Review and in silico analysis of fermentation, bioenergy, fiber, and biopolymer genes of biotechnological interest inAgaveL. for genetic improvement and biocatalysis

Abstract

Several of the over 200 known species of Agave L. are currently used for production of distilled beverages and biopolymers. The plants live in a wide range of stressful environments as a result of their resistance to abiotic stress (drought, salinity, and extreme temperature) and pathogens, which gives the genus potential for germplasm conservation and biotechnological applications that may minimize economic losses as a result of the global climate change. However, the limited knowledge in the genus of genome structure and organization hampers development of potential improved biotechnological applications by means of genetic manipulation and biocatalysis. We reviewed Agave and plant sequences in the GenBank NCBI database for identifying genes with biotechnological potential for fermentation, bioenergy, fiber improvement, and in vivo plant biopolymer production. Three-dimensional modeling of enzyme structures in plant accessions revealed structural differences in sucrose 1-fructosyltransferase, fructan 1-fructosyltransferase, fructan exohydrolase (1-FEH), cellulose synthase (CES), and glucanases (EGases) with possible effects in fructan, sugar, and biopolymer production. Although the coding genes of FEH and enzymes involved in biopolymer production (CES, sucrose synthase, and EGases) remain unidentified in Agave L., our results could aid isolation of such genes in Agave. By comparing nucleotide and amino acid sequences in accessions of Agave and other plants, knowledge may be gained about transcriptional regulation and enzymatic activity factors. Future study is needed of biotechnological application of Agave genes for crop breeding aided by genetic engineering and biocatalysis.

Agave: a natural renewable resource with multiple applications

“…These are intriguing findings, as one of the aims for agave crops is the reduction of time needed for cultivation and maintaining yield and quality of agave-based cellulose materials. 77 The possibility of engineering agave genomes to integrate native and novel genetic and biochemical features using synthetic biology (SynBio) could facilitate the creation of plants with reproducible cultivation parameters. To carry out this task, different steps will be required for engineering novel functionalities, starting with the generation of simple genetic parts, composite parts, and genetic devices for the design of genetic circuits that can be assembled in multi-gene constructs for interspecies transfer.…”

“…Nevertheless, in silico analyses have already identified potential cellulase synthases, glucanases, and sucrose synthases that could be utilized in fiber production. These are intriguing findings, as one of the aims for agave crops is the reduction of time needed for cultivation and maintaining yield and quality of agave‐based cellulose materials 77 . The possibility of engineering agave genomes to integrate native and novel genetic and biochemical features using synthetic biology (SynBio) could facilitate the creation of plants with reproducible cultivation parameters.…”

Exohidrolasas fructosílicas y su importancia en el metabolismo de fructanos en Agave tequilana Weber var. azul

“…Como se comentó, los fructanos pueden localizarse en los órganos de la superficie como las hojas y las flores abiertas [61]. También pueden encontrarse en las vacuolas [11,61].…”

“…Como se comentó, los fructanos pueden localizarse en los órganos de la superficie como las hojas y las flores abiertas [61]. También pueden encontrarse en las vacuolas [11,61]. Lo anterior sugiere que, en las hojas de la planta de agave y durante la floración, podrían clonarse genes que codifican para exohidrolasas fructosílicas, posiblemente, por la alta actividad fotosintética que estas realizan y la constante división celular, respectivamente.…”

“…Sin embargo, en plantas no hay reportes de endohidrolasas fructosílicas. La fructosa liberada es importante, así como los oligosacáridos, ya que tienen diversas aplicaciones en la medicina, la elaboración de alimentos o bebidas procesadas, y la producción de bioetanol [61,77,78].…”