Publikationen - Molekulare Signalverarbeitung

Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) are a group of nitrogen-containing plant secondary metabolites comprised of an estimated 2500 identified structures. In BIA metabolism, (S)-reticuline is a key branch-point intermediate that can be directed into several alkaloid subtypes with different structural skeleton configurations. The morphinan alkaloids are one subclass of BIAs produced in only a few plant species, most notably and abundantly in the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum). Comparative transcriptome analysis of opium poppy and several other Papaver species that do not accumulate morphinan alkaloids showed that known genes encoding BIA biosynthetic enzymes are expressed at higher levels in P. somniferum. Three unknown cDNAs that are co-ordinately expressed with several BIA biosynthetic genes were identified as enzymes in the pathway. One of these enzymes, salutaridine reductase (SalR), which is specific for the production of morphinan alkaloids, was isolated and heterologously overexpressed in its active form not only from P. somniferum, but also from Papaver species that do not produce morphinan alkaloids. SalR is a member of a class of short chain dehydrogenase/reductases (SDRs) that are active as monomers and possess an extended amino acid sequence compared with classical SDRs. Homology modelling and substrate docking revealed the substrate binding site for SalR. The amino acids residues conferring salutaridine binding were compared to several members of the SDR family from different plant species, which non-specifically reduce (−)-menthone to (+)-neomenthol. Previously, it was shown that some of these proteins are involved in plant defence. The recruitment of specific monomeric SDRs from monomeric SDRs involved in plant defence is discussed.

To isolate cDNAs involved in the biosynthesis of acetate-derived naphthoquinones in Drosophyllum lusitanicum, an expressed sequence tag analysis was performed. RNA from callus cultures was used to create a cDNA library from which 2004 expressed sequence tags were generated. One cDNA with similarity to known type III polyketide synthases was isolated as full-length sequence and termed DluHKS. The translated polypeptide sequence of DluHKS showed 51–67% identity with other plant type III PKSs. Recombinant DluHKS expressed in Escherichia coli accepted acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) as starter and carried out sequential decarboxylative condensations with malonyl-CoA yielding α-pyrones from three to six acetate units. However, naphthalenes, the expected products, were not isolated. Since the main compound produced by DluHKS is a hexaketide α-pyrone, and the naphthoquinones in D. lusitanicum are composed of six acetate units, we propose that the enzyme provides the backbone of these secondary metabolites. An involvement of accessory proteins in this biosynthetic pathway is discussed.

The culture filtrate of Fusarium oxysporum f sp matthiolae was inspected on the occurrence of jasmonates and related compounds. Among compounds described for the first time of biological origin are 7-iso-cucurbic acid, (1S,2S)- and (1S,2R)-3-oxo-2-pentylcyclopentane-1-butyric acid, (1S,2S)- and (1S,2R)-3-oxo-2-(2Z-pentenyl)cyclopentane-1-hexanoic acid, (1S,2S)- and (1S,2R)-3-oxo-2-pentylcyclopentane-1-hexanoic acid, (1S,2S)-3-oxo-2-(2Z-pentenyl)cyclopentane-1-octanoic acid, (1S,2S)-3-oxo-2-pentylcyclopentane-1-octanoic acid and N-[9,10-dihydro-7-iso-jasmonoyl]-(S)-isoleucine. The following metabolites were identified for the first time for this fungus: (−)-Jasmonic acid, 9,10-dihydrojasmonic acid and N-[(−)-jasmonoyl-(S)]-isoleucine were major constituents of the culture filtrate, whereas as minor metabolites occurred N-[9,10-dihydrojasmonoyl]-(S)-isoleucine, cucurbic acid and 3-oxo-2-(2Z-pentenyl)cyclopentane-1-butyric acid, 3-oxo-2-(2Z-pentenyl)cyclopentane-1-octanoic acid and 3-oxo-2-pentylcyclopentane-1-octanoic acid. All cyclopentanones found carried a cis- or trans-attached side chain. Didehydro-jasmonates, hydroxylated jasmonates or 12-oxophytodienoic acid could not be detected in the culture filtrate.