Identification of Genes Involved in Lipid Biosynthesis through de novo Transcriptome Assembly from Cocos nucifera Developing Endosperm

Cocos nucifera (coconut), a member of the Arecaceae family, is an economically important woody palm that is widely grown in tropical and subtropical regions. The coconut palm is well known for its ability to accumulate large amounts of oil, approximately 63% of the seed weight. Coconut oil varies significantly from other vegetable oils as it contains a high proportion of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA; 85%). The unique composition of coconut oil raises interest in understanding how the coconut palm produces oil of a high saturated MCFA content, and if such an oil profile could be replicated via biotechnology interventions. Although some gene discovery work has been performed there is still a significant gap in the knowledge associated with coconut’s oil production pathways. In this study, a de novo transcriptome was assembled for developing coconut endosperm to identify genes involved in the synthesis of lipids, particularly triacylglycerol. Of particular interest were thioesterases, acyltransferases and oleosins because of their involvement in the processes of releasing fatty acids for assembly, esterification of fatty acids into glycerolipids and protecting oils from degradation, respectively. It is hypothesized that some of these genes may exhibit a strong substrate preference for MCFA and hence may assist the future development of vegetable oils with an enriched MCFA composition. In this study, we identified and confirmed functionality of five candidate genes from the gene families of interest. This study will benefit future work in areas of increasing vegetable oil production and the tailoring of oil fatty acid compositions

Recruiting a New Substrate for Triacylglycerol Synthesis in Plants: The Monoacylglycerol Acyltransferase Pathway

BACKGROUND: Monoacylglycerol acyltransferases (MGATs) are predominantly associated with lipid absorption and resynthesis in the animal intestine where they catalyse the first step in the monoacylglycerol (MAG) pathway by acylating MAG to form diacylglycerol (DAG). Typical plant triacylglycerol (TAG) biosynthesis routes such as the Kennedy pathway do not include an MGAT step. Rather, DAG and TAG are synthesised de novo from glycerol-3-phosphate (G-3-P) by a series of three subsequent acylation reactions although a complex interplay with membrane lipids exists. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We demonstrate that heterologous expression of a mouse MGAT acyltransferase in Nicotiana benthamiana significantly increases TAG accumulation in vegetative tissues despite the low levels of endogenous MAG substrate available. In addition, DAG produced by this acyltransferase can serve as a substrate for both native and coexpressed diacylglycerol acyltransferases (DGAT). Finally, we show that the Arabidopsis thaliana GPAT4 acyltransferase can produce MAG in Saccharomyces cerevisiae using oleoyl-CoA as the acyl-donor. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: This study demonstrates the concept of a new method of increasing oil content in vegetative tissues by using MAG as a substrate for TAG biosynthesis. Based on in vitro yeast assays and expression results in N. benthamiana, we propose that co-expression of a MAG synthesising enzyme such as A. thaliana GPAT4 and a MGAT or bifunctional M/DGAT can result in DAG and TAG synthesis from G-3-P via a route that is independent and complementary to the endogenous Kennedy pathway and other TAG synthesis routes

Etude de la voie de biosynthèse de la galanthamine chez Leucojum aestivum L. : criblage phytochimique de quelques amaryllidaceae

Galanthamine is an Amaryllidaceae alkaloid used worldwide for the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's disease because of his capacity to inhibit the acetylcholinesterase enzyme. There are two galanthamine sources for medical applications. One is the total synthesis, a complicated process because galanthamine has three asymmetric carbons, requiring stereochemically controlled synthesis. Galanthamine is also extracted from bulbs of some Amaryllidaceae such as Leucojum aestivum, Galanthus nivalis, and Narcissus sp.. The first aim of this work is to improve the accumulation of this alkaloid using biotechnologies. The second aim consists on the phytochemical screening (HPLC, LCMS, GCMS, et HPTLCMS) of in vivo and in vitro Amaryllidaceae bulbs, in order to identify new alkaloids with important pharmacological activities. Finally, the third aim concerns the study of the biosynthesis pathway in order to establish a biomimetic synthesis of galanthamine. Therefore, we established in vitro cultures of three Amaryllidaceae species. The variation of exogenousparameters led to the obtainment of high galanthamine accumulation (0.02 to 0.2 % DW). The phytochemical screening showed new alkaloids in extracts of in vitro cultures, which did not exist in in vivo extracts, and possessing high acetylcholinesterase activity (40 to 80 % Inh). The 4'-O-methyl-d3-norbelladine is incorporated into three different groups of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids. The addition of the labelled precursor to shoot cultures stimulated the synthesis of native galanthamine (0.15 % DW and 0.16 % Culture medium).La galanthamine est un alcaloïde isoquinoléique, utilisé dans le monde entier pour le traitement palliatif de la maladie d'Alzheimer en raison de son pouvoir inhibiteur de l'acétylcholinestérase. Cet alcaloïde est extrait à partir de bulbes d'Amaryllidaceae, Leucojum aestivum, Galanthus nivalis, et Narcissus sp. ou obtenu par synthèse chimique. La difficulté principale de cette dernière réside dans le respect de la configuration des centres d'asymétrie. La culture de tissus in vitro pourrait constituer une alternative intéressante pour obtenir ce composé à haute valeur ajoutée. Le premier objectif de ce projet, vise à améliorer l'accumulation de cet alcaloïde par les biais des biotechnologies. Le second objectif est de rechercher par criblage phytochimique (HPLC, LCMS, GCMS, et HPTLC-MS) de bulbes in vitro et in vivo d'Amaryllidaceae, de nouveaux alcaloïdes biologiquement actifs. Le troisième objectif porte sur l'étude de la voie de biosynthèse en vue de réaliser une synthèse biomimétique de la galanthamine. Nous avons établi des cultures in vitro de 3 espèces d'Amaryllidaceae. La variation des paramètres exogènes a conduit à une accumulation accrue d'alcaloïdes (0,02 à 0,2 % MS). Le criblage phytochimique a conduit à l'identification d'alcaloïdes nouveaux issus des cultures in vitro, n'existant pas in vivo, et présentant un puissant pouvoir inhibiteur de l'acétylcholinestérase (40 à 80 % Inh). L'ajout, de la 4'-Ométhyl-d3-norbelladine aux cultures in vitro a conduit à sa métabolisation en trois types d'alcaloïdes deutérés. Une stimulation de la synthèse et du relargage de la galanthamine native (0,15 % MS et 0,16 % Milieu) a été observée en présence du précurseur deutéré

The Study of galanthamine biosynthesis pathway in Leucojum aestivum L. : phytochemical screening of some Amaryllidaceae plants

La galanthamine est un alcaloïde isoquinoléique, utilisé dans le monde entier pour le traitement palliatif de la maladie d’Alzheimer en raison de son pouvoir inhibiteur de l’acétylcholinestérase. Cet alcaloïde est extrait à partir de bulbes d’Amaryllidaceae, Leucojum aestivum, Galanthus nivalis, et Narcissus sp. ou obtenu par synthèse chimique. La difficulté principale de cette dernière réside dans le respect de la configuration des centres d'asymétrie. La culture de tissus in vitro pourrait constituer une alternative intéressante pour obtenir ce composé à haute valeur ajoutée. Le premier objectif de ce projet, vise à améliorer l’accumulation de cet alcaloïde par les biais des biotechnologies. Le second objectif est de rechercher par criblage phytochimique (HPLC, LCMS, GCMS, et HPTLC-MS) de bulbes in vitro et in vivo d’Amaryllidaceae, de nouveaux alcaloïdes biologiquement actifs. Le troisième objectif porte sur l’étude de la voie de biosynthèse en vue de réaliser une synthèse biomimétique de la galanthamine. Nous avons établi des cultures in vitro de 3 espèces d’Amaryllidaceae. La variation des paramètres exogènes a conduit à une accumulation accrue d’alcaloïdes (0,02 à 0,2 % MS). Le criblage phytochimique a conduit à l’identification d’alcaloïdes nouveaux issus des cultures in vitro, n’existant pas in vivo, et présentant un puissant pouvoir inhibiteur de l’acétylcholinestérase (40 à 80 % Inh). L’ajout, de la 4’-Ométhyl-d3-norbelladine aux cultures in vitro a conduit à sa métabolisation en trois types d’alcaloïdes deutérés. Une stimulation de la synthèse et du relargage de la galanthamine native (0,15 % MS et 0,16 % Milieu) a été observée en présence du précurseur deutéréGalanthamine is an Amaryllidaceae alkaloid used worldwide for the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer’s disease because of his capacity to inhibit the acetylcholinesterase enzyme. There are two galanthamine sources for medical applications. One is the total synthesis, a complicated process because galanthamine has three asymmetric carbons, requiring stereochemically controlled synthesis. Galanthamine is also extracted from bulbs of some Amaryllidaceae such as Leucojum aestivum, Galanthus nivalis, and Narcissus sp.. The first aim of this work is to improve the accumulation of this alkaloid using biotechnologies. The second aim consists on the phytochemical screening (HPLC, LCMS, GCMS, et HPTLCMS) of in vivo and in vitro Amaryllidaceae bulbs, in order to identify new alkaloids with important pharmacological activities. Finally, the third aim concerns the study of the biosynthesis pathway in order to establish a biomimetic synthesis of galanthamine. Therefore, we established in vitro cultures of three Amaryllidaceae species. The variation of exogenousparameters led to the obtainment of high galanthamine accumulation (0.02 to 0.2 % DW). The phytochemical screening showed new alkaloids in extracts of in vitro cultures, which did not exist in in vivo extracts, and possessing high acetylcholinesterase activity (40 to 80 % Inh). The 4’-O-methyl-d3-norbelladine is incorporated into three different groups ofAmaryllidaceae alkaloids. The addition of the labelled precursor to shoot cultures stimulated the synthesis of native galanthamine (0.15 % DW and 0.16 % Culture medium

Etude de la voie de biosynthèse de la galanthamine chez Leucojum aestivum L. (criblage phytochimique de quelques amaryllidaceae)

La galanthamine est un alcaloïde isoquinoléique, utilisé dans le monde entier pour le traitement palliatif de la maladie d Alzheimer en raison de son pouvoir inhibiteur de l acétylcholinestérase. Cet alcaloïde est extrait à partir de bulbes d Amaryllidaceae, Leucojum aestivum, Galanthus nivalis, et Narcissus sp. ou obtenu par synthèse chimique. La difficulté principale de cette dernière réside dans le respect de la configuration des centres d'asymétrie. La culture de tissus in vitro pourrait constituer une alternative intéressante pour obtenir ce composé à haute valeur ajoutée. Le premier objectif de ce projet, vise à améliorer l accumulation de cet alcaloïde par les biais des biotechnologies. Le second objectif est de rechercher par criblage phytochimique (HPLC, LCMS, GCMS, et HPTLC-MS) de bulbes in vitro et in vivo d Amaryllidaceae, de nouveaux alcaloïdes biologiquement actifs. Le troisième objectif porte sur l étude de la voie de biosynthèse en vue de réaliser une synthèse biomimétique de la galanthamine. Nous avons établi des cultures in vitro de 3 espèces d Amaryllidaceae. La variation des paramètres exogènes a conduit à une accumulation accrue d alcaloïdes (0,02 à 0,2 % MS). Le criblage phytochimique a conduit à l identification d alcaloïdes nouveaux issus des cultures in vitro, n existant pas in vivo, et présentant un puissant pouvoir inhibiteur de l acétylcholinestérase (40 à 80 % Inh). L ajout, de la 4 -Ométhyl-d3-norbelladine aux cultures in vitro a conduit à sa métabolisation en trois types d alcaloïdes deutérés. Une stimulation de la synthèse et du relargage de la galanthamine native (0,15 % MS et 0,16 % Milieu) a été observée en présence du précurseur deutéréGalanthamine is an Amaryllidaceae alkaloid used worldwide for the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer s disease because of his capacity to inhibit the acetylcholinesterase enzyme. There are two galanthamine sources for medical applications. One is the total synthesis, a complicated process because galanthamine has three asymmetric carbons, requiring stereochemically controlled synthesis. Galanthamine is also extracted from bulbs of some Amaryllidaceae such as Leucojum aestivum, Galanthus nivalis, and Narcissus sp.. The first aim of this work is to improve the accumulation of this alkaloid using biotechnologies. The second aim consists on the phytochemical screening (HPLC, LCMS, GCMS, et HPTLCMS) of in vivo and in vitro Amaryllidaceae bulbs, in order to identify new alkaloids with important pharmacological activities. Finally, the third aim concerns the study of the biosynthesis pathway in order to establish a biomimetic synthesis of galanthamine. Therefore, we established in vitro cultures of three Amaryllidaceae species. The variation of exogenousparameters led to the obtainment of high galanthamine accumulation (0.02 to 0.2 % DW). The phytochemical screening showed new alkaloids in extracts of in vitro cultures, which did not exist in in vivo extracts, and possessing high acetylcholinesterase activity (40 to 80 % Inh). The 4 -O-methyl-d3-norbelladine is incorporated into three different groups ofAmaryllidaceae alkaloids. The addition of the labelled precursor to shoot cultures stimulated the synthesis of native galanthamine (0.15 % DW and 0.16 % Culture medium)NANCY1-Bib. numérique (543959902) / SudocSudocFranceF

Influence of auxins on somatic embryogenesis and alkaloid accumulation in Leucojum aestivum callus

International audienceIn vitro cultures of Leucojum aestivum are considered as an alternative for the production of galanthamine, which is used for the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's disease. We studied the effects of auxins 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid (picloram), 3,6-dichloro-o-anisic acid (dicamba) at concentrations of 25 and 50 A mu M on the induction of embryogenic callus and its capacity to induce somatic embryogenesis and alkaloid accumulation. The embryogenic response of the explants was from 30% for 25 A mu M of dicamba to 100% for picloram (for both 25 and 50 A mu M). 2,4-D (50 A mu M) stimulated greater callus proliferation and somatic embryo induction as compared to the other auxins. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) stimulated somatic embryo maturation. Callus grown on media containing 50 A mu M of auxins produced fewer phenolic compounds as compared with callus grown on media containing 25 A mu M of auxins. GC-MS analyses showed seven alkaloids in the in vivo bulbs and two to four in callus culture. Galanthamine was detected in callus cultivated with 2,4-D (25, 50 A mu M), picloram (25 A mu M), and dicamba (50 A mu M). Other alkaloids, trisphaeridine, tazettine, and 11-hydroxyvittatine were accumulated only in callus growing on medium with picloram (50 A mu M)

New method for the study of Amaryllidaceae alkaloid biosynthesis using biotransformation of deuterium-labeled precursor in tissue cultures.

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