A cDNA clone for beta-caryophyllene synthase from Artemisia annua.
An homology-based cloning strategy yielded a full-length cDNA from Artemisia annua that encoded a protein of 60.3 kDa which resembled a sesquiterpene synthase in sequence. Heterologous expression of the gene in Escherichia coli provided a soluble recombinant enzyme capable of catalyzing the divalent metal ion-dependent conversion of farnesyl diphosphate to beta-caryophyllene, a sesquiterpene olefin found in the essential oil of A. annua. In reaction parameters and kinetic properties, beta-caryophyllene synthase resembles other sesquiterpene synthases of angiosperms. The beta-caryophyllene synthase gene is expressed in most plant tissues during early development, and is induced in mature tissue in response to fungal elicitor thus suggesting a role for beta-caryophyllene in plant defense.
Cai
Yu
Y
Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 300 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, P R, China.
Jia
Jun-Wei
JW
Crock
John
J
Lin
Zhi-Xin
ZX
Chen
Xiao-Ya
XY
Croteau
Rodney
R
D031172:Artemisia annua / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D004790:Enzyme Induction; D004798:Enzymes / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015394:Molecular Structure; D018514:Plant Structures / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D000081223:Polycyclic Sesquiterpenes; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D004798:Enzymes; D000081223:Polycyclic Sesquiterpenes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C024714:caryophyllene