Squalene synthase (SQS: EC 2.5.1.21) is a potential branch point regulatory enzyme and represents the first committed step to diverge the carbon flux from the main isoprenoid pathway towards sterol biosynthesis. In the present study, cloning and characterization of Withania somnifera squalene synthase (WsSQS) cDNA was investigated subsequently followed by its heterologous expression and preliminary enzyme activity. Two different types of WsSQS cDNA clones (WsSQS1and WsSQS2) were identified that contained an open reading frames of 1,236 and 1,242 bp encoding polypeptides of 412 and 414 amino acids respectively. Both WsSQS isoforms share 99 % similarity and identity with each other. WsSQS deduced amino acids sequences, when compared with SQS of other plant species, showed maximum similarity and identity with Capsicum annuum followed by Solanum tuberosum and Nicotiana tabacum. To obtain soluble recombinant enzymes, 24 hydrophobic amino acids were deleted from the carboxy terminus and expressed as 6X His-Tag fusion protein in Escherichia coli. Approximately 43 kDa recombinant protein was purified using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography and checked on SDS-PAGE. Preliminary activity of the purified enzymes was determined and the products were analyzed by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that WsSQS expresses more in young leaves than mature leaves, stem and root.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11033-012-1743-4 | DOI Listing |
Biotechnol J
January 2025
Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China.
The sesquiterpene (+)-valencene, with its flavor and diverse biological functions, holds promise for applications in the food, fragrance, and pharmaceutical industries. However, the low concentration in nature and high cost of extraction limit its application. This study aimed to construct a microbial cell factory to efficiently produce (+)-valencene.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
January 2025
Department of Pharmacognosy, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, 150040, Hei-longjiang, China.
The roots of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer (ginseng) are one of the traditional medicinal herbs in Asian countries and is known as the "king of all herbs".
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMol Metab
December 2024
Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy. Electronic address:
J Agric Food Chem
December 2024
Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Biosynthesis and Metabolism of Effective Components of Chinese Medicine, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China.
J Biomol Struct Dyn
December 2024
Laboratory of Biology and Health, Faculty of Sciences Ben M'Sick, Health and Biotechnology Research Centre, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco.
Squalene synthase (SQS) plays a crucial role in the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway. Its distinctive strategic position makes it a promising candidate for targeting and developing new anti-hypercholesterolemic agents. To uncover novel phytochemical scaffolds as potential inhibitors of SQS, we employed a structure-based virtual screening approach that involves screening 545 phytochemicals collected from Moroccan aromatic and medicinal plants and filtering them based on RMSD values and their affinity towards the target enzyme.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!