Genomic clustering of cyanogenic glucoside biosythetic genes aids their identification in Lotus japonicus and suggests the repeated evolution of this chemical defence pathway

TY - JOUR

T1 - Genomic clustering of cyanogenic glucoside biosythetic genes aids their identification in Lotus japonicus and suggests the repeated evolution of this chemical defence pathway

AU - Takos, Adam Matthew

AU - Knudsen, Camilla

AU - Lai, Daniela

AU - Kannangara, Rubini Maya

AU - Mikkelsen, Lisbeth

AU - Motawie, Mohammed Saddik

AU - Olsen, Carl Erik

AU - Sato, Shusei

AU - Tabata, Satoshi

AU - Jørgensen, Kirsten

AU - Møller, Birger Lindberg

AU - Rook, Frederik

PY - 2011/10

Y1 - 2011/10

N2 - Cyanogenic glucosides are amino acid-derived defence compounds found in a large number of vascular plants. Their hydrolysis by specific β-glucosidases following tissue damage results in the release of hydrogen cyanide. The cyanogenesis deficient1 (cyd1) mutant of Lotus japonicus carries a partial deletion of the CYP79D3 gene, which encodes a cytochrome P450 enzyme that is responsible for the first step in cyanogenic glucoside biosynthesis. The genomic region surrounding CYP79D3 contains genes encoding the CYP736A2 protein and the UDP-glycosyltransferase UGT85K3. In combination with CYP79D3, these genes encode the enzymes that constitute the entire pathway for cyanogenic glucoside biosynthesis. The biosynthetic genes for cyanogenic glucoside biosynthesis are also co-localized in cassava (Manihot esculenta) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), but the three gene clusters show no other similarities. Although the individual enzymes encoded by the biosynthetic genes in these three plant species are related, they are not necessarily orthologous. The independent evolution of cyanogenic glucoside biosynthesis in several higher plant lineages by the repeated recruitment of members from similar gene families, such as the CYP79s, is a likely scenario.

AB - Cyanogenic glucosides are amino acid-derived defence compounds found in a large number of vascular plants. Their hydrolysis by specific β-glucosidases following tissue damage results in the release of hydrogen cyanide. The cyanogenesis deficient1 (cyd1) mutant of Lotus japonicus carries a partial deletion of the CYP79D3 gene, which encodes a cytochrome P450 enzyme that is responsible for the first step in cyanogenic glucoside biosynthesis. The genomic region surrounding CYP79D3 contains genes encoding the CYP736A2 protein and the UDP-glycosyltransferase UGT85K3. In combination with CYP79D3, these genes encode the enzymes that constitute the entire pathway for cyanogenic glucoside biosynthesis. The biosynthetic genes for cyanogenic glucoside biosynthesis are also co-localized in cassava (Manihot esculenta) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), but the three gene clusters show no other similarities. Although the individual enzymes encoded by the biosynthetic genes in these three plant species are related, they are not necessarily orthologous. The independent evolution of cyanogenic glucoside biosynthesis in several higher plant lineages by the repeated recruitment of members from similar gene families, such as the CYP79s, is a likely scenario.

U2 - 10.1111/j.1365-313x.2011.04685.x

DO - 10.1111/j.1365-313x.2011.04685.x

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0960-7412

VL - 68

SP - 273

EP - 286

JO - Plant Journal

JF - Plant Journal

IS - 2

ER -