Characterization of Subcellular Dynamics of Sterol Methyltransferases Clarifies Defective Cell Division in smt2 smt3, a C-24 Ethyl Sterol-Deficient Mutant of Arabidopsis.

An Arabidopsis sterol mutant, smt2 smt3, defective in sterolmethyltransferase2 (SMT2), exhibits severe growth abnormalities. The loss of C-24 ethyl sterols, maintaining the biosynthesis of C-24 methyl sterols and brassinosteroids, suggests specific roles of C-24 ethyl sterols. We characterized the subcellular localizations of fluorescent protein-fused sterol biosynthetic enzymes, such as SMT2-GFP, and found these enzymes in the endoplasmic reticulum during interphase and identified their movement to the division plane during cytokinesis. The mobilization of endoplasmic reticulum-localized SMT2-GFP was independent of the polarized transport of cytokinetic vesicles to the division plane. In smt2 smt3, SMT2-GFP moved to the abnormal division plane, and unclear cell plate ends were surrounded by hazy structures from SMT2-GFP fluorescent signals and unincorporated cellulose debris. Unusual cortical microtubule organization and impaired cytoskeletal function accompanied the failure to determine the cortical division site and division plane formation. These results indicated that both endoplasmic reticulum membrane remodeling and cytokinetic vesicle transport during cytokinesis were impaired, resulting in the defects of cell wall generation. The cell wall integrity was compromised in the daughter cells, preventing the correct determination of the subsequent cell division site. We discuss the possible roles of C-24 ethyl sterols in the interaction between the cytoskeletal network and the plasma membrane.

Insights into stereoselective ring formation in canonical strigolactone: Identification of a dirigent domain-containing enzyme catalyzing orobanchol synthesis.

Strigolactones (SLs) are plant apocarotenoids with diverse roles and structures. Canonical SLs, widespread and characterized by structural variations in their tricyclic lactone (ABC-ring), are classified into two types based on C-ring configurations. The steric C-ring configuration emerges during the BC-ring closure, downstream of the biosynthetic intermediate, carlactonoic acid (CLA). Most plants produce either type of canonical SLs stereoselectively, e.g., tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) yields orobanchol with an α-oriented C-ring. The mechanisms driving SL structural diversification are partially understood, with limited insight into functional implications. Furthermore, the exact molecular mechanism for the stereoselective BC-ring closure reaction is yet to be known. We identified an enzyme, the stereoselective BC-ring-forming factor (SRF), from the dirigent protein (DIR) family, specifically the DIR-f subfamily, whose biochemical function had not been characterized, making it a key enzyme in stereoselective canonical SL biosynthesis with the α-oriented C-ring. We first confirm the precise catalytic function of the tomato cytochrome P450 SlCYP722C, previously shown to be involved in orobanchol biosynthesis [T. Wakabayashi et al., Sci. Adv. 5, eaax9067 (2019)], to convert CLA to 18-oxocarlactonoic acid. We then show that SRF catalyzes the stereoselective BC-ring closure reaction of 18-oxocarlactonoic acid, forming orobanchol. Our methodology combines experimental and computational techniques, including SRF structure prediction and conducting molecular dynamics simulations, suggesting a catalytic mechanism based on the conrotatory 4π-electrocyclic reaction for the stereoselective BC-ring formation in orobanchol. This study sheds light on the molecular basis of how plants produce SLs with specific stereochemistry in a controlled manner.

Measurement of glucose area under the curve using minimally invasive interstitial fluid extraction technology: evaluation of glucose monitoring concepts without blood sampling.

BACKGROUND: Monitoring postprandial hyperglycemia is crucial in treating diabetes, although its dynamics make accurate monitoring difficult. We developed a new technology for monitoring postprandial hyperglycemia using interstitial fluid (ISF) extraction technology without blood sampling. The glucose area under the curve (AUC) using this system was measured as accumulated ISF glucose (IG) with simultaneous calibration with sodium ions. The objective of this study was to evaluate this technological concept in healthy individuals. METHODS: Minimally invasive ISF extraction technology (MIET) comprises two steps: pretreatment with microneedles and ISF accumulation over a specific time by contact with a solvent. The correlation between glucose and sodium ion levels using MIET was evaluated in 12 subjects with stable blood glucose (BG) levels during fasting. BG and IG time courses were evaluated in three subjects to confirm their relationship while BG was fluctuating. Furthermore, the accuracy of glucose AUC measurements by MIET was evaluated several hours after a meal in 30 subjects. RESULTS: A high correlation was observed between glucose and sodium ion levels when BG levels were stable (R=0.87), indicating that sodium ion is a good internal standard for calibration. The variation in IG and BG with MIET was similar, indicating that IG is an adequate substitute for BG. Finally, we showed a strong correlation (R=0.92) between IG-AUC and BG-AUC after a meal. CONCLUSIONS: These findings validate the adequacy of glucose AUC measurements using MIET. Monitoring glucose using MIET without blood sampling may be beneficial to patients with diabetes.