC-negative ion ESI-MS/MS without prior hydrolysis. EPI scans were consistent with copalyl diphosphate to which 18 mass units had added (m/z 467 [M+H](-)). The enzymatic reaction was also carried out in the presence of 60% H2(18)O. LC-negative ion ESI-MS/MS analysis established an additional reaction product consistent with the incorporation of (18)O. Incubation in the presence of 60% (2)H2O resulted in the incorporation of one deuterium atom. These results suggest water capture of the carbocation intermediate, which is known to occur in reactions catalyzed by monoterpene synthases, but has been described only several times for diterpene synthases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Günnewich
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO 63132, USA
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30
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Vaughan MM, Wang Q, Webster FX, Kiemle D, Hong YJ, Tantillo DJ, Coates RM, Wray AT, Askew W, O’Donnell C, Tokuhisa JG, Tholl D. Formation of the unusual semivolatile diterpene rhizathalene by the Arabidopsis class I terpene synthase TPS08 in the root stele is involved in defense against belowground herbivory. Plant Cell 2013; 25:1108-25. [PMID: 23512856 PMCID: PMC3634680 DOI: 10.1105/tpc.112.100057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2012] [Revised: 01/13/2013] [Accepted: 03/01/2013] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Secondary metabolites are major constituents of plant defense against herbivore attack. Relatively little is known about the cell type-specific formation and antiherbivore activities of secondary compounds in roots despite the substantial impact of root herbivory on plant performance and fitness. Here, we describe the constitutive formation of semivolatile diterpenes called rhizathalenes by the class I terpene synthase (TPS) 08 in roots of Arabidopsis thaliana. The primary enzymatic product of TPS08, rhizathalene A, which is produced from the substrate all-trans geranylgeranyl diphosphate, represents a so far unidentified class of tricyclic diterpene carbon skeletons with an unusual tricyclic spiro-hydrindane structure. Protein targeting and administration of stable isotope precursors indicate that rhizathalenes are biosynthesized in root leucoplasts. TPS08 expression is largely localized to the root stele, suggesting a centric and gradual release of its diterpene products into the peripheral root cell layers. We demonstrate that roots of Arabidopsis tps08 mutant plants, grown aeroponically and in potting substrate, are more susceptible to herbivory by the opportunistic root herbivore fungus gnat (Bradysia spp) and suffer substantial removal of peripheral tissue at larval feeding sites. Our work provides evidence for the in vivo role of semivolatile diterpene metabolites as local antifeedants in belowground direct defense against root-feeding insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha M. Vaughan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
| | - Qiang Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
| | - Francis X. Webster
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York–Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York 13210
| | - Dave Kiemle
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York–Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York 13210
| | - Young J. Hong
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, California 95616
| | - Dean J. Tantillo
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, California 95616
| | - Robert M. Coates
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Austin T. Wray
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
| | - Whitnee Askew
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
| | | | - James G. Tokuhisa
- Department of Horticulture, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
| | - Dorothea Tholl
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
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31
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Sun Y, Long R, Kang J, Zhang T, Zhang Z, Zhou H, Yang Q. Molecular cloning and characterization of three isoprenyl diphosphate synthase genes from alfalfa. Mol Biol Rep 2013; 40:2035-44. [PMID: 23238915 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-012-2262-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2012] [Accepted: 11/19/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Isoprenoid is the precursor for the biosynthesis of saponins, abscisic acid, gibberellins, chlorophylls and many other products in plants. Saponins are an important group of bioactive plant natural products. The alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) saponins are glycosides of different triterpene aglycones and possess many biological activities. We isolated three genes (MsFPPS, MsGPPS and MsGGPPS) encoding isoprenyl diphosphate synthases (IDS) from alfalfa via a homology-based PCR approach. The enzyme activity assay of purified recombined MsFPPS and MsGGPPS expressed in Escherichia coli indicated that they all had IDS activity. Expression analysis of the three genes in different alfalfa tissues using real time PCR displayed that they were expressed in all tissues although they had a different expression patterns. MsFPPS and MsGPS displayed a significant increase in transcript level in response to methyl jasmonate, but the transcript level of MsGGPPS decreased obviously. To elucidate the functions of the three IDSs, their overexpression driven by a constitutive cauliflower mosaic virus-35S promoter in tobacco plants was applied and analyzed. The T(0) transgenic plants of MsFPPS showed high levels of squalene content when compared with control. However, no differences were detected in T(0) transgenic plants of MsGPPS and MsGGPPS. In addition, the overexpression of MsFPPS induced senescence response in transgenic plant leaves. This result may indicate that MsFPPS performs a role not only in phytosterol and triterpene biosynthesis, but also in growth regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Sun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agriculture University, Beijing, 100193, China
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32
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Mahmoodi MM, Rashidian M, Dozier JK, Distefano MD. Chemoenzymatic site-specific reversible immobilization and labeling of proteins from crude cellular extract without prior purification using oxime and hydrazine ligation. Curr Protoc Chem Biol 2013; 5:89-109. [PMID: 23839992 PMCID: PMC4037151 DOI: 10.1002/9780470559277.ch120247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
In a facile and potentially general method for protein modification at the C-terminus, aldehyde-modified proteins, obtained from enzymatic protein prenylation, react rapidly with hydrazide and aminooxy surfaces and fluorophores at neutral pH and in micromolar concentration ranges of reagents. This strategy was used for fluorescent labeling of eGFP-CVIA, as a model protein, with aminooxy and hydrazide fluorophores or PEGs, and immobilization onto and subsequent release of the protein from hydrazide-functionalized agarose beads using hydrazone-oxime exchange. This method is described in detail here and provides site-specifically PEGylated or fluorescently labeled proteins starting from crude cellular extract in three steps: prenylation, capture, and release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad M Mahmoodi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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33
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Takami T, Fang Y, Zhou X, Jaiseng W, Ma Y, Kuno T. A genetic and pharmacological analysis of isoprenoid pathway by LC-MS/MS in fission yeast. PLoS One 2012; 7:e49004. [PMID: 23145048 PMCID: PMC3492200 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0049004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2012] [Accepted: 10/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, statins are the only drugs acting on the mammalian isoprenoid pathway. The mammalian genes in this pathway are not easily amenable to genetic manipulation. Thus, it is difficult to study the effects of the inhibition of various enzymes on the intermediate and final products in the isoprenoid pathway. In fission yeast, antifungal compounds such as azoles and terbinafine are available as inhibitors of the pathway in addition to statins, and various isoprenoid pathway mutants are also available. Here in these mutants, treated with statins or antifungals, we quantified the final and intermediate products of the fission yeast isoprenoid pathway using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry. In hmg1-1, a mutant of the gene encoding 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR), ergosterol (a final sterol product), and squalene (an intermediate pathway product), were decreased to approximately 80% and 10%, respectively, compared with that of wild-type cells. Consistently in wild-type cells, pravastatin, an HMGR inhibitor decreased ergosterol and squalene, and the effect was more pronounced on squalene. In hmg1-1 mutant and in wild-type cells treated with pravastatin, the decrease in the levels of farnesyl pyrophosphate and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate respectively was larger than that of ergosterol but was smaller than that of squalene. In Δerg6 or Δsts1 cells, mutants of the genes involved in the last step of the pathway, ergosterol was not detected, and the changes of intermediate product levels were distinct from that of hmg1-1 mutant. Notably, in wild-type cells miconazole and terbinafine only slightly decreased ergosterol level. Altogether, these studies suggest that the pleiotropic phenotypes caused by the hmg1-1 mutation and pravastatin might be due to decreased levels of isoprenoid pyrophosphates or other isoprenoid pathway intermediate products rather than due to a decreased ergosterol level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomonori Takami
- Division of Molecular Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
- Chemical Analysis Section, JCL Bioassay Corporation, Nishiwaki, Japan
| | - Yue Fang
- Division of Molecular Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- * E-mail:
| | - Xin Zhou
- Division of Molecular Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning Medical University, Jinzhou, China
| | - Wurentuya Jaiseng
- Division of Molecular Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yan Ma
- Division of Molecular Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Takayoshi Kuno
- Division of Molecular Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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34
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Zhang YL, Li ZX. Functional analysis and molecular docking identify two active short-chain prenyltransferases in the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae. Arch Insect Biochem Physiol 2012; 81:63-76. [PMID: 22696503 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Short-chain prenyltransferases are responsible for biosynthesis of the C(10)-C(20) precursors of a variety of isoprenoids. We previously isolated two different short-chain prenyltransferases from the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (MpIPPS1 and MpIPPS2). In this study, the activity of the two aphid prenyltransferases was analyzed in vitro. Kinetic analysis using recombinant enzymes showed that both prenyltransferases could efficiently catalyze the formation of C(10) geranyl diphosphate (GPP) and C(15) farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) from the C(5) substrates isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP), and MpIPPS2 had higher catalytic activity than MpIPPS1. Product analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry demonstrated that FPP was generated as the major product, but GPP could be detected at low enzyme concentrations. Molecular docking revealed that MpIPPS2 had higher binding affinity with the substrates DMAPP, IPP, and GPP than MpIPPS1, which supported the experimentally determined kinetic parameters. Molecular docking also identified an amino acid residue (K266) critical to the catalytic activity of both MpIPPS1 and MpIPPS2. This prediction was subsequently confirmed by site-directed mutagenesis, in which a point mutation (K266I) abolished the activity of both MpIPPS1 and MpIPPS2. Our data illustrate that both aphid short-chain prenyltransferases are active forms, which is in contrast to the previously reported results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Lei Zhang
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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35
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Li JL, Chen QQ, Jin QP, Gao J, Zhao PJ, Lu S, Zeng Y. IeCPS2 is potentially involved in the biosynthesis of pharmacologically active Isodon diterpenoids rather than gibberellin. Phytochemistry 2012; 76:32-9. [PMID: 22284743 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2011.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2011] [Revised: 10/18/2011] [Accepted: 12/28/2011] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The traditional Chinese medicinal plant, Isodon L., is remarkably rich in pharmacologically active ent-kaurane diterpenoids of diverse carbon skeletons. In an effort to create a resource for gene discovery and elucidate the biosynthesis of Isodonent-kaurane diterpenoids, three cDNAs (named IeCPS1, IeCPS2 and IeCPS2a) were isolated putatively encoding copalyl diphosphate synthases from Isodoneriocalyx leaves. Recombinant proteins of IeCPS1 and IeCPS2 were expressed, respectively, in Escherichia coli, and were shown to specifically convert geranylgeranyl diphosphate to copalyl diphosphate as demonstrated by GC-MS analyses. Based on tissue-specific expression and metabolic localization studies, the IeCPS2 transcripts were detected in young and mature leaves where the dominant ent-kaurane diterpenoid maoecrystal B accumulates, whereas no detectable expression of IeCPS2 was observed in germinating seeds where the gibberellin biosynthetic pathway is usually active. In addition, no evidence for maoecrystal B was found in germinating seeds. On the other hand, IeCPS1 transcripts significantly accumulated in germinating seeds as well as in leaves. The biochemical and molecular genetic evidence thus indicated that IeCPS2 is a copalyl diphosphate synthase potentially involved in the biosynthesis of Isodon diterpenoids in leaves, while IeCPS1 is more probably relevant to gibberellin formation and may, in addition, participate in Isodonent-kaurane diterpenoid production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Ling Li
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
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Nagel R, Gershenzon J, Schmidt A. Nonradioactive assay for detecting isoprenyl diphosphate synthase activity in crude plant extracts using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Anal Biochem 2012; 422:33-8. [PMID: 22266300 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2011.12.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2011] [Revised: 12/22/2011] [Accepted: 12/23/2011] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Terpenoids form the largest class of plant metabolites involved in primary and secondary metabolism. Isoprenyl diphosphate synthases (IDSs) catalyze the condensation of the C(5) terpenoid building blocks, isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate, to form geranyl diphosphate (C(10)), farnesyl diphosphate (C(15)), and geranylgeranyl diphosphate (C(20)). These branch point reactions control the flow of metabolites that act as precursors to each of the major terpene classes-monoterpenes, sequiterpenes, and diterpenes, respectively. Thus accurate and easily performed assays of IDS enzyme activity are critical to increase our knowledge about the regulation of terpene biosynthesis. Here we describe a new and sensitive nonradioactive method for carrying out IDS assays using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to detect the short-chain prenyl diphosphate products directly without dephosphorylation. Furthermore, we were able to separate cisoid and transoid isomers of both C(10) enzyme products (geranyl diphosphate and neryl diphosphate) and three C(15) products [(E,E)-, (Z,E)-, and (Z,Z)-farnesyl diphosphate]. By applying the method to crude protein extracts from various organs of Arabidopsis thaliana, Nicotiana attenuata, Populus trichocarpa, and Picea abies, we could determine their IDS activity in a reproducible fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raimund Nagel
- Department of Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
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Hartley MD, Imperiali B. At the membrane frontier: a prospectus on the remarkable evolutionary conservation of polyprenols and polyprenyl-phosphates. Arch Biochem Biophys 2012; 517:83-97. [PMID: 22093697 PMCID: PMC3253937 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2011.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2011] [Revised: 10/28/2011] [Accepted: 10/30/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Long-chain polyprenols and polyprenyl-phosphates are ubiquitous and essential components of cellular membranes throughout all domains of life. Polyprenyl-phosphates, which include undecaprenyl-phosphate in bacteria and the dolichyl-phosphates in archaea and eukaryotes, serve as specific membrane-bound carriers in glycan biosynthetic pathways responsible for the production of cellular structures such as N-linked protein glycans and bacterial peptidoglycan. Polyprenyl-phosphates are the only form of polyprenols with a biochemically-defined role; however, unmodified or esterified polyprenols often comprise significant percentages of the cellular polyprenol pool. The strong evolutionary conservation of unmodified polyprenols as membrane constituents and polyprenyl-phosphates as preferred glycan carriers in biosynthetic pathways is poorly understood. This review surveys the available research to explore why unmodified polyprenols have been conserved in evolution and why polyprenyl-phosphates are universally and specifically utilized for membrane-bound glycan assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith D. Hartley
- Department of Biology and Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Barbara Imperiali
- Department of Biology and Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139
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Abstract
Isoprenoids, also known as terpenoids, are the largest and oldest class of natural products known. They are comprised of more than 40,000 different molecules all biosynthetically related via a common five carbon building block (isopentenyl). Many isoprenoids are of commercial interest and are used as fragrances in cosmetics and flavours, colorants and nutritional supplements in foods and feeds as well as being phytomedicines. Their industrial relevance also means they are compounds of high value with global markets in the range of $1 billion per annum. Solanesol is a 45-carbon, unsaturated, all-trans-nonaprenol isoprenoid of high value. Recently this molecule has received particular attention because of its utility, both in its own right and as a precursor in the production of numerous compounds used in the treatment of disease states. Instability in supply and spiralling costs have also lead to the search for sources. In this article existing sources and the potential strategies and tools available to create sustainable biosources are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Taylor
- Plant Products and Food Quality, Scottish Crop Research Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD25DA, UK.
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Abstract
Through the use of a 1,2-metalate rearrangement, six 7-substituted farnesol analogs were generated in a concise manner. This new synthetic route allowed us to quickly prepare several diverse farnesyl diphosphate analogs with interesting biological activities against mammalian protein-farnesyl transferase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew T. Placzek
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology and Center for Cancer Research, Purdue Univesity, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907
| | - Richard A. Gibbs
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology and Center for Cancer Research, Purdue Univesity, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907
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40
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Hsieh FL, Chang TH, Ko TP, Wang AHJ. Structure and mechanism of an Arabidopsis medium/long-chain-length prenyl pyrophosphate synthase. Plant Physiol 2011; 155:1079-90. [PMID: 21220764 PMCID: PMC3046570 DOI: 10.1104/pp.110.168799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2010] [Accepted: 01/06/2011] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Prenyltransferases (PTSs) are involved in the biosynthesis of terpenes with diverse functions. Here, a novel PTS from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) is identified as a trans-type polyprenyl pyrophosphate synthase (AtPPPS), which forms a trans-double bond during each homoallylic substrate condensation, rather than a homomeric C10-geranyl pyrophosphate synthase as originally proposed. Biochemical and genetic complementation analyses indicate that AtPPPS synthesizes C25 to C45 medium/long-chain products. Its close relationship to other long-chain PTSs is also uncovered by phylogenetic analysis. A mutant of contiguous surface polar residues was produced by replacing four charged surface amino acids with alanines to facilitate the crystallization of the enzyme. The crystal structures of AtPPPS determined here in apo and ligand-bound forms further reveal an active-site cavity sufficient to accommodate the medium/long-chain products. The two monomers in each dimer adopt different conformations at the entrance of the active site depending on the binding of substrates. Taken together, these results suggest that AtPPPS is endowed with a unique functionality among the known PTSs.
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41
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Noel JP, Dellas N, Faraldos JA, Zhao M, Hess BA, Smentek L, Coates RM, O’Maille PE. Structural elucidation of cisoid and transoid cyclization pathways of a sesquiterpene synthase using 2-fluorofarnesyl diphosphates. ACS Chem Biol 2010; 5:377-92. [PMID: 20175559 PMCID: PMC2860371 DOI: 10.1021/cb900295g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2009] [Accepted: 02/22/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Sesquiterpene skeletal complexity in nature originates from the enzyme-catalyzed ionization of (trans,trans)-farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) (1a) and subsequent cyclization along either 2,3-transoid or 2,3-cisoid farnesyl cation pathways. Tobacco 5-epi-aristolochene synthase (TEAS), a transoid synthase, produces cisoid products as a component of its minor product spectrum. To investigate the cryptic cisoid cyclization pathway in TEAS, we employed (cis,trans)-FPP (1b) as an alternative substrate. Strikingly, TEAS was catalytically robust in the enzymatic conversion of (cis,trans)-FPP (1b) to exclusively (>/=99.5%) cisoid products. Further, crystallographic characterization of wild-type TEAS and a catalytically promiscuous mutant (M4 TEAS) with 2-fluoro analogues of both all-trans FPP (1a) and (cis,trans)-FPP (1b) revealed binding modes consistent with preorganization of the farnesyl chain. These results provide a structural glimpse into both cisoid and transoid cyclization pathways efficiently templated by a single enzyme active site, consistent with the recently elucidated stereochemistry of the cisoid products. Further, computational studies using density functional theory calculations reveal concerted, highly asynchronous cyclization pathways leading to the major cisoid cyclization products. The implications of these discoveries for expanded sesquiterpene diversity in nature are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph P. Noel
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute
- The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Jack H. Skirball Center for Chemical Biology & Proteomics, 10010 Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037
| | - Nikki Dellas
- The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Jack H. Skirball Center for Chemical Biology & Proteomics, 10010 Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037
- Department of Chemistry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Juan A. Faraldos
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Marylin Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - B. Andes Hess
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235
| | - Lidia Smentek
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235
- Institute of Physics, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
| | - Robert M. Coates
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Paul E. O’Maille
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute
- The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Jack H. Skirball Center for Chemical Biology & Proteomics, 10010 Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037
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Faraldos JA, O'Maille PE, Dellas N, Noel JP, Coates RM. Bisabolyl-derived sesquiterpenes from tobacco 5-epi-aristolochene synthase-catalyzed cyclization of (2Z,6E)-farnesyl diphosphate. J Am Chem Soc 2010; 132:4281-9. [PMID: 20201526 DOI: 10.1021/ja909886q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We report the structures and stereochemistry of seven bisabolyl-derived sesquiterpenes arising from an unprecedented 1,6-cyclization (cisoid pathway) efficiently catalyzed by tobacco 5-epi-aristolochene synthase (TEAS). The use of (2Z,6E)-farnesyl diphosphate as an alternate substrate for recombinant TEAS resulted in a robust enzymatic cyclization to an array of products derived exclusively (>/=99.5%) from the cisoid pathway, whereas these same products account for ca. 2.5% of the total hydrocarbons obtained using (2E,6E)-farnesyl diphosphate. Chromatographic fractionations of extracts from preparative incubations with the 2Z,6E substrate afforded, in addition to the acyclic allylic alcohols (2Z,6E)-farnesol (6.7%) and nerolidol (3.6%), five cyclic sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and two cyclic sesquiterpene alcohols: (+)-2-epi-prezizaene (44%), (-)-alpha-cedrene (21.5%), (R)-(-)-beta-curcumene (15.5%), alpha-acoradiene (3.9%), 4-epi-alpha-acoradiene (1.3%), and equal amounts of alpha-bisabolol (1.8%) and epi-alpha-bisalolol (1.8%). The structures, stereochemistry, and enantiopurities were established by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, optical rotations, chemical correlations with known sesquiterpenes, comparisons with literature data, and GC analyses. The major product, (+)-2-epi-prezizaene, is structurally related to the naturally occurring tricyclic alcohol, jinkohol (2-epi-prezizaan-7beta-ol). Cisoid cyclization pathways are proposed by which all five sesquiterpene hydrocarbons are derived from a common (7R)-beta-bisabolyl(+)/pyrophosphate(-) ion pair intermediate. The implications of the "cisoid" catalytic activity of TEAS are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan A Faraldos
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
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Schramek N, Wang H, Römisch-Margl W, Keil B, Radykewicz T, Winzenhörlein B, Beerhues L, Bacher A, Rohdich F, Gershenzon J, Liu B, Eisenreich W. Artemisinin biosynthesis in growing plants of Artemisia annua. A 13CO2 study. Phytochemistry 2010; 71:179-87. [PMID: 19932496 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2009.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2009] [Revised: 10/08/2009] [Accepted: 10/19/2009] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Artemisinin from Artemisia annua has become one of the most important drugs for malaria therapy. Its biosynthesis proceeds via amorpha-4,11-diene, but it is still unknown whether the isoprenoid precursors units are obtained by the mevalonate pathway or the more recently discovered non-mevalonate pathway. In order to address that question, a plant of A. annua was grown in an atmosphere containing 700 ppm of 13CO2 for 100 min. Following a chase period of 10 days, artemisinin was isolated and analyzed by 13C NMR spectroscopy. The isotopologue pattern shows that artemisinin was predominantly biosynthesized from (E,E)-farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) whose central isoprenoid unit had been obtained via the non-mevalonate pathway. The isotopologue data confirm the previously proposed mechanisms for the cyclization of (E,E)-FPP to amorphadiene and its oxidative conversion to artemisinin. They also support deprotonation of a terminal allyl cation intermediate as the final step in the enzymatic conversion of FPP to amorphadiene and show that either of the two methyl groups can undergo deprotonation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Schramek
- Lehrstuhl für Biochemie, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 4, D-85747 Garching, Germany
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Harada H, Misawa N. Novel approaches and achievements in biosynthesis of functional isoprenoids in Escherichia coli. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2009; 84:1021-31. [PMID: 19672590 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-009-2166-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2009] [Revised: 07/01/2009] [Accepted: 07/24/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Isoprenoids, also referred to as terpenes, are the most diverse class of natural products appearing in a variety of natural sources, specifically in higher plants, and have a wide range of biological functions. This review describes novel or recent approaches and achievements in pathway engineering of Escherichia coli towards efficient biosynthesis of functional isoprenoids, specifically carotenoids and sesquiterpene, following description of "regularity and simplicity" in the biosynthesis of isoprenoid basic structures. The introduction of heterologous mevalonate pathway-based genes into E. coli has been shown to improve the productivity of carotenoids or sesquiterpenes that are synthesized from farnesyl diphosphate. This achievement also enables relevant researchers to efficiently analyze an isolated gene candidate for a terpene synthase (terpene cyclase).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisashi Harada
- Central Laboratories for Frontier Technology, Kirin Holdings Co., Ltd., i-BIRD, Suematsu, Nonoichi-machi, Ishikawa, Japan
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Schilmiller AL, Schauvinhold I, Larson M, Xu R, Charbonneau AL, Schmidt A, Wilkerson C, Last RL, Pichersky E. Monoterpenes in the glandular trichomes of tomato are synthesized from a neryl diphosphate precursor rather than geranyl diphosphate. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2009. [PMID: 19487664 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0904113106\r0904113106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] Open
Abstract
We identified a cis-prenyltransferase gene, neryl diphosphate synthase 1 (NDPS1), that is expressed in cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) cultivar M82 type VI glandular trichomes and encodes an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of neryl diphosphate from isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate. mRNA for a terpene synthase gene, phellandrene synthase 1 (PHS1), was also identified in these glands. It encodes an enzyme that uses neryl diphosphate to produce beta-phellandrene as the major product as well as a variety of other monoterpenes. The profile of monoterpenes produced by PHS1 is identical with the monoterpenes found in type VI glands. PHS1 and NDPS1 map to chromosome 8, and the presence of a segment of chromosome 8 derived from Solanum pennellii LA0716 causes conversion from the M82 gland monoterpene pattern to that characteristic of LA0716 plants. The data indicate that, contrary to the textbook view of geranyl diphosphate as the "universal" substrate of monoterpene synthases, in tomato glands neryl diphosphate serves as a precursor for the synthesis of monoterpenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony L Schilmiller
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Research Technology Support Facility, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1319, USA
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Giglio S, Jiang J, Saint CP, Cane DE, Monis PT. Isolation and characterization of the gene associated with geosmin production in cyanobacteria. Environ Sci Technol 2008; 42:8027-32. [PMID: 19031897 PMCID: PMC2746953 DOI: 10.1021/es801465w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Geosmin is a secondary metabolite responsible for earthy tastes and odors in potable water supplies. Geosmin continues to be a challenge to water utility management regimes and remains one of the most common causes of consumer complaints, as the taste of "dirty" water may suggest a failed disinfection regime and that the water may be unsafe to drink. Although cyanobacteria have been reported to be largely responsible for these taste and odor events, the answer as to how or why geosmin is produced has eluded researchers. We describe here for the first time the mechanism by which geosmin is produced in a model cyanobacterium, Nostoc punctiforme PCC 73102 (ATCC 29133), which we demonstrate utilizes a single enzyme to catalyze the cyclization of farnesyl diphosphate to geosmin. Using this information, we have developed a PCR-based assay that allows the rapid detection of geosmin-producing cyanobacteria. This test may be utilized to confirm and track the emergence of taste and odor-producing cyanobacteria in any given water body and thus can be used as an early warning system by managers of water bodies that may suffer from adverse taste and odor episodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Giglio
- Australian Water Quality Centre, SA Water Corporation, Salisbury, SA 5108, Australia.
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Vedula LS, Zhao Y, Coates RM, Koyama T, Cane DE, Christianson DW. Exploring biosynthetic diversity with trichodiene synthase. Arch Biochem Biophys 2007; 466:260-6. [PMID: 17678871 PMCID: PMC2036078 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2007.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2007] [Revised: 06/14/2007] [Accepted: 06/15/2007] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Trichodiene synthase is a terpenoid cyclase that catalyzes the cyclization of farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) to form the bicyclic sesquiterpene hydrocarbon trichodiene (89%), at least five sesquiterpene side products (11%), and inorganic pyrophosphate (PP(i)). Incubation of trichodiene synthase with 2-fluorofarnesyl diphosphate or 4-methylfarnesyl diphosphate similarly yields sesquiterpene mixtures despite the electronic effects or steric bulk introduced by substrate derivatization. The versatility of the enzyme is also demonstrated in the 2.85A resolution X-ray crystal structure of the complex with Mg(2+) (3)-PP(i) and the benzyl triethylammonium cation, which is a bulkier mimic of the bisabolyl carbocation intermediate in catalysis. Taken together, these findings show that the active site of trichodiene synthase is sufficiently flexible to accommodate bulkier and electronically-diverse substrates and intermediates, which could indicate additional potential for the biosynthetic utility of this terpenoid cyclase.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Sangeetha Vedula
- Roy and Diana Vagelos Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6323, USA
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Faraldos JA, Zhao Y, O'Maille PE, Noel JP, Coates RM. Interception of the enzymatic conversion of farnesyl diphosphate to 5-epi-aristolochene by using a fluoro substrate analogue: 1-fluorogermacrene A from (2E,6Z)-6-fluorofarnesyl diphosphate. Chembiochem 2007; 8:1826-33. [PMID: 17886322 PMCID: PMC2735885 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.200700398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2007] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Tobacco 5-epi-aristolochene synthase (TEAS) catalyzes the Mg(II)-dependent cyclizations and rearrangements of (E,E)-farnesyl diphosphate (PP) to the bicyclic sesquiterpene hydrocarbon via a tightly bound (+)-germacrene A as a deprotonated intermediate. With the native enzyme, only a few percent of the putative germacrene A intermediate is released from the active site during the catalytic cycle. 6-Fluorofarnesyl PP was designed and synthesized with the aim of arresting the cyclization-rearrangement mechanism en route to 5-epi-aristolochene. Indeed, incubation of (2E,6Z)-6-fluorofarnesyl PP with recombinant TEAS afforded (-)-1-fluorogermacrene A as the sole product in 58% yield. Steady-state kinetic experiments with farnesyl PP and the 6-fluoro analogue showed that the overall catalytic efficiencies (k(cat)/K(m)) are essentially the same for both substrates. 1-Fluorogermacrene A was characterized by chromatographic properties (TLC, GC), MS, optical rotation, UV, IR and (1)H NMR data, and by heat-induced Cope rearrangement to (+)-1-fluoro-beta-elemene. (1)H NMR spectra at room temperature revealed that this (E,E)-configured fluorocyclodecadiene exists in solution as a 7:3 mixture of UU and UD conformers. 1-Fluorogermacrene A underwent trifluoroacetic acid-catalyzed cyclization to give three 1alpha-fluoroselinene isomers at a rate estimated to be about 1000 times slower than that of the similar cyclization of (+)-germacrene A to the parent selinenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan A. Faraldos
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801 (USA)
| | - Yuxin Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801 (USA)
| | - Paul E. O'Maille
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute Jack H. Skirball Center for Chemical Biology and Proteomics The Salk Institute for Biological Studies 10010 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92307 (USA)
| | - Joseph P. Noel
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute Jack H. Skirball Center for Chemical Biology and Proteomics The Salk Institute for Biological Studies 10010 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92307 (USA)
| | - Robert M. Coates
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801 (USA)
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Abstract
The mechanism of the conversion of (E,E)-farnesyl diphosphate (FPP, 1a) to aristolochene (6) catalyzed by aristolochene synthase from Penicillium roqueforti has been proposed to proceed through the neutral intermediate germacrene A (4a). However, much of the experimental evidence is also in agreement with a mechanism in which germacrene A is not an intermediate in the predominant mechanism that leads to the formation of aristolochene, but rather an off-pathway product that is formed in a side reaction. Hence, to elucidate the mechanism of FPP cyclisation the substrate analogue 2-fluoroFPP (1b) was synthesized, and upon incubation with aristolochene synthase was converted to a single pentane extractable product according to GC-MS analysis. On the basis of NMR analyses this product was identified as 2-fluorogermacrene A (4b). Variable temperature (1)H NMR spectroscopy indicated the existence of two conformers of 4b that were in slow exchange at -60 degrees C, while at 90 degrees C the two isomers gave rise to averaged NMR signals. In the major isomer (approximately 75%) the methyl groups on C3 and C7 were most likely in the down-down orientation as had been observed for other (E,E)-germacranes. This work suggests that after an initial concerted cyclisation of FPP to germacryl cation deprotonation leads to the formation of germacrene A, and provides compelling evidence that germacrene A is indeed an on-pathway product of catalysis by aristolochene synthase.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Miller
- School of Chemistry, Main Building, Cardiff University, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
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50
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Karp F, Zhao Y, Santhamma B, Assink B, Coates RM, Croteau RB. Inhibition of monoterpene cyclases by inert analogues of geranyl diphosphate and linalyl diphosphate. Arch Biochem Biophys 2007; 468:140-6. [PMID: 17949678 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2007.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2007] [Revised: 09/09/2007] [Accepted: 09/13/2007] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The tightly coupled nature of the reaction sequence catalyzed by monoterpene synthases has prevented direct observation of the topologically required isomerization step leading from geranyl diphosphate to the enzyme-bound, tertiary allylic intermediate linalyl diphosphate, which then cyclizes to the various monoterpene skeletons. X-ray crystal structures of these enzymes complexed with suitable analogues of the substrate and intermediate could provide a clearer view of this universal, but cryptic, step of monoterpenoid cyclase catalysis. Toward this end, the functionally inert analogues 2-fluorogeranyl diphosphate, (+/-)-2-fluorolinalyl diphosphate, and (3R)- and (3S)-homolinalyl diphosphates (2,6-dimethyl-2-vinyl-5-heptenyl diphosphates) were prepared, and compared to the previously described substrate analogue 3-azageranyl diphosphate (3-aza-2,3-dihydrogeranyl diphosphate) as inhibitors and potential crystallization aids with two representative monoterpenoid cyclases, (-)-limonene synthase and (+)-bornyl diphosphate synthase. Although these enantioselective synthases readily distinguished between (3R)- and (3S)-homolinalyl diphosphates, both of which were more effective inhibitors than was 3-azageranyl diphosphate, the fluorinated analogues proved to be the most potent competitive inhibitors and have recently yielded informative liganded structures with limonene synthase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Karp
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6340, USA
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