Cloning and Sequence Analysis of Polygalacturonase(PG) Promoter in Tomato

In this study, 1 500 bp PG gene promoter was amplified from leaves of tomato cultivar ＇ Zhongshu No. 4＇. The bioinformatic analysis of PG promoter sequences was conducted. PG promoter elements were predicted and analyzed by PLANTCARE and PLACE. The results showed that tomato PG promoter contained multiple c/s-acting regulatory elements such as typical basic elements TATA-Box and CAAT-Box, light responsive elements 3-AF1 binding site, ATl-motif, ATCT- motif, Box 4, Box I, GA-motif, GTl-motif, Spl and MRE, heat stress-responsive element HSE, ethylene-responsive element ERE, meristem-specifie regulatory element CCGTCC-box, endosperm expression-related regulatory elements GCN4_motif and Skn-l_motif, defense and stress responsiveness element TC-rich repeats, and circadian control-related element circadian, indicating that the expression of tomato PG gene is related to light, temperature, hormone, stress and other factors. This study laid the foundation for subsequent research about regulation of PG gene expression in plants.

Characterization of an Exopolygalacturonase from Leucoagaricus gongylophorus, the Symbiotic Fungus of Atta sexdens

The present study aimed to purify and characterize one polygalacturonase from L. gongylophorus (PGaseLg), the symbiotic fungus of Atta sexdens. The enzyme was isolated by salting out of crude extract followed by two chromatographic steps. PGaseLG was identified with MS analysis and molecular exclusion chromatography revealed the monomeric nature of a protein with an estimated molecular weight of about 39 kDa. PGaseLg has an optimum temperature of 60°C and optimum pH activity at 5.0. Using polygalacturonate as a substrate, the calculations of KM, Vmax and kcat were 0.65 mg·mL-1, 1800 μmol·min-1·mg-1 and 35.97 s-1, respectively. The enzyme was stable for more than 3 h at 50°C at pH 5.0;otherwise, at lower or higher pH values, the PGaseLg was less stable. The influence of several metals, EDTA and β-mercaptoethanol on enzyme activity was also determined. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) analyses indicated that PGaseLg is an exopolygalacturonase.

Application and optimization of solid-state fermentation process for enhancing polygalacturonase production by Penicillium expansum

Penicillium expansum 3.5425 was applied in solid-state fermentation(SSF)of agricultural wastes for polygalacturonase biosynthesis.Among various carbon additives,apple pomace was most suitable for the biosynthesis of polygalacturonase(1440.57 U/g).Optimization of medium parameters using rotational orthogonal design(ROD)experiment combined with optimal fermentation conditions resulted in a 2.72-fold increase in the polygalacturonase production.By using ammonium sulphate precipitation,ion-exchange and gel-permeation chromatography,the polygalacturonase produced by P.expansum 3.5425 was finally purified which had specific activity of 19269 U/mg and molecular weight of 30 kDa.The enzyme was remarkably active in the pH range of 3-5 and at 50℃,which makes it more acceptable in the industrial application.Besides,partially purified polygalacturonase(875.15 U/mL)was used for apple juice clarification and the clarity at 0.4 mL/kg was maximum,which reveals a great potential of polygalacturonase in food industry.

Identification and Phylogenetic Analysis of the POLYGALACTURONASE Gene Family in Apple

In this study, a total of 85 apple polygalacturonase genes were characterized and clustered into seven groups based on the Malus × domestica whole-genome sequence. These genes coded for proteins containing 176–1 125 amino acids with isoelectric points ranging from 4.68 to 9.58.The predicted Md PG genes were distributed on all chromosomes except the 14 th. We then systematically analyzed conserved Md PG protein motifs and the structures of Md PG genes. We identified Md PG proteins containing four conserved motifs that are widely found in different PG proteins.Additionally, we found that Md PG75 was the largest gene, encompassing 18 exons. Finally, we systematically analyzed the functional connection network of Md PG proteins and predicted the functions of related Md PG genes before undertaking a preliminary validation. Overall, we have described the genome-wide identification and analysis of the apple PG gene family.

Combinatorial Enzyme Approach to Produce Oligosaccharides of Diverse Structures for Functional Screen

Combinatorial chemistry has been a focus of research activity in modern drug discovery and biotechnology. It is a concept by which a vast library of molecular diversity is synthesized and screened for target properties. This report is to illustrate the application of enzyme technology using the concept of combinatorial chemistry as a novel approach for the bioconversion of plant fibers. Citrus pectin was subjected to combinatorial enzyme digestion to create libraries of pectic oligosaccharides with diverse structural variants. Repeated cycles of fractionation and screening resulted in the isolation and identification of an active oligoGalA species with antimicrobial activity.

Ethylene†and fruit softening

This review is concerned with the mechanisms controlling fruit softening.Master genetic regulators switch on the ripening programme and the regulatory pathway branches downstream,with separate controls for distinct quality attributes such as colour,flavour,texture,and aroma.Ethylene plays a critical role as a ripening hormone and is implicated in controlling different facets of ripening,including texture change,acting through a range of transcriptional regulators,and this signalling can be blocked using 1-methylcyclopropene.A battery of at least seven cell-wall-modifying enzymes,most of which are synthesized de novo during ripening,cause major alterations in the structure and composition of the cell wall components and contribute to the softening process.Significant differences between fruits may be related to the precise structure and composition of their cell walls and the enzymes recruited to the ripening programme during evolution.Attempts to slow texture change and reduce fruit spoilage by delaying the entire ripening process can often affect negatively other aspects of quality,and low temperatures,in particular,can have deleterious effects on texture change.Gene silencing has been used to probe the function of individual genes involved in different aspects of ripening,including colour,flavour,ethylene synthesis,and particularly texture change.The picture that emerges is that softening is a multi-genic trait,with some genes making a more important contribution than others.In future,it may be possible to control texture genetically to produce fruits more suitable for our needs.