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Rodney Croteau - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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bifunctional Abietadiene synthase mutual structural dependence of the active sites for protonation initiated and ionization initiated cyclizations
Biochemistry, 2003Co-Authors: Reuben J Peters, Ora A Carter, Yan Zhang, Brian W Matthews, Rodney CroteauAbstract:Abietadiene synthase from grand fir catalyzes two sequential, mechanistically distinct cyclizations, of geranylgeranyl diphosphate and of copalyl diphosphate, in the formation of a mixture of Abietadiene isomers as the committed step of diterpenoid resin acid biosynthesis. Each reaction is independently conducted at a separate active site residing in what were considered to be structurally distinct domains typical of terpene cyclases. Despite the presence of an unusual 250-residue N-terminal insertional element, a tandem pair of charged residues distal to the insertion was shown to form a functional part of the C-terminal active site. Because Abietadiene synthase resembles the ancestral plant terpene cyclase, this observation suggests an early evolutionary origin of catalytically important positively charged residues at the N-terminus of enzymes of this general class. A series of N- and C-terminal truncations of this enzyme were constructed and characterized, both alone and as mixtures of adjacent polypep...
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Diterpenoid Resin Acid Biosynthesis in Conifers: Characterization of Two Cytochrome P450-Dependent Monooxygenases and an Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Involved in Abietic Acid Biosynthesis
Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 2002Co-Authors: C Funk, Rodney CroteauAbstract:Abstract Abietic acid is a major component of the rosin fraction of oleoresin synthesized by grand fir (Abies grandis), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), and many other conifer species as a defensive secretion against insect and pathogen attack. The diterpenoid resin acid is derived from geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate via Abietadiene, with subsequent oxidation of the C18-methyl of this olefin to abietadienol, abietadienal, and abietic acid. The pathway was confirmed by administering [1,2-14C)acetic acid to grand fir stems which incorporated the radiolabel into Abietadiene, the corresponding alcohol and aldehyde, as well as abietic acid. Three different enzymatic activities, catalyzing the sequential oxidation of the olefin to abietic acid, were demonstrated in cell-free stem extracts of both grand fir and lodgepole pine. The first two oxidation steps were catalyzed by the microsomal fraction and required both oxygen and a reduced pyridine nucleotide (NADPH preferred). Both activities were strongly inhibited by CO (blue light reversible) and were differentially sensitive to several substituted N-heterocyclic inhibitors, suggesting that these two enzymes are distinct, microsomal cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenases. A third enzymatic activity, catalyzing the oxidation of abietadienal to abietic acid, was located in the soluble protein fraction. This oxidation reaction employed NAD+ as cofactor, but did not require oxygen and was not inhibited by CO, indicating that this last step of abietic acid biosynthesis is catalyzed by an operationally soluble aldehyde dehydrogenase.
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mechanism of Abietadiene synthase catalysis stereochemistry and stabilization of the cryptic pimarenyl carbocation intermediates
Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2002Co-Authors: Matthew M Ravn, Robert M Coates, Reuben J Peters, Rodney CroteauAbstract:Abietadiene synthase (AS) catalyzes the complex cyclization−rearrangement of (E,E,E)-geranylgeranyl diphosphate (8, GGPP) to a mixture of Abietadiene (1a), double bond isomers 2a−4a and pimaradienes 5a−7a as a key step in the biosynthesis of the abietane resin acid constituents (1b−4b) of conifer oleoresin. The reaction proceeds at two active sites by way of the intermediate, copalyl diphosphate (9). In the second site, a putative tricyclic pimaradiene or pimarenyl(+) carbocation intermediate of undefined C13 stereochemistry and annular double bond position is formed. Three 8-oxy-17-nor analogues of 9 (17 and 19a,b) and three isomeric 15,16-bisnorpimarenyl-N-methylamines (26a−c) were synthesized and evaluated as alternative substrates and/or inhibitors for recombinant AS from grand fir. The stereospecific cyclization of 8α-hydroxy-17-nor CPP (19a) to 17-normanoyl oxide (20a) and the higher inhibitory potency of the norpimarenylamine 26a (Ki = 0.1 nM) both suggest pimarenyl intermediates having the 13β met...
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Abietadiene synthase catalysis: conserved residues involved in protonation-initiated cyclization of geranylgeranyl diphosphate to (+)-copalyl diphosphate.
Biochemistry, 2002Co-Authors: Reuben J Peters, Rodney CroteauAbstract:Abietadiene synthase catalyzes two sequential, mechanistically distinct cyclization reactions in the formation of a mixture of Abietadiene double bond isomers as the committed step in resin acid biosynthesis. Each reaction is carried out at a separate active site residing in a structurally distinct domain, and the reactions are kinetically separable. The first cyclization reaction is initiated by protonation of the terminal double bond of the universal diterpene precursor, geranylgeranyl diphosphate. The pH dependence of the overall reaction is consistent with an acid−base catalytic mechanism, and a divalent metal ion plays a role in this reaction probably by binding the diphosphate moiety to assist in positioning the substrate for catalysis. A putative active site for the protonation-initiated cyclization was defined by modeling Abietadiene synthase and locating the DXDD motif previously shown to be involved in this reaction. A number of charged and aromatic residues, which are highly conserved in mechan...
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Abietadiene synthase catalysis mutational analysis of a prenyl diphosphate ionization initiated cyclization and rearrangement
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2002Co-Authors: Reuben J Peters, Rodney CroteauAbstract:Abietadiene synthase catalyzes the committed step in resin acid biosynthesis, forming a mixture of Abietadiene double-bond isomers by two sequential, mechanistically distinct cyclizations at separate active sites. The first reaction, protonation-initiated cyclization, converts the universal diterpene precursor geranylgeranyl diphosphate to the stable bicyclic intermediate copalyl diphosphate. In the second, magnesium ion-dependent reaction, diphosphate ester ionization-initiated cyclization generates the tricyclic perhydrophenanthrene-type backbone and is coupled, by intramolecular proton transfer within a transient pimarenyl intermediate, to a 1,2-methyl migration that generates the C13 isopropyl group characteristic of the abietane structure. Alternative deprotonations of the terminal abietenyl carbocation provide a mixture of Abietadiene, levopimaradiene, and neoAbietadiene, and this product profile varies as a function of pH. Mutational analysis of amino acids at the active site of a modeled structure has identified residues critical for catalysis, as well as several that play roles in specifying product formation, apparently by ligation of a magnesium ion cofactor. These results strongly suggest that choice between alternatives for deprotonation of the abietenyl intermediate depends more on the positioning effects of the carbocation–diphosphate anion reaction partners than on the pKa of multiple participating bases. In one extreme case, mutant N765A is unable to mediate the intramolecular proton transfer and aborts the reaction, without catalyzing 1,2-methyl migration, to produce only sandaracopimaradiene, thereby providing supporting evidence for the corresponding stereochemistry of the cryptic pimarenyl intermediate of the reaction pathway.
Jorg Bohlmann - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Bifunctional cis-Abienol Synthase from Abies balsamea Discovered by Transcriptome Sequencing and Its
2020Co-Authors: Philipp Zerbe, Macaire Yuen, Jorg Bohlmann, Angela Chiang, Björn Hamberger, Jason Draper, Robert A. Britton, Canadaandthe § DepartmentofchemistryAbstract:The labdanoid diterpene alcohol cis-abienol is a major component of the aromatic oleoresin of balsam fir (Abies balsamea) and serves as a valuable bioproduct material for the fragrance industry. Using high-throughput 454 transcriptome sequencing and metabolite profiling of balsam fir bark tissue, we identified candidate diterpene synthase sequences for full-length cDNA cloning and functional characterization. We discovered a bifunctional class I/II cis-abienol synthase (AbCAS), along with the paralogous levopimaradiene/Abietadiene synthase and isopimaradiene synthase, all of which are members of the gymnosperm-specific TPS-d subfamily. The AbCAS-catalyzed formation of cis-abienol proceeds via cyclization and hydroxylation at carbon C-8 of a postulated carbocation intermediate in the class II active site, followed by cleavage of the diphosphate group and termination of the reaction sequence without further cyclization in the class I active site. This reaction mechanism is distinct from that of synthases of the isopimaradiene- or levopimaradiene/Abietadiene synthase type, which employ deprotonation reactions in the class II active site and secondary cyclizations in the class I active site, leading to tricyclic diterpenes. Comparative homology modeling suggested the active site residues Asp-348, Leu-617, Phe-696, and Gly-723 as potentially important for the specificity of AbCAS. As a class I/II bifunc
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Evolution of Conifer Diterpene Synthases: Diterpene Resin Acid Biosynthesis in Lodgepole Pine and Jack Pine Involves Monofunctional and Bifunctional
2020Co-Authors: Dawn E. Hall, Philipp Zerbe, Sharon Jancsik, Alfonso Lara Quesada, Harpreet K. Dullat, Macaire Yuen, Lufiani L. Madilao, Jorg BohlmannAbstract:Diterpene resin acids (DRAs) are major components of pine (Pinus spp.) oleoresin. They play critical roles in conifer defense against insects and pathogens and as a renewable resource for industrial bioproducts. The core structures of DRAs are formed in secondary (i.e. specialized) metabolism via cycloisomerization of geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) by diterpene synthases (diTPSs). Previously described gymnosperm diTPSs of DRA biosynthesis are bifunctional enzymes that catalyze the initial bicyclization of GGPP followed by rearrangement of a (+)-copalyl diphosphate intermediate at two discrete class II and class I active sites. In contrast, similar diterpenes of gibberellin primary (i.e. general) metabolism are produced by the consecutive activity of two monofunctional class II and class I diTPSs. Using high-throughput transcriptome sequencing, we discovered 11 diTPS from jack pine (Pinus banksiana) and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta). Three of these were orthologous to known conifer bifunctional levopimaradiene/Abietadiene synthases. Surprisingly, two sets of orthologous PbdiTPSs and PcdiTPSs were monofunctional class I enzymes that lacked functional class II active sites and converted (+)-copalyl diphosphate, but not GGPP, into isopimaradiene and pimaradiene as major products. Diterpene profiles and transcriptome sequences of lodgepole pine and jack pine are consistent with roles for these diTPSs in DRA biosynthesis. The monofunctional class I diTPSs of DRA biosynthesis form a new clade within the gymnosperm-specific TPS-d3 subfamily that evolved from bifunctional diTPS rather than monofunctional enzymes (TPS-c and TPS-e) of gibberellin metabolism. Homology modeling suggested alterations in the class I active site that may have contributed to their functional specialization relative to other conifer diTPSs. Conifer trees, including lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) and jack pine (Pinus banksiana), produce complex mixtures of mono-, sesqui-, and diterpenoid specialized (i.e. secondary) metabolites, most prominently in the form of oleoresin, that can act as a physical and chemical defense against insect and pathogen attack (Phillips and Croteau, 1999; Keeling and Bohlmann, 2006a, 2006b; Zulak and Bohlmann, 2010; Boone et al., 2011). These oleoresin terpenoids also serve as a large-volume, renewable resource for industrial bioproducts, including solvents, flavors, fragrances,
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immunofluorescence localization of levopimaradiene Abietadiene synthase in methyl jasmonate treated stems of sitka spruce picea sitchensis shows activation of diterpenoid biosynthesis in cortical and developing traumatic resin ducts
Phytochemistry, 2010Co-Authors: Katherine G Zulak, Harpreet K. Dullat, Christopher I Keeling, Dustin Lippert, Jorg BohlmannAbstract:Abstract Conifers produce terpenoid-rich oleoresin in specialized resin ducts as a main line of defence against pests and pathogens. In spruce species ( Picea spp.), axial resin ducts are either present constitutively in the cortex tissue (cortical resin ducts, CRDs) or are formed de novo as traumatic resin ducts (TRDs) in the cambial zone upon attack by insects, fungi or treatment with methyl jasmonate (MeJA). Using immunofluorescence localization we tested if previously formed CRDs respond to MeJA treatment with increased capacity for diterpenoid biosynthesis. We also tested the dynamics of diterpene synthase localization in the cambial zone. Immunofluorescence localization was performed using an antibody against a diterpene synthase, levopimaradiene/Abietadiene synthase (LAS), in stem cross-sections of untreated and 0.1% MeJA-treated 4-year old Sitka spruce ( P. sitchensis ) trees. No fluorescence signal was observed in untreated stem cross-sections; however, signal was present 2 days after treatment with MeJA exclusively in the epithelial cells of CRDs. Fluorescence steadily increased in the CRD epithelial cells 4 and 8 days after treatment. At 8 days, additional fluorescence was observed in developing epithelial cells of traumatic resin ducts TRDs in the cambial zone. These results confirm that resin duct epithelial cells are the main site of diterpene biosynthesis in Sitka spruce, diterpenoid biosynthesis is induced in CRD epithelial cells early upon treatment with MeJA, and immature developing TRD epithelial cells produce diterpene synthase enzyme. Overall, the results of this work improve our understanding of spatial and temporal patterns of induced diterpene resin acid biosynthesis in conifers.
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Immunofluorescence localization of levopimaradiene/Abietadiene synthase in methyl jasmonate treated stems of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) shows activation of diterpenoid biosynthesis in cortical and developing traumatic resin ducts
Phytochemistry, 2010Co-Authors: Katherine G Zulak, Harpreet K. Dullat, Christopher I Keeling, Dustin Lippert, Jorg BohlmannAbstract:Abstract Conifers produce terpenoid-rich oleoresin in specialized resin ducts as a main line of defence against pests and pathogens. In spruce species ( Picea spp.), axial resin ducts are either present constitutively in the cortex tissue (cortical resin ducts, CRDs) or are formed de novo as traumatic resin ducts (TRDs) in the cambial zone upon attack by insects, fungi or treatment with methyl jasmonate (MeJA). Using immunofluorescence localization we tested if previously formed CRDs respond to MeJA treatment with increased capacity for diterpenoid biosynthesis. We also tested the dynamics of diterpene synthase localization in the cambial zone. Immunofluorescence localization was performed using an antibody against a diterpene synthase, levopimaradiene/Abietadiene synthase (LAS), in stem cross-sections of untreated and 0.1% MeJA-treated 4-year old Sitka spruce ( P. sitchensis ) trees. No fluorescence signal was observed in untreated stem cross-sections; however, signal was present 2 days after treatment with MeJA exclusively in the epithelial cells of CRDs. Fluorescence steadily increased in the CRD epithelial cells 4 and 8 days after treatment. At 8 days, additional fluorescence was observed in developing epithelial cells of traumatic resin ducts TRDs in the cambial zone. These results confirm that resin duct epithelial cells are the main site of diterpene biosynthesis in Sitka spruce, diterpenoid biosynthesis is induced in CRD epithelial cells early upon treatment with MeJA, and immature developing TRD epithelial cells produce diterpene synthase enzyme. Overall, the results of this work improve our understanding of spatial and temporal patterns of induced diterpene resin acid biosynthesis in conifers.
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Laser microdissection of conifer stem tissues: Isolation and analysis of high quality RNA, terpene synthase enzyme activity and terpenoid metabolites from resin ducts and cambial zone tissue of white spruce (Picea glauca)
BMC Plant Biology, 2010Co-Authors: Eric Abbott, Dawn Hall, Björn Hamberger, Jorg BohlmannAbstract:Background Laser microdissection (LMD) has been established for isolation of individual tissue types from herbaceous plants. However, there are few reports of cell- and tissue-specific analysis in woody perennials. While microdissected tissues are commonly analyzed for gene expression, reports of protein, enzyme activity and metabolite analysis are limited due in part to an inability to amplify these molecules. Conifer stem tissues are organized in regular patterns with xylem, phloem and cortex development controlled by the activity of the cambial zone (CZ). Defense responses of conifer stems against insects and pathogens involve increased accumulation of terpenoids in cortical resin ducts (CRDs) and de novo formation of traumatic resin ducts from CZ initials. These tissues are difficult to isolate for tissue-specific molecular and biochemical characterization and are thus good targets for application of LMD. Results We describe robust methods for isolation of individual tissue-types from white spruce ( Picea glauca ) stems for analysis of RNA, enzyme activity and metabolites. A tangential cryosectioning approach was important for obtaining large quantities of CRD and CZ tissues using LMD. We report differential expression of genes involved in terpenoid metabolism between CRD and CZ tissues and in response to methyl jasmonate (MeJA). Transcript levels of β-pinene synthase and levopimaradiene/Abietadiene synthase were constitutively higher in CRDs, but induction was stronger in CZ in response to MeJA. 3-Carene synthase was more strongly induced in CRDs compared to CZ. A differential induction pattern was observed for 1-deoxyxyulose-5-phosphate synthase, which was up-regulated in CRDs and down-regulated in CZ. We identified terpene synthase enzyme activity in CZ protein extracts and terpenoid metabolites in both CRD and CZ tissues. Conclusions Methods are described that allow for analysis of RNA, enzyme activity and terpenoid metabolites in individual tissues isolated by LMD from woody conifer stems. Patterns of gene expression are demonstrated in specific tissues that may be masked in analysis of heterogenous samples. Combined analysis of transcripts, proteins and metabolites of individual tissues will facilitate future characterization of complex processes of woody plant development, including periodic stem growth and dormancy, cell specialization, and defense and may be applied widely to other plant species.
Reuben J Peters - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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a single residue change leads to a hydroxylated product from the class ii diterpene cyclization catalyzed by Abietadiene synthase
Organic Letters, 2012Co-Authors: Jared Criswell, Kevin C Potter, Freya Shephard, Michael H Beale, Reuben J PetersAbstract:Class II diterpene cyclases catalyze bicyclization of geranylgeranyl diphosphate. While this reaction typically is terminated via methyl deprotonation to yield copalyl diphosphate, in rare cases hydroxylated bicycles are produced instead. Abietadiene synthase is a bifunctional diterpene cyclase that usually produces a copalyl diphosphate intermediate. Here it is shown that substitution of aspartate for a conserved histidine in the class II active site of Abietadiene synthase leads to selective production of 8α-hydroxy-CPP instead, demonstrating striking plasticity.
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insights into diterpene cyclization from structure of bifunctional Abietadiene synthase from abies grandis
Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2012Co-Authors: Ke Zhou, Francis M Mann, Richard B Honzatko, Reuben J PetersAbstract:Abietadiene synthase from Abies grandis (AgAS) is a model system for diterpene synthase activity, catalyzing class I (ionization-initiated) and class II (protonation-initiated) cyclization reactions. Reported here is the crystal structure of AgAS at 2.3 Å resolution and molecular dynamics simulations of that structure with and without active site ligands. AgAS has three domains (α, β, and γ). The class I active site is within the C-terminal α domain, and the class II active site is between the N-terminal γ and β domains. The domain organization resembles that of monofunctional diterpene synthases and is consistent with proposed evolutionary origins of terpene synthases. Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to determine the effect of substrate binding on enzymatic structure. Although such studies of the class I active site do lead to an enclosed substrate-Mg2+ complex similar to that observed in crystal structures of related plant enzymes, it does not enforce a single substrate conformation consistent with the known product stereochemistry. Simulations of the class II active site were more informative, with observation of a well ordered external loop migration. This “loop-in” conformation not only limits solvent access but also greatly increases the number of conformational states accessible to the substrate while destabilizing the nonproductive substrate conformation present in the “loop-out” conformation. Moreover, these conformational changes at the class II active site drive the substrate toward the proposed transition state. Docked substrate complexes were further assessed with regard to the effects of site-directed mutations on class I and II activities.
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Investigating the conservation pattern of a putative second terpene synthase divalent metal binding motif in plants.
Phytochemistry, 2009Co-Authors: Ke Zhou, Reuben J PetersAbstract:Abstract Terpene synthases (TPS) require divalent metal ion co-factors, typically magnesium, that are bound by a canonical DDXXD motif, as well as a putative second, seemingly less well conserved and understood (N/D)DXX(S/T)XXXE motif. Given the role of the Ser/Thr side chain hydroxyl group in ligating one of the three catalytically requisite divalent metal ions and the loss of catalytic activity upon substitution with Ala, it is surprising that Gly is frequently found in this ‘middle’ position of the putative second divalent metal binding motif in plant TPS. Herein we report mutational investigation of this discrepancy in a model plant diterpene cyclase, Abietadiene synthase from Abies grandis (AgAS). Substitution of the corresponding Thr in AgAS with Ser or Gly decreased catalytic activity much less than substitution with Ala. We speculate that the ability of Gly to partially restore activity relative to Ala substitution for Ser/Thr stems from the associated reduction in steric volume enabling a water molecule to substitute for the hydroxyl group from Ser/Thr, potentially in a divalent metal ion coordination sphere. In any case, our results are consistent with the observed conservation pattern for this putative second divalent metal ion binding motif in plant TPS.
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a single residue switch converts Abietadiene synthase into a pimaradiene specific cyclase
Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2007Co-Authors: Ross P Wilderman, Reuben J PetersAbstract:Terpene synthases often catalyze complex cyclization reactions that typically represent the committed step in particular biosynthetic pathways, leading to great interest in their enzymatic mechanisms. We have recently demonstrated that substitution of a specific Ile with Thr was sufficient to “short circuit” the complex cyclization reaction normally catalyzed by ent-kaurene synthases to instead produce ent-pimaradiene. Here we report that the complex cyclization/rearrangement reaction catalyzed by Abietadiene synthase can be similarly cut short to produce pimaradienes by an analogous Ser for Ala change, albeit with a slight shift in active site location to accommodate the difference in substrate stereochemistry. This result has mechanistic implications for enzymatic catalysis of Abietadiene cyclization, and terpene synthases more broadly. Furthermore, these defined single residue switches may be useful in engineering product outcome in diterpene synthases more generally.
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Synergistic substrate inhibition of ent-copalyl diphosphate synthase: a potential feed-forward inhibition mechanism limiting gibberellin metabolism.
Plant Physiology, 2007Co-Authors: Sladjana Prisic, Reuben J PetersAbstract:Gibberellins (GAs) or gibberellic acids are ubiquitous diterpenoid phytohormones required for many aspects of plant growth and development, including repression of photosynthetic pigment production (i.e. deetiolation) in the absence of light. The committed step in GA biosynthesis is catalyzed in plastids by ent-copalyl diphosphate synthase (CPS), whose substrate, (E,E,E,)-geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP), is also a direct precursor of carotenoids and the phytol side chain of chlorophyll. Accordingly, during deetiolation, GA production is repressed, whereas flux toward these photosynthetic pigments through their common GGPP precursor is dramatically increased. How this is accomplished has been unclear because no mechanism for regulation of CPS activity has been reported. We present here kinetic analysis of recombinant pseudomature CPS from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana; rAtCPS) demonstrating that Mg2+ and GGPP exert synergistic substrate inhibition effects on CPS activity. These results suggest that GA metabolism may be limited by feed-forward inhibition of CPS; in particular, the effect of Mg2+ because light induces increases in plastid Mg2+ levels over a similar range as that observed here to affect rAtCPS activity. Notably, this effect is most pronounced in the GA-specific AtCPS because the corresponding activity of the resin acid biosynthetic enzyme Abietadiene synthase is 100-fold less sensitive to [Mg2+]. Furthermore, Mg2+ allosterically activates the plant porphobilinogen synthase involved in chlorophyll production. Hence, Mg2+ may have a broad role in regulating plastidial metabolic flux during deetiolation. Finally, the observed synergistic substrate/feed-forward inhibition of CPS also seems to provide a novel example of direct regulation of enzymatic activity in hormone biosynthesis.
Christopher I Keeling - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the primary diterpene synthase products of picea abies levopimaradiene Abietadiene synthase palas are epimers of a thermally unstable diterpenol
Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2011Co-Authors: Christopher I Keeling, Philipp Zerbe, Harpreet K. Dullat, Lufiani L. Madilao, Jörg BohlmannAbstract:The levopimaradiene/Abietadiene synthase from Norway spruce (Picea abies; PaLAS) has previously been reported to produce a mixture of four diterpene hydrocarbons when incubated with geranylgeranyl diphosphate as the substrate: levopimaradiene, Abietadiene, neoAbietadiene, and palustradiene. However, variability in the assay products observed by GC-MS of this and orthologous conifer diterpene synthases over the past 15 years suggested that these diterpenes may not be the initial enzyme assay products but are rather the products of dehydration of an unstable alcohol. We have identified epimers of the thermally unstable allylic tertiary alcohol 13-hydroxy-8(14)-abietene as the products of PaLAS. The identification of these compounds, not previously described in conifers, as the initial products of PaLAS has considerable implications for our understanding of the complexity of the biosynthetic pathway of the structurally diverse diterpene resin acids of conifer defense.
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The Primary Diterpene Synthase Products of Picea abies Levopimaradiene/Abietadiene Synthase (PaLAS) Are Epimers of a Thermally Unstable Diterpenol
Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2011Co-Authors: Christopher I Keeling, Philipp Zerbe, Harpreet K. Dullat, Lufiani L. Madilao, Jörg BohlmannAbstract:The levopimaradiene/Abietadiene synthase from Norway spruce (Picea abies; PaLAS) has previously been reported to produce a mixture of four diterpene hydrocarbons when incubated with geranylgeranyl diphosphate as the substrate: levopimaradiene, Abietadiene, neoAbietadiene, and palustradiene. However, variability in the assay products observed by GC-MS of this and orthologous conifer diterpene synthases over the past 15 years suggested that these diterpenes may not be the initial enzyme assay products but are rather the products of dehydration of an unstable alcohol. We have identified epimers of the thermally unstable allylic tertiary alcohol 13-hydroxy-8(14)-abietene as the products of PaLAS. The identification of these compounds, not previously described in conifers, as the initial products of PaLAS has considerable implications for our understanding of the complexity of the biosynthetic pathway of the structurally diverse diterpene resin acids of conifer defense.
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immunofluorescence localization of levopimaradiene Abietadiene synthase in methyl jasmonate treated stems of sitka spruce picea sitchensis shows activation of diterpenoid biosynthesis in cortical and developing traumatic resin ducts
Phytochemistry, 2010Co-Authors: Katherine G Zulak, Harpreet K. Dullat, Christopher I Keeling, Dustin Lippert, Jorg BohlmannAbstract:Abstract Conifers produce terpenoid-rich oleoresin in specialized resin ducts as a main line of defence against pests and pathogens. In spruce species ( Picea spp.), axial resin ducts are either present constitutively in the cortex tissue (cortical resin ducts, CRDs) or are formed de novo as traumatic resin ducts (TRDs) in the cambial zone upon attack by insects, fungi or treatment with methyl jasmonate (MeJA). Using immunofluorescence localization we tested if previously formed CRDs respond to MeJA treatment with increased capacity for diterpenoid biosynthesis. We also tested the dynamics of diterpene synthase localization in the cambial zone. Immunofluorescence localization was performed using an antibody against a diterpene synthase, levopimaradiene/Abietadiene synthase (LAS), in stem cross-sections of untreated and 0.1% MeJA-treated 4-year old Sitka spruce ( P. sitchensis ) trees. No fluorescence signal was observed in untreated stem cross-sections; however, signal was present 2 days after treatment with MeJA exclusively in the epithelial cells of CRDs. Fluorescence steadily increased in the CRD epithelial cells 4 and 8 days after treatment. At 8 days, additional fluorescence was observed in developing epithelial cells of traumatic resin ducts TRDs in the cambial zone. These results confirm that resin duct epithelial cells are the main site of diterpene biosynthesis in Sitka spruce, diterpenoid biosynthesis is induced in CRD epithelial cells early upon treatment with MeJA, and immature developing TRD epithelial cells produce diterpene synthase enzyme. Overall, the results of this work improve our understanding of spatial and temporal patterns of induced diterpene resin acid biosynthesis in conifers.
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Immunofluorescence localization of levopimaradiene/Abietadiene synthase in methyl jasmonate treated stems of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) shows activation of diterpenoid biosynthesis in cortical and developing traumatic resin ducts
Phytochemistry, 2010Co-Authors: Katherine G Zulak, Harpreet K. Dullat, Christopher I Keeling, Dustin Lippert, Jorg BohlmannAbstract:Abstract Conifers produce terpenoid-rich oleoresin in specialized resin ducts as a main line of defence against pests and pathogens. In spruce species ( Picea spp.), axial resin ducts are either present constitutively in the cortex tissue (cortical resin ducts, CRDs) or are formed de novo as traumatic resin ducts (TRDs) in the cambial zone upon attack by insects, fungi or treatment with methyl jasmonate (MeJA). Using immunofluorescence localization we tested if previously formed CRDs respond to MeJA treatment with increased capacity for diterpenoid biosynthesis. We also tested the dynamics of diterpene synthase localization in the cambial zone. Immunofluorescence localization was performed using an antibody against a diterpene synthase, levopimaradiene/Abietadiene synthase (LAS), in stem cross-sections of untreated and 0.1% MeJA-treated 4-year old Sitka spruce ( P. sitchensis ) trees. No fluorescence signal was observed in untreated stem cross-sections; however, signal was present 2 days after treatment with MeJA exclusively in the epithelial cells of CRDs. Fluorescence steadily increased in the CRD epithelial cells 4 and 8 days after treatment. At 8 days, additional fluorescence was observed in developing epithelial cells of traumatic resin ducts TRDs in the cambial zone. These results confirm that resin duct epithelial cells are the main site of diterpene biosynthesis in Sitka spruce, diterpenoid biosynthesis is induced in CRD epithelial cells early upon treatment with MeJA, and immature developing TRD epithelial cells produce diterpene synthase enzyme. Overall, the results of this work improve our understanding of spatial and temporal patterns of induced diterpene resin acid biosynthesis in conifers.
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functional plasticity of paralogous diterpene synthases involved in conifer defense
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2008Co-Authors: Christopher I Keeling, Sabrina Weisshaar, Jorg BohlmannAbstract:The diversity of terpenoid compounds produced by plants plays an important role in mediating various plant–herbivore, plant–pollinator, and plant–pathogen interactions. This diversity has resulted from gene duplication and neofunctionalization of the enzymes that synthesize and subsequently modify terpenes. Two diterpene synthases in Norway spruce (Picea abies), isopimaradiene synthase and levopimaradiene/Abietadiene synthase, provide the hydrocarbon precursors for most of the diterpene resin acids found in the defensive oleoresin of conifers. Although these paralogous enzymes are 91% identical at the amino acid level, one is a single-product enzyme, whereas the other is a multiproduct enzyme that forms completely different products. We used a rational approach of homology modeling, protein sequence comparison, domain swapping, and a series of reciprocal site-directed mutagenesis to identify the specific residues that direct the different product outcomes. A one-amino acid mutation switched the levopimaradiene/Abietadiene synthase into producing isopimaradiene and sandaracopimaradiene and none of its normal products. Four mutations were sufficient to reciprocally reverse the product profiles for both of these paralogous enzymes while maintaining catalytic efficiencies similar to the wild-type enzymes. This study illustrates how neofunctionalization can result from relatively minor changes in protein sequence, increasing the diversity of secondary metabolites important for conifer defense.
Jörg Bohlmann - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Evolution of Conifer Diterpene Synthases: Diterpene Resin Acid Biosynthesis in Lodgepole Pine and Jack Pine Involves Monofunctional and Bifunctional Diterpene Synthases
Plant Physiology, 2012Co-Authors: Dawn E. Hall, Philipp Zerbe, Sharon Jancsik, Alfonso Lara Quesada, Harpreet K. Dullat, Macaire Yuen, Lufiani L. Madilao, Jörg BohlmannAbstract:Diterpene resin acids (DRAs) are major components of pine (Pinus spp.) oleoresin. They play critical roles in conifer defense against insects and pathogens and as a renewable resource for industrial bioproducts. The core structures of DRAs are formed in secondary (i.e. specialized) metabolism via cycloisomerization of geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) by diterpene synthases (diTPSs). Previously described gymnosperm diTPSs of DRA biosynthesis are bifunctional enzymes that catalyze the initial bicyclization of GGPP followed by rearrangement of a (+)-copalyl diphosphate intermediate at two discrete class II and class I active sites. In contrast, similar diterpenes of gibberellin primary (i.e. general) metabolism are produced by the consecutive activity of two monofunctional class II and class I diTPSs. Using high-throughput transcriptome sequencing, we discovered 11 diTPS from jack pine (Pinus banksiana) and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta). Three of these were orthologous to known conifer bifunctional levopimaradiene/Abietadiene synthases. Surprisingly, two sets of orthologous PbdiTPSs and PcdiTPSs were monofunctional class I enzymes that lacked functional class II active sites and converted (+)-copalyl diphosphate, but not GGPP, into isopimaradiene and pimaradiene as major products. Diterpene profiles and transcriptome sequences of lodgepole pine and jack pine are consistent with roles for these diTPSs in DRA biosynthesis. The monofunctional class I diTPSs of DRA biosynthesis form a new clade within the gymnosperm-specific TPS-d3 subfamily that evolved from bifunctional diTPS rather than monofunctional enzymes (TPS-c and TPS-e) of gibberellin metabolism. Homology modeling suggested alterations in the class I active site that may have contributed to their functional specialization relative to other conifer diTPSs.
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Bifunctional cis-Abienol Synthase from Abies balsamea Discovered by Transcriptome Sequencing and Its Implications for Diterpenoid Fragrance Production
Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2012Co-Authors: Philipp Zerbe, Macaire Yuen, Angela Chiang, Björn Hamberger, Jason Draper, Robert Britton, Jörg BohlmannAbstract:The labdanoid diterpene alcohol cis-abienol is a major component of the aromatic oleoresin of balsam fir (Abies balsamea) and serves as a valuable bioproduct material for the fragrance industry. Using high-throughput 454 transcriptome sequencing and metabolite profiling of balsam fir bark tissue, we identified candidate diterpene synthase sequences for full-length cDNA cloning and functional characterization. We discovered a bifunctional class I/II cis-abienol synthase (AbCAS), along with the paralogous levopimaradiene/Abietadiene synthase and isopimaradiene synthase, all of which are members of the gymnosperm-specific TPS-d subfamily. The AbCAS-catalyzed formation of cis-abienol proceeds via cyclization and hydroxylation at carbon C-8 of a postulated carbocation intermediate in the class II active site, followed by cleavage of the diphosphate group and termination of the reaction sequence without further cyclization in the class I active site. This reaction mechanism is distinct from that of synthases of the isopimaradiene- or levopimaradiene/Abietadiene synthase type, which employ deprotonation reactions in the class II active site and secondary cyclizations in the class I active site, leading to tricyclic diterpenes. Comparative homology modeling suggested the active site residues Asp-348, Leu-617, Phe-696, and Gly-723 as potentially important for the specificity of AbCAS. As a class I/II bifunctional enzyme, AbCAS is a promising target for metabolic engineering of cis-abienol production.
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the primary diterpene synthase products of picea abies levopimaradiene Abietadiene synthase palas are epimers of a thermally unstable diterpenol
Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2011Co-Authors: Christopher I Keeling, Philipp Zerbe, Harpreet K. Dullat, Lufiani L. Madilao, Jörg BohlmannAbstract:The levopimaradiene/Abietadiene synthase from Norway spruce (Picea abies; PaLAS) has previously been reported to produce a mixture of four diterpene hydrocarbons when incubated with geranylgeranyl diphosphate as the substrate: levopimaradiene, Abietadiene, neoAbietadiene, and palustradiene. However, variability in the assay products observed by GC-MS of this and orthologous conifer diterpene synthases over the past 15 years suggested that these diterpenes may not be the initial enzyme assay products but are rather the products of dehydration of an unstable alcohol. We have identified epimers of the thermally unstable allylic tertiary alcohol 13-hydroxy-8(14)-abietene as the products of PaLAS. The identification of these compounds, not previously described in conifers, as the initial products of PaLAS has considerable implications for our understanding of the complexity of the biosynthetic pathway of the structurally diverse diterpene resin acids of conifer defense.
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The Primary Diterpene Synthase Products of Picea abies Levopimaradiene/Abietadiene Synthase (PaLAS) Are Epimers of a Thermally Unstable Diterpenol
Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2011Co-Authors: Christopher I Keeling, Philipp Zerbe, Harpreet K. Dullat, Lufiani L. Madilao, Jörg BohlmannAbstract:The levopimaradiene/Abietadiene synthase from Norway spruce (Picea abies; PaLAS) has previously been reported to produce a mixture of four diterpene hydrocarbons when incubated with geranylgeranyl diphosphate as the substrate: levopimaradiene, Abietadiene, neoAbietadiene, and palustradiene. However, variability in the assay products observed by GC-MS of this and orthologous conifer diterpene synthases over the past 15 years suggested that these diterpenes may not be the initial enzyme assay products but are rather the products of dehydration of an unstable alcohol. We have identified epimers of the thermally unstable allylic tertiary alcohol 13-hydroxy-8(14)-abietene as the products of PaLAS. The identification of these compounds, not previously described in conifers, as the initial products of PaLAS has considerable implications for our understanding of the complexity of the biosynthetic pathway of the structurally diverse diterpene resin acids of conifer defense.
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Loblolly pine abietadienol/abietadienal oxidase PtAO (CYP720B1) is a multifunctional, multisubstrate cytochrome P450 monooxygenase
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2005Co-Authors: Daekyun Ro, Gen-ichiro Arimura, Edward Piers, Jörg BohlmannAbstract:Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) are important enzymes for generating some of the enormous structural diversity of plant terpenoid secondary metabolites. In conifers, P450s are involved in the formation of a suite of diterpene resin acids (DRAs). Despite their important role in constitutive and induced oleoresin defense, a P450 gene of DRA formation has not yet been identified. By using phylogenetic cluster analysis of P450-like ESTs from loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), functional cDNA screening in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), and in vitro enzyme characterization, we cloned and identified a multifunctional and multisubstrate cytochrome P450 enzyme, CYP720B1 [abietadienol/abietadienal oxidase (PtAO)]. PtAO catalyzes an array of consecutive oxidation steps with several different diterpenol and diterpenal intermediates in loblolly pine DRA biosynthesis. Recombinant PtAO oxidized the respective carbon 18 of abietadienol, abietadienal, levopimaradienol, isopimara-7,15-dienol, isopimara-7,15-dienal, dehydroabietadienol, and dehydroabietadienal with apparent Michaelis–Menten (Km) values of 0.5–5.3 μM. PtAO expressed in yeast also catalyzed in vivo oxidation of Abietadiene to abietic acid, but with activity much lower than with abietadienol or abietadienal. Consistent with a role of DRAs in conifer defense, PtAO transcript levels increased upon simulated insect attack using methyl jasmonate treatment of loblolly pine. The multisubstrate, multifunctional P450 diterpene oxidase PtAO, in concert with expression of a family of single-product and multiproduct diterpene synthases, allows for formation of a diverse suite of DRA defense metabolites in long-lived conifers.
