Characterization and engineering of glycosyltransferases responsible for steroid saponin biosynthesis in Solanaceous plants

Solanaceous plants contain steroid saponins that have diverse biological and pharmacological activities. The structures of their sugar chains play an important role in their activities. A functional glucosyltransferase SaGT4A from Solanum aculeatissimum glucosylates both steroidal sapogenins and steroidal alkaloids. A potato (S. tuberosum) glycosyltransferase StSGT, which has a high degree of sequence homology with SaGT4A, exhibits the same substrate specificity toward steroidal compounds as SaGT4A. To identify the residues or domain structures responsible for these enzymatic activities, we determined the residues that are essential for SaGT4A activity, compared the specific activities of SaGT4A and StSGT, and constructed several SaGT4A/StSGT chimeric proteins, focusing on the donor-sugar recognition domain. These proteins were heterogeneously expressed in E. coli and purified, and their glycosyltransferase activities were evaluated using a coupled assay. His369 and Glu377, located in the consensus motif for plant glycosyltransferases, and Cys121, Cys247, and Cys370 were shown to be important for SaGT4A activity. StSGT exhibited more activity with UDP-galactose as a sugar donor than with UDP-glucose, whereas SaGT4A exhibited glucosyltransferase activity exclusively. The sugar selectivities of SaGT4A and StSGT were not altered by exchanging their domains, and some of the chimeric proteins showed no activity. These results suggest that the differences in the SaGT4A and StSGT amino acid sequences do not simply reflect their distinct sugar-donor specificities. We also successfully converted the non-functional SaGT4A homolog, SaGT4R, into an active glucosyltransferase.     

三萜皂苷生物合成相关糖基转移酶研究进展

三萜皂苷具有独特的化学性质和丰富的药理活性,在医药、保健品、化妆品、食品添加剂、农业等方面被广泛应用.尿苷二磷酸(UDP)依赖的糖基转移酶(UGTs)是催化三萜皂苷生成的关键酶,对三萜皂苷的结构及其药理活性多样性的形成有重要作用.文中基于UGTs来源及受体底物结构类型对参与植物三萜皂苷生物合成的UGTs进行了综述,并展...     

Saponins in cereals

Saponins are a diverse family of secondary metabolites that are produced by many plant species, particularly dicots. These molecules commonly have potent antifungal activity and their natural role in plants is likely to be in protection against attack by pathogenic microbes. They also have a variety of commercial applications including use as drugs and medicines. The enzymes, genes and biochemical pathways involved in the synthesis of these complex molecules are largely uncharacterized for any plant species. Cereals and grasses appear to be generally deficient in saponins with the exception of oats, which produce both steroidal and triterpenoid saponins. The isolation of genes for saponin biosynthesis from oats is now providing tools for the analysis of the evolution and regulation of saponin biosynthesis in monocots. These genes may also have potential for the development of improved disease resistance in cultivated cereals.     

Molecular activities, biosynthesis and evolution of triterpenoid saponins

Saponins are bioactive compounds generally considered to be produced by plants to counteract pathogens and herbivores. Besides their role in plant defense, saponins are of growing interest for drug research as they are active constituents of several folk medicines and provide valuable pharmacological properties. Accordingly, much effort has been put into unraveling the modes of action of saponins, as well as in exploration of their potential for industrial processes and pharmacology. However, the exploitation of saponins for bioengineering crop plants with improved resistances against pests as well as circumvention of laborious and uneconomical extraction procedures for industrial production from plants is hampered by the lack of knowledge and availability of genes in saponin biosynthesis. Although the ability to produce saponins is rather widespread among plants, a complete synthetic pathway has not been elucidated in any single species. Current conceptions consider saponins to be derived from intermediates of the phytosterol pathway, and predominantly enzymes belonging to the multigene families of oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs), cytochromes P450 (P450s) and family 1 UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) are thought to be involved in their biosynthesis. Formation of unique structural features involves additional biosynthetical enzymes of diverse phylogenetic background. As an example of this, a serine carboxypeptidase-like acyltransferase (SCPL) was recently found to be involved in synthesis of triterpenoid saponins in oats. However, the total number of identified genes in saponin biosynthesis remains low as the complexity and diversity of these multigene families impede gene discovery based on sequence analysis and phylogeny.This review summarizes current knowledge of triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis in plants, molecular activities, evolutionary aspects and perspectives for further gene discovery.     

Identification and characterization of glycosyltransferases involved in the biosynthesis of soyasaponin I in Glycine max

Triterpene saponins are a diverse group of compounds with a structure consisting of a triterpene aglycone and sugars. Identification of the sugar-transferase involved in triterpene saponin biosynthesis is difficult due to the structural complexity of triterpene saponin. Two glycosyltransferases from Glycine max, designated as GmSGT2 and GmSGT3, were identified and characterized. In vitro analysis revealed that GmSGT2 transfers a galactosyl group from UDP-galactose to soyasapogenol B monoglucuronide, and that GmSGT3 transfers a rhamnosyl group from UDP-rhamnose to soyasaponin III. These results suggest that soyasaponin I is biosynthesized from soyasapogenol B by successive sugar transfer reactions.     

Saponins in Tribulus terrestris – Chemistry and Bioactivity

Tribulus terrestris is a valuable herb known for its application in the folk medicine in many parts of the world. Furostanol and spirostanol saponins of tigogenin, neotigogenin, gitogenin, neogitogenin, hecogenin, neohecogenin, diosgenin, chlorogenin, ruscogenin and sarsasapogenin type are frequently found in this plant. Four sulphated saponins of tigogenin and diosgenin type are also isolated. Extracts and steroidal saponins have been found to possess various pharmacological activities. Preparations based on the saponin fraction of T. terrestris are used for treatment of infertility and libido disorders in men and women, as well as for treatment of cardiac diseases. Food supplements containing T. terrestris extracts are on sale in USA and Europe with claim of a general stimulating action. In this review the steroidal saponins found in T. terrestris are presented, covering the literature up to 2004. The data reveal clear difference in the saponin composition of samples from this plant species collected from different geographical regions. A comprehensive account on the biological activity of extracts and individual saponins is also included.     

Structural analogues of diosgenyl saponins: Synthesis and anticancer activity

Saponins display various biological activities including anti-tumor activity. Recently intensive research has been focused on developing saponins for tumor therapies. The diosgenyl saponin dioscin is one of the most common steroidal saponins and exhibits potent anticancer activity in several human cancer cells through apoptosis-inducing pathways. In this paper, we describe the synthesis of several diosgenyl saponin analogues containing either a 2-amino-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl residue or an α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-2-amino-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl residue with different acyl substituents on the amino group. The cytotoxic activity of these compounds was evaluated in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and HeLa cervical cancer cells. Structure–activity relationship studies show that the disaccharide saponin analogues are in general less active than their corresponding monosaccharide analogues. The incorporation of an aromatic nitro functionality into these saponin analogues does not exhibit significant effect on their cytotoxic activity.     

Substrate specificity,purification and identification of a novel pectinase with the specificity of hydrolyzing the α-1,4-glycosyl residue in steroidal saponin

It is known that the sugar chain linked to steroidal frame plays an important role in physiological and pharmacological activities. In the previous research, we found and confirmed that the terminal C3-O-α-1,2-rhamnosyl moiety linked to the C-3 of steroidal saponin is the key group of platelet aggregation and cytotoxicity. In order to make a complete approach for the structure–activity relationship, we have tried to find the specific enzymes modifying the structure of C3-sugar chain. In the present paper, we describe a novel enzyme from, Klerzyme-150 (K-150), which is specifically capable of hydrolyzing the α-1,4-glycosyl residues at C-3 postion of steroidal saponins. 15 steroidal saponins with different monosaccharides at C3-sugar chains were chosen as substrates to investigate the substrate specificity of K-150. The results showed, based on TLC, HPLC and spectra data analyses, that all products were determined as secondary saponins with the α-1, 4-glycosyl residues removed, which indicated that the enzyme exhibited strict regioselectivity and stereoselectivity. The novel enzyme was purified from K-150 to apparent homogeneity and its structure was identified as rhamnogalacturonan lyase A (Rgl A). The molecular mass of the purified enzyme was 52.08 kDa.     

天然甾体皂甙化合物的抗肿瘤活性

采用MTT法,以长春新碱(VCR)为阳性对照,研究了6种从菝葜属植物中分离提取的天然甾体皂甙化合物对肝癌SMMC-7721、人宫颈癌HeLa和胃腺癌MGc80-3细胞生长的抑制作用.结果显示;6种甾体皂甙抗肿瘤活性与其化学结构密切相关,对三种癌细胞的抑瘤作用强度相同,抑癌活性的顺序为:薯蓣皂甙>VCR>SQD_4>SQD_3>M_1>SQD_1,甲基原薯蓣皂甙.甾体骨架的差异性是决定这类化合物抗肿瘤活性的主要因素.     

Metabolic and functional diversity of saponins,biosynthetic intermediates and semi-synthetic derivatives

Abstract

Saponins are widely distributed plant natural products with vast structural and functional diversity. They are typically composed of a hydrophobic aglycone, which is extensively decorated with functional groups prior to the addition of hydrophilic sugar moieties, to result in surface-active amphipathic compounds. The saponins are broadly classified as triterpenoids, steroids or steroidal glycoalkaloids, based on the aglycone structure from which they are derived. The saponins and their biosynthetic intermediates display a variety of biological activities of interest to the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food sectors. Although their relevance in industrial applications has long been recognized, their role in plants is underexplored. Recent research on modulating native pathway flux in saponin biosynthesis has demonstrated the roles of saponins and their biosynthetic intermediates in plant growth and development. Here, we review the literature on the effects of these molecules on plant physiology, which collectively implicate them in plant primary processes. The industrial uses and potential of saponins are discussed with respect to structure and activity, highlighting the undoubted value of these molecules as therapeutics.     

Glycosyltransferases involved in the biosynthesis of biologically active natural products that contain oligosaccharides

A unique characteristic of carbohydrates is their structural diversity which is greater than that of many other classes of biological compounds. Carbohydrate-containing natural products show many different biological activities and some of them have been developed as drugs for medical use. The biosynthesis of carbohydrate-containing natural products is catalysed by glycosyltransferases. In this review we will present information on the function of glycosyltransferases involved in the biosynthesis of oligosaccharide antibiotics focusing especially on urdamycins and landomycins, two angucycline antibiotics with interesting antitumor activities. We will also discuss the use of glycosyltransferases in combinatorial biosynthesis to generate new "hybrid" antibiotics.     

Identification and functional characterization of DzS3GT,a cytoplasmic glycosyltransferase catalyzing biosynthesis of diosgenin 3-<Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-glucoside in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dioscorea zingiberensis</Emphasis>

Dioscorea plants produce pharmaceutical diosgenin, which usually exists in plants in the form of saponins and has been a starting material for the production of steroids over seven decades. The first step of steroidal saponin biosynthesis from the corresponding aglycone is glycosylation by 3-O-sterol glycosyltransferase (S3GT), transferring the glycosyl from a sugar donor to the 3-OH position of the aglycone. In this study, a DzS3GT gene from Dioscorea zingiberensis was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli, and the recombinant DzS3GT protein showed 3-O-sterol glycosyltransferase activity in vitro. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that the DzS3GT protein is located in the cytoplasm in rice protoplasts. The tissue profiles of DzS3GT differ from those reported SGT genes. DzS3GT is expressed strongly in leaves and very weakly in stems. The diosgenin 3-O-glucoside (trillin) content is much higher in the leaves than in other organs. The specificity of gene expression and saponins accumulation suggest that the biosynthesis of trillin may occur mainly in the leaves of D. zingiberensis. This is the first report of the cloning and biochemical characterization of a glycosyltransferase gene involved in the biosynthesis of diosgenin 3-O-glucoside in Dioscorea plants. In addition, the study provides a potential relevance to the biosynthesis and transport mechanism of steroidal saponins in Dioscorea plants.     

三叶木通转录组分析及三萜皂苷生物合成途径关键酶基因的发掘

为了解三叶木通(Akebia trifoliata(Thunb.)Koidz.)的三萜皂苷合成途径及其关键酶,本研究对其花、叶、根、茎进行转录组测序,组装获得了57.25 Gb数据,含140 859个unigenes,序列平均长度为1350 bp。KEGG代谢通路富集结果显示,517个unigenes参与三萜皂苷合成相关的3条代谢途径,其中415个unigenes编码三萜皂苷生物合成途径的19个关键酶。对三萜皂苷生物合成过程中的关键酶角鲨烯环氧酶(SE)进行序列分析和同源建模,发现其具有保守的底物结合结构域。将三叶木通茎与花、叶、根的基因表达水平进行比较,发现茎与根相比较其上调基因数目最多,其中295个差异表达基因(DEGs)与三萜皂苷生物合成途径相关。     

Fungicidal properties of two saponins from Capsicum frutescens and the relationship of structure and fungicidal activity

Two steroidal saponins have been purified from cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutescens). Both have the same steroidal moiety but differ in the number of glucose moieties: the first saponin has four glucose moieties (molecular mass 1081 Da) and the second contains three glucose moieties (molecular mass 919 Da). Solubility in aqueous solution is less for the saponin containing three glucose moieties than for the one containing four glucose moieties. The larger saponin was slightly fungicidal against the nongerminated and germinating conidia of Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, A. parasiticus, A. fumigatus, Fusarium oxysporum, F. moniliforme, and F. graminearum, whereas, the second saponin (molecular mass 919 Da) was inactive against these fungi. Results indicate that the absence of one glucose molecule affects the fungicidal and aqueous solubility properties of these similar molecules.     

Cloning and Functional Characterization of a Squalene Synthase from Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis

Paris polyphylla Smith var. yunnanensis (Franch.) Hand. – Mazz. is a precious traditional Chinese medicine, and steroidal saponins are its major bioactive constituents possessing extensive biological activities. Squalene synthase (SQS) catalyzes the first dedicated step converting two molecular of farnesyl diphosphate (FDP) into squalene, a key intermediate in the biosynthetic pathway of steroidal saponins. In this study, a squalene synthase gene (PpSQS1) was cloned and functionally characterized from P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis, representing the first identified SQS from the genus Paris. The open reading frame of PpSQS1 is 1239 bp, which encodes a protein of 412 amino acids showing high similarity to those of other plant SQSs. Expression of PpSQS1 in Escherichia coli resulted in production of soluble recombinant proteins. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed that the purified recombinant PpSQS1 protein could produce squalene using FDP as a substrate in the in vitro enzymatic assay. qRT-PCR analysis indicated that PpSQS1 was highly expressed in rhizomes, consistent with the dominant accumulation of steroidal saponins there, suggesting that PpSQS1 is likely involved in the biosynthesis of steroidal saponins in the plant. The findings lay a foundation for further investigation on the biosynthesis and regulation of steroidal saponins, and also provide an alternative gene for manipulation of steroid production using synthetic biology.     

Isolation and structural elucidation of novel cholestane glycosides and spirostane saponins from Polygonatum odoratum

Much attention has been paid to cholestane-type steroidal glycosides because of their importance from the perspectives of both chemical diversity and significant biological activities. A phytochemical investigation of the rhizomes of Polygonatum odoratum (Liliaceae) resulted in the isolation of three novel cholestane-type steroidal glycosides (1–3) with unique Δ^14,16-unsaturated D-ring structures as well as two novel spirostane-type steroidal saponins (4 and 5) and three known steroidal glycosides (6–8). Their structures were determined by various spectroscopic methods and chemical reactions. Steroidal saponin 7 showed significant antifungal activity against Candida albicans JCM1542 (MIC 3.1 μg/mL) and Aspergillus fumigatus JCM1738 (MIC 6.3 μg/mL).     

Bioactive oleanolic acid saponins and other constituents from the roots of Viguiera decurrens

The bisdesmoside oleanolic acid saponin, 3-0-(methyl-beta-D-glucuronopyranosiduronoate)-28-0-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-oleanolate along with nine known compounds (two diterpenic acids, one chromene, three triterpenes, one steroidal glycoside, and two monodesmoside oleanolic acid saponins), were obtained from Viguiera decurrens roots. The chemical structure of the bisdesmoside oleanolic saponin was determined by chemical and NMR spectral evidence. A mixture of monodesmoside saponins displayed cytotoxic activity against P388 and COLON cell lines (ED50= 2.3 and 3.6 microg/ml, respectively). Two of the known compounds showed insecticidal activity against the Mexican bean beetle larvae (Epilachna varivestis).