罗汉果查尔酮合成酶基因的生物信息学分析

查尔酮合成酶(chalcone synthase,CHS)是类黄酮生物合成的关键酶,在植物发育、防止UV损伤、抗病和逆境反应中起着重要作用。本研究通过EST测序,获得了罗汉果查尔酮合成酶基因序列(登录号:GU980155)。为了进一步了解罗汉果查尔酮合成酶基因的特征,我们将其与46种植物的查尔酮合成酶基因的核酸序列和氨基酸序列进行比对和进化分析。结果表明,罗汉果查尔酮合成酶基因的核酸序列和氨基酸序列与其它物种的查尔酮合成酶基因均具较高同源性,编码区相似性约为94%。使用PHYLIP和MEGA4分别构建了邻接树、最大似然树和最大简约树,但经bootstrap检验,最优树未能明确罗汉果查尔酮合成酶基因的系统发育地位。以紫花苜蓿查尔酮合成酶的三维结构为参考,利用同源建模的方法预测了罗汉果查尔酮合成酶的三维结构,发现罗汉果查尔酮合成酶具有保守的活性位点和空间结构。     

葡萄CHS和STS基因家族生物信息学鉴定和表达分析

查尔酮合成酶(CHS,chalcone synthase)是植物体类黄酮类化合物合成的第1个关键酶和限速酶,它能够催化丙二酰-Co A和对香豆酸-Co A合成柚皮素查尔酮。二苯乙烯合成酶(STS,stilbene synthase)是芪类化合物合成路径的关键酶,与查尔酮合成酶有共同的作用底物,二者具有很高的相似度。为更好地了解葡萄中CHS和STS基因的种类和数量,本研究采用生物信息学方法检索获得葡萄(Vitis vinifera L.)基因组数据库中的CHS和STS基因,通过分析其染色体定位、系统进化和保守基序,发现葡萄基因组可能含有33个STS基因,9个CHS基因,这些基因集中分布在6条葡萄染色体上,部分家族基因在染色体上形成基因簇。葡萄CHS和STS基因家族蛋白长度、基因结构和蛋白基序非常保守,具有很近的进化关系。葡萄芯片数据结果表明,葡萄CHS和STS基因在葡萄果实不同发育时期的果皮和果肉中均有表达,尤其葡萄CHS GroupsⅢ亚家族基因在葡萄果皮中大量表达。葡萄STS基因家族在果实中的表达量较低,部分探针在葡萄果实成熟期的果皮中表达量急剧增加。本研究结果可为葡萄CHS和STS基因在果实发育过程中的功能研究提供参考。     

辣椒查尔酮合成酶基因家族全基因组鉴定及表达特征分析

查尔酮合成酶(chalcone synthase,CHS)是植物色素合成的一个关键酶,对植物的生长发育具有重要作用。本试验依据辣椒的基因组数据,采用生物信息学的方法对辣椒CHS基因家族进行鉴定及分析。结果得出该基因家族含有7个成员,氨基酸序列长度介于213~402 aa之间,基因间序列相似性变化幅度较大,具有高度遗传多样性。基因特性分析发现7个基因含有高度保守的结构域,内含子数较少,为1~2个,它们主要分布于3条染色体上,其中以12号染色体分布最多;此外通过系统进化分析可将CHS基因分为两大类。对辣椒CHS基因的组织表达及果实发育的9个不同时期的表达进行分析,结果表明CHS家族基因具有组织表达特异性和发育时期表达特异性,每个成员都具有不同的调控方式。本研究不仅为今后了解辣椒CHS基因家族的功能和进化奠定基础,而且为遗传性状改良提供候选资源。     

决明查尔酮合成酶基因的克隆及序列分析

以决明(Cassia tora)为实验材料,利用RT-PCR和RACE技术,从决明嫩叶中克隆出查尔酮合成酶(Chal-one synthase,CHS)基因,其cDNA全长为1 459 bp,编码一个由390个氨基酸残基组成的多肽.氨基酸序列分析表明,决明CHS基因的氨基酸序列中含有44.61%的中性疏水氨基酸,29.74%的中性亲水氨基酸,12.56%的酸性氨基酸和13.O8%的碱性氨基酸.决明CHS基因的氨基酸序列中具有CHS家族酶系的氨基酸保守残基,包括结合底物CoA的结合残基及催化聚酮合成的催化残基,表明其可能参与聚酮化合物的合成.决明与其它植物CHS的氨基酸序列的进化分析表明,其与同为豆科决明属的翼叶决明(Cassia alata)的同源性较近,并且CHS家族可以分为CHS亚家族与非CHS亚家族.将得到的序列提交GenBank,登录号为EU430077.     

植物颗粒结合淀粉合酶GBSS基因家族的进化

为全面理解植物颗粒结合淀粉合酶(GBSS)基因在植物中的进化模式并重建其进化历史, 利用20种陆生植物和2种藻类植物的基因组数据, 通过生物信息学手段, 深入挖掘和分析植物类群基因组中GBSS基因家族的构成和基因特点, 推测其可能的扩增和丢失规律。结果共识别42条同源序列。系统发育和进化分析表明, GBSS基因起源古老, 可能在所有绿色植物的祖先中就已经出现, 之后在进化过程中不断发生谱系的特异扩张和拷贝丢失, 并最终通过功能分化的形式在植物类群中被固定。     

苦荞和甜荞查尔酮合成酶基因的克隆及序列比较

以苦荞品种‘西农9920’和甜荞品种‘西农9976’为材料,根据其它植物查尔酮合成酶(chalcone synthase,CHS)基因DNA序列的保守区域设计的一对简并引物,进行PCR扩增,从2种荞麦基因组中克隆出了长度均为860 bp的CHS基因片段,对其进行回收、克隆,挑选阳性克隆测序;序列分析表明这2个片段含有CHS基因的N端和C端的结构域,分别为苦荞和甜荞的CHS基因片段,命名为FtCHS和FeCHS。对获得的2种荞麦CHS基因的DNA序列进行比较分析,发现两者间存在多达43处单碱基多态性,这些单碱基多态性可能是苦荞和甜荞种子中类黄酮含量差异的重要原因之一。苦荞和甜荞CHS与其它植物CHS的氨基酸序列的进化分析表明,其与同为蓼科的掌叶大黄和石竹科的满天星的同源性较近。     

红松查尔酮合成酶基因CHS密码子偏好性分析

查尔酮合成酶(Chalcone synthase,CHS)广泛存在于植物体内,是花色素形成过程中一种重要的酶,可以进一步催化生成黄酮类化合物。本研究采用Codon W和EMBOSS在线软件对红松查尔酮合成酶基因CHS的密码子使用偏好性进行分析,并与北美乔松等其他24种植物的CHS基因以及模式植物基因组进行比较,对认识红松CHS基因的密码子使用偏好性,为选择适宜的表达系统奠定了一定的基础。研究结果表明:红松CHS基因编码区的有效密码子数(ENC)和GC含量分别为48.92和0.548,C+G含量高于A+T含量,密码子偏好以A/T结尾;多数植物CHS基因的G+C含量高于A+T含量,且密码子更偏好C/G结尾;聚类分析表明,红松与马尾松和赤松的密码子使用偏好性的相似性较高;密码子使用频率研究发现,红松CHS遗传转化与异源表达较优的受体可能是大肠杆菌和拟南芥。     

大豆类黄酮生物合成关键酶CHS基因的克隆及表达分析

根据查尔酮合成酶(CHS)基因DNA序列的保守区域设计了PCR引物,通过RT-PCR扩增从大豆叶片中克隆出3个参与类黄酮合成的CHS基因,分别命名为GmCHS1、GmCHS2和GmCHS3。在大豆基因组数据库进行同源比对,发现这3个基因分别与大豆基因组上Gm08g11610、Gm05g28610和Gm08g11520相对应,DNA序列一致性达95%～98%,推导氨基酸序列一致性达98%以上。进化分析显示,大豆中3个CHS蛋白与决明、菜豆CHS蛋白亲缘关系较近。表达分析显示,这3个基因在不同品种间有表达水平的差异,这可能是不同大豆品种中类黄酮含量不同的重要原因之一。     

百合查尔酮合成酶(CHS)基因的克隆与分析

以东方百合“索邦”基因组DNA为模板进行PCR扩增,将得到的目的片段克隆至pGEM-T easy载体后进行测序.结果表明,目的序列全长1 307 bp,经BLA ST分析,与鸢尾、玉米、水稻等植物的查尔酮合成酶(CHS)基因核苷酸同源性在70%以上;与已经克隆的CHS cDNA序列相比,CHS DNA序列中包含2个外显子和1个内含子,内含子全长82 bp,符合TG-AG特征.将得到的序列提交G enB ank,序列号为DQ 471951.     

百合查尔酮合成酶基因的克隆与分析

以西伯利亚百合为试材,通过半巢式PCR和RT-PCR技术分别克隆了查尔酮合成酶基因(CHS)的DNA和cDNA.生物信息学分析显示,CHS的DNA序列全长1 397 bp(登录号HM622754),包含2个外显子和1个内含子;cDNA序列编码区全长1 182 bp(登录号HQ161731),编码393个氨基酸,具有3个典型的CHS蛋白结构域:N-末端结构域(Lys3-Pro229)、C-末端结构域(Gln239-Pro389)和聚合酶Ⅲ结构域(Met1-Thr391);不同百合品种的CHS基因编码的氨基酸序列相似性高达98%,表明百合CHS基因在进化上呈现出十分保守的趋势;不同植物CHS基因序列的系统进化邻接树结果表明:百合与单子叶植物鸢尾及禾本科的水稻、大麦、玉米等亲缘关系更为接近.     

Genome-wide analysis of the chalcone synthase superfamily genes of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Physcomitrella patens</Emphasis>

Enzymes of the chalcone synthase (CHS) superfamily catalyze the production of a variety of secondary metabolites in bacteria, fungi and plants. Some of these metabolites have played important roles during the early evolution of land plants by providing protection from various environmental assaults including UV irradiation. The genome of the moss, Physcomitrella patens, contains at least 17 putative CHS superfamily genes. Three of these genes (PpCHS2b, PpCHS3 and PpCHS5) exist in multiple copies and all have corresponding ESTs. PpCHS11 and probably also PpCHS9 encode non-CHS enzymes, while PpCHS10 appears to be an ortholog of plant genes encoding anther-specific CHS-like enzymes. It was inferred from the genomic locations of genes comprising it that the moss CHS superfamily expanded through tandem and segmental duplication events. Inferred exon–intron architectures and results from phylogenetic analysis of representative CHS superfamily genes of P. patens and other plants showed that intron gain and loss occurred several times during evolution of this gene superfamily. A high proportion of P. patens CHS genes (7 of 14 genes for which the full sequence is known and probably 3 additional genes) are intronless, prompting speculation that CHS gene duplication via retrotransposition has occurred at least twice in the moss lineage. Analyses of sequence similarities, catalytic motifs and EST data indicated that a surprisingly large number (as many as 13) of the moss CHS superfamily genes probably encode active CHS. EST distribution data and different light responsiveness observed with selected genes provide evidence for their differential regulation. Observed diversity within the moss CHS superfamily and amenability to gene manipulation make Physcomitrella a highly suitable model system for studying expansion and functional diversification of the plant CHS superfamily of genes.     

Duplication and sequence divergence of rice chalcone synthase genes

Chalcone synthase (CHS, EC 2.3.1.74) is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of flavonoids, which plays an important role in flower pigmentation and protection against UV, plant-microbe interactions, and plant fertility. In many plants, genes encoding CHS constitute a multigene family, wherein sequence and functional divergence occurred repeatedly. Since the genome of rice (Oryza sativa) has been completely sequenced, many genes possessing typical CHS domains were assumed to be chs genes, although the sequence and functional divergence of this large gene family has not as yet been investigated. In this study, all putative CHS members from O. sativa were analyzed by the phylogenetic methods. Our results indicate that the members of rice CHS superfamily probably diverged into four branches. Members of each branch may perform specific functions. Two conserved chs genes clustered with chs genes from other monocotyledon and dicotyledon species are believed to encode true CHSs responsible for the biosynthesis of flavonoids and anthocyanins. Two chs genes in one distant branch might play some functions in fertility. Several other putative chs genes were clustered together, and the function of this branch could not be predicted. Many tentative chs genes were clustered together with fatty acid synthase (FAS) genes. These genes may belong to the fas gene family. Published in Russian in Fiziologiya Rastenii, 2009, Vol. 56, No. 3, pp. 460–465. This text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Genome-wide dissection of the chalcone synthase gene family in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis>

Enzymes of the chalcone synthase (CHS) family catalyze the generation of multiple secondary metabolites in fungi, plants, and bacteria. These metabolites have played key roles in antimicrobial activity, UV protection, flower pigmentation, and pollen fertility during the evolutionary process of land plants. We performed a genome-wide investigation about CHS genes in rice (Oryza sativa). The phylogenetic relationships, gene structures, chromosomal locations, and functional predictions of the family members were examined. Twenty-seven CHS family genes (OsCHS01–27) were identified in the rice genome and were found to cluster into six classes according to their phylogenetic relationships. The 27 OsCHS genes were unevenly distributed on six chromosomes, and 17 genes were found in the genome duplication zones with two segmental duplication and five tandem duplication events that may have played key roles in the expansion of the rice CHS gene family. In addition, the OsCHS genes exhibited diverse expression patterns under salicylic acid treatment. Our results revealed that the OsCHS genes exhibit both diversity and conservation in many aspects, which will contribute to further studies of the function of the rice CHS gene family and provide a reference for investigating this family in other plants.     

Divergent evolution of the thiolase superfamily and chalcone synthase family

Enzymes of the thiolase superfamily catalyze the formation of carbon-carbon bond via the Claisen condensation reaction. Thiolases catalyze the reversible non-decarboxylative condensation of acetoacetyl-CoA from two molecules of acetyl-CoA, and possess a conserved Cys-His catalytic diad. Elongation enzymes (beta-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase (KAS) I and KAS II and the condensing domain of polyketide synthase) have invariant Cys and two His residues (CHH triad), while a Cys-His-Asn (CHN) triad is found in initiation enzymes (KAS III, 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthase (KCS) and the chalcone synthase (CHS) family). These enzymes all catalyze decarboxylative condensation reactions. 3-Hydroxyl-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase (HMGS) also contains the CHN triad, although it catalyzes a non-decarboxylative condensation. That the enzymes of the thiolase superfamily share overall similarity in protein structure and function suggested a common evolutionary origin. All thiolases were found to have, in addition to the Cys-His diad, either Asn or His (thus C(N/H)H) at a position corresponding to the His in the CHH and CHN triads. In our phylogenetic analyses, the thiolase superfamily was divided into four main clusters according to active site architecture. During the functional divergence of the superfamily, the active architecture was suggested to evolve from the C(H)H in archaeal thiolases to the C(N/H)H in non-archaeal thiolases, and subsequently to the CHH in the elongation enzymes and the CHN in the initiation enzymes. Based on these observations and available biochemical and structural evidences, a plausible evolutionary history for the thiolase superfamily is proposed that includes the emergence of decarboxylative condensing enzymes accompanied by a recruitment of the His in the CHH and CHN triads for a catalytic role during decarboxylative condensation. In addition, phylogenetic analysis of the plant CHS family showed separate clustering of CHS and non-CHS members of the family with a few exceptions, suggesting repeated gene birth-and-death and re-invention of non-CHS functions throughout the evolution of angiosperms. Based on these observations, predictions on the enzymatic functions are made for several members of the CHS family whose functions are yet to be characterized. Further, a moss CHS-like enzyme that is functionally similar to a cyanobacterial enzyme was identified as the most recent common ancestor to the plant CHS family.     

Cloning and characterization of chalcone synthase from the moss, Physcomitrella patens

Since the early evolution of land plants from primitive green algae, flavonoids have played an important role as UV protective pigments in plants. Flavonoids occur in liverworts and mosses, and the first committed step in the flavonoid biosynthesis is catalyzed by chalcone synthase (CHS). Although higher plant CHSs have been extensively studied, little information is available on the enzymes from bryophytes. Here we report the cloning and characterization of CHS from the moss, Physcomitrella patens. Taking advantage of the available P. patens EST sequences, a CHS (PpCHS) was cloned from the gametophores of P. patens, and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. PpCHS exhibited similar kinetic properties and substrate preference profile to those of higher plant CHS. p-Coumaroyl-CoA was the most preferred substrate, suggesting that PpCHS is a naringenin chalcone producing CHS. Consistent with the evolutionary position of the moss, phylogenetic analysis placed PpCHS at the base of the plant CHS clade, next to the microorganism CHS-like gene products. Therefore, PpCHS likely represents a modern day version of one of the oldest CHSs that appeared on earth. Further, sequence analysis of the P. patens EST and genome databases revealed the presence of a CHS multigene family in the moss as well as the 3'-end heterogeneity of a CHS gene. Of the 19 putative CHS genes, 10 genes are expressed and have corresponding ESTs in the databases. A possibility of the functional divergence of the multiple CHS genes in the moss is discussed.     

Identification and genetic regulation of the chalcone synthase multigene family in pea.

Chalcone synthase (CHS) is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of diverse flavonoids involved in disease resistance, nodulation, and pigmentation in pea. We describe a multigene family encoding CHS and the effects of two regulatory loci, a and a2, on the pattern of expression of three of its member genes. Two of the genes, CHS1 and CHS3, are expressed in both petal and root tissue, whereas expression of a third gene, CHS2, is detected only in roots. The products encoded by the a and a2 loci are required for the expression of the CHS1 gene and for wild-type levels of expression of the CHS3 gene in petal tissue. In root tissue, all three CHS genes are expressed and induced by CuCl2 regardless of the genotype at the a and a2 loci. These results show that the various members of the CHS multigene family interact in diverse ways with multiple genetic signals in the plant, providing a basis for the differential expression of these genes. Spatially specific genetic regulation of distinct members of a multigene family has been clearly demonstrated.     

Molecular evolution of the chalcone synthase multigene family in the morning glory genome

Plant genomes appear to exploit the process of gene duplication as a primary means of acquiring biochemical and developmental flexibility. Thus, for example, most of the enzymatic components of plant secondary metabolism are encoded by small families of genes that originated through duplication over evolutionary time. The dynamics of gene family evolution are well illustrated by the genes that encode chalcone synthase (CHS), the first committed step in flavonoid biosynthesis. We review pertinent facts about CHS evolution in flowering plants with special reference to the morning glory genus, Ipomoea. Our review shows that new CHS genes are recruited recurrently in flowering plant evolution. Rates of nucleotide substitution are frequently accelerated in new duplicate genes, and there is clear evidence for repeated shifts in enzymatic function among duplicate copies of CHS genes. In addition, we present new data on expression patterns of CHS genes as a function of tissue and developmental stage in the common morning glory (I. purpurea). These data show extensive differentiation in gene expression among duplicate copies of CHS genes. We also show that a single mutation which blocks anthocyanin biosynthesis in the floral limb is correlated with a loss of expression of one of the six duplicate CHS genes present in the morning glory genome. This suggests that different duplicate copies of CHS have acquired specialized functional roles over the course of evolution. We conclude that recurrent gene duplication and subsequent differentiation is a major adaptive strategy in plant genome evolution.     

Genome scanning for identification and mapping of receptor-like kinase (RLK) gene superfamily in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum tuberosum</Emphasis>

Receptor-like kinases (RLKs) are a key class of genes that contribute to diverse phenomena from plant development to defense responses. The availability of completed potato genome sequences provide an excellent opportunity to identify and characterize RLK gene superfamily in this lineage. We identified 747 non-redundant RLK genes in the potato genome that were classified into 52 subfamilies, of which 58% members organized into tandem repeats. Nine of potato RLK subfamilies organized into tandem repeats. Also, six subfamilies exhibited lineage-specific expansion compared to Arabidopsis. The majority of RLK genes were physically organized within heterogeneous and homogeneous clusters on chromosomes and were unevenly distributed on the genome. Chromosome 2, 3 and 7 contained the highest number of RLK genes and the most underrepresented chromosomes were chromosome 8, 10 and 11. Taken together, our results provide a framework for future efforts on comparative, evolutionary and functional studies of the members of RLK superfamily.     

山茶属CHS基因家族的组成和分子进化初探

用PCR方法从4种山茶属(Camellia)(山茶科)(Theaceae)植物的总DNA中分别扩增到CHS基因外显子2的部分序列,经克隆、测序得到16个该基因的序列,这些序列与来自GenBank的该属另一种植物的3个序列及作为外类群的大豆(Glycine max (L.) Merr.)的2个序列一起进行分析.研究表明,山茶属CHS基因家族在进化过程中已分化为A、B、C三个亚家族,包括A1、A2、A3、B1、B2、C 等6类不同的基因成员;其中只有A2类成员为全部被研究的5种植物所共有,而其他5类成员只在部分被研究的植物中发现;所有这些CHS成员具有很高的同源性:在核苷酸水平上同一亚家族内基本上高于90%,不同亚家族间也在78%以上.从推测的氨基酸组成看,山茶属内CHS基因的功能已发生了分化,各类成员的碱基替代率有较大差异; 从分子系统发育树和可能的氨基酸组成分析,山茶属具有新功能的基因成员是在经过基因重复后,或是由少数几个位点的突变而成,或是由逐渐积累的突变而形成的.进一步分析认为,该属CHS基因的分化直到近期还在活跃地进行,并且不同种的进化式样有一定的差别,这种不同的进化式样可能是物种形成后受不同环境因素影响而形成的.     

Divergent evolution of oxidosqualene cyclases in plants

Triterpenes are one of the largest classes of plant metabolites and have important functions. A diverse array of triterpenoid skeletons are synthesized via the isoprenoid pathway by enzymatic cyclization of 2,3-oxidosqualene. The genomes of the lower plants Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and moss (Physcomitrella patens) contain just one oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC) gene (for sterol biosynthesis), whereas the genomes of higher plants contain nine to 16 OSC genes. Here we carry out functional analysis of rice OSCs and rigorous phylogenetic analysis of 96 OSCs from higher plants, including Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa, Sorghum bicolor and Brachypodium distachyon. The functional analysis identified an amino acid sequence for isoarborinol synthase (OsIAS) (encoded by Os11g35710/OsOSC11) in rice. Our phylogenetic analysis suggests that expansion of OSC members in higher plants has occurred mainly through tandem duplication followed by positive selection and diversifying evolution, and consolidated the previous suggestion that dicot triterpene synthases have been derived from an ancestral lanosterol synthase instead of directly from their cycloartenol synthases. The phylogenetic trees are consistent with the reaction mechanisms of the protosteryl and dammarenyl cations which parent a wide variety of triterpene skeletal types, allowing us to predict the functions of the uncharacterized OSCs.