Functional analysis of flavanone 3-hydroxylase(F3H)from Dendrobium officinale,which confers abiotic stress tolerance

Flavonoids are important bioactive components in Dendrobium officinale,a medicinal orchid.They are involved in many biological activities,including protecting plants against biotic and abiotic stresses.Research on the key genes related to flavonoid biosynthesis in D.officinale is limited.In this study,one of the key flavonoid biosynthesis genes,flavanone 3-hydroxylase(F3H),was characterized from D.officinale.The open reading frame of DoF3H was 1134 bp long and it encoded a 377-amino acid protein.The DoF3H protein showed considerably high homology with F3H proteins from other plant species and shared a common evolutionary ancestor with other F3Hs.DoF3H transcripts were detected in different organs of adult plants and mainly accumulated in flowers,followed by roots,stems and leaves,a pattern that was similar to the content of flavonoids.Recombinant DoF3H protein,which was localized in the cytosol,could convert naringenin to dihydrokaempferol.The mRNA levels of DoF3H were significantly induced by salt and cold stresses.Furthermore,the heterologous expression of DoF3H in Escherichia coli conferred it higher tolerance to salt and cold stresses.These results provide insight into the molecular function of DoF3H in the biosynthesis of flavonoids,and provide a new application for improvement of abiotic tolerance in D.officinale.

Allelic variation in the coumarate 3-hydroxylase gene associated with wood properties of Catalpa fargesii Bur.

Coumarate 3-hydroxylase(C3h)genes participate in the synthesis of lignin and may affect the properties of wood that are important for its commercial value.A better understanding of the natural variation in C3h genes and their associations to wood properties is required to effectively improve wood quality.We used a candidate gene-based association mapping approach to identify CfC3h allelic variants associated with traits that affect the wood properties of Catalpa fargesii.We first isolated the full-length CfC3h cDNA(1825 bp),which was expressed at relatively high levels in xylem according to real time-polymerase chain reaction.In totally,17 common single-nucleotide polymorphisms(minor allele frequency>5%)were identified through cloning and sequencing the CfC3h locus from a mapping population(including 88 unrelated natural C.fargesii individuals collected from main distribution area).Nucleotide diversity and linkage disequilibrium(LD)in CfC3h indicate that CfC3h has low nucleotide diversity(π_(t)=0.0031 andθ_(w)=0.0103)and relatively low LD(within 1800 bp;r^(2)≥0.1).An association analysis identified eight common single-nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)(false discovery rate,Q<0.10)and ten haplotypes(Q<0.10)associated with wood properties,explaining 4.92-12.09%of the phenotypic variance in an association population consisted of 125 unrelated natural individuals(The 88 individuals from the mapping population were comprised in the association population).Our study would provide new insight into C3h gene affecting wood quality,and the SNP markers identified would have potential applications in marker-assisted breeding in the future.

Upregulation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D_3-1α-hydroxylase by butyrate in Caco-2 cells

AIM： To investigate the possible involvement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-1cx-hydroxylase [1α-25（OH）2D3] in butyrate-induced differentiation in human intestinal cell line Caco-2 cells. METHODS： Caco-2 cells were incubated either with 3 mmol/L butyrate and 1 umol/L 25（OH）2D3 or with 1 umol/L 1α-25（OH）2D3 for various time intervals ranging from 0 to 72 h. Additionally, cells were co-incubated with butyrate and either 25（OH）2D3 or 1α-25（OH）2D3. 1α-25（OH）2D3 mRNA was determined semi-quantitatively using the fluorescent dye PicoGreen. Immunoblotting was used for the detection of 1α-25（OH）2D3 protein. Finally, enzymatic activity was measured by ELISA. RESULTS： Both butyrate and 1α-25（OH）2D3 stimulated differentiation of Caco-2 cells after a 48 h incubation period, while 25（OH）2D3 had no impact on cell differentiation. Synergistic effects on differentiation were observed when cells were co-incubated with butyrate and vitamin D metabolite. Butyrate transiently upregulated 1α-25（OH）2D3 mRNA followed by a timely delayed protein upregulation. Coincidently, enzymatic activity was enhanced significantly. The induction of the enzyme allowed for comparable differentiating effects of both vitamin D metabolites. CONCLUSION： Our experimental data provide a further mechanism for the involvement of the vitamin D signaling pathway in colonic epithelial cell differentiation by butyrate. The enhancement of 1α-25（OH）2D3 followed by antiproliferative effects of the vitamin D prohormone in the Caco-2 cell line suggest that 25（OH）2D3 in combination with butyrate may offer a new therapeutic approach forthe treatment of colon cancer.

Correlation between expression of 1 α-hydroxylase and hypocalcaemia in rats with severe pancreatitis

Objective:To investigate the essential biochemical indices like 1-hydroxylase and hypocalcaemia in the rats with severe acute pancreatitis and explore the correlation between them.Methods:A total of 120 SPF grade Wistar male rats which were in similar physiological status were selected and randomly divided into two groups:sham group(SO group) and severe acute pancreatitis group(SAP group).Then they were divided into 1 h,3 h,6 h,and 12 h subgroups according to the killing lime.The severe acute pancreatitis model was established by retrograde injection of 5%sodium taurocholate.Serum calcium,serum creatinine,serum urea nitrogen and serum amylase were measured at different time.Serum 1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D3 level was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbentassay.The expression of 1-hydroxylase protein in the kidney tissue was determined with Western blotting and immunohistochemistry to observe its location.The pathologic features of the kidney tissue section was observed under light microscope and submicroscopic structure of the proximal convoluted tubule epithelial cell was observed under transmission electron microscope.Results:Compared with the SO group,rats in the SAP group showed continuous pathological injury as time went by.There was significant increase in serum creatinine,serum urea nitrogen and serum amylase in SAP group compared with the SO group 1,3,6,12 hours after the operation(P<0.05).There was significant decrease in serum calcium and 1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D3 3.6,12 hours after the operation(P<0.05).It also showed that the expression of the 1-hydroxylase protein in kidney tissues was upregulated at 1 h.3 h and decreased at 6h,12 h compared with the SO group.The serum calcium,1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D3 and the expression of the 1-hydroxylase protein in kidney tissues of the SAP group showed sustaining decrease.Western blotting showed positive correlation between the 1-hydroxylase expression and serum calcium at 3 h.6 h and 12 h(r=0.976,P<0.001;r=0.948.P<0.001;r=0.742,P=0.001) and also positive correlation between the 1-hydroxylase expression and serum1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D3 at 1 h,3 h,6 h and 12 h(r=0.935,P<0.001;r=0.952,P<0.001;r=0.917.P<0.001:r=0.874,P<0.001).Conclusions:At the early stage of the kidney injury,the expression of 1-hydroxylase in the kidney tissue is reduced with the progress of the disease and the decrease in its activity has a correlation with the hypocalcaemia.

Changes of chlorogenic acid content and its synthesis-associated genes expression in Xuehua pear fruit during development

According to synthetic pathway of plant chlorogenic acid （CGA）, the expression patterns of genes encoding enzymes that are associated with CGA synthesis were studied in normally developed Xuehua pear fruit. The study demonstrated that CGA content in peel and flesh of Xuehua pear decreased as fruit development progressed, with a higher level in peel. The expression levels of PbPAL 1, PbPAL2, PbC3H, PbC4H, Pb4CL 1, Pb4CL2, Pb4CL6, PbHC T1 and PbHC T3 genes decreased in fruit, which was consistent with the pattern of variation in CGA content. That indicated that these genes might be key genes for influencing fruit CGA synthesis in Xuehua pear. However, Pb4CL7 gene expression profile is not consistent with variation of CGA content, hence, it may not be a key gene involved in CGA synthesis.

The Pathogen and Wound Induces Expression of Genes Related to Proanthocyanidins (PAs) Synthesis in Cotton Leaves

Responses to biotic and abiotic stress have been extensively studied in plants. In the current proteomic study, the cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) seedlings were infected with Verticillium dahliae by root-dip inoculation using suspension of fungal conidia. The different proteins were analyzed by two-dimensional gel elactrophoresis (2-DE), and flavanone 3-hydroxylase (F3H) showed a significantly up-regulation in cotton leaf after V. dahliae infection. Further research revealed F3H and the downstream genes of F3H in proanthocyanidins (PAs) biosynthesis were also significantly induced and showed coordinate expression patterns during wounding. The results indicate that PAs in cotton act an important role in response to infection V. dahliae and wounding.

Vitamin D_3 increased intestinal Na/Pi-Ⅱb and CYP27B1 mRNA level in rats fed low-phosphorus diets

The objective of the study was to determine the role of vitamin D3(VD3) in regulating adaptation and mechanism of rats to low-phosphorus(P) diets. Rats were assigned to 4 diets containing 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%,or 0.8% P consisting of 5 replicate cages with 6 rats per replicate cage and fed for 7 days. Four rats from each replicate cage were treated with ethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonicacid, tetrasodium salt(EHDP)and 2 rats remained untreated. Twelve hours prior to preparation on d 7, two of the EHDP-treated rats received an intraperitoneal injection of VD3 [1,25-(OH)_2 D_3] at 600 ng per kg body weight, while two rats did not receive the injection. Rats that did not receive VD_3 injection had decreased(P < 0.001) P absorption, but injection of VD3 resulted in increased(P < 0.001) absorption. The effect of VD3 injection was greater(P < 0.001) for rats fed 0.2% P diet than rats fed 0.8% P diet in ileum. Sodium dependent phosphate cotransporter type IIb(Na/Pi-IIb) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D 1-α hydroxylase(CYP27 B1) mRNA level showed the same trend with P absorption. Serum concentration of VD3 and la-hydroxylase activity in rats fed 0.2% P diet were lower than those fed 0.8% P diet. The injection of VD3 increased(P < 0.001)serum concentration of VD3 and la-hydroxylase activity. Thus, VD3 increased Na/Pi-Ⅱb and CYP27 B1 mRNA level and improved serum concentration of VD3 and la-hydroxylase activity in rats fed low-P diets.

Development of MEMS directed evolution strategy for multiplied throughput and convergent evolution of cytochrome P450 enzymes

Directed evolution(DE)inspired by natural evolution(NE)has been achieving tremendous successes in protein/enzyme engineering.However,the conventional"one-protein-for-one-task"DE cannot match the"multi-proteins-for-multi-tasks"NE in terms of screening throughput and efficiency,thus often failing to meet the fast-growing demands for biocatalysts with desired properties.In this study,we design a novel"multi-enzymes-for-multi-substrates"(MEMS)DE model and establish the proof-ofconcept by running a NE-mimicking and higher-throughput screening on the basis of"two-P450 s-against-seven-substrates"(2P×7S)in one pot.With the multiplied throughput and improved hit rate,we witness a series of convergent evolution events of the two archetypal cytochrome P450 enzymes(P450 BM3 and P450 cam)in laboratory.It is anticipated that the new strategy of MEMS DE will find broader application for a larger repertoire of enzymes in the future.Furthermore,structural and substrate docking analysis of the two functionally convergent P450 variants provide important insights into how distinct P450 active-sites can reach a common catalytic goal.