Cloning and Expression Analysis of PtFATB Gene Encoding the Acyl-acyl Carrier Protein Thioesterase in Populus tomentosa Carr

Acyl-ACP thioesterases （FATs） terminates the fatty acid synthesis and allow the transport of fatty acids out of the plastids, which are the important determinants of cellular metabolism. FATB is a member of FAT enzymes that has been described previously in most of the plants. In silico cloning is a new method that utilizes the bioinformatics on the complete genome and available EST database. In this study, a full-length cDNA clone of PtFATB gene was isolated from Populus tomentosa using this approach. It is 1,450 bp in length and the open reading frame encodes a peptide of 421 amino acids. The predicted amino acid sequence shows significant homology with those from other plant species, which contain typical domains owned by FATB proteins. The transcripts of PtFATB were abundant in leaves, and less in roots detected by using semiquantitative RT-PCR. When the shoots were subjected to the stress treatments （cold, dry, NaC1） and ABA （Abscisic acid）, the expression of PtFATB was only slightly reduced under the treatment of low temperature. This suggests that the expression of PtFATB is in a constitutive fashion. This study provides the basis not only for the identification and characterization of this gene but also for the improvement of cold tolerance by controlling the expression of the PtFATB gene in trees in near future.

Editing function of type Ⅱ thioesterases in the biosynthesis of fungal polyketides

Polyketide synthases(PKSs)are megasynthases with multiple autonomously folding domains,which operate cooperatively in the PKS assemblies to synthesize specific polyketide scaffolds.Any nonreactive intermediates tethered to acyl carrier protein(ACP)domain in the PKS will block the elongation process of polyketide chains.In this study,we systematically elucidate the editing function of fungal typeⅡthioesterases(TEIIs)to hydrolyze ACP domain-bounded nonreactive acyl groups,which are uploaded by substrate promiscuous fungal phosphopantetheinyl transferase.Thereof,the TEIIs encoded in gene clusters of nonreducing PKS with reductase domain exhibit universal editing function.Besides,editing function was also found for TEIIs encoded in gene clusters of highly-reducing PKS with condensation domain.Hence,the editing TEIIs with function of recovery PKS are applied to improve the yield of the fungal polyketides in vivo.Our study provides valuable insights into the editing process of fungal PKSs,highlights the crucial role of TEIIs in enhancing polyketide production and introduces a novel metabolic engineering strategy for fungal polyketide biosynthesis by leveraging the editing function of TEIIs.

Synthesis of two substrate mimics of thioesterase in the biosynthesis of cyclic depsipeptide WS9326A

WS9326 A is a tachykinin receptor antagonist and quorum sensing inhibitor discovered from several Streptomyces strains.The structure of WS9326 A features a(Z)-pentenylcinnamoyl moiety attached on a cyclic depsipeptide skeleton,which is biosynthesized by nonribosomal peptide synthetases(NRPS).The regioselective cyclization in the last step of NRPS catalysis,which is proposed to be catalyzed by a thioesterase(TE)domain in the last module,has not been experimentally characterized.We here report the synthesis of two substrate mimics(1 and 2)of the TE(WS9326 A-TE)in WS9326 A biosynthesis,by using Fmoc-based solid-phase peptide synthesis(SPPS)method.Compounds 1 and 2 are new compounds whose structures have been elucidated based on NMR and HRESIMS analyses.The N-terminal cinnamoyl moiety and C-terminal methylated L-Ser moiety in 2 were incorporated under the mild SPPS conditions.Given the isolation difficulties of substrate of WS9326 A-TE from the Streptomyces producers of WS9326 A,our synthesis of 1 and 2 set the stage for the reconstitution of WS9326 A-TE’s catalytic reaction in vitro in the future.

Direct Observation of Arthrobacter 4-Hydroxybenzoyl-Coenzyme A Thioesterase Catalysis complexes using Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Investigating enzymatic reaction in multimeric enzymes is utmost interest to improve our understanding of the mechanism of enzymatic reaction and regulation. In this study,

Investigation of GhFAT Genes Related to Seed Oil Content and Fatty Acid Composition in Gossypium hirsutum L.

Fatty Acyl-ACP thioesterase(FAT)is a key enzyme controlling oil biosynthesis in plant seeds.FATs can be divided into two subfamilies,FATA and FATB according to their amino acid sequences and substrate specificity.The Upland cotton genome contains 20 GhFAT genes,amongst which 6 genes were of the GhFATA subfamily and 14 of the GhFATB subfamily.The 20 GhFAT genes are unevenly distributed on 14 chromosomes.The GhFATA genes have 5 or 7 exons and the GhFATB genes have 6 or 7 exons.All GhFAT proteins have the conserved Acyl-ACP_TE domain and PLN02370 super family,the typical characteristics of plant thioesterases.Analyses of the expression level of GhFATs and the compositions of fatty acid in 5-60 days-post-anthesis seeds showed that the ratio of saturated fatty acids to unsaturated fatty acids was consistent with the expression profile of GhFATB12,GhFATB3,and GhFATB10;the ratio of monounsaturated fatty acid to polyunsaturated fatty acids was consistent with the expression profile of GhFATA3.The oil contents of mature cottonseeds were positively correlated with the contents of palmitic acid and linolenic acid as well as seed vigor.These results provide essential information for further exploring the role(s)of the specific GhFATs in determining oil biosynthesis and cottonseed compositions.

A Novel Method for Production of 3-Hydroxydecanoic Acid by Recombinant Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas putida

3-hydroxydecanoic acid (3HD) is an interesting intermediate for chemical synthesis of many valuable compounds. A novel method to produce 3HD by recombinant bacteria was constructed in Escherichia coli HB101 and Pseudomonas putida GPpl04, respectively. Simultaneous expression of both phaG encoding (R)-3-hydroxydecanoyl-ACP:CoA transacylase and tesB encoding thioesteraseⅡin E. coli HB101 increased 3HD production approximate 1.7-folds compared with the expression of phaG gene alone under identical conditions. In addition, when the tesB gene was introduced into the strain, the polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase negative strain P. putida GPpl04 produced extracellular 3HD. Thus, a novel pathway to produce 3HD by recombinant Pseudomonas was constructed. It was also found that the ratio of carbon source to nitrogen source affected the production of 3HD by recombinant P. putida harboring tesB gene. Nitrogen limitation seemed to promote the extracellular 3HD production.

Roles of THEM4 in the Akt pathway:a double-edged sword

The protein kinase B(Akt)pathway can regulate the growth,proliferation,and metabolism of tumor cells and stem cells through the activation of multiple downstream target genes,thus affecting the development and treatment of a range of diseases.thioesterase superfamily member 4(THEM4),a member of the thioesterase superfamily,is one of the Akt kinase-binding proteins.Some studies on the mechanism of cancers and other diseases have shown that THEM4 binds to Akt to regulate its phosphorylation.Initially,THEM4 was considered an endogenous inhibitor of Akt,which can inhibit the phosphorylation of Akt in diseases such as lung cancer,pancreatic cancer,and liver cancer,but subsequently,THEM4 was shown to promote the proliferation of tumor cells by positively regulating Akt activity in breast cancer and nasopharyngeal carcinoma,which contradicts previous findings.Considering these two distinct views,this review summarizes the important roles of THEM4 in the Akt pathway,focusing on THEM4 as an Akt-binding protein and its regulatory relationship with Akt phosphorylation in various diseases,especially cancer.This work provides a better understanding of the roles of THEM4 combined with Akt in the treatment of diseases.

Genome-wide identification, classification, and expression profiling of serine esterases and other esterase-related proteins in the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta

Serine esterases(SEs)are hydrolases that catalyze the conversion of carboxylic esters into acids and alcohols.Lipases and carboxylesterases constitute two major groups of SEs.Although over a hundred of insect genomes are known,systematic identification and classification of SEs are rarely performed,likely due to large size and complex composition of the gene family in each species.Considering their key roles in lipid metabolism and other physiological processes,we have categorized 144 M.sexta SEs and SE homologs(SEHs),114 of which contain a motif of GXSXG.Multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree analysis have revealed 39 neutral lipases(NLs),3 neutral lipase homologs(NLHs),11 acidic lipases(ALs),3 acidic lipase homologs(ALHs),a lipase-3,a triglyceride lipase,a monoglyceride lipase,a hormone-sensitive lipase,and a GDSL lipase.Eighty-three carboxylesterase genes encode 29α-esterases(AEs),12 AEHs(e.g.,SEH4-1–3),20 feruloyl esterases(FEs),2 FEHs,2β-esterases(BEs),2 integument esterases(IEs),1 IEH,4 juvenile hormone esterases,2 acetylcholinesterases,gliotactin,6 neuroligins,neurotactin,and an uncharacteristic esterase homolog.In addition to these GXSXG proteins,we have identified 26 phospholipases and 13 thioesterases.Expression profiling of these genes in specific tissues and stages has provided insights into their functions including digestion,detoxification,hormone processing,neurotransmission,reproduction,and developmental regulation.In summary,we have established a framework of information on SEs and related proteins in M.sexta to stimulate their research in the model species and comparative investigations in agricultural pests or disease vectors.

Biosynthesis of trialkyl-substituted aromatic polyketide NFAT-133 involves unusual P450 monooxygenase-mediating aromatization and a putative metallo-beta-lactamase fold hydrolase

The bacterial trialkyl-substituted aromatic polyketides are structurally featured with the unusual aromatic core in the middle of polyketide chain such as TM-123(1),veramycin A(2),NFAT-133(3)and benwamycin I(4),which were discovered from Streptomyces species and demonstrated with antidiabetic and immunosuppressant activities.Though the biosynthetic pathway of 1-3 was reported as a type I polyketide synthase(PKS),the PKS assembly line was interpreted inconsistently,and it remains a mystery how the compound 3 was generated.Herein,the PKS assembly logic of 1-4 was revised by site-mutagenetic analysis of the PKS dehydratase domains.Based on gene deletion and complementation,the putative P450 monooxygenase nftE1 and metallo-beta-lactamase(MBL)fold hydrolase nftF1 were verified as essential genes for the biosynthesis of 1-4.The absence of nftE1 led to abolishment of 1-4 and accumulation of new products(5-8).Structural elucidation reveals 5-8 as the non-aromatic analogs of 1,suggesting the NftE1-catalyzed aromatic core formation.Deletion of nftF1 resulted in disappearance of 3 and 4 with the compounds 1 and 2 unaffected.As a rare MBL-fold hydrolase from type I PKSs,NftF1 potentially generates the compound 3 through two strategies:catalyze premature chain-offloading as a trans-acting thioesterase or hydrolyze the lactone-bond of compound 1 as an esterase.

Characterization of the Formation of Branched Short-Chain Fatty Acid：CoAs for Bitter Acid Biosynthesis in Hop Glandular Trichomes

Bitter acids, known for their use as beer flavoring and for their diverse biological activities, are predominantly formed in hop （Humulus lupulus） glandular trichomes. Branched short-chain acyI-CoAs （e.g. isobutyryI-CoA, isovaleryl- CoA and 2-methylbutyryI-CoA）, derived from the degradation of branched-chain amino acids （BCAAs）, are essential building blocks for the biosynthesis of bitter acids in hops. However, little is known regarding what components are needed to produce and maintain the pool of branched short-chain acyI-CoAs in hop trichomes. Here, we present several lines of evidence that both CoA ligases and thioesterases are likely involved in bitter acid biosynthesis. Recombinant HICCL2 （carboxyl CoA ligase） protein had high specific activity for isovaleric acid as a substrate （Kcat/Km = 4100 s-~ M-l）, whereas recombinant HICCL4 specifically utilized isobutyric acid （Kcat/Km = 1800 s-1 M-1） and 2-methylbutyric acid （Kcat/ Km = 6900 s-1 M-~） as substrates. Both HICCLs, like hop valerophenone synthase （HIVPS）, were expressed strongly in glandular trichomes and localized to the cytoplasm. Co-expression of HICCL2 and HICCL4 with HIVPS in yeast led to significant production of acylphloroglucinols （the direct precursors for bitter acid biosynthesis）, which further confirmed the biochemical function of these two HICCLs in vivo. Functional identification of a thioesterase that catalyzed the reverse reaction of CCLs in mitochondria, together with the comprehensive analysis of genes involved BCAA catabolism, supported the idea that cytosolic CoA ligases are required for linking BCAA degradation and bitter acid biosynthesis in glandular trichomes. The evolution and other possible physiological roles of branched short-chain fatty acid：CoA ligases in planta are also discussed.