Geschmack ist vorhersagbar: Mit FlavorMiner. FlavorMiner heißt das Tool, das IPB-Chemiker und Partner aus Kolumbien jüngst entwickelt haben. Das Programm kann, basierend auf maschinellem Lernen (KI), anhand der…
Seit Februar 2021 bietet Wolfgang Brandt, ehemaliger Leiter der Arbeitsgruppe Computerchemie am IPB, sein Citizen Science-Projekt zur Pilzbestimmung an. Dafür hat er in regelmäßigen Abständen öffentliche Vorträge zur Vielfalt…
Vasco, A. V.; Ceballos, L. G.; Wessjohann, L. A.; Rivera, D. G.;Multicomponent functionalization of the octreotide peptide macrocyclic scaffoldEur. J. Org. Chem.2022e202200687(2022)DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.202200687
The replacement of the disulfide bridge by other types of side chain linkages has been a continuous endeavor in the development of cyclic peptide drugs with improved metabolic stability. Octreotide is a potent and selective somatostatin analog that has been used as an anticancer agent, in radiolabeled conjugates for the localization of tumors and as targeting moiety in peptide-drug conjugates. Here, we describe an onresin methodology based on a multicomponent macrocyclization that enables the substitution of the disulfide bond by a tertiary lactam bridge functionalized with a variety of exocyclic moieties, including lipids, fluorophores, and charged groups. Conformational analysis in comparison with octreotide provides key information on the type of functionalization permitting the conformational mimicry of the bioactive peptide.
Salinity poses a serious threat to global agriculture and human food security. A better understanding of plant adaptation to salt stress is, therefore, mandatory. In the non-photosynthetic cells of the root, salinity perturbs oxidative balance in mitochondria, leading to cell death. In parallel, plastids accumulate the jasmonate precursor cis (+)12-Oxo-Phyto-Dienoic Acid (OPDA) that is then translocated to peroxisomes and has been identified as promoting factor for salt-induced cell death as well. In the current study, we probed for a potential interaction between these three organelles that are primarily dealing with oxidative metabolism. We made use of two tools: (i) Rice OPDA Reductase 7 (OsOPR7), an enzyme localised in peroxisomes converting OPDA into the precursors of the stress hormone JA-Ile. (ii) A Trojan Peptoid, Plant PeptoQ, which can specifically target to mitochondria and scavenge excessive superoxide accumulating in response to salt stress. We show that overexpression of OsOPR7 as GFP fusion in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Bright Yellow 2, BY-2) cells, as well as a pretreatment with Plant PeptoQ can mitigate salt stress with respect to numerous aspects including proliferation, expansion, ionic balance, redox homeostasis, and mortality. This mitigation correlates with a more robust oxidative balance, evident from a higher activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), lower levels of superoxide and lipid peroxidation damage, and a conspicuous and specific upregulation of mitochondrial SOD transcripts. Although both, Plant PeptoQ and ectopic OsOPR7, were acting in parallel and mostly additive, there are two specific differences: (i) OsOPR7 is strictly localised to the peroxisomes, while Plant PeptoQ found in mitochondria. (ii) Plant PeptoQ activates transcripts of NAC, a factor involved in retrograde signalling from mitochondria to the nucleus, while these transcripts are suppressed significantly in the cells overexpressing OsOPR7. The fact that overexpression of a peroxisomal enzyme shifting the jasmonate pathway from the cell-death signal OPDA towards JA-Ile, a hormone linked with salt adaptation, is accompanied by more robust redox homeostasis in a different organelle, the mitochondrion, indicates that cross-talk between peroxisome and mitochondrion is a crucial factor for efficient adaptation to salt stress.
Publikation
Verhertbruggen, Y.; Bouder, A.; Vigouroux, J.; Alvarado, C.; Geairon, A.; Guillon, F.; Wilkinson, M. D.; Stritt, F.; Pauly, M.; Lee, M. Y.; Mortimer, J. C.; Scheller, H. V.; Mitchell, R. A.; Voiniciuc, C.; Saulnier, L.; Chateigner-Boutin, A.-L.;The TaCslA12 gene expressed in the wheat grain endosperm synthesizes wheat-like mannan when expressed in yeast and ArabidopsisPlant Sci.302110693(2021)DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2020.110693
Mannan is a class of cell wall polysaccharides widespread in the plant kingdom. Mannan structure and properties vary according to species and organ. The cell walls of cereal grains have been extensively studied due to their role in cereal processing and to their beneficial effect on human health as dietary fiber. Recently, we showed that mannan in wheat (Triticum aestivum) grain endosperm has a linear structure of β-1,4-linked mannose residues. The aim of this work was to study the biosynthesis and function of wheat grain mannan. We showed that mannan is deposited in the endosperm early during grain development, and we identified candidate mannan biosynthetic genes expressed in the endosperm. The functional study in wheat was unsuccessful therefore our best candidate genes were expressed in heterologous systems. The endosperm-specificTaCslA12 gene expressed in Pichia pastoris and in an Arabidopsis thaliana mutant depleted in glucomannan led to the production of wheat-like linear mannan lacking glucose residues and with moderate acetylation. Therefore, this gene encodes a mannan synthase and is likely responsible for the synthesis of wheat endosperm mannan.
Publikation
Ditfe, T.; Bette, E.; N. Sultani, H.; Otto, A.; Wessjohann, L. A.; Arnold, N.; Westermann, B.;Synthesis and biological evaluation of highly potent fungicidal deoxy‐hygrophoronesEur. J. Org. Chem.20213827-3836(2021)DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.202100729
Although stripped from hydroxyl-groups, deoxygenated
hygrophorones remain highly active against severe phytopathogens. The
synthesis to these natural product congeners is achieved in
rearrangement sequences, with an optimized deprotection strategy
avoiding retro-aldol reactions. The activities are comparable to
fungicides used in agriculture.
Based on naturally occurring hygrophorones, racemic di-
and mono-hydroxylated cyclopentenones bearing an aliphatic side chain
have been produced in short synthetic sequences starting from furfuryl
aldehyde. For the series of dihydroxylated trans-configured derivatives, an Achmatowicz-rearrangement and a Caddick-ring contraction were employed, and for the series of trans-configured
mono-hydroxylated derivatives a Piancatelli-rearrangement. All final
products showed good to excellent fungicidal activities against the
plant pathogens B. cinerea, S. tritici and P. infestans.