Biomaterial Database

Identification and characterization of the geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase in Deinococcus radiodurans. 2014

C Liu, and Z Sun, and S Shen, and L Lin, and T Li, and B Tian, and Y Hua

Key Laboratory for Nuclear-Agricultural Sciences of Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Nuclear-Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.

Deinococcus radiodurans strain R1 utilizes multiple antioxidants including a unique carotenoid, deinoxanthin, to fight again oxidative stress. Most of the enzymes involved in the deinoxanthin biosynthetic pathway have been identified. However, the enzyme catalysing the synthesis of geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP), which is a precursor of carotenoid biosynthesis, has yet to be identified. Two putative isoprenyl diphosphate synthases (IPPS) homologues (DR1395 and DR932) were screened out by analysis of conserved amino acid regions, and their biochemical functions were investigated. Gene mutation, gene expression in Escherichia coli and analysis of carotenoid products were used to investigate the functions of these candidates. The results suggested that DR1395 encodes the protein for GGPP synthesis. Site-directed mutant analysis indicated that the amino acid composition of and around the first aspartate-rich motif is vital for GGPP synthase function. CONCLUSIONS Deinococcus radiodurans strain R1 produces a unique carotenoid product, deinoxanthin, as an antioxidant. In this study, DR1395 was identified as the gene encoding geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (GGPPS) for entrance to deinoxanthin biosynthesis in D. radiodurans. Moreover, site-directed mutagenesis studies on DR1395 identified the effect of amino acid composition of the aspartate-rich motif on the production of this carotenoid. This study demonstrated the entrance step in the deinoxanthin biosynthetic pathway. These results can be useful in genetic engineering strategies for deinoxanthin production including enhancement of GGPPS gene expression in D. radiodurans.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D002338	Carotenoids	The general name for a group of fat-soluble pigments found in green, yellow, and leafy vegetables, and yellow fruits. They are aliphatic hydrocarbons containing 4 terpene subunits.	Carotenes,Carotenoid,Tetraterpene Derivatives,Tetraterpenes,Carotene,Derivatives, Tetraterpene
D001426	Bacterial Proteins	Proteins found in any species of bacterium.	Bacterial Gene Products,Bacterial Gene Proteins,Gene Products, Bacterial,Bacterial Gene Product,Bacterial Gene Protein,Bacterial Protein,Gene Product, Bacterial,Gene Protein, Bacterial,Gene Proteins, Bacterial,Protein, Bacterial,Proteins, Bacterial
D051231	Farnesyltranstransferase	An enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of geranylgeranyl diphosphate from trans, trans-farnesyl diphosphate and isopentenyl diphosphate.	Farnesyl Diphosphate-Geranylgeranyl Diphosphate Synthase,Farnesyltransferase,GGDP Synthase,GGPP Synthase,Geranylgeranyl Pyrophosphatase,Geranylgeranyl-Diphosphate Synthase,Farnesyl Diphosphate Geranylgeranyl Diphosphate Synthase,Geranylgeranyl Diphosphate Synthase,Pyrophosphatase, Geranylgeranyl,Synthase, GGDP,Synthase, GGPP,Synthase, Geranylgeranyl-Diphosphate
D053898	Biosynthetic Pathways	Sets of enzymatic reactions occurring in organisms and that form biochemicals by making new covalent bonds.	Biosynthetic Pathway,Pathway, Biosynthetic,Pathways, Biosynthetic
D034301	Deinococcus	A genus of gram-positive aerobic cocci found in the soil, that is highly resistant to radiation, especially ionizing radiation (RADIATION, IONIZING). Deinococcus radiodurans is the type species.	Deinococcus radiodurans