Evolution and Function of the Populus SABATH Family Reveal That a Single Amino Acid Change Results in a Substrate Switch

Han, Xue-Min; Yang, Qi; Liu, Yan-Jing; Yang, Zhi‐Ling; Wang, Xiaoru; Zeng, Qing‐Yin; Yang, Hai-Ling

doi:10.1093/pcp/pcx198

Cited by 18 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…The alignment of the Betula SAMT (Fig 2) and previously functionally characterized members of SABATH family suggests that Betula SAMT probably methylates both SA and the structurally similar substrate BA [54]. It has also been experimentally proven that members of the SABATH methyltransferase family catalyze multiple substrates with different K m values [8,50,54,55]. Additionally, it has been suggested that a single amino acid substitution might play a critical role in the specificity of SAMT/BSMT with SA and BA [72].…”

Section: Comprehensive Bioinformatics Analysismentioning

confidence: 86%

“…vinifera , and A . thaliana [ 4 , 50 , 52 , 54 ]. However, very little is known about the genetic architecture of SAMT and SABP2 in the ecologically important tree species of the genus Betula .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The characterized activity of SAMT in C. breweri, S. floribunda and snapdragons showed that the enzyme can methylate both SA and BA at different K m values [4,75,76]. In P. trichocarpa, PtSABATH4 showed a higher enzymatic activity towards SA than BA, and a higher expression in all tissues studied when compared to other family members of SABATH [50]. Likewise, under normal growth conditions, the A. thaliana BSMT1 (AtBSMT1) and A. lyrata BSMT1 (AlBSMT1) genes showed considerable expression in leaves.…”

Section: Expression Analysismentioning

confidence: 93%

“…Various studies have advocated the importance of SABP2 and SAMT genes in plant developmental stages and signaling cascades [3,7,50,52,68]. Considering their interaction with numerous molecules, SABP2 and SAMT displayed a higher percentage of polymorphism compared to previously analyzed genomic regions in Betula [64,69,70].…”

Section: Plos Onementioning

confidence: 96%

“…Additionally, it has been suggested that a single amino acid substitution might play a critical role in the specificity of SAMT/BSMT with SA and BA [72]. Further, the detailed study by Han et al, (2017) on P. trichocarpa revealed the evolutionary substrate specificity of the members of the methyltransferase family, including SAMT, can be achieved by changes in amino acid sequences and that alterations in a single amino acid might result in a divergence in substrate specificity [50]. Despite the cited study, the actual mechanism behind the substrate specificity of the SAMT enzyme is still unclear.…”

Section: Comprehensive Bioinformatics Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Identification and analysis of key genes involved in methyl salicylate biosynthesis in different birch species

Singewar¹,

Moschner²,

Hartung³

et al. 2020

PLoS ONE

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Species of the perennial woody plant genus Betula dominate subalpine forests and play a significant role in preserving biological diversity. In addition to their conventional benefits, birches synthesize a wide range of secondary metabolites having pharmacological significance. Methyl salicylate (MeSA) is one of these naturally occurring compounds constitutively produced by different birch species. MeSA is therapeutically important in human medicine for muscle injuries and joint pain. However, MeSA is now mainly produced synthetically due to a lack of information relating to MeSA biosynthesis and regulation. In this study, we performed a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis of two candidate genes mediating MeSA biosynthesis, SALICYLIC ACID METHYLTRANSFERASE (SAMT) and SALICYLIC ACID-BINDING PROTEIN 2 (SABP2), of high (B. lenta, B. alleghaniensis, B. medwediewii, and B. grossa) and low (B. pendula, B. utilis, B. alnoides, and B. nana) MeSA-producing birch species. Phylogenetic analyses of SAMT and SABP2 genes and homologous genes from other plant species confirmed their evolutionary relationships. Multiple sequence alignments of the amino acid revealed the occurrence of important residues for substrate specificity in SAMT and SABP2. The analysis of cis elements in different birches indicated a functional multiplicity of SAMT and SABP2 and provided insights into the regulation of both genes. We successfully developed six prominent single nucleotide substitution markers that were validated with 38 additional birch individuals to differentiate high and low MeSA-producing birch species. Relative tissue-specific expression analysis of SAMT in leaf and bark tissue of two high and two low MeSA-synthesizing birches revealed a high expression in the bark of both high MeSA-synthesizing birches. In contrast, SABP2 expression in tissues revealed indifferent levels of expression between species belonging to the two groups. The comparative expression and bioinformatics analyses provided vital information that could be used to apply plant genetic engineering technology in the mass production of organic MeSA.

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Section: Comprehensive Bioinformatics Analysismentioning

confidence: 86%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Expression Analysismentioning

confidence: 93%

Section: Plos Onementioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Comprehensive Bioinformatics Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Identification and analysis of key genes involved in methyl salicylate biosynthesis in different birch species

Singewar¹,

Moschner²,

Hartung³

et al. 2020

PLoS ONE

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Carboxyl Methyltransferases: Natural Functions and Potential Applications in Industrial Biotechnology

2020

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The use of methyltransferases (MTs) in industrial biotechnology to replace toxic alkylating agents is of increasing interest. Carboxyl MTs (CMTs) are a subgroup of MTs that methylate the hydroxyl oxygen of carboxylic acids. Research initially focussed on their natural functions in protein regulation and production of volatile methyl esters in plants. In this review we highlight this potentially valuable group of enzymes that show promise for formation of a wide range of structurally diverse methyl esters from the parent acids under aqueous conditions. CMTs have been used to generate intermediates for biofuels, bioplastics and pharmaceuticals. These biocatalysts could also be integrated into cascades with other enzymes such as acyltransferases that function under aqueous conditions. Recent approaches for regenerating the required cofactor S‐adenosylmethionine (SAM) are discussed including in vitro recycling, improvement in in vivo production and the use of more stable analogues. Advances in these areas will further improve the potential to use carboxyl MTs in industrial biotechnology.

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Methyl salicylate as a signaling compound that contributes to forest ecosystem stability

Singewar

Fladung²,

Robischon

2021

Trees

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Key message This review for the first time gathers the current state of knowledge on the role of plant and microbial methyl salicylate (MeSA) signaling processes in forest ecosystems. It aims to establish a basis for the use of high-MeSA-emitting trees as a silvicultural tool aiming to enhance stability and resilience in managed temperate forests affected by climate change. Abstract Methyl salicylate (MeSA) is a volatile plant and microbial signaling compound involved in systemic acquired resistance (SAR) and defense against pests and microbial pathogens, and antagonists. MeSA emitted by plants is also believed to trigger SAR in neighboring plant individuals, thus contributing to the resilience of the entire plant community. In this review, we discuss volatile plant-to-plant communication processes with a special focus on MeSA and provide an overview about the occurrence of MeSA in fungi and other microbes. We summarize present findings on the role of MeSA in plants and particularly in birches (Betula spp.) and discuss the potential use of MeSA and MeSA-emitting plants in agriculture and forestry. MeSA levels in plant tissues are adjusted by methylation of salicylic acid to MeSA and the reverse process of demethylation. Some plant species possess constitutively high MeSA levels and thus are suitable for experiments of admixture of high MeSA plants, e.g., birches of the subgenera Betulenta and Acuminata in plant communities such as mixed forests. Furthermore, knowledge of candidate genes and the molecular pathways underlying high MeSA emission is expected to offer a basis for altering MeSA levels and/or the selection of high MeSA mutants.

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Evolution and Function of the Populus SABATH Family Reveal That a Single Amino Acid Change Results in a Substrate Switch

Cited by 18 publications

References 36 publications

Identification and analysis of key genes involved in methyl salicylate biosynthesis in different birch species

Identification and analysis of key genes involved in methyl salicylate biosynthesis in different birch species

Carboxyl Methyltransferases: Natural Functions and Potential Applications in Industrial Biotechnology

Methyl salicylate as a signaling compound that contributes to forest ecosystem stability

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