Characterization of the Fatty Acid Desaturase Genes in Cucumber: Structure,Phylogeny, and Expression Patterns

Fatty acid desaturases (FADs) introduce double bonds into the hydrocarbon chains of fatty acids to produce unsaturated fatty acids, and therefore play a critical role in plant development and acclimation to environmental stresses. In this study, 23 full-length FAD genes in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) were identified through database searches, including three CsFAB2 genes, two CsFAD2 genes, fourteen CsFAD5 genes, and one gene each for CsFAD3, CsFAD4, CsFAD6 and CsFAD7. These cucumber FAD genes were distributed on all seven chromosomes and two additional scaffolds. Based on a phylogenetic analysis, the cucumber FAD proteins were clustered into five subfamilies with their counterparts from other plants. Gene structures and protein sequences were considerably conserved in each subfamily. All three CsFAB2 proteins shared conserved structure with the known plant soluble FAD proteins. The other cucumber FADs belonged to the membrane-bound FADs and contained three highly conserved histidine boxes. Additionally, the putative endoplasmic reticulum retention signal was found at the C-termini of the CsFAD2 and CsFAD3 proteins, while the N-termini of CsFAD4, CsFAD5, CsFAD6, CsFAD7 and three CsFAB2s contained a predicted chloroplast signal peptide, which was consistent with their associated metabolic pathways. Furthermore, a gene expression analysis showed that CsFAD2 and CsFAD3 were universally expressed in all tested tissues, whereas the other cucumber FAD genes were preferentially expressed in the cotyledons or leaves. The tissue-specific expression patterns of cucumber FAD genes were correlated well with the differences in the fatty acid compositions ofroots and leaves. Finally, the cucumber FAD genes showed a cold-induced and heat-repressed expression pattern, although with distinct regulatory time courses among the different CsFAD members, which indicates the potential roles of the FADs in temperature stress resistance in cucumber.     

Characterization of 19 Genes Encoding Membrane-Bound Fatty Acid Desaturases and their Expression Profiles in Gossypium raimondii Under Low Temperature

To produce unsaturated fatty acids, membrane-bound fatty acid desaturases (FADs) can be exploited to introduce double bonds into the acyl chains of fatty acids. In this study, 19 membrane-bound FAD genes were identified in Gossypium raimondii through database searches and were classified into four different subfamilies based on phylogenetic analysis. All 19 membrane-bound FAD proteins shared three highly conserved histidine boxes, except for GrFAD2.1, which lost the third histidine box in the C-terminal region. In the G. raimondii genome, tandem duplication might have led to the increasing size of the FAD2 cluster in the Omega Desaturase subfamily, whereas segmental duplication appeared to be the dominant mechanism for the expansion of the Sphingolipid and Front-end Desaturase subfamilies. Gene expression analysis showed that seven membrane-bound FAD genes were significantly up-regulated and that five genes were greatly suppressed in G. raimondii leaves exposed to low temperature conditions.     

玉米△12脂肪酸脱氢酶基因（FAD2）在酿酒酵母中的表达

玉米△12脂肪酸脱氢酶是催化油酸形成亚油酸的关键酶。将其编码基因FAD2（GenBank登陆号：DQ496227）克隆到酿酒酵母表达载体pYES2．0中,构建成重组质粒pYE／FAD2,转化到酿酒酵母进行诱导表达,同时以pYES2．0转化子为对照。气相色谱（Gc）分析表明,重组转化子亚油酸的含量占酵母总脂肪酸的1．54％,而对照未检测到亚油酸。表明FAD2基因具有编码△12脂肪酸脱氢酶的功能。为探索转译起始密码子周边序列的改变对FAD2基因表达产生的影响,将该基因的起始密码子上游序列进行修改,构建重组表达载体pYE／FAD2—1,转化酿酒酵母进行表达。GC分析表明,pYE／FAD2—1转化子的亚油酸含量占总脂肪酸含量的8．81％,是对照pYE／FAD2转化子的近5倍。     

玉米FAD2基因的克隆及序列分析

高等植物中的A12脂肪酸脱饱和酶是将油酸转化为亚油酸的酶。根据已发表的其他高等植物的FAD2基因的保守序列设计同源引物,通过RT—PCR从玉米幼胚中扩增得到一个特异的cDNA基因片段。通过生物信息学分析,从玉米幼胚cDNA和基因组中均扩增得到1164 bp FAD2基因（GenBank登陆号：DQ496227）,它编码387个氨基酸,含有完整的ORF框,在ORF框内无内含子。序列联配与树状分析结果表明,FAD2推导的氨基酸序列与其他物种的A12脱饱和酶基因具有同源性。它含有3个组氨酸保守域和2段很长的疏水区,是一个跨膜4次的膜结合蛋白。半定量RT—PCR分析显示FAD2基因在玉米幼胚中表达量最高,在叶、茎、根中亦有低水平表达。     

Molecular cloning and functional analysis of two FAD2 genes from American grape (Vitis labrusca L.)

The synthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), the most abundant fatty acids in plants, begins with a reaction catalyzed by fatty acid desaturase 2 (FAD2; EC 1.3.1.35), also called microsomal oleate Δ12-desaturase. Since the FAD2 gene was first identified in Arabidopsis thaliana, FAD2 research has gained wide interest as the essential enzyme for synthesizing PUFA. Grapes are one of the most frequently cultivated fruits in the world, with most commercial growers cultivating Vitis vinifera and V. labrusca. Grapeseed oil contains a high proportion, 60–70% of linoleic acid (18:2). We cloned two putative FAD2 genes from V. labrusca cv. Campbell Early based on V. vinifera genome sequences. Deduced amino acid sequences of two putative genes showed that VlFAD2s show high similarity to Arabidopsis FAD2 and commonly contain six transmembrane domain, three histidine boxes and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retrieval motif representing the characteristics of fatty acid desaturase. Phylogenetic analyses of various plant FAD2s showed that VlFAD2-1 and VlFAD2-2 are separately grouped with constitutive and seed-type FAD2s, respectively. Southern blot showed that one or two bands are found in each lane. Because Campbell Early is a hybrid cultivar, FAD2-1 and FAD2-2 genes may exist as one copy in V. labrusca. Expression analysis in different tissues indicated that VlFAD2-1 is a constitutive gene but VlFAD2-2 is a seed-type gene. Complementation experiments of fad2-1 mutant Arabidopsis with VlFAD2-1 or VlFAD2-2 demonstrated that VlFAD2-1 and VlFAD2-2 can restore low PUFA proportion of fad2 to normal PUFA proportion.     

植物萜类合成酶3-羟基-3-甲基戊二酰辅酶A还原酶的生物信息学分析

采用生物信息学的方法和工具对已在GenBank上注册的橡胶、烟草、辣椒、穿心莲等植物的萜类合成酶3-羟基-3-甲基戊二酰辅酶A还原酶的核酸及氨基酸序列进行分析,并对其组成成分、信号肽、跨膜拓朴结构域、疏水性/亲水性、蛋白质二级及三级结构、分子系统进化关系等进行预测和推断。结果表明该类酶基因的全长包括5′、3′非翻译区和一个开放阅读框,无信号肽,是一个跨膜的亲水性蛋白,包括两个功能HMG-CoA结合motif及两个功能NADPH结合motif,α-螺旋和不规则盘绕是蛋白质二级结构最大量的结构元件,β-转角和延伸链散布于整个蛋白质中,蛋白质的功能域在空间布局上折叠成“V”形,“V”形的两臂由螺旋状的N结构域和S结构域构成,中间部分由L结构域构成。     

Genome-Wide Analysis of Fatty Acid Desaturases in Soybean (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Glycine max</Emphasis>)

Fatty acid desaturases can introduce double bonds into the hydrocarbon chains of fatty acids to produce unsaturated fatty acids. In the present study, 29 full-length desaturase genes were identified from soybean genome by a thorough annotation exercise. A comprehensive analysis was performed to characterize phylogeny, chromosomal locations, structures, conserved motifs, and expression patterns of those genes. The soybean genes were phylogenetically clustered into nine subfamilies with the Arabidopsis counterparts, FAB2, FAD2, FAD3, FAD5, FAD6, FAD7, FAD8, SLD1, and DES1. Twenty-nine desaturase genes were found to be distributed on at least 15 of the 20 soybean chromosomes. The gene structures and motif compositions were considerably conserved among the subfamilies. The majority of desaturase genes showed specific temporal and spatial expression patterns across different tissues and developmental stages based on microarray data analyses. The study may provide new insights into the origin and evolution of fatty acid biosynthesis pathways in higher plants. Additionally, the characterization of desaturases from soybean will lead to the identification of additional genes for genetic modification of plants to produce nutritionally important fatty acids.     

In silico proteolysis and analysis of bioactive peptides from sequences of fatty acid desaturase 3 (FAD3) of flaxseed protein

Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum), commonly known as linseed is an oilseed crop, emerging as an important and functional ingredient of food and has been paid more attention due to its nutritional value as well as beneficial effects. It is mainly rich in is α-linolenic acid (ALA, omega-3 fatty acid), fibres and lignans that have potential health benefits in reducing cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, osteoporosis, atherosclerosis, cancer, arthritis, neurological and autoimmune disorders. Due to its richness in omega-3 fatty acid, a group of enzymes known as fatty acid desaturases (FADs) mainly introduce double bonds into fatty acids’ (FAs) hydrocarbon chains that produce unsaturated fatty acids. Fatty acid desaturase 3 (FAD3), the commonest microsomal enzyme of omega-3 fatty acid, synthesizes linolenic acid (C18:3) from linoleic acid located in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) facing towards the cytosol. The emerging field of bioinformatics and large number of databases of bioactive peptides, helps in providing time-saving and efficient method for identification of potential bioactivities of any protein. In this study, 10 unique sequences of FAD3 from flaxseed protein have been used for in silico proteolysis and releasing of various bioactive peptides using three plant proteases, namely ficin, papain and stem bromelain, that are evaluated with the help of BIOPEP database. Overall, 20 biological activities were identified from these proteins. The results showed that FAD3 protein is a potential source of peptides with angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory and dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) activities, and also various parameters such as ∑A, ∑B, A_E, W, B_E, V and DHt were also calculated. Furthermore, PeptideRanker have been used for screening of novel promising bioactive peptides. Various bioinformatics tools also used to study protein’s physicochemical properties, peptide’s score, toxicity, allergenicity aggregation, water solubility, and drug likeliness. The present work suggests that flaxseed protein can be a good source of bioactive peptides for the synthesis of good quality and quantity of oil, and in silico method helps in investigating and production of functional peptides.     

油棕等热带植物DXS基因的生物信息学分析

油棕等热带植物含有丰富的胡萝卜素和维生素E等类异戊二烯物质,类胡萝卜素和甾醇等类异戊二烯物质在植物生命活动中扮演重要角色,并且对保护人类健康具有重要意义,MEP途径是合成类异戊二烯的重要途径之一。DXS是MEP途径中的第一个限速酶,其功能在油棕等热带植物中极其保守。为了弄清油棕等热带植物DXS的结构和功能特点,该研究利用生物信息学工具和软件对以油棕等热带植物类异戊二烯合成关键基因DXS为对象,进行核酸和氨基酸序列的理化性质、蛋白质结构以及功能结构域等分析,探讨了不同物种间的亲缘关系。结果表明:DXS基因起始密码子均为ATG,终止密码子则分为TAG、TAA和TGA,DXS蛋白质属于不具有信号肽的亲水性蛋白,可能作为转运蛋白在叶绿体基质中发挥作用,未发现明显的跨膜结构域,磷酸化位点有36个,其中丝氨酸、苏氨酸和酪氨酸位点分别为17、11和8个,无规则卷曲和α-螺旋是蛋白质二级结构主要的结构元件,三级结构预测具有DXS酶特征,硫胺素焦磷酸盐结合位点和PLN02582保守结构域,不同植物DXS功能结构域非常保守,可以作为判断不同物种间亲缘关系的重要依据。该研究结果为油棕等热带植物DXS的结构、功能分析和利用提供了进一步的信息,为其品质性状分子机制研究及遗传改良奠定了基础。     

Cloning and characterization of hexamerin in Spodoptera exigua and the expression response to insecticide exposure

Hexamerins are hemolymph-proteins, which are mainly considered as storage proteins for non-feeding stages, and also undertake other roles during insect development and growth, however the characterization of hexamerin proteins in Spodoptera exigua is less understood. In this study five new hexamerin genes were identified and a total seven hexamerin genes were reported in S. exigua. These hexamerins contain the typical domains of hemocyanin at the N-terminal, C-terminal and in the middle of their protein sequences. These genes are mainly expressed in fat body, and the signal peptide sequences at their N-terminal of protein sequences can drive the expressed protein to excrete into hemolymph after synthesis. The phylogenetic analysis and amine acid composition revealed S. exigua express five different types of hexamerins: 1) Storage protein rich in methionine residue (MRSP), 2) Storage protein moderately rich in methionine (MMRSP), 3) Hexamerin with high composition of aromatic amino acids (Arylphorin), 4) Arylphorin-like hexamerin, and 5) Riboflavin-binding hexamerin (RbH). The phylogenetic pattern combined with the comparison of conserved histidine residues in copper binding sites of hexamerins revealed basal position of RbH and the evolutionary pathway in lepidopteran hexamerins. Finally, the induction expression of hexamerins by insecticide, lambda-cyhalothrin, were analyzed, results showed that lambda-cyhalothrin exposure may down-regulate their expression. This study increased the gene number of hexamerin to seven, and reported their expression and structural characterizations, the finding will facilitate the understand of hexamerin in other insects.     

Biochemical characterization and FAD-binding analysis of oleate hydratase from Macrococcus caseolyticus

A putative fatty acid hydratase gene from Macrococcus caseolyticus was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant enzyme was a 68 kDa dimer with a molecular mass of 136 kDa. The enzymatic products formed from fatty acid substrates by the putative enzyme were isolated with high purity (>99%) by solvent fractional crystallization at low temperature. After the identification by GC–MS, the purified hydroxy fatty acids were used as standards to quantitatively determine specific activities and kinetic parameters for fatty acids as substrates. Among the fatty acids evaluated, specific activity and catalytic efficiency (k_cat/K_m) were highest for oleic acid, indicating that the putative fatty acid hydratase was an oleate hydratase. Hydration occurred only for cis-9-double and cis-12-double bonds of unsaturated fatty acids without any trans-configurations. The maximum activity for oleate hydration was observed at pH 6.5 and 25 °C with 2% (v/v) ethanol and 0.2 mM FAD. Without FAD, all catalytic activity was abolished. Thus, the oleate hydratase is an FAD-dependent enzyme. The residues G29, G31, S34, E50, and E56, which are conserved in the FAD-binding motif of fatty acid hydratases (GXGXXG_(A/S)X_(15–21)E_(D)), were selected by alignment, and the spectral properties and kinetic parameters of their alanine-substituted variants were analyzed. Among the five variants, G29A, G31A, and E56A showed no interaction with FAD and exhibited no activity. These results indicate that G29, G31, and E56 are essential for FAD-binding.     

静原鸡ELOVL2基因多态性及其生物信息学分析

极长链脂肪酸延长酶(elongation of very-long-chain fatty acids, ELOVLs)是脂肪酸合成过程中的关键限速酶,在脂类的生物合成及脂肪酸代谢等调控方面作用显著。为研究宁夏地方优良品种静原鸡ELOVL2基因多态性及其编码蛋白质的结构与功能,以原鸡ELOVL2基因序列作为参考序列,针对ELOVL2基因的8个外显子序列设计特异引物并扩增,经DNA混合池测序筛选出存在突变位点的外显子序列,运用PCR-SSCP技术检测其多态性,经序列拼接后对ELOVL2 CDS区序列进行功能生物信息学分析。研究结果表明,静原鸡ELOVL2基因仅exon7和exon8发生单碱基突变(exon7为c.708 G>A, exon8为c.888 T>C),均未引起氨基酸的改变,属同义突变。在exon7和exon8扩增片段中分别检测出3种(AA, AG和GG)、2种(CC和TC)基因型。遗传特性分析显示,E2e7呈中度多态(0.250.05)。生物信息学分析表明,ELOVL2 CDS序列全长为894 bp,共编码297个氨基酸。其原子组成为C1638H2444N394O406S15,分子量为34.63 kD,等电点(pI)为9.40;存在7个跨膜结构,21个磷酸化位点,无信号肽序列,为稳定的水溶性蛋白;ELOVL2基因在进化中高度保守。该研究结果将为进一步研究ELOVL2基因在静原鸡肉质方面的作用及功能提供参考。     

FAD2 and FAD3 Desaturases Form Heterodimers That Facilitate Metabolic Channeling in Vivo

Plant desaturases comprise two independently evolved classes, a structurally well characterized soluble class responsible for the production of monoenes in the plastids of higher plants and the poorly structurally characterized integral membrane class that has members in the plastid and endoplasmic reticulum that are responsible for producing mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Both require iron and oxygen for activity and are inhibited by azide and cyanide underscoring their common chemical imperatives. We previously showed that the Δ⁹ acyl-CoA integral membrane desaturase Ole1p from Saccharomyces cerevisiae exhibits dimeric organization, like the soluble plastidial acyl-ACP desaturases. Here we use two independent bimolecular complementation assays, i.e. yeast two-hybrid analysis and Arabidopsis leaf protoplast split luciferase assay, to demonstrate that members of the plant integral membrane fatty acid desaturase (FAD) family, FAD2, FAD3, FAD6, FAD7, and FAD8, self-associate. Further, the endoplasmic reticulum-localized desaturase FAD2 can associate with FAD3, as can the plastid-localized FAD6 desaturase with either FAD7 or FAD8. These pairings appear to be specific because pairs such as FAD3 and FAD7 (or FAD8) and FAD2 and FAD6 do not interact despite their high amino acid similarity. These results are consistent also with their known endoplasmic reticulum and plastid subcellular localizations. Chemical cross-linking experiments confirm that FAD2 and FAD3 can form dimers like the yeast Ole1p and, when coexpressed, can form FAD2-FAD3 heterodimers. Metabolic flux analysis of yeast coexpressing FAD2 and FAD3 indicates that heterodimers can form a metabolic channel in which 18:1-PC is converted to 18:3-PC without releasing a free 18:2-PC intermediate.