Biosynthesis of organic molecules via artificial cascade reactions based on cytochrome P450 monooxygenases

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases(P450s)play crucial roles in the oxyfunctionalization of non-activated hydrocarbons,thus bridging the gap between simple molecules and high value-added fine chemicals.The introduction of P450s into artificially designed cascade reactions provides an exciting opportunity to accomplish challenging reactions and access organic compounds that cannot be achieved by traditional chemical catalysts or by natural metabolic pathways.The main objective of this review is to provide an overview of different types of artificially designed multi-step cascades in which P450s are involved as key catalysts in the biosynthesis of various organic molecules.The different efforts include in vitro multi-enzymatic biocatalytic cascades,in vivo biocatalytic cascades as well as chemo-enzymatic hybrid cascades.Overall,this work provides an overview of cascade reactions involving P450s with various potential applications for the industrial production of food,cosmetics,polymers and pharmaceuticals.

Cloning of cDNA Encoding Choline Monooxygenase from Suaeda liaotungensis and Salt Tolerance of Transgenic Tobacco

Betaine is a very effective osmoprotectant found in many organisms. In high plants, betaine is synthesized by oxidation of choline in two sequential steps: choline-->betaine aldehyde-->betaine. The first step is catalyzed by choline monooxygenase (CMO). In this study, the full-length CMO cDNA (1 820 bp) was cloned from halophyte Suaeda liaotungensis Kitag by RT-PCR and RACE. It included a 123 bp 5' UTR, a 368 bp 3' UTR and a 1 329 bp open reading frame encoding a 442-amino-acid polypeptide with 77%, 72% and 74% sequence identity compared to CMOs from spinach, sugar beet and Atriplex hortensis, respectively. The CMO open reading frame (ORF) was cloned and the plant expression vector pBI121-CMO was constructed. It was transferred into tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum L. ev. 89) via Agrobacterium mediation. PCR and Southern blotting analysis showed that the CMO gene was integrated into tobacco genome. Transgenic tobacco plants contained higher amount of betaine than that of control plants and were able to survive on MS medium containing 250 mmol/L NaCl. Relative electronic conductivity demonstrated less membrane damage in transgenic plants as in the wild type.

Isolation and Characterization of CMO Gene Promoter from Halophyte Suaeda liaotungensis K.

The 5＇-flanking proximal region of stress-induced gene encoding choline monooxygenase （CMO） was isolated by Adaptor-PCR and TAIL-PCR from halophyte Suaeda liaotungensis K. A total of 2,204 bp DNA sequence was obtained. The transcription start site, which is located at 128 bp upstream to the start ATG, was predicted by the TSSP-TCM program. The functional elements were analysed by PLACE program. The obtained SICMO gene promoter contains the basic elements： TATA-box, CAAT-box, and stress-induced elements, for example, salt responsive element （GAAAAA）, cold responsive elements （CANNTG）, ABA （Abscisic Acid） responsive elements （NAACAA）, water stress element （CGGTTG）, and WUN responsive elements （GTTAGGTTC）. Isolation and analysis of the promoter of the CMO gene from S. liaotungensis lays a foundation for characterising the stress-induced promoter elements, studying the relationship between the structure and function of the promoter, and investigating the molecular mechanism of CMO gene regulation.

Cytochrome P450 Induction and Gene Expression in Channel Catfish (Ictalurus Punctatus) Following Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluent Exposure in Field and Laboratory Settings

The objectives of this study were as follows: 1) to establish a baseline ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity level in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), 2) to assess changes in induction of cytochrome P450 enzyme in channel catfish following exposure to creek water at the discharge point from the Troy (Alabama) Wastewater Treatment Plant (TWWTP) compared to upstream samples from Walnut Creek, 3) to compare EROD activity in populations maintained in laboratory and field settings, and 4) to quantify cytochrome P450 gene expression. Enzyme activity was measured fluorometrically and CYP1 gene expression was analyzed by quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. A mean EROD baseline was established at 0.03 nmol/min/μg of protein. The overall mean field effluent (TF) EROD had a significant 5-fold increase over field upstream (UF) exposed catfish;and overall mean laboratory effluent (TL) exposed catfish EROD had a significant 1.8-fold increase over laboratory upstream (UL) exposed catfish. Field exposures generally showed more robust enzyme induction over laboratory exposures on all sampling days. Ex- pression of the CYP1B gene following TF exposure was 6-fold over UF. Results suggested that in situ exposure to wastewater pollutants using caged test organisms provided a much more sensitive local monitor of pollutant exposure and biological impact than ex situ toxicological studies.

Isolation of a choline monooxygenase cDNA clone from Amaranthus tricolor and its expressions under stress conditions

Plants synthesize the osmoprotectant glycine betaine (GB) via choline→betaine aldehyde→glycine be- taine[1]. Two enzymes are involved in the pathway choline monooxygenase (CMO) and betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH). A full length CMO cDNA (1,643bp) was cloned from Amaranthus tricolor. The open reading frame encoded a 442-amino acid polypeptide, which showed 69% identity with CMOs in Spina- cia oleracea L. and Beta vulgaris L. DNA gel blot analysis indicated the presence of one copy of CMO gene in the A. tricolor genome. The expressions of CMO and BADH proteins in A.tricolor leaves significantly increased under salinization, drought and heat stress (42℃), as determined by immunoblot analysis, but did not respond to cold stress (4℃), or exogenous ABA application. The increase of GB content in leaves was parallel to CMO and BADH contents.

Theoretical perspective on mononuclear copper‐oxygen mediated C–H and O–H activations:A comparison between biological and synthetic systems

Dioxygen activations constitute one of core issues in copper-dependent metalloenzymes. Upon O_(2) activation, copper-dependent metalloenzymes such as particulate methane monooxygenases(pM MOs), lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases(LPMOs) and binuclear copper enzymes PHM and DβM, are able to perform various challenging C–H bond activations. Meanwhile, various copper-oxygen core containing complexes have been synthetized to mimic the active species of metalloenzymes. Dioxygen activation by mononuclear copper active site may generate various copper-oxygen intermediates, including Cu(Ⅱ)-superoxo, Cu(Ⅱ)-hydroperoxo, Cu(Ⅱ)-oxyl as well as the Cu(Ⅲ)-hydroxide species. Intriguingly, all these species have been invoked as the potential active intermediates for C–H/O–H activations in either biological or synthetic systems. Due to the poor understanding on reactivities of copper-oxygen complex, the nature of active species in both biological and synthetic systems are highly controversial. In this account, we will compare the reactivities of various mononuclear copper-oxygen species between biological systems and the synthetic systems. The present study is expected to provide the consistent understanding on reactivities of various copper-oxygen active species in both biological and synthetic systems.

Monooxygenase Gene from Acinetobacter sp. C42 Inactivates the Acyl Homoserine Lactone Quorum Sensing Signal

[ Objective] This study aimed to investigate the function of aliD gene in the inactivation of AHLs. [ Method ] A bacterial isolate, Acinetobacter sp. CA2 from soil, is capable of inactivation of AHLs. A gene designed as aliD, which is responsible for AHL-quenching activity and exhibits high similarity with Mo- nooxygenase genes, was cloned from the genomic library of Acinetobacter sp. CA2. [ Result ] The aliD gene in-frame deletion mutant, CA2 AliD, impaired its AHLs inactivating function when mixed with N-（3-oxooctanoyl） -L-homosefine lactone （30C8-HSL）. Expression of AliD in plant pathogenic bacterium Pectobacterium ca- rotovorum subsp, carotovorum Z3-3 significantly reduced the AHLs production and the extracellular pectolytic enzyme activities, and attenuated soft rot disease symptoms on the plants tested, including potato, Chinese cabbage, radish and cabbage. [ Conclusion ] Our study suggests that the aliD gene complemented strain CA2-AliD showes a similar AHLs inactivating function.

New Alleles of Rice <i>ebisu dwarf</i>(<i>d</i>2) Mutant Show both Brassinosteroid-Deficient and -Insensitive Phenotypes

ebisu dwarf (d2) is a mutant caused by mutation in a rice brassinosteroid biosynthetic enzyme gene, CYP90D2/D2, thereby conferring a brassinosteroid-deficient dwarf phenotype. Three newly isolated d2 alleles derived from a Nippon- bare mutant library (d2-3, d2-4, and d2-6) produced more severe dwarf phenotypes than the previously characterized null allele from a Taichung 65 mutant library, d2-1. Linkage analysis and a complementation test clearly indicated that the mutant phenotypes in d2-6 were caused by defects in CYP90D2/D2, and exogenous treatment with brassinolide, a bioactive brassinosteroid, rescued the dwarf phenotype of three Nipponbare-derived d2 mutants. However, the content of endogenous bioactive brassinosteroid, castasterone, and the expression of brassinosteroid-response genes indicated that partial suppression of the brassinosteroid response in addition to a brassinosteroid deficiency has occurred in the Nipponbare-derived d2 mutants. Based on these results, we discuss the possibility that wild-type Nipponbare has some defects in an unknown factor or factors related to the brassinosteroid response in rice.

Kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism in pathophysiology and therapy of major depressive disorder

Serotonin deficiency in major depressive disorder(MDD)has formed the basis of antidepressant drug development and was originally attributed to induction of the major tryptophan(Trp)-degrading enzyme,liver Trp 2,3-dioxygenase(TDO),by cortisol,leading to decreased Trp availability to the brain for serotonin synthesis.Subsequently,the serotonin deficiency was proposed to involve induction of the extrahepatic Trp-degrading enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase(IDO)by proinflammatory cytokines,with inflammation being the underlying cause.Recent evidence,however,challenges this latter concept,as not all MDD patients are immune-activated and,when present,inflammation is mild and/or transient.A wide range of antidepressant drugs inhibit the activity of liver TDO and bind specifically to the enzyme,but not to IDO.IDO induction is not a major event in MDD,but,when it occurs,its metabolic consequences may be masked and overridden by upregulation of kynurenine monooxygenase(KMO),the gateway to production of modulators of immune and neuronal functions.KMO appears to be activated in MDD by certain proinflammatory cytokines and antidepressants with anti-inflammatory properties may block this activation.We demonstrate the ability of the antidepressant ketamine to dock(bind)to KMO.The pathophysiology of MDD may be underpinned by both the serotonin deficiency and glutamatergic activation mediated respectively by TDO induction and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activation.Inhibition of TDO and KMO should be the focus of MDD pharmacotherapy.

Rapid Amplification of 5′ cDNA End of S. Liaotungensis Choline Monooxygenase Using Inverse PCR RACE

Based on part of a known cDNA sequence of Suaeda Liaotungensis choline monooxygenase, the authors successfully cloned the 5′ cDNA end of Suaeda Lianotungensis choline monooxygenase using Inverse PCR RACE with a specially designed 5′-phosphated RT primer and two pairs of specific inverse PCR primers. Compared with the anchored PCR RACE, inverse PCR RACE has better specificity and higher amplification.

Transformation and Expression of Choline Monooxygenase(CMO) Gene in Embryogenic Tissue of White Pine(Pinus strobus)

A transformation procedure of choline monooxygenase(CMO) gene, involved in stress tolerance, was established in white pine embryogenic tissue by using A. tumefaciens C58/pMP90. The CMO cDNA fragment(1.3 kb) was generated by Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) with primers based on the report sequence of CMO in gene bank. A chimerical gene composed of the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter fused to CMO cDNA and β-glucuronidase (GUS-marker gene) was transferred into Ti-derived disarmed binary vector pBI121. The new vector, p35SCMOp, was transferred into Agrobacterium tumefaciens C58/pMP90 by freeze-thaw method. Somatic embryogenesis (SE) initiation of Pinus. Strobus L. and Pinus.Koraiensis Sieb. et Zucc. depended on the manipulation of plant growth regulator (PGR) concentrations in the GLH culture medium. Transgenic embryos and regenerated plants of two Pine species were produced after co-culture of embryogenic tissue with the disarmed strain of A. tumefaciens C58/pMP90/ p35SCMOp and selected on medium containing 25mg/L kanamycin. The transformed embryogenic tissue was initially confirmed by histochemical GUS assay followed by PCR. One copy of T-DNA was detected by transgenic lines analysis in Pinus. Strobus L. and transgenic plants were regenerated for two species using modified protocols for maturation and germination of somatic embryos.

Effects of tributyltin at environmental levels on monooxygenase system of digestive gland in hard clam Meretrix meretrix

The effects on ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase （EROD）, NADPH-cytochrome c reductase and NADH cytochrorne b5 reductase activities of digestive gland in Meretrix meretrix exposed to tributyltin （TBT） at environmental levels （0.1,1.0,10.0 ng/dm as stannum concentration）,in experimental condition, were evaluated. The EROD, NADH cytochrorne b5 reductase activities were significantly inhibited after exposure to 10.0 ng/dm^3 TBT for 8 and 20 d, the NADPH cytochrorne c reductase activities were significantly inhibited after exposure to 0.1,1.0 and 10.0 ng/dm TBT for 8 d and to 1.0 and 10.0 ng/dm for 20 d, as compared with the matched control, while NADH cytochrorne b5 reductases and NADPH cytochrome c reductase activities were induced after exposure to 10.0 ng/dm^3 TBT for 2 d. The EROD activity in the 10 ng/dm^3 group,and the NADH cytochrome b5 reductases activities in 1.0 and 10.0 ng/dm groups, were significantly induced when transferred to clean recovery tanks for 7 d. The three enzymic activities in the clams exposed to TBT were recovered to the level corresponding to that of the control group after transfer to clean recovery tanks for 20 d. NADPH cytochrome c reductase activity in Meretrix meretrix seems to be more sensitive to exposure of TBT than that of the EROD and NADH cytochrome b5 reductases. The results suggest that induction and inhibition by TBT to the monooxygenase system enzymic activity in Meretrix meretrix would simultaneously exist. The enzymic activities were inhibited by exposure for a long time. The results suggest that inhibition of the monooxygenase system should be an indication of the exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of TBT for a long time.

A Methane Monooxygenase－like DinuclearIron （Ⅲ） Complex and its Catalytic Ability for Asymmetric Epoxidation of Styrene

A methane monooxygenase-like dinuclear complex of iron (Ⅲ) with a chiral heptadentate ligand has been synthesed and tested for catalytic ability for asymmetric epoxidation of styrene with iodosylbenzene. The results show that the complex exhibits many qualitative features, such as electronic spectrum. catalytic behavior. and asymmetric induction similar to those of methane monooxygenase and catalyzes styrene epoxidation to R- (+)-styrene oxide in 9. 3% yield and 72. 9% optical yield.

FMO3 deficiency of duck leads to decreased lipid deposition and increased antibacterial activity

Background:Most duck eggs possess a fishy odor,indicating that ducks generally exhibit impaired trimethylamine(TMA)metabolism.TMA accumulation is responsible for this unpleasant odor,and TMA metabolism plays an essen-tial role in trimethylaminuria(TMAU),also known as fish odor syndrome.In this study,we focused on the unusual TMA metabolism mechanism in ducks,and further explored the unclear reasons leading to the debilitating TMA metabolism.Methods:To achieve this,transcriptome,proteome,and metagenome analyses were first integrated based on the constructed duck populations with high and low TMA metabolism abilities.Additionally,further experiments were conducted to validate the hypothesis regarding the limited flavin-containing monooxygenase 3(FMO3)metabolism ability of ducks.Results:The study demonstrated that liver FMO3 and cecal microbes,including Akkermansia and Mucispirillum,par-ticipated in TMA metabolism in ducks.The limited oxidation ability of FMO3 explains the weakening of TMA metabo-lism in ducks.Nevertheless,it decreases lipid deposition and increases antibacterial activity,contributing to its survival and reproduction during the evolutionary adaptation process.Conclusions:This study demonstrated the function of FMO3 and intestinal microbes in regulating TMA metabolism and illustrated the biological significance of FMO3 impairment in ducks.

Flavin-Containing Monooxygenase (FMO) Protein Expression and Its Activity in Rat Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells

The aim of this study was to examine whether flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) protein was expressed in cultured rat brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs), which constitute the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and whether N-oxide from the tertiary amine, d-chlorpheniramine, was formed by FMO in rat BMECs. BMECs were isolated and cultured from the brains of three-week-old male Wistar rats. The expression of FMO1, FMO2 and FMO5 proteins was confirmed in rat BMECs by western blotting analysis using polyclonal anti-FMO antibodies, but FMO3 and FMO4 proteins were not found in the rat BBB. Moreover, N-oxide of d-chlorpheniramine was formed in rat BMECs. The intrinsic clearance value for N-oxidation at pH 8.4 was higher than that at pH 7.4. Inhibition of N-oxide formation by methimazole was found to be the best model of competitive inhibition yielding an apparent Ki value of 0.53 μmol/L, suggesting that N-oxidation was catalyzed by FMOs in rat BMECs. Although FMO activity in rat BMECs was lower than that in SD rat normal hepatocytes (rtNHeps), we suggest that rat BMECs enzymes can convert substrates of exogenous origin for detoxification, indicating that BMECs are an important barrier for metabolic products besides hepatic cells.

Alkanesulfonate monooxygenase SsuD and its chemicalbiomimetic system

Atkanesulfonate monooxygenase SsuD facilitates the desulfonation reaction of alkane sulfonates to release sulfite and corresponding aldehydes/ketones. Oxygen is activated by the reduced flavin. One oxygen atom is to fi＇om water and the other oxygen atom is to from aldehydes/ketones. The oxidized flavin is regenerated after water is formed. The chemical biomimetic system was established according to the preliminary mechanism of alkanesulfonate monooxygenase and the cyclic mechanism was proposed for the formation ofaldehydes/ketones. Two oxygen atoms from the reduced flavin to form C（4a）-peroxy-flavin. The oxygen atom connected with C（4a） abstracts one electron from the neighbouring oxygen to transfer one oxygen atom to C1 ofalkanesulfonates and abstracts one hydrogen from C1 ofalkanesulfonates to break C 1-H bond. Hydroxy-flavin was produced by the above cyclic mechanism. Alkansulfonate monooxygenase SsuD does not directly involve in the reaction. It only supplies some comfortable environment to facilitate the target reactiorL

人类常用止痛剂布洛芬(Ibuprofen)及乙酰胺酚(Acetaminophen)对多齿新米虾(Neocaridina denticulate)的影响

近年来许多研究指出,人类长期使用的药物如抗生素或止痛剂等医疗药品,无法经由污水处理厂而完全分解消失,当这些药物进入环境中时将可能具有生物毒性,并对生态环境系统造成冲击。为了解人类常用止痛剂—布洛芬(ibuprofen, IBU)及乙酰胺酚(acetaminophen, ACE)残留于水体后对水生生物可能的影响。本研究应用多齿新米虾(Neocaridina denticulate,后简称米虾)进行0.1、1和5 mg/L的IBU及ACE不同浓度的曝露。并于曝露后1、4及7天,并测定米虾体内解毒酵素的活性(monooxygenase, Mon)及glutathione-S-transferase, GST)与肝胰脏受损指标(glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, GOT)及(glutamic pyruvic transaminase, GPT)。试验结果显示,米虾曝露IBU及ACE后1,4及7天,各处理组间Mon活性并无明显高于对照组(37.8 ± 9.1 ΔA650mm/30 min/mg),GST活性在曝露5 mg/L的IBU及ACE处理组中有明显上升的趋势;5 mg/L IBU处理组在7天时GOT及GPT有上升的情况,代表IBU可能米虾的肝胰脏造成影响。综合实验结果,止痛剂IBU及ACE等药物于水体中残留时,不但会诱发米虾的解毒机制,甚至可能造成肝胰脏的发炎的现象。初步结果显示,止痛剂IBU及ACE等药物残留于水体中确实会对水生生物生理上的影响,此等问题势必会成为环境生态重要议题之一。

Construction of a broad-host-range Anderson promoter series and particulate methane monooxygenase promoter variants expand the methanotroph genetic toolbox

Methanotrophic bacteria are currently used industrially for the bioconversion of methane-rich natural gas and anaerobic digestion-derived biogas to valuable products.These bacteria may also serve to mitigate the negative effects of climate change by capturing atmospheric greenhouse gases.Several genetic tools have previously been developed for genetic and metabolic engineering of methanotrophs.However,the available tools for use in methanotrophs are significantly underdeveloped compared to many other industrially relevant bacteria,which hinders genetic and metabolic engineering of these biocatalysts.As such,expansion of the methanotroph genetic toolbox is needed to further our understanding of methanotrophy and develop biotechnologies that leverage these unique microbes for mitigation and conversion of methane to valuable products.Here,we determined the copy number of three broad-host-range plasmids in Methylococcus capsulatus Bath and Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b,representing phylogenetically diverse Gammaproteobacterial and Alphaproteobacterial methanotrophs,respectively.Further,we show that the commonly used synthetic Anderson series promoters are functional and exhibit similar relative activity in M.capsulatus and M.trichosporium OB3b,but the synthetic series had limited range.Thus,we mutagenized the native M.capsulatus particulate methane monooxygenase promoter and identified variants with activity that expand the activity range of synthetic,constitutive promoters functional not only in M.capsulatus,but also in Escherichia coli.Collectively,the tools developed here advance the methanotroph genetic engineering toolbox and represent additional synthetic genetic parts that may have broad applicability in Pseudomonadota bacteria.

Establishing Modular Cell-Free Expression System for the Biosynthesis of Bicyclomycin from a Chemically Synthesized Cyclodipeptide

Cell-free expression systems have emerged as a versatile and powerful platform for metabolic engineering,biosynthesis and synthetic biology studies.Nevertheless,successful examples of the synthesis of complex natural products using this system are still limited.Bicyclomycin,a structurally unique and complex diketopiperazine alkaloid,is a clinically promising antibiotic that selectively inhibits the transcription termination factor Rho.Here,we established a modular cell-free expression system with cascade catalysis for the biosynthesis of bicyclomycin from a chemically synthesized cyclodipeptide.The six cell-free expressed biosynthetic enzymes,including five iron-andα-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases and one cytochrome P450 monooxygenase,were active in converting their substrates to the corresponding products.The co-expressed enzymes in the cell-free module were able to complete the related partial pathway.In vitro biosynthesis of bicyclomycin was also achieved by reconstituting the entire biosynthetic pathways(i.e.,six enzymes)using the modular cell-free expression system.This study demonstrates that the modular cell-free expression system can be used as a robust and promising platformforthe biosynthesis of complex antibiotics.

Aloin,cinnamic acid and sophorcarpidine are potent inhibitors of tyrosinase

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of aloin, cinnamic acid and 15 other kinds of natural chemicals on the activity of tyrosinase, in order to provide lightening agents in the treatment of hyperpigmentation disorders and cosmetic additives. METHODS: Tyrosinase activity was estimated by measuring the oxidation rate of L-dopa. Inhibition of the enzyme was deduced according to the Lineweaver-Burk plots compared to the control. RESULTS: Cadabine, paeonal, farrerol, evodin, cinnamic acid, aloin and sophorcarpidine had different levels of inhibition of tyrosinase. The inhibitory rates of cinnamic acid (2 mmol/L, 0.5 mmol/L), aloin (2 mmol/L) and the rest were significantly higher than that of hydroquinone (0.5 mmol/L) (P