Flavonol synthase from Citrus unshiu is a bifunctional dioxygenase

Flavonol synthase was classified as a 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase converting natural (2R,3R)-dihydroflavonols, i.e. dihydrokaempferol, to the corresponding flavonols (kaempferol). Flavonol synthase from Citrus unshiu (Satsuma mandarin), expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity, was shown to accept also (2S)-naringenin as a substrate, producing kaempferol in high yield and assigning sequential flavanone 3beta-hydroxylase and flavonol synthase activities to the enzyme. In contrast, dihydrokaempferol was identified as the predominant product from assays performed with the unnatural (2R)-naringenin as substrate. The product which was not converted any further on repeated incubations was identified by 1H NMR and CD spectroscopies as (-)-trans-dihydrokaempferol. The data demonstrate that Citrus flavonol synthase encompasses an additional non-specific activity trans-hydroxylating the flavanones (2S)-naringenin as well as the unnatural (2R)-naringenin at C-3.     

Characterization of gamma-terpinene synthase from Citrus unshiu (Satsuma mandarin)

Gamma-terpinene is a monoterpene and a major component of essential oils made from citrus fruits and shows strong antioxidant activity in various assay systems. Plant gamma-terpinene synthase is a member of the monoterpene cyclase family, which produces a specific monoterpene through cyclization of geranyl diphosphate (GPP), but the monoterpene cyclases have not been fully characterized. It is necessary to prepare large amounts of gamma-terpinene synthase from Citrus unshiu (Satsuma mandarin) for the characterization, on this purpose we expressed the protein in Escherichia coli (E. coli) cells. As most monoterpene synthases have plastid-targeting signals, a gene lacking these signals was prepared and functionally expressed in E. coli cells harboring extra copies of the argU gene. The purified enzyme was incubated with GPP and the main product was confirmed to be gamma-terpinene by GC/MS.     

Cloning and expression of flavonol synthase from Petunia hybrida

Flavonols are important co-pigments in flower colour and are also essential for pollen tube growth. In petunia, flavonol synthesis is controlled by the Fl locus. Flavonol synthase (FLS) belongs to the 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase family. Dioxygenase gene fragments were amplified by PCR on cDNA made from FlFl and flfl flowers using degenerate primers designed from conserved dioxygenase sequences. A petunia petal cDNA library was screened for clones that hybridized more strongly to the Fl PCR products than the fl PCR products. A full-length cDNA clone identified by this screening exhibited FLS activity when expressed in yeast. FLS gene expression is developmentally regulated during flower development. Antisense expression of an FLS cDNA clone in petunia markedly reduced flavonol synthesis in petals. RFLP mapping showed that the FLS gene is linked to Fl , suggesting that Fl is the structural gene for FLS.     

Functional analysis of a predicted flavonol synthase gene family in Arabidopsis

The genome of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) contains five sequences with high similarity to FLAVONOL SYNTHASE1 (AtFLS1), a previously characterized flavonol synthase gene that plays a central role in flavonoid metabolism. This apparent redundancy suggests the possibility that Arabidopsis uses multiple isoforms of FLS with different substrate specificities to mediate the production of the flavonols, quercetin and kaempferol, in a tissue-specific and inducible manner. However, biochemical and genetic analysis of the six AtFLS sequences indicates that, although several of the members are expressed, only AtFLS1 encodes a catalytically competent protein. AtFLS1 also appears to be the only member of this group that influences flavonoid levels and the root gravitropic response in seedlings under nonstressed conditions. This study showed that the other expressed AtFLS sequences have tissue- and cell type-specific promoter activities that overlap with those of AtFLS1 and encode proteins that interact with other flavonoid enzymes in yeast two-hybrid assays. Thus, it is possible that these "pseudogenes" have alternative, noncatalytic functions that have not yet been uncovered.     

cDNA sequence and expression of a cold-responsive gene in Citrus unshiu

A cDNA clone encoding a protein (CuCOR19), the sequence of which is similar to Poncirus COR19, of the dehydrin family was isolated from the epicarp of Citrus unshiu. The molecular mass of the predicted protein was 18,980 daltons. CuCOR19 was highly hydrophilic and contained three repeating elements including Lys-rich motifs. The gene expression in leaves increased by cold stress.     

Isolation and characterization of new limonoid glycosides from Citrus unshiu peels.

Three limonoid glycosides were isolated from Citrus unshiu peels, and their structures were determined based on MS and NMR spectroscopic data as nomilinic acid 17-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), methyl nomilinate 17-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), and obacunone 17-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3). In particular, the location of the sugar moiety was clearly determined by the B/E constant linked scan FABMS method. No limonoid glycosides obtained here were found to have antitumor activity in NCI-H292 and EL-4 cell lines.     

Flower Formation from Citrus unshiu Buds Cultured In Vitro

Flowers were formed in vitro when buds of Satsuma mandarin (Citrusunshiu Mare) from the summer flush of growth harvested duringthe winter rest period before the onset of flower initiation,were grown on a solid Murashige and Skoog medium supplementedwith sucrose and a cytokinin. Flower development was dependentupon illumination, and was enhanced when a piece of stem wasattached to the bud. The percentage of flowering explants wasalways lower than the percentage of naturally flowering budsin spring, but treatments such as ringing which increase floweringin vitro, increased the number of explants flowering int vitroas well. Citrus unshiu Marc, ‘Satsuma’ mandarin, in vitro flowering, ringing     

Sterol Composition in the Pollens of Citrus unshiu Marcov. and Citrus sinensis Osbeck

Bacillus brevis secretes a large amount of cell wall proteins into the culture medium. For construction of Bacillus brevis expression-secretion vectors of human erythropoietin (EPO) and the extracellular domain of mouse erythropoietin receptor (sEPOR), cDNA for each mature form was inserted into a plasmid containing the promoter region and the signal-peptide encoding region of a cell wall protein. Culture supernatants of transformants were affinity purified using a monoclonal antibody-fixed gel for EPO and an EPO-fixed gel for sEPOR. The affinity purification efficiently removed unwanted proteins, giving samples with sufficiently high purity to analyze amino acid sequences of N-terminal regions and biological activities. Combination of this secretory production and affinity purification may facilitate isolation of a large amount of pure EPO and sEPOR, and is useful for further understanding the molecular mechanism of interaction between EPO and EPOR.     

Screening and heterologous expression of flavone synthase and flavonol synthase to catalyze hesperetin to diosmetin

Biotechnology Letters - In this study, 44 flavone synthases (FNS) and flavonol synthases (FLS) from different origins were collected. The instability index and conserved domain of the enzymes were...     

Isolation of microprotoplasts from a partially synchronized suspension culture of Citrus unshiu

The effect of hydroxyurea (HU) and amiprophos-methyl (APM) on the synchronization of suspension cultures of Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu) and micronucleation of the suspension cells sequentially treated with both, HU and APM, were investigated. When suspension cultures in early-log phase were treated with 4 or 10mM HU for 24h, the number of cells in the S-phase and the mitotic index (MI) increased significantly. Exposure of the early-log phase suspension culture to 32microM APM led to a marked increase in the MI 12 and 24h after treatment, while higher as well as lower concentrations (16, 24 and 48microM) had no effect. Suspension cultures subjected to sequential treatment, e.g. pretreatment with 10mM HU for 24h followed by treatment with 32microM APM for 24h, also showed a considerably increased MI. Furthermore, 61.5% of the protoplasts isolated from the sequentially treated suspension cells were micronucleated, whereas only 3.6% of the control protoplasts, isolated from untreated cells, showed micronucleation. Ultra-centrifugation of the micronucleated protoplasts generated microprotoplasts of different sizes, most of them below 5microM in diameter, with 1 or few chromosomes. The potential application of microprotoplasts in citrus genetic improvement is discussed.     

Monoterpene formation by leucoplasts of Citrofortunella mitis and Citrus unshiu

Leucoplasts of immature calamondin and satsuma fruits were incubated with [1-¹⁴C] isopentenyl pyrophosphate under various conditions. Optimal incorporation of the tracer into geranyl pyrophosphate and monoterpene hydrocarbons occurred in the presence of exogenous dimethylallyl pyrophosphate and Mn²⁺ which was more effective than Mg²⁺. The dependence of dimethylallyl pyrophosphate showed that about 10 moles were required for 1 mole of isopentenyl pyrophosphate for the best recovery in monoterpene hydrocarbon biosynthesis. A time-course incorporation of isopentenyl pyrophosphate revealed that the C₁₀ hydrocarbon elaboration was dependent on the geranyl pyrophosphate production and at no time neryl pyrophosphate was synthesized by leucoplasts. The amount of labelled farnesyl pyrophosphate was rather low whatever the conditions used in the experiments and sesquiterpene hydrocarbon biosynthesis was never observed.Abbreviations DMAPP dimethylallyl pyrophosphate - FPP farnesyl pyrophosphate - GPP geranyl pyrophosphate - IPP isopentenyl pyrophosphate - LPP linalyl pyrophosphate - NPP neryl pyrophosphate     

Functional and topological analysis of phosphatidylcholine synthase from Sinorhizobium meliloti

Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is the major membrane-forming phospholipid in eukaryotes and is estimated to be present in about 15% of eubacteria. It can be synthesized in bacteria by either of two pathways, the phospholipid N-methylation pathway or the phosphatidylcholine synthase (Pcs) pathway. Pcs belongs to the CDP-alcohol phosphotransferase superfamily and synthesizes PC and CMP in one step from CDP-diacylglycerol and choline. In this study, we aligned sequences of characterized Pcs enzymes to identify conserved amino acid residues. Alanine scanning mutagenesis was performed on 55 of these conserved residues. The mutation of nine residues caused a drastic to complete loss (<20% of wild type activity) of Pcs activity. Six of these essential residues were subjected to further mutagenesis studies replacing them by amino acids with similar properties or size. A topological analysis of sinorhizobial Pcs showed the presence of eight transmembrane helices, with the C- and N-terminus located in the cytoplasm. The majority of the conserved residues is predicted to be either located within the cytoplasmic loops or on the cytoplasmic side of the membrane which can be expected for an enzyme using one membrane-associated and one soluble substrate.     

Functional consequences of mutational analysis of norovirus protease

Norovirus protease has been subjected to an extensive mutagenesis study. Ala-scanning mutation at 13 different positions (Trp6, Trp19, Thr27, Leu86, Leu95, Leu97, Met101, Gln117, Leu121, Thr134, Tyr143, Val144, and Val167) led to loss of function and/or stability. Considering the crystal structure of the protease, it was revealed that a hydroxyl group of Thr134 and an aromatic ring of Tyr143 were important for substrate recognition along with His157. It was notable that several of the residues identified were in close proximity to each other, suggesting their importance for the integrity and stability of the protease.     

温州蜜柑叶片水提取液的抑菌效果

柑橘除部分品种用于鲜食和加工外,许多品种的果实及下脚料未得到充分的综合利用[1].自20世纪60年代以来,国内外学者对不同柑橘品种中的60多种类黄酮的提取、纯化及结构测定、类黄酮的药理学及其他应用方面进行了研究[2～4].研究发现: 槲皮酮和橘皮苷能显著抑制脊髓灰质炎病毒、单纯性疱疹病毒、副流感病毒等病毒的感染和复制; 多甲基黄酮如橙黄酮、蜜橘黄素和柑橘黄酮具有抗病毒和抗菌的作用[5～8].但尚未见柑橘叶生理活性物质提取及其对常见细菌和真菌的抑菌实验的报道.本文初步研究了温州蜜柑叶片提取液对大肠杆菌、枯草芽孢杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、白色念珠菌的抑菌作用,旨在为进一步开发利用柑橘叶提供依据.     

Functional characterization and differential expression studies of squalene synthase from Withania somnifera

Squalene synthase (SQS: EC 2.5.1.21) is a potential branch point regulatory enzyme and represents the first committed step to diverge the carbon flux from the main isoprenoid pathway towards sterol biosynthesis. In the present study, cloning and characterization of Withania somnifera squalene synthase (WsSQS) cDNA was investigated subsequently followed by its heterologous expression and preliminary enzyme activity. Two different types of WsSQS cDNA clones (WsSQS1and WsSQS2) were identified that contained an open reading frames of 1,236 and 1,242 bp encoding polypeptides of 412 and 414 amino acids respectively. Both WsSQS isoforms share 99 % similarity and identity with each other. WsSQS deduced amino acids sequences, when compared with SQS of other plant species, showed maximum similarity and identity with Capsicum annuum followed by Solanum tuberosum and Nicotiana tabacum. To obtain soluble recombinant enzymes, 24 hydrophobic amino acids were deleted from the carboxy terminus and expressed as 6X His-Tag fusion protein in Escherichia coli. Approximately 43 kDa recombinant protein was purified using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography and checked on SDS-PAGE. Preliminary activity of the purified enzymes was determined and the products were analyzed by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that WsSQS expresses more in young leaves than mature leaves, stem and root.     

Functional diversity and mutational analysis of Agrobacterium 6B oncoproteins

Many Agrobacterium T-DNA genes belong to a diverse family of T-DNA genes, the rolB family. These genes cause various growth abnormalities but their modes of action remain largely unknown. So far, none of the RolB-like proteins has been subjected to mutational analysis. The RolB-like oncoprotein 6B, which induces tumours on species such as Nicotiana glauca and Kalanchoe tubiflora, was chosen to investigate the role of the most conserved amino acid residues within the RolB family. We first determined which of the natural 6B variants had the strongest oncogenic activity; to this end, six 6b coding sequences (A- 6b, AB- 6b, C- 6b, CG- 6b, S- 6b and T- 6b) were placed under the control of the strong constitutive 2x35S promoter and compared for tumour induction on N. glauca, N. tabacum and K. daigremontiana. Oncogenicity increased in the order C- 6b/CG- 6b, A- 6b/AB- 6b, and S- 6b/T- 6b. The most conserved amino acid residues in the strongly oncogenic T-6B protein were mutated and shown to be required for oncogenicity and accumulation of the T-6B protein in planta but not in bacteria. Hybrids between T-6B and the weakly oncogenic A-6B protein revealed an additional oncogenic determinant required for the formation of large tumours.