-
Nature Communications Jun 2024While sanguinarine has gained recognition for antimicrobial and antineoplastic activities, its complex conjugated structure and low abundance in plants impede broad...
While sanguinarine has gained recognition for antimicrobial and antineoplastic activities, its complex conjugated structure and low abundance in plants impede broad applications. Here, we demonstrate the complete biosynthesis of sanguinarine and halogenated derivatives using highly engineered yeast strains. To overcome sanguinarine cytotoxicity, we establish a splicing intein-mediated temperature-responsive gene expression system (SIMTeGES), a simple strategy that decouples cell growth from product synthesis without sacrificing protein activity. To debottleneck sanguinarine biosynthesis, we identify two reticuline oxidases and facilitated functional expression of flavoproteins and cytochrome P450 enzymes via protein molecular engineering. After comprehensive metabolic engineering, we report the production of sanguinarine at a titer of 448.64 mg L. Additionally, our engineered strain enables the biosynthesis of fluorinated sanguinarine, showcasing the biotransformation of halogenated derivatives through more than 15 biocatalytic steps. This work serves as a blueprint for utilizing yeast as a scalable platform for biomanufacturing diverse benzylisoquinoline alkaloids and derivatives.
Topics: Isoquinolines; Benzophenanthridines; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Metabolic Engineering; Temperature; Halogenation; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System
PubMed: 38898098
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49554-w -
Nature Communications Jun 2024Disrupted glucose metabolism and protein misfolding are key characteristics of age-related neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson's disease, however their...
Disrupted glucose metabolism and protein misfolding are key characteristics of age-related neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson's disease, however their mechanistic linkage is largely unexplored. The hexosamine biosynthetic pathway utilizes glucose and uridine-5'-triphosphate to generate N-linked glycans required for protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum. Here we find that Parkinson's patient midbrain cultures accumulate glucose and uridine-5'-triphosphate, while N-glycan synthesis rates are reduced. Impaired glucose flux occurred by selective reduction of the rate-limiting enzyme, GFPT2, through disrupted signaling between the unfolded protein response and the hexosamine pathway. Failure of the unfolded protein response and reduced N-glycosylation caused immature lysosomal hydrolases to misfold and accumulate, while accelerating glucose flux through the hexosamine pathway rescued hydrolase function and reduced pathological α-synuclein. Our data indicate that the hexosamine pathway integrates glucose metabolism with lysosomal activity, and its failure in Parkinson's disease occurs by uncoupling of the unfolded protein response-hexosamine pathway axis. These findings offer new methods to restore proteostasis by hexosamine pathway enhancement.
Topics: Humans; Hexosamines; Lysosomes; Parkinson Disease; Unfolded Protein Response; Neurons; Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells; Mesencephalon; Glucose; Biosynthetic Pathways; Glycosylation; alpha-Synuclein; Glutamine-Fructose-6-Phosphate Transaminase (Isomerizing)
PubMed: 38897986
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49256-3 -
Science Advances Jun 2024Chloroplasts are the powerhouse of the plant cell, and their activity must be matched to plant growth to avoid photooxidative damage. We have identified a...
Chloroplasts are the powerhouse of the plant cell, and their activity must be matched to plant growth to avoid photooxidative damage. We have identified a posttranslational mechanism linking the eukaryotic target of rapamycin (TOR) kinase that promotes growth and the guanosine tetraphosphate (ppGpp) signaling pathway of prokaryotic origins that regulates chloroplast activity and photosynthesis in particular. We find that RelA SpoT homolog 3 (RSH3), a nuclear-encoded enzyme responsible for ppGpp biosynthesis, interacts directly with the TOR complex via a plant-specific amino-terminal region which is phosphorylated in a TOR-dependent manner. Down-regulating TOR activity causes a rapid increase in ppGpp synthesis in RSH3 overexpressors and reduces photosynthetic capacity in an RSH-dependent manner in wild-type plants. The TOR-RSH3 signaling axis therefore regulates the equilibrium between chloroplast activity and plant growth, setting a precedent for the regulation of organellar function by TOR.
Topics: Photosynthesis; Chloroplasts; Arabidopsis Proteins; Signal Transduction; Arabidopsis; Phosphorylation; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Guanosine Tetraphosphate; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
PubMed: 38896607
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj3268 -
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Jun 2024Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are popular in the pharmaceutical industry for their ability to produce high concentrations of antibodies and their resemblance to...
Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are popular in the pharmaceutical industry for their ability to produce high concentrations of antibodies and their resemblance to human cells in terms of protein glycosylation patterns. Current data indicate the relevance of CHO cells in the biopharmaceutical industry, with a high number of product commendations and a significant market share for monoclonal antibodies. To enhance the production capabilities of CHO cells, a deep understanding of their cellular and molecular composition is crucial. Genome sequencing and proteomic analysis have provided valuable insights into the impact of the bioprocessing conditions, productivity, and product quality. In our investigation, we conducted a comparative analysis of proteomic profiles in high and low monoclonal antibody-producing cell lines and studied the impact of tunicamycin (TM)-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. We examined the expression levels of different proteins including unfolded protein response (UPR) target genes by using label-free quantification techniques for protein abundance. Our results show the upregulation of proteins associated with protein folding mechanisms in low producer vs. high producer cell line suggesting a form of ER stress related to specific protein production. Further, Hspa9 and Dnaja3 are notable candidates activated by the mitochondria UPR and play important roles in protein folding processes in mitochondria. We identified significant upregulation of Nedd8 and Lgmn proteins in similar levels which may contribute to UPR stress. Interestingly, the downregulation of Hspa5/Bip and Pdia4 in response to tunicamycin treatment suggests a low-level UPR activation. KEY POINTS: • Proteome profiling of recombinant CHO cells under mild TM treatment. • Identified protein clusters are associated with the unfolded protein response (UPR). • The compared cell lines revealed noticeable disparities in protein expression levels.
Topics: CHO Cells; Cricetulus; Tunicamycin; Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Proteomics; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress; Unfolded Protein Response; Proteome; Cricetinae
PubMed: 38896138
DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13223-1 -
Open Biology Jun 2024The transition from oocyte to embryo requires translation of maternally provided transcripts that in is activated by Pan Gu kinase to release a rapid succession of 13...
The transition from oocyte to embryo requires translation of maternally provided transcripts that in is activated by Pan Gu kinase to release a rapid succession of 13 mitotic cycles. Mitotic entry is promoted by several protein kinases that include Greatwall/Mastl, whose Endosulfine substrates antagonize Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A), facilitating mitotic Cyclin-dependent kinase 1/Cyclin B kinase activity. Here we show that hyperactive can not only be suppressed by mutants in its Endos substrate but also by mutants in Pan Gu kinase subunits. Conversely, mutants in or which encode a complex that represses hundreds of maternal mRNAs, enhance . Me31B and Trailer Hitch proteins, known substrates of Pan Gu kinase, copurify with Endos. This echoes findings that budding yeast Dhh1, orthologue of Me31B, associates with Igo1/2, orthologues of Endos and substrates of the Rim15, orthologue of Greatwall. derived mutant embryos show reduced Me31B and elevated transcripts for the mitotic activators Cyclin B, Polo and Twine/Cdc25. Together, our findings demonstrate a previously unappreciated conservation of the Greatwall-Endosulfine pathway in regulating translational repressors and its interactions with the Pan Gu kinase pathway to regulate translation and/or stability of maternal mRNAs upon egg activation.
Topics: Animals; Drosophila Proteins; Oocytes; Protein Phosphatase 2; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Protein Biosynthesis; Drosophila melanogaster; Mutation; Female; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; Embryo, Nonmammalian; RNA Stability; RNA, Messenger, Stored; DEAD-box RNA Helicases
PubMed: 38896085
DOI: 10.1098/rsob.240065 -
Frontiers in Plant Science 2024The transcription factors of WRKY genes play essential roles in plant growth, stress responses, and metabolite biosynthesis. , a traditional Chinese herb, is abundant in...
The transcription factors of WRKY genes play essential roles in plant growth, stress responses, and metabolite biosynthesis. , a traditional Chinese herb, is abundant in flavonoids and has been used for centuries to treat cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, the WRKY transcription factors that regulate flavonoid biosynthesis in remain unknown. In this study, a total of 75 transcription factors were predicted through comprehensive genome-wide characterization of and the chromosomal localization of each gene was investigated. RNA sequencing revealed transient responses of 74 predicted genes to exogenous abscisic acid (ABA), salicylic acid (SA), and gibberellin 3 (GA3) after 4 h of treatment. In contrast, the expression of key structural genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis increased after 4 h in GA3 treatment. However, the content of flavonoid metabolites in leaves significantly increased at 12 h. The qRT-PCR results showed that the expression patterns of , , , , and transcription factors exhibited a high degree of similarity to the 11 structural genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis. Protein-DNA interactions were performed between the key genes involved in scutellarin biosynthesis and candidate . The result showed that interacts with EbWRKY11, EbWRKY36, and EbWRKY44, while has a self-activation function. This study provides comprehensive information on the regulatory control network of flavonoid accumulation mechanisms, offering valuable insights for breeding varieties with enhanced scutellarin content.
PubMed: 38895611
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1412574 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024L-theanine, a unique non-protein amino acid, is an important bioactive component of green tea. Previous studies have shown that L-theanine has many potent health...
L-theanine, a unique non-protein amino acid, is an important bioactive component of green tea. Previous studies have shown that L-theanine has many potent health benefits, such as anti-anxiety effects, regulation of the immune response, relaxing neural tension, and reducing oxidative damage. However, little is known concerning whether L-theanine can improve the clearance of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage in organisms. Here, we reported that L-theanine treatment increased ATP production and improved mitochondrial morphology to extend the lifespan of UVC-exposed nematodes. Mechanistic investigations showed that L-theanine treatment enhanced the removal of mtDNA damage and extended lifespan by activating autophagy, mitophagy, mitochondrial dynamics, and mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPR) in UVC-exposed nematodes. In addition, L-theanine treatment also upregulated the expression of genes related to mitochondrial energy metabolism in UVC-exposed nematodes. Our study provides a theoretical basis for the possibility that tea drinking may prevent mitochondrial-related diseases.
Topics: Animals; Caenorhabditis elegans; Glutamates; Ultraviolet Rays; Longevity; Mitochondria; DNA, Mitochondrial; Autophagy; DNA Damage; Mitophagy; Unfolded Protein Response; Mitochondrial Dynamics; Adenosine Triphosphate; Signal Transduction; Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
PubMed: 38893565
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29112691 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Transient receptor potential melastatin-8 (TRPM8) is a cation channel that is activated by cold and "cooling agents" such as menthol and icilin, which induce a cold...
Transient receptor potential melastatin-8 (TRPM8) is a cation channel that is activated by cold and "cooling agents" such as menthol and icilin, which induce a cold sensation. The stimulation of TRPM8 activates an intracellular signaling cascade that ultimately leads to a change in the gene expression pattern of the cells. Here, we investigate the TRPM8-induced signaling pathway that links TRPM8 channel activation to gene transcription. Using a pharmacological approach, we show that the inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5 kinase α (PIP5K), an enzyme essential for the biosynthesis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, attenuates TRPM8-induced gene transcription. Analyzing the link between TRPM8 and Gq proteins, we show that the pharmacological inhibition of the βγ subunits impairs TRPM8 signaling. In addition, genetic studies show that TRPM8 requires an activated Gα subunit for signaling. In the nucleus, the TRPM8-induced signaling cascade triggers the activation of the transcription factor AP-1, a complex consisting of a dimer of basic region leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors. Here, we identify the bZIP protein c-Jun as an essential component of AP-1 within the TRPM8-induced signaling cascade. In summary, with PIP5K, Gq subunits, and c-Jun, we identified key molecules in TRPM8-induced signaling from the plasma membrane to the nucleus.
Topics: TRPM Cation Channels; GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11; Humans; Signal Transduction; Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor); Transcription Factor AP-1; HEK293 Cells; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun; Animals
PubMed: 38893478
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29112602 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Cytochrome P450s (P450s), a superfamily of heme-containing enzymes, existed in animals, plants, and microorganisms. P450s can catalyze various regional and... (Review)
Review
Cytochrome P450s (P450s), a superfamily of heme-containing enzymes, existed in animals, plants, and microorganisms. P450s can catalyze various regional and stereoselective oxidation reactions, which are widely used in natural product biosynthesis, drug metabolism, and biotechnology. In a typical catalytic cycle, P450s use redox proteins or domains to mediate electron transfer from NAD(P)H to heme iron. Therefore, the main factors determining the catalytic efficiency of P450s include not only the P450s themselves but also their redox-partners and electron transfer pathways. In this review, the electron transfer pathway engineering strategies of the P450s catalytic system are reviewed from four aspects: cofactor regeneration, selection of redox-partners, P450s and redox-partner engineering, and electrochemically or photochemically driven electron transfer.
Topics: Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; Electron Transport; Protein Engineering; Oxidation-Reduction; Heme; Animals; Humans
PubMed: 38893355
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29112480 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024The human paraoxonase 2 (PON2) is the oldest member of a small family of arylesterase and lactonase enzymes, representing the first line of defense against bacterial...
The human paraoxonase 2 (PON2) is the oldest member of a small family of arylesterase and lactonase enzymes, representing the first line of defense against bacterial infections and having a major role in ROS-associated diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegeneration, and diabetes. Specific Post-Translational Modifications (PTMs) clustering nearby two residues corresponding to polymorphic sites and their impact on the catalytic activity are not yet fully understood. Thus, the goal of the present study was to develop an improved PON2 purification protocol to obtain a higher amount of protein suitable for in-depth biochemical studies and biotechnological applications. To this end, we also tested several compounds to stabilize the active monomeric form of the enzyme. Storing the enzyme at 4 °C with 30 mM Threalose had the best impact on the activity, which was preserved for at least 30 days. The catalytic parameters against the substrate 3-Oxo-dodecanoyl-Homoserine Lactone (3oxoC12-HSL) and the enzyme ability to interfere with the biofilm formation of () were determined, showing that the obtained enzyme is well suited for downstream applications. Finally, we used the purified rPON2 to detect, by the direct molecular fishing (DMF) method, new putative PON2 interactors from soluble extracts of HeLa cells.
Topics: Aryldialkylphosphatase; Humans; Proteomics; Protein Refolding; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Enzyme Stability; Biofilms; Protein Processing, Post-Translational
PubMed: 38893310
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29112434