Evolution of a complex locus for terpene biosynthesis in Solanum
AUTHORS
Yuki Matsuba, Thuong T.H. Nguyen, Krystle Wiegert, Vasiliki Falara, Eliana Gonzales-Vigil, Bryan Leong, Petra Schäfer, David Kudrna, Rod A. Wing, Anthony M. Bolger, Björn Usadel, Alain Tissier, Alisdair R. Fernie, Cornelius S. Barry, and Eran Pichersky
ADMIN(S)
Yuki Matsuba
ABSTRACT
Functional gene clusters, containing two or more genes encoding different enzymes for the same pathway, are sometimes observed in plant genomes, most often when the genes specify the synthesis of specialized defensive metabolites. Here, we show that a cluster of genes in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum; Solanaceae) contains genes for terpene synthases (TPSs) that specify the synthesis of monoterpenes and diterpenes from cis-prenyl diphosphates, substrates that are synthesized by enzymes encoded by cis-prenyl transferase (CPT) genes also located within the same cluster. The monoterpene synthase genes in the cluster likely evolved from a diterpene synthase gene in the cluster by duplication and divergence. In the orthologous cluster in Solanum habrochaites, a new sesquiterpene synthase gene was created by a duplication event of a monoterpene synthase followed by a localized gene conversion event directed by a diterpene synthase gene. The TPS genes in the Solanum cluster encoding cis-prenyl diphosphate–utilizing enzymes are closely related to a tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum; Solanaceae) diterpene synthase encoding Z-abienol synthase (Nt-ABS). Nt-ABS uses the substrate copal-8-ol diphosphate, which is made from the all-trans geranylgeranyl diphosphate by copal-8-ol diphosphate synthase (Nt-CPS2). The Solanum gene cluster also contains an ortholog of Nt-CPS2, but it appears to encode a nonfunctional protein. Thus, the Solanum functional gene cluster evolved by duplication and divergence of TPS genes, together with alterations in substrate specificity to utilize cis-prenyl diphosphates and through the acquisition of CPT genes.
Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
Leibniz-Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Department of Cell and Metabolic Biology, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
Arizona Genomics Institute, School of Plant Sciences, BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721
Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
Institut für Biologie 1, Botanik, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen University, 52062 Aachen, Germany
Published online before print June 2013, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1105/tpc.113.111013 The Plant Cell June 2013 tpc.113.111013
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
KEY WORDS
Specialized metabolism, terpene biosynthesis, gene cluster
SPAPER ID
3
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