Many of monoterpenes produced in plants contribute to defenses against herbivores, insects and microorganisms. Among those compounds, β-thujaplicin formed in Cupressaceae plants has a unique conjugated seven-membered...Many of monoterpenes produced in plants contribute to defenses against herbivores, insects and microorganisms. Among those compounds, β-thujaplicin formed in Cupressaceae plants has a unique conjugated seven-membered ring and some useful biological activities, e.g. fungicide, repellent, insecticide and so on. The biosynthesis pathway of β-thujaplicin has not yet been revealed;we have been trying to uncover it using Cupressus lusitanica cultured cells as a model. In our previous study, terpinolene was identified as a potential β-thujaplicin intermediate at the branching point to terpenoids. In this article, terpinolene metabolism in C. lusitanica cultured cells was investigated, and it was shown that the microsomal fraction from cells oxidized terpinolene into the hydroxylated compound, 5-isopropylidene-2-met-hylcyclohex-2-enol (IME). Then, IME was further oxidized by microsomal fraction to the epoxidized compound, 1,6-epoxy-4(8)-p-menthen-2-ol (EMO). These were the only two products detected from the microsomal reactions, respecttively. Moreover, microsomal reactions with monoterpenes other than terpinolene produced nothing detectable. These results show that the enzymes of these reactions had strict substrate specificity and regio-selectivity. Experiments on kinetics and with specific inhibitors confirmed that these reactions were caused by cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, respectively. These results support our hypothesis that terpinolene is a putative intermediate of β-thujaplicin biosynthesis and show that IME and EMO are also putative intermediates.展开更多
Plant class III heme peroxidases catalyze lignin polymerization. Previous reports have shown that at least three Arabidopsis thaliana peroxidases, AtPrx2, AtPrx25 and AtPrx71, are involved in stem lignification using ...Plant class III heme peroxidases catalyze lignin polymerization. Previous reports have shown that at least three Arabidopsis thaliana peroxidases, AtPrx2, AtPrx25 and AtPrx71, are involved in stem lignification using T-D NA insertion mutants, atprx2, atprx25, and atprx71. Here, we generated three double mutants, atprx2/atprx25, atprx2/atprx71, and atprx25/atprx71, and investigated the impact of the simultaneous deficiency of these peroxidases on lignins and plant growth. Stem tissue analysis using the acetyl bromide method and derivatization followed by reductive cleavage revealed improved lignin characteristics, such as lowered lignin content and increased arylglycerol-β-aryl （β-O-4） linkage type, especially β-O-4 linked syringyl units, in lignin, supporting the roles of these genes in lignin polymerization. In addition, none of the double mutants oexhibited severe growth defects, such as shorter plant stature, dwarfing, or sterility, and their stems had improved ceil wall degradability. This study will contribute to progress in lignin bioengineering to improve iignocellulosic biomass.展开更多
文摘Many of monoterpenes produced in plants contribute to defenses against herbivores, insects and microorganisms. Among those compounds, β-thujaplicin formed in Cupressaceae plants has a unique conjugated seven-membered ring and some useful biological activities, e.g. fungicide, repellent, insecticide and so on. The biosynthesis pathway of β-thujaplicin has not yet been revealed;we have been trying to uncover it using Cupressus lusitanica cultured cells as a model. In our previous study, terpinolene was identified as a potential β-thujaplicin intermediate at the branching point to terpenoids. In this article, terpinolene metabolism in C. lusitanica cultured cells was investigated, and it was shown that the microsomal fraction from cells oxidized terpinolene into the hydroxylated compound, 5-isopropylidene-2-met-hylcyclohex-2-enol (IME). Then, IME was further oxidized by microsomal fraction to the epoxidized compound, 1,6-epoxy-4(8)-p-menthen-2-ol (EMO). These were the only two products detected from the microsomal reactions, respecttively. Moreover, microsomal reactions with monoterpenes other than terpinolene produced nothing detectable. These results show that the enzymes of these reactions had strict substrate specificity and regio-selectivity. Experiments on kinetics and with specific inhibitors confirmed that these reactions were caused by cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, respectively. These results support our hypothesis that terpinolene is a putative intermediate of β-thujaplicin biosynthesis and show that IME and EMO are also putative intermediates.
基金supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) KAKENHI Scientific Research (B) Grant Number 26292097 (Y.T.)JSPS KAKENHI Exploratory Research Grant Number 25660140 (Y.T.)JSPS KAKENHI Young Scientists (B) Grant Number 25850123 (J.S.)
文摘Plant class III heme peroxidases catalyze lignin polymerization. Previous reports have shown that at least three Arabidopsis thaliana peroxidases, AtPrx2, AtPrx25 and AtPrx71, are involved in stem lignification using T-D NA insertion mutants, atprx2, atprx25, and atprx71. Here, we generated three double mutants, atprx2/atprx25, atprx2/atprx71, and atprx25/atprx71, and investigated the impact of the simultaneous deficiency of these peroxidases on lignins and plant growth. Stem tissue analysis using the acetyl bromide method and derivatization followed by reductive cleavage revealed improved lignin characteristics, such as lowered lignin content and increased arylglycerol-β-aryl （β-O-4） linkage type, especially β-O-4 linked syringyl units, in lignin, supporting the roles of these genes in lignin polymerization. In addition, none of the double mutants oexhibited severe growth defects, such as shorter plant stature, dwarfing, or sterility, and their stems had improved ceil wall degradability. This study will contribute to progress in lignin bioengineering to improve iignocellulosic biomass.
