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Isolation and functional characterization of a β‐eudesmol synthase, a new sesquiterpene synthase from Zingiber zerumbet Smith
Author(s) -
Yu Fengnian,
Harada Hisashi,
Yamasaki Kazuhisa,
Okamoto Sho,
Hirase Souta,
Tanaka Yasuo,
Misawa Norihiko,
Utsumi Ryutaro
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/j.febslet.2008.01.020
Subject(s) - sesquiterpene , enzyme , atp synthase , biochemistry , biology , escherichia coli , enzyme assay , mevalonate pathway , gene , biosynthesis , botany
In this paper, we have identified a new sesquiterpene synthase gene ( ZSS2 ) from Zingiber zerumbet Smith. Functional expression of ZSS2 in Escherichia coli and in vitro enzyme assay showed that the encoded enzyme catalyzed the formation of β‐eudesmol and five additional by‐products. Quantitative RT‐PCR analysis revealed that ZSS2 transcript accumulation in rhizomes has strong seasonal variations. To further confirm the enzyme activity of ZSS2 and to assess the potential for metabolic engineering of β‐eudesmol production, we introduced a gene cluster encoding six enzymes of the mevalonate pathway into E. coli and coexpressed it with ZSS2 . When supplemented with mevalonate, the engineered E. coli produced a similar sesquiterpene profile to that produced in the in vitro enzyme assay, and the yield of β‐eudesmol reached 100 mg/L.