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A cDNA clone for beta-caryophyllene synthase from Artemisia annua
Yu Cai1, Jun-Wei Jia, John Crock
1Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 300 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, P R, China.
Phytochemistry
|November 1, 2002
Summary
Researchers identified a beta-caryophyllene synthase gene in Artemisia annua. This gene, when expressed in E. coli, produces an enzyme that synthesizes beta-caryophyllene, potentially involved in plant defense.
Area of Science:
- Plant biochemistry
- Molecular biology
- Natural product synthesis
Background:
- Artemisia annua produces sesquiterpenes like beta-caryophyllene.
- The biosynthetic pathways and enzymes for many plant natural products remain uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize the enzyme responsible for beta-caryophyllene synthesis in Artemisia annua.
- To investigate the potential role of beta-caryophyllene in plant defense mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Homology-based cloning of cDNA from Artemisia annua.
- Heterologous expression of the gene in Escherichia coli.
- Biochemical assays to determine enzyme activity and kinetics.
Main Results:
- A full-length cDNA encoding a 60.3 kDa protein with homology to sesquiterpene synthases was isolated.
- The recombinant enzyme, beta-caryophyllene synthase, catalyzed the conversion of farnesyl diphosphate to beta-caryophyllene.
- Enzyme kinetics and reaction parameters were characterized and found to be similar to other angiosperm sesquiterpene synthases.
- The beta-caryophyllene synthase gene is expressed in various plant tissues and induced by fungal elicitors.
Conclusions:
- A novel beta-caryophyllene synthase from Artemisia annua has been identified and functionally characterized.
- Beta-caryophyllene synthesis is likely involved in the plant's defense response against pathogens.