RESUMO
The physiology and ecology of particle-associated marine bacteria are of growing interest, but our knowledge of their aggregation behavior and mechanisms controlling their association with particles remains limited. We have found that a particle-associated isolate, Alteromonas sp. ALT199 strain 4B03, and the related type-strain A. macleodii 27126 both form large (>500 µm) aggregates while growing in rich medium. A non-clumping variant (NCV) of 4B03 spontaneously arose in the lab, and whole-genome sequencing revealed a partial deletion in the gene encoding UDP-glucose-4-epimerase (galEΔ308-324). In 27126, a knock-out of galE (ΔgalE::kmr) resulted in a loss of aggregation, mimicking the NCV. Microscopic analysis shows that both 4B03 and 27126 rapidly form large aggregates, whereas their respective galE mutants remain primarily as single planktonic cells or clusters of a few cells. Strains 4B03 and 27126 also form aggregates with chitin particles, but their galE mutants do not. Alcian Blue staining shows that 4B03 and 27126 produce large transparent exopolymer particles (TEP), but their galE mutants are deficient in this regard. This study demonstrates the capabilities of cell-cell aggregation, aggregation of chitin particles, and production of TEP in strains of Alteromonas, a widespread particle-associated genus of heterotrophic marine bacteria. A genetic requirement for galE is evident for each of the above capabilities, expanding the known breadth of requirement for this gene in biofilm-related processes. IMPORTANCE: Heterotrophic marine bacteria have a central role in the global carbon cycle. Well-known for releasing CO2 by decomposition and respiration, they may also contribute to particulate organic matter (POM) aggregation, which can promote CO2 sequestration via the formation of marine snow. We find that two members of the prevalent particle-associated genus Alteromonas can form aggregates comprising cells alone or cells and chitin particles, indicating their ability to drive POM aggregation. In line with their multivalent aggregation capability, both strains produce TEP, an excreted polysaccharide central to POM aggregation in the ocean. We demonstrate a genetic requirement for galE in aggregation and large TEP formation, building our mechanistic understanding of these aggregative capabilities. These findings point toward a role for heterotrophic bacteria in POM aggregation in the ocean and support broader efforts to understand bacterial controls on the global carbon cycle based on microbial activities, community structure, and meta-omic profiling.
Assuntos
Alteromonas , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase , Alteromonas/genética , Alteromonas/enzimologia , Alteromonas/metabolismo , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/genética , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/metabolismo , Polissacarídeos Bacterianos/metabolismo , Polissacarídeos Bacterianos/biossíntese , Polissacarídeos Bacterianos/genética , Organismos Aquáticos/genética , Organismos Aquáticos/metabolismo , Água do Mar/microbiologia , Sequenciamento Completo do GenomaRESUMO
L-Arabinose (L-Ara) is a plant-specific sugar found in cell wall polysaccharides, proteoglycans, glycoproteins, and small glycoconjugates, which play physiologically important roles in cell proliferation and other essential cellular processes. L-Ara is synthesized as UDP-L-arabinose (UDP-L-Ara) from UDP-xylose (UDP-Xyl) by UDP-Xyl 4-epimerases (UXEs), a type of de novo synthesis of L-Ara unique to plants. In Arabidopsis, the Golgi-localized UXE AtMUR4 is the main contributor to UDP-L-Ara synthesis. However, cytosolic bifunctional UDP-glucose 4-epimerases (UGEs) with UXE activity, AtUGE1, and AtUGE3 also catalyze this reaction. For the present study, we first examined the physiological importance of bifunctional UGEs in Arabidopsis. The uge1 and uge3 mutants enhanced the dwarf phenotype of mur4 and further reduced the L-Ara content in cell walls, suggesting that bifunctional UGEs contribute to UDP-L-Ara synthesis. Through the introduction of point mutations exchanging corresponding amino acid residues between AtUGE1 with high UXE activity and AtUGE2 with low UXE activity, two mutations that increase relative UXE activity of AtUGE2 were identified. The crystal structures of AtUGE2 in complex forms with NAD+ and NAD+/UDP revealed that the UDP-binding domain of AtUGE2 has a more closed conformation and smaller sugar-binding site than bacterial and mammalian UGEs, suggesting that plant UGEs have the appropriate size and shape for binding UDP-Xyl and UDP-L-Ara to exhibit UXE activity. The presented results suggest that the capacity for cytosolic synthesis of UDP-L-Ara was acquired by the small sugar-binding site and several mutations of UGEs, enabling diversified utilization of L-Ara in seed plants.
Assuntos
Proteínas de Arabidopsis , Arabidopsis , Parede Celular , Citosol , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase , Açúcares de Uridina Difosfato , Arabidopsis/genética , Arabidopsis/enzimologia , Arabidopsis/metabolismo , Proteínas de Arabidopsis/metabolismo , Proteínas de Arabidopsis/genética , Citosol/metabolismo , Citosol/enzimologia , Açúcares de Uridina Difosfato/metabolismo , Parede Celular/metabolismo , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/genética , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/metabolismo , Mutação , Uridina Difosfato Xilose/metabolismo , Uridina Difosfato Xilose/genéticaRESUMO
Fungal cell walls represent the frontline contact with the host and play a prime role in pathogenesis. While the roles of the cell wall polymers like chitin and branched ß-glucan are well understood in vegetative and pathogenic development, that of the most prominent galactose-containing polymers galactosaminogalactan and fungal-type galactomannan is unknown in plant pathogenic fungi. Mining the genome of the maize pathogen Colletotrichum graminicola identified the single-copy key galactose metabolism genes UGE1 and UGM1, encoding a UDP-glucose-4-epimerase and UDP-galactopyranose mutase, respectively. UGE1 is thought to be required for biosynthesis of both polymers, whereas UGM1 is specifically required for fungal-type galactomannan formation. Promoter:eGFP fusion strains revealed that both genes are expressed in vegetative and in pathogenic hyphae at all stages of pathogenesis. Targeted deletion of UGE1 and UGM1, and fluorescence-labeling of galactosaminogalactan and fungal-type galactomannan confirmed that Δuge1 mutants were unable to synthesize either of these polymers, and Δugm1 mutants did not exhibit fungal-type galactomannan. Appressoria of Δuge1, but not of Δugm1 mutants, were defective in adhesion, highlighting a function of galactosaminogalactan in the establishment of these infection cells on hydrophobic surfaces. Both Δuge1 and Δugm1 mutants showed cell wall defects in older vegetative hyphae and severely reduced appressorial penetration competence. On intact leaves of Zea mays, both mutants showed strongly reduced disease symptom severity, indicating that UGE1 and UGM1 represent novel virulence factors of C. graminicola.
Assuntos
Colletotrichum , Proteínas Fúngicas , Galactose , Doenças das Plantas , Fatores de Virulência , Zea mays , Parede Celular/metabolismo , Colletotrichum/genética , Colletotrichum/metabolismo , Colletotrichum/patogenicidade , Proteínas Fúngicas/genética , Proteínas Fúngicas/metabolismo , Galactanos/metabolismo , Galactose/metabolismo , Galactose/análogos & derivados , Hifas/metabolismo , Transferases Intramoleculares/genética , Transferases Intramoleculares/metabolismo , Mananas/metabolismo , Doenças das Plantas/microbiologia , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/metabolismo , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/genética , Virulência/genética , Fatores de Virulência/genética , Fatores de Virulência/metabolismo , Zea mays/microbiologiaRESUMO
Multiple enzymes perform moonlighting functions distinct from their main roles. UDP-glucose epimerases (UGEs), a subclass of isomerases, catalyze the interconversion of UDP-glucose (UDP-Glc) and UDP-galactose (UDP-Gal). We identified a rice male-sterile mutant, osuge1, with delayed tapetum degradation and abortive pollen. The mutant osuge1 protein lacked UDP-glucose epimerase activity, resulting in higher UDP-Gal content and lower UDP-Glc levels in the osuge1 mutant compared with the wild type. Interestingly, we discovered that OsUGE1 participates in the TIP2/bHLH142-TDR-EAT1/DTD transcriptional regulatory cascade involved in tapetum degradation, in which TIP2 and TDR regulate the expression of OsUGE1 while OsUGE1 regulates the expression of EAT1. In addition, we found that OsUGE1 regulates the expression of its own gene by directly binding to an E-box element in the OsUGE1 promoter. Collectively, our results indicate that OsUGE1 not only functions as a UDP-glucose epimerase but also moonlights as a transcriptional activator to promote tapetum degradation, revealing a novel regulatory mechanism of rice reproductive development.
Assuntos
Oryza , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/genética , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/química , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/metabolismo , Oryza/genética , Oryza/metabolismo , Fertilidade , Glucose , Difosfato de UridinaRESUMO
GALE gene encodes the uridine diphosphate [UDP]-galactose-4-epimerase, which catalyzes the bidirectional interconversion of UDP-glucose to UDP-galactose, and UDP-N-acetyl-glucosamine to UDP-N-acetyl-galactosamine. In that way, GALE balances, through reversible epimerization, the pool of four sugars that are essential during the biosynthesis of glycoproteins and glycolipids. GALE-related disorder presents an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern, and it is commonly associated with galactosemia. Peripheral galactosemia generally associates with non-generalized forms or even asymptomatic presentations, while classical galactosemia may be related to complications such as learning difficulties, developmental delay, cardiac failure, or dysmorphic features. Recently, GALE variants have been related to severe thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia, and in one patient, to myelodysplastic syndrome.
What is the context? GALE gene encodes for the UDP-Galactose 4-Epimerase, an enzyme involved in the Leloir pathway of galactose catabolism and protein glycosylation.Homozygous or compound heterozygous GALE variants associate with the disorder known as galactosemia type III.Three types of galactosemia can be distinguished: the peripheral, the intermediate, and the generalized form, which associate with different clinical symptoms and GALE genetic variants.Peripheral form is considered benign, while the intermediate and the generalized form is associated with severe and syndromic manifestations, including learning difficulties, delayed growth, sensorineural hearing loss, and early-onset cataracts, among others.What is new? In the last few years, GALE variants have been linked to hematological manifestations, such as anemia, febrile neutropenia, and severe thrombocytopenia.To date, the only GALE variants described in patients presenting hematological disorders are GALE p.Arg51Trp, p.Lys78ValfsX32, p.Val128Met, p.Thr150Met, p.Leu223Pro, and p.Gly237Asp.The thrombocytopenia observed in GALE patients is associated with reduced GPIbα and ß1 integrin glycosylation and externalization to the megakaryocyte and platelet surface, disrupting the actin cytoskeleton remodeling.What is the impact? GALE is an essential protein for the correct megakaryocyte and platelet glycosylation.
Assuntos
Galactosemias , Trombocitopenia , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase , Humanos , Galactose , Galactosemias/genética , Hemorragia , Trombocitopenia/genética , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/genéticaRESUMO
In order to figure out the induction mechanisms of glycoside hydrolase genes in Aspergillus aculeatus, we screened approximately 9,000 transfer DNA (T-DNA)-inserted mutants for positive regulators involved in the induction. Since the mutants possess the orotidine 5'-monophosphate decarboxylase gene as a reporter gene to monitor the cellulose-responsive expression of the cellobiohydrolase I gene (cbhI), candidate strains were isolated by counterselection against 5-fluoroorotic acid (5-FOA). One 5-FOA-resistant mutant harboring the T-DNA at the uge5 locus showed reduced cellulose utilization and cbhI expression. A. aculeatus Uge5 is homologous to Aspergillus fumigatus uge5 (Afu5g10780; E-value, 0.0; identities, 93%), which catalyzes the conversion of uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glucose to UDP-galactopyranose. The uge5 deletion mutant in A. aculeatus (Δuge5) showed reduced conidium formation on minimal media supplemented with galactose, locust bean gum (LBG), and guar gum as a carbon source. ß-1,4-Endoglucanase and ß-1,4-mannanase production in submerged culture containing LBG was reduced to 10% and 6% of the control strain at day 5, respectively, but no difference was observed in cultures containing wheat bran. The expression of major cellulolytic and mannolytic genes in the presence of mannobiose in Δuge5 was reduced to less than 15% of the control strain, while cellobiose-responsive expression was only modestly reduced at early inducing time points. Since all test genes were controlled by a transcription factor ManR, these data demonstrate that Uge5 is involved in inducer-dependent selective expression of genes controlled via ManR. KEY POINTS: ⢠UDP-glucose 4-epimerase (Uge5) regulates expression of glycosyl hydrolase genes. ⢠ManR regulates both cellobiose- and mannobiose-responsive expression. ⢠Uge5 plays a key role in mannobiose-responsive expression.
Assuntos
Glicosídeo Hidrolases , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase , Glicosídeo Hidrolases/genética , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/genética , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/metabolismo , Celobiose/metabolismo , Celulose/metabolismo , Galactose/metabolismo , Difosfato de UridinaRESUMO
Glycosylation is recognized as a key process for proper megakaryopoiesis and platelet formation. The enzyme uridine diphosphate (UDP)-galactose-4-epimerase, encoded by GALE, is involved in galactose metabolism and protein glycosylation. Here, we studied 3 patients from 2 unrelated families who showed lifelong severe thrombocytopenia, bleeding diathesis, mental retardation, mitral valve prolapse, and jaundice. Whole-exome sequencing revealed 4 variants that affect GALE, 3 of those previously unreported (Pedigree A, p.Lys78ValfsX32 and p.Thr150Met; Pedigree B, p.Val128Met; and p.Leu223Pro). Platelet phenotype analysis showed giant and/or grey platelets, impaired platelet aggregation, and severely reduced alpha and dense granule secretion. Enzymatic activity of the UDP-galactose-4-epimerase enzyme was severely decreased in all patients. Immunoblotting of platelet lysates revealed reduced GALE protein levels, a significant decrease in N-acetyl-lactosamine (LacNAc), showing a hypoglycosylation pattern, reduced surface expression of gylcoprotein Ibα-IX-V (GPIbα-IX-V) complex and mature ß1 integrin, and increased apoptosis. In vitro studies performed with patients-derived megakaryocytes showed normal ploidy and maturation but decreased proplatelet formation because of the impaired glycosylation of the GPIbα and ß1 integrin, and reduced externalization to megakaryocyte and platelet membranes. Altered distribution of filamin A and actin and delocalization of the von Willebrand factor were also shown. Overall, this study expands our knowledge of GALE-related thrombocytopenia and emphasizes the critical role of GALE in the physiological glycosylation of key proteins involved in platelet production and function.
Assuntos
Trombocitopenia , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase , Humanos , Plaquetas/metabolismo , Galactose/metabolismo , Glicosilação , Integrina beta1/metabolismo , Megacariócitos/metabolismo , Trombocitopenia/genética , Trombocitopenia/metabolismo , Trombopoese/genética , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/genética , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/metabolismo , Difosfato de Uridina/metabolismoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Galactose epimerase (GALE) deficiency is a rare hereditary disorder of galactose metabolism with only a few cases described in the literature. This study aims to present the data of patients with GALE deficiency from different countries included through the Galactosemia Network to further expand the existing knowledge and review the current diagnostic strategy, treatment and follow-up of this not well characterized entity. METHODS: Observational study collecting medical data from December 2014 to April 2022 of 22 not previously reported patients from 14 centers in 9 countries. Patients were classified as generalized or non-generalized based on their genotype, enzyme activities in different tissues and/or clinical picture and professional judgment of the treating physician. RESULTS: In total 6 patients were classified as generalized and 16 as non-generalized. In the generalized group, acute neonatal illness was reported in 3, cognitive and developmental delays were present in 5 and hearing problems were reported in 3. Four generalized patients were homozygous for the genetic variant NM_001008216.2:c.280G > A (p.Val94Met). In the non-generalized group, no clearly related symptoms were found. Ten novel genetic variants were reported in this study population. CONCLUSION: The phenotypic spectrum of GALE deficiency ranges from asymptomatic to severe. The generalized patients have a phenotype that is in line with the 9 described cases in the literature and prescribing dietary interventions is the cornerstone for treatment. In the non-generalized group, treatment advice is more difficult. To be able to offer proper counseling, in addition to red blood cell enzyme activity, genetic studies, transferrin glycoform analysis and enzymatic measurements in fibroblasts are recommended. Due to lack of facilities, additional enzymatic testing is not common practice in many centers nor a tailored long-term follow-up is performed.
Assuntos
Galactosemias , Galactosemias/genética , Galactosemias/metabolismo , Genótipo , Homozigoto , Humanos , Sistema de Registros , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/genética , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/metabolismoRESUMO
Lesion mimic mutants (LMMs) have been widely used in experiments in recent years for studying plant physiological mechanisms underlying programmed cell death (PCD) and defense responses. Here, we identified a lesion mimic mutant, lm212-1, which cloned the causal gene by a map-based cloning strategy, and verified this by complementation. The causal gene, OsPHD1, encodes a UDP-glucose epimerase (UGE), and the OsPHD1 was located in the chloroplast. OsPHD1 was constitutively expressed in all organs, with higher expression in leaves and other green tissues. lm212-1 exhibited decreased chlorophyll content, and the chloroplast structure was destroyed. Histochemistry results indicated that H2O2 is highly accumulated and cell death is occurred around the lesions in lm212-1. Compared to the wild type, expression levels of defense-related genes were up-regulated, and resistance to bacterial pathogens Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) was enhanced, indicating that the defense response was activated in lm212-1, ROS production was induced by flg22, and chitin treatment also showed the same result. Jasmonic acid (JA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) increased, and the JA signaling pathways appeared to be disordered in lm212-1. Additionally, the overexpression lines showed the same phenotype as the wild type. Overall, our findings demonstrate that OsPHD1 is involved in the regulation of PCD and defense response in rice.
Assuntos
Ciclopentanos/metabolismo , Resistência à Doença/genética , Oryza/genética , Oryza/metabolismo , Oryza/microbiologia , Oxilipinas/metabolismo , Doenças das Plantas/genética , Doenças das Plantas/microbiologia , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/genética , Cloroplastos/genética , Cloroplastos/metabolismo , Clonagem Molecular , Regulação da Expressão Gênica de Plantas , Interações Hospedeiro-Patógeno , Mutação , Fenótipo , Fotossíntese/genética , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/metabolismoRESUMO
Galactose toxicity (Gal-Tox) is a widespread phenomenon ranging from Escherichia coli to mammals and plants. In plants, the predominant pathway for the conversion of galactose into UDP-galactose (UDP-Gal) and UDP-glucose is catalyzed by the enzymes galactokinase, UDP-sugar pyrophosphorylase (USP) and UDP-galactose 4-epimerase. Galactose is a major component of cell wall polymers, glycolipids and glycoproteins; therefore, it becomes surprising that exogenous addition of galactose leads to drastic root phenotypes including cessation of primary root growth and induction of lateral root formation. Currently, little is known about galactose-mediated toxicity in plants. In this study, we investigated the role of galactose-containing metabolites like galactose-1-phosphate (Gal-1P) and UDP-Gal in Gal-Tox. Recently published data from mouse models suggest that a reduction of the Gal-1P level via an mRNA-based therapy helps to overcome Gal-Tox. To test this hypothesis in plants, we created Arabidopsis thaliana lines overexpressing USP from Pisum sativum. USP enzyme assays confirmed a threefold higher enzyme activity in the overexpression lines leading to a significant reduction of the Gal-1P level in roots. Interestingly, the overexpression lines are phenotypically more sensitive to the exogenous addition of galactose (0.5 mmol L-1 Gal). Nucleotide sugar analysis via high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed highly elevated UDP-Gal levels in roots of seedlings grown on 1.5 mmol L-1 galactose versus 1.5 mmol L-1 sucrose. Analysis of plant cell wall glycans by comprehensive microarray polymer profiling showed a high abundance of antibody binding recognizing arabinogalactanproteins and extensins under Gal-feeding conditions, indicating that glycoproteins are a major target for elevated UDP-Gal levels in plants.
Assuntos
Arabidopsis/enzimologia , Galactose , Açúcares , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase , UTP-Glucose-1-Fosfato Uridililtransferase , Galactose/toxicidade , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/genética , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/metabolismo , UTP-Glucose-1-Fosfato Uridililtransferase/genética , UTP-Glucose-1-Fosfato Uridililtransferase/metabolismo , Difosfato de UridinaRESUMO
Congenital disorders of glycosylation are a group of rare monogenic inborn errors of metabolism caused by defective glycoprotein and glycolipid glycan synthesis and attachment. Here, we present a patient with galactose epimerase deficiency, also known as GALE deficiency, accompanied by pancytopenia and immune dysregulation. She was first identified by an abnormal newborn screen for galactosemia with subsequent genetic evaluation due to pancytopenia and immune dysregulation. The evaluation ultimately revealed that her known diagnosis of GALE deficiency was the cause of her hematologic and immune abnormalities. These findings further expand the clinical spectrum of disease of congenital disorders of glycosylation.
Assuntos
Defeitos Congênitos da Glicosilação/genética , Galactosemias/genética , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/genética , Adulto , Defeitos Congênitos da Glicosilação/diagnóstico , Defeitos Congênitos da Glicosilação/patologia , Feminino , Galactosemias/diagnóstico , Galactosemias/patologia , Glicolipídeos/biossíntese , Glicolipídeos/genética , Humanos , Mutação/genética , Fenótipo , Polissacarídeos/biossíntese , Polissacarídeos/genética , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/deficiênciaRESUMO
KEY MESSAGE: ARPI, ß-AS, and UGE were cloned from G. uralensis and their regulatory effects on glycyrrhizin biosynthesis were investigated. ß-AS and UGE but not ARPI positively regulate the biosynthesis of glycyrrhizin. Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. has been used to treat respiratory, gastric, and liver diseases since ancient China. The most important and widely studied active component in G. uralensis is glycyrrhizin (GC). Our pervious RNA-Seq study shows that GC biosynthesis is regulated by multiple biosynthetic pathways. In this study, three target genes, ARPI, ß-AS, and UGE from different pathways were selected and their regulatory effects on GC biosynthesis were investigated using G. uralensis hairy roots. Our data show that hairy roots knocking out ARPI or UGE died soon after induction, indicating that the genes are essential for the growth of G. uralensis hairy roots. Hairy roots with ß-AS knocked out grew healthily. However, they failed to produce GC, suggesting that ß-AS is required for triterpenoid skeleton formation. Conversely, overexpression of UGE or ß-AS significantly increased the GC content, whereas overexpression of ARPI had no obvious effects on GC accumulation in G. uralensis hairy roots. Our findings demonstrate that ß-AS and UGE positively regulate the biosynthesis of GC.
Assuntos
Glycyrrhiza uralensis/metabolismo , Ácido Glicirrízico/metabolismo , Proteínas de Plantas/genética , Raízes de Plantas/metabolismo , Edição de Genes , Regulação da Expressão Gênica de Plantas , Técnicas de Inativação de Genes , Vetores Genéticos , Glycyrrhiza uralensis/genética , Ácido Glicirrízico/análise , Transferases Intramoleculares/genética , Transferases Intramoleculares/metabolismo , Proteínas de Plantas/metabolismo , Raízes de Plantas/genética , Plantas Geneticamente Modificadas , Plantas Medicinais , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/genética , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/metabolismoRESUMO
Elucidating the biochemical and molecular basis of premature abscission in fruit crops should help develop strategies to enhance fruit set and yield. Here, we report that LcERF2 contributes to differential abscission rates and responses to ethylene in Litchi chinensis (litchi). Reduced LcERF2 expression in litchi was observed to reduce fruit abscission, concurrent with enhanced pedicel growth and increased levels of hexoses, particularly galactose, as well as pectin abundance in the cell wall. Ecoptic expression of LcERF2 in Arabidopsis thaliana caused enhanced petal abscission, together with retarded plant growth and reduced pedicel galactose and pectin contents. Transcriptome analysis indicated that LcERF2 modulates the expression of genes involved in cell wall modification. Yeast one-hybrid, dual-luciferase reporter and electrophoretic mobility shift assays all demonstrated that a UDP-glucose-4-epimerase gene (LcUGE) was the direct downstream target of LcERF2. This result was further supported by a significant reduction in the expression of the A. thaliana homolog AtUGE2-4 in response to LcERF2 overexpression. Significantly reduced pedicel diameter and enhanced litchi fruit abscission were observed in response to LcUGE silencing. We conclude that LcERF2 mediates fruit abscission by orchestrating cell wall metabolism, and thus pedicel growth, in part by repressing the expression of LcUGE.
Assuntos
Parede Celular/metabolismo , Frutas/metabolismo , Litchi/metabolismo , Proteínas de Plantas/metabolismo , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/metabolismo , Arabidopsis , Ensaio de Desvio de Mobilidade Eletroforética , Frutas/enzimologia , Frutas/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica , Genes de Plantas/genética , Litchi/enzimologia , Litchi/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Proteínas de Plantas/genética , Plantas Geneticamente Modificadas , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/genéticaRESUMO
Epimerase-deficiency galactosemia (EDG) is caused by mutations in the UDP-galactose 4'-epimerase enzyme, encoded by gene GALE. Catalyzing the last reaction in the Leloir pathway, UDP-galactose-4-epimerase catalyzes the interconversion of UDP-galactose and UDP-glucose. This study aimed to use in-depth computational strategies to prioritize the pathogenic missense mutations in GALE protein and investigate the systemic behavior, conformational spaces, atomic motions, and cross-correlation matrix of the GALE protein. We searched four databases (dbSNP, ClinVar, UniProt, and HGMD) and major biological literature databases (PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar), for missense mutations that are associated with EDG patients, our search yielded 190 missense mutations. We applied a systematic computational prediction pipeline, including pathogenicity, stability, biochemical, conservational, protein residue contacts, and structural analysis, to predict the pathogenicity of these mutations. We found three mutations (p.K161N, p.R239W, and p.G302D) with a severe phenotype in patients with EDG that correlated with our computational prediction analysis; thus, they were selected for further structural and simulation analyses to compute the flexibility and stability of the mutant GALE proteins. The three mutants were subjected to molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) with native protein for 200 ns using GROMACS. The MDS demonstrated that these mutations affected the beta-sheets and helical region that are responsible for the catalytic activity; subsequently, affects the stability and flexibility of the mutant proteins along with a decrease and more deviations in compactness when compared to that of a native. Also, three mutations created major variations in the combined atomic motions of the catalytic and C-terminal regions. The network analysis of the residues in the native and three mutant protein structures showed disturbed residue contacts occurred owing to the missense mutations. Our findings help to understand the structural behavior of a protein owing to mutation and are intended to serve as a platform for prioritizing mutations, which could be potential targets for drug discovery and development of targeted therapeutics.
Assuntos
Galactosemias/patologia , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/química , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Sítios de Ligação , Biocatálise , Bases de Dados de Proteínas , Galactosemias/genética , Humanos , Simulação de Acoplamento Molecular , Simulação de Dinâmica Molecular , Mutação de Sentido Incorreto , NAD/química , NAD/metabolismo , Conformação Proteica em alfa-Hélice , Conformação Proteica em Folha beta , Estabilidade Proteica , Especificidade por Substrato , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/genética , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/metabolismoRESUMO
A series of nucleotide sugar interconversion enzymes (NSEs) generate the activated sugar donors required for biosynthesis of cell wall matrix polysaccharides and glycoproteins. UDP-glucose 4-epimerases (UGEs) are NSEs that function in the interconversion of UDP-glucose (UDP-Glc) and UDP-galactose (UDP-Gal). The roles of UDP-glucose 4-epimerases in monocots remain unclear due to redundancy in the pathways. Here, we report a brittle plant (bp1) rice mutant that exhibits brittle leaves and culms at all growth stages. The mutant culms had reduced levels of rhamnogalacturonan I, homogalacturonan, and arabinogalactan proteins. Moreover, the mutant had altered contents of uronic acids, neutral noncellulosic monosaccharides, and cellulose. Map-based cloning demonstrated that OsBP1 encodes a UDP-glucose 4-epimerase (OsUGE2), a cytosolic protein. We also show that BP1 can form homo- and hetero-protein complexes with other UGE family members and with UDP-galactose transporters 2 (OsUGT2) and 3 (OsUGT3), which may facilitate the channeling of Gal to polysaccharides and proteoglycans. Our results demonstrate that BP1 participates in regulating the sugar composition and structure of rice cell walls.
Assuntos
Parede Celular/metabolismo , Mucoproteínas/metabolismo , Oryza/metabolismo , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/metabolismo , Regulação da Expressão Gênica de Plantas , Mucoproteínas/genética , Oryza/genética , Pectinas/metabolismo , Proteínas de Plantas/genética , Proteínas de Plantas/metabolismo , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/genéticaRESUMO
We report, for the first time, the three-dimensional structure and biochemical properties of a UDP-galactose 4-epimerase-like l-threonine 3-dehydrogenase (GalE-like L-ThrDH) from Phytophthora infestans, a plant disease-causing fungus. We identified GalE-like L-ThrDH using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database as a candidate target for the development of a new fungicide. The GalE-like L-ThrDH gene was expressed in Escherichia coli, and its product was purified and characterized. N-Acetylglycine was found to act as a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme (Ki =0.18 mM). The crystal structure of the unique hexameric GalE-like L-ThrDH was determined using the molecular replacement method at a resolution of 2.3 Å, in the presence of NAD+ and citrate, an analogue of the substrate. Based on the molecular docking simulation, N-acetylglycine molecule was modeled into the active site and the binding mode and inhibition mechanism of N-acetylglycine were elucidated.
Assuntos
Oxirredutases do Álcool/química , Oxirredutases do Álcool/metabolismo , Phytophthora infestans/enzimologia , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/química , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/metabolismo , Oxirredutases do Álcool/antagonistas & inibidores , Oxirredutases do Álcool/genética , Sítios de Ligação , Catálise , Domínio Catalítico , Cristalografia por Raios X , Inibidores Enzimáticos/metabolismo , Glicina/análogos & derivados , Glicina/metabolismo , Concentração de Íons de Hidrogênio , Modelos Moleculares , Simulação de Acoplamento Molecular , Proteínas Recombinantes/química , Proteínas Recombinantes/genética , Proteínas Recombinantes/metabolismo , Temperatura , Treonina/metabolismo , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/antagonistas & inibidores , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/genéticaRESUMO
UDP-glucose epimerases (UGEs) are essential enzymes for catalysing the conversion of UDP-glucose (UDP-Glc) into UDP-galactose (UDP-Gal). Although UDP-Gal has been well studied as the substrate for the biosynthesis of carbohydrates, glycolipids, and glycoproteins, much remains unknown about the biological function of UGEs in plants. In this study, we selected a novel rice fragile culm 24 (Osfc24) mutant and identified it as a nonsense mutation of the FC24/OsUGE2 gene. The Osfc24 mutant shows a brittleness phenotype with significantly altered cell wall composition and disrupted orientation of the cellulose microfibrils. We found significantly reduced accumulation of arabinogalactan proteins in the cell walls of the mutant, which may consequently affect plant growth and cell wall deposition, and be responsible for the altered cellulose microfibril orientation. The mutant exhibits dwarfism and paler leaves with significantly decreased contents of galactolipids and chlorophyll, resulting in defects in plant photosynthesis. Based on our results, we propose a model for how OsUGE2 participates in two distinct metabolic pathways to co-modulate cellulose biosynthesis and cell wall assembly by dynamically providing UDP-Gal and UDP-Glc substrates.
Assuntos
Oryza , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase , Parede Celular/metabolismo , Glucose/metabolismo , Oryza/genética , Oryza/metabolismo , Fotossíntese , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/genética , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/metabolismo , Difosfato de Uridina/metabolismoRESUMO
Since the first description of galactosemia in 1908 and despite decades of research, the pathophysiology is complex and not yet fully elucidated. Galactosemia is an inborn error of carbohydrate metabolism caused by deficient activity of any of the galactose metabolising enzymes. The current standard of care, a galactose-restricted diet, fails to prevent long-term complications. Studies in cellular and animal models in the past decades have led to an enormous progress and advancement of knowledge. Summarising current evidence in the pathophysiology underlying hereditary galactosemia may contribute to the identification of treatment targets for alternative therapies that may successfully prevent long-term complications. A systematic review of cellular and animal studies reporting on disease complications (clinical signs and/or biochemical findings) and/or treatment targets in hereditary galactosemia was performed. PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched, 46 original articles were included. Results revealed that Gal-1-P is not the sole pathophysiological agent responsible for the phenotype observed in galactosemia. Other currently described contributing factors include accumulation of galactose metabolites, uridine diphosphate (UDP)-hexose alterations and subsequent impaired glycosylation, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, altered signalling pathways, and oxidative stress. galactokinase (GALK) inhibitors, UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (UGP) up-regulation, uridine supplementation, ER stress reducers, antioxidants and pharmacological chaperones have been studied, showing rescue of biochemical and/or clinical symptoms in galactosemia. Promising co-adjuvant therapies include antioxidant therapy and UGP up-regulation. This systematic review provides an overview of the scattered information resulting from animal and cellular studies performed in the past decades, summarising the complex pathophysiological mechanisms underlying hereditary galactosemia and providing insights on potential treatment targets.
Assuntos
Galactosemias/genética , Galactosemias/fisiopatologia , Animais , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Galactoquinase/genética , Galactoquinase/metabolismo , Galactose/metabolismo , Galactosemias/metabolismo , Galactosemias/terapia , Genótipo , Humanos , Estresse Oxidativo , Fenótipo , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/genética , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/metabolismo , UTP-Hexose-1-Fosfato Uridililtransferase/genética , UTP-Hexose-1-Fosfato Uridililtransferase/metabolismoRESUMO
Glycan biosynthesis relies on nucleotide sugars (NSs), abundant metabolites that serve as monosaccharide donors for glycosyltransferases. In vivo, signal-dependent fluctuations in NS levels are required to maintain normal cell physiology and are dysregulated in disease. However, how mammalian cells regulate NS levels and pathway flux remains largely uncharacterized. To address this knowledge gap, here we examined UDP-galactose 4'-epimerase (GALE), which interconverts two pairs of essential NSs. Using immunoblotting, flow cytometry, and LC-MS-based glycolipid and glycan profiling, we found that CRISPR/Cas9-mediated GALE deletion in human cells triggers major imbalances in NSs and dramatic changes in glycolipids and glycoproteins, including a subset of integrins and the cell-surface death receptor FS-7-associated surface antigen. In particular, we observed substantial decreases in total sialic acid, galactose, and GalNAc levels in glycans. These changes also directly impacted cell signaling, as GALE-/- cells exhibited FS-7-associated surface antigen ligand-induced apoptosis. Our results reveal a role of GALE-mediated NS regulation in death receptor signaling and may have implications for the molecular etiology of illnesses characterized by NS imbalances, including galactosemia and metabolic syndrome.
Assuntos
Glicolipídeos/metabolismo , Glicoproteínas/metabolismo , Açúcares/metabolismo , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/química , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/metabolismo , Receptor fas/metabolismo , Apoptose/genética , Cromatografia Líquida , Desoxiaçúcares/metabolismo , Técnicas de Inativação de Genes , Glicolipídeos/biossíntese , Glicolipídeos/química , Glicoproteínas/biossíntese , Glicoproteínas/química , Glicosilação , Células HEK293 , Células HeLa , Humanos , Espectrometria de Massas , Ácido N-Acetilneuramínico/metabolismo , Polissacarídeos/química , Polissacarídeos/metabolismo , Receptores de Superfície Celular/metabolismo , UDPglucose 4-Epimerase/genética , Receptor fas/químicaRESUMO
The epimerase MoeE5 from Streptomyces viridosporus converts UDP-glucuronic acid (UDP-GlcA) to UDP-galacturonic acid (UDP-GalA) to provide the first sugar in synthesizing moenomycin, a potent inhibitor against bacterial peptidoglycan glycosyltransferases. The enzyme belongs to the UDP-hexose 4-epimerase family, and uses NAD+ as its cofactor. Here we present the complex crystal structures of MoeE5/NAD+/UDP-GlcA and MoeE5/NAD+/UDP-glucose, determined at 1.48â¯Å and 1.66â¯Å resolution. The cofactor NAD+ is bound to the N-terminal Rossmann-fold domain and the substrate is bound to the smaller C-terminal domain. In both crystals the C4 atom of the sugar moiety of the substrate is in close proximity to the C4 atom of the nicotinamide of NAD+, and the O4 atom of the sugar is also hydrogen bonded to the side chain of Tyr154, suggesting a productive binding mode. As the first complex structure of this protein family with a bound UDP-GlcA in the active site, it shows an extensive hydrogen-bond network between the enzyme and the substrate. We further built a model with the product UDP-GalA, and found that the unique Arg192 of MoeE5 might play an important role in the catalytic pathway. Consequently, MoeE5 is likely a specific epimerase for UDP-GlcA to UDP-GalA conversion, rather than a promiscuous enzyme as some other family members.