title: Structural motifs of syringyl peroxidases predate not only the gymnosperm-angiosperm divergence but also the radiation of tracheophytes.
abstract: * The most distinctive variation in the monomer composition of lignins in vascular land plants is that found between the two main groups of seed plants. Thus, while gymnosperm lignins are typically composed of guaiacyl (G) units, angiosperm lignins are largely composed of similar levels of G and syringyl (S) units. * However, and contrary to what might be expected, peroxidases isolated from basal (Cycadales and Ginkgoales) and differentially evolved (Coniferales and Gnetales) gymnosperms are also able to oxidize S moieties, and this ability is independent of the presence or absence of S-type units in their lignins. * The results obtained led us to look at the protein database to search for homologies between gymnosperm peroxidases and true eudicot S-peroxidases, such as the Zinnia elegans peroxidase. * The findings showed that certain structural motifs characteristic of eudicot S-peroxidases (certain amino acid sequences and beta-sheet secondary structures) predate the gymnosperm-angiosperm divergence and the radiation of tracheophytes, since they are found not only in peroxidases from basal gymnosperms, ferns and lycopods, but also in peroxidases from the moss Physcomitrella patens (Bryopsida) and the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha (Marchantiopsida), which, as typical of bryophytes, do not have xylem tissue nor lignins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Biology, University of Murcia, E-30100 Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: L V
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Gómez Ros
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gabaldón
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pomar
authors.forename: Fuencisla
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Merino
authors.forename: María A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Pedreño
authors.forename: A Ros
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Barceló
mesh_terms: D020816:Amino Acid Motifs; D032462:Cycadopsida / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D029624:Ferns / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D008031:Lignin / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010544:Peroxidases / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification; D010802:Phylogeny; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification; D017433:Protein Structure, Secondary; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D052584:Xylem / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology
chemical_list: D010940:Plant Proteins; D008031:Lignin; D010544:Peroxidases