Reconstitution of the Costunolide Biosynthetic Pathway in Yeast and Nicotiana benthamiana
2011

Reconstitution of the Costunolide Biosynthetic Pathway in Yeast and Nicotiana benthamiana

Sample size: 8 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Liu Qing, Majdi Mohammad, Cankar Katarina, Goedbloed Miriam, Charnikhova Tatsiana, Verstappen Francel W. A., de Vos Ric C. H., Beekwilder Jules, van der Krol Sander, Bouwmeester Harro J.

Primary Institution: Wageningen University

Hypothesis

The study investigates the gene responsible for the last step in the biosynthesis of costunolide and its functional characterization.

Conclusion

The newly identified gene CiCOS can catalyze the formation of costunolide, and its expression in Nicotiana benthamiana leads to the production of costunolide and its conjugates.

Supporting Evidence

  • Co-expression of feverfew GAS, chicory GAO, and chicory COS in yeast resulted in costunolide production.
  • Transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana led to costunolide production of up to 60 ng.g−1 FW.
  • Two new compounds were identified as costunolide-glutathione and costunolide-cysteine conjugates.

Takeaway

Scientists found a new gene that helps plants make a special compound called costunolide, which can be good for health.

Methodology

The study involved cloning and expressing candidate genes in yeast and Nicotiana benthamiana, followed by analysis of the produced compounds using GC-MS and LC-MS.

Limitations

The study did not detect costunolide conjugates in yeast, suggesting differences in metabolic processing between yeast and plant systems.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.01

Statistical Significance

p<0.01

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0023255

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