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Xanthohumol

Responsible: Daniela Dichtler, Ingmar Polte, Maria Trumpfheller and Katrin Fischer

Flavonoids are valuable natural products with anti-inflammatory, antiallergenic and antioxidant activities in humans. For the chemical synthesis of flavonoids, extreme reaction conditions and toxic chemicals are required. Hence, we chose the transfer of this metabolic pathway into Saccharomyces cerevisiae as an attractive alternative source of flavonoids. After the successful implementation of the first steps of the phenylpropanoid pathway, the syntheses of different flavonoids are conceivable. Along with raspberry ketone, the aroma compound of raspberries, plant substances providing beneficial effects to ones life could be synthesized, for example resveratrol or xanthohumol, which we will focus on.

We successfully cloned all enzymes necessary for the pathway of xanthohumol in the new yeast expression vector [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K801004 pTUM104]. Every gene was sequenced and submitted as a BioBrick. So we established BioBricks in order to produce xanthohumol in yeast ([http://partsregistry.org/wiki/index.php?title=Part:BBa_K801090 BBa_K801090], [http://partsregistry.org/wiki/index.php?title=Part:BBa_K801091 BBa_K801091], [http://partsregistry.org/wiki/index.php?title=Part:BBa_K801092 BBa_K801092], [http://partsregistry.org/wiki/index.php?title=Part:BBa_K801093 BBa_K801093], [http://partsregistry.org/wiki/index.php?title=Part:BBa_K801094 BBa_K801094], [http://partsregistry.org/wiki/index.php?title=Part:BBa_K801095 BBa_K801095], [http://partsregistry.org/wiki/index.php?title=Part:BBa_K801096 BBa_K801096], [http://partsregistry.org/wiki/index.php?title=Part:BBa_K801097 BBa_K801097], [http://partsregistry.org/wiki/index.php?title=Part:BBa_K801098 BBa_K801098],).

Our next goals are to proof the expression of every single enzyme by Western Blot Analysis and to show the functionality with established enzyme assays.

Background and principles

4-coumaroyl-CoA

Plant secondary metabolites have proven or assumed beneficial properties and health promoting effects. Stilbenoids, flavonoids or lignins can result from 4-coumaroyl-coenzyme A, which is a nodal compound of the phenylproponaoid metabolism in plants.

Biosynthesis of xanthohumol

The biosynthetic pathway of 4-coumaroyl-coenzyme A starts with the conversion of L-Phenylalanine to cinnamate catalyzed by phenylalanin ammonia lyase (PAL) [A]. PAL also shows activity with converting tyrosine to p-coumarate, albeit to a lower efficiency [B]. The cinnamate 4-hydroxylase (C4H) catalyzes the synthesis of p-hydroxycinnamate from cinnamate and 4-coumarate [C]: CoA ligase (4CL) converts p-coumarate to its coenzyme-A ester, activating it for reaction with malonyl CoA [D] [[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19631278 Trantas et al., 2009]].

The flavonoid biosynthetic pathway starts with the condensation of one molecule of 4-coumaroyl-CoA and three molecules of malonyl-CoA, yielding naringenin chalcone. This reaction is carried out by the enzyme chalcone synthase (CHS) [E]. Chalcone is isomerised to a flavanone by the enzyme chalcone flavanone isomerase (CHI). From these central intermediates, the pathway diverges into several side branches, each resulting in a different class of flavonoids, for example xanthohumol.

Our project will focus on the production of xanthohumol, due to its characteristic as a cancer chemopreventive agent (see below). The idea is to perform a heterologous gene expression of all enzymes required for xanthohumol biosynthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. First, each enzyme should be expressed individually and the activities should be tested individually to ensure the functionality. Each gene should be inserted in a yeast expression vector under the control of a GAL1 promotor. The final goal is the expression of all required genes in a single modified yeast to produce xanthohumol out of the substrate L-Tyrosin.

There are 5 enzymes necessary for the biosynthesis of xanthohumol ([http://biocyc.org/META/NEW-IMAGE?type=NIL&object=PWY-5135 MetaCyc]):

Enzyme [A]: PAL = phenylalanine ammonia lyase: L-phenylalanin --> trans-cinnamate

Enzyme [D]: 4CL = 4-coumarate - coenzym A ligase: 4-coumarate --> 4-coumaroyl-CoA

Enzyme [E]: CHS = naringenin - chalcone synthase: 4-coumaroyl-CoA --> naringeninchalcone

Enzyme [F]: APT = aromatic prenyltransferase: naringeninchalcone --> desmethylxanthohumol

Enzyme [G]: OMT1 = chalcone O-methyltransferase: desmethylxanthohumol --> xanthohumol

Jiang et al succeed in the biosynthesis of several flavonoids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by the assembly of a plasmid which contains three required enzymes (pKS2µHyg-PAL-4CL-CHS) and showed thereby the proof of principle. The activity of each enzyme was demonstrated and the presence of naringenin, which forms the product of the three enzymes( PAL, 4CL, CHS) was shown. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14704995 Jiang and Morgan, 2004

The molecular and physiological effects of xanthohumol

Xanthohumol

Inhibition of the metabolic activation of procarcinogens:

2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinolone, found in cooked meat, verified as a procarcinogen in an ames salmonella mutagenicity test. The inhibition is probably a result of an inhibition of the cytochrome P 450 enzymes Cyp1A1, Cyp1B1 and Cyp1A2 (phase 1 enzymes). But in order to achieve a clear inhibition, plasma concentrations of 1 µM would be necessary. In a study with male rats oral administration of xanthohumol (50 mg/kg) led to concentration maximums of 65 -180 nM after 4 h. Improved resorption of xanthohumol could be a possible target for innovation [[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11240137 Yilmazer et al. 2001a], [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10995285 Miranda et al. 2000b], [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10752639 Henderson et al., 2000], [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12481418 Gerhauser et al., 2002]].

Induction of carcinogen-detoxifying enzymes (phase 2 enzymes):

P450-activated carcinogens get conjugated to endogenous ligands (gluthathione, glucoronic acid, acetate and sulfate) by phase 2 enzymes to facilitate excretion. Therefore the induction of phase 2 enzymes should enhance the protection against carcinogenesis. Xanthohumol cat concentrations of 2.1-10.1 µM could induce quinone reductase (detoxification of quinones by conversion to hydroquinones which can be conjugated) in hepatoma Hepa 1c1c7 cells. It was shown that xanthohumol could selectively induce quinone reductase without causing a transcriptional activation of Cyp1A1 [[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11038156 Miranda et al., 2000c], [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12481418 Gerhauser et al., 2002]].

Inhibition of tumor growth at an early stage:

Xanthohumol showed an inhibition of the proliferation of breast cancer (MCF-7) and ovarian cancer (A-2780) in vitro at IC50 values of 13 and 0.52 µM [[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10418944 Miranda et al., 1999]]. Furthermore xanthohumol can inhibit the endogenous prostaglandin synthesis through inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) with IC50 values of 17 and 42 µM. An increased prostaglandin production has been associated with the uncontrolled proliferation of tumor cells [[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12481418 Gerhauser et al., 2002]]. Pharmacokinetic studies for xanthohumol based on beverages with an xanthohumol content of 50 mg/l in humans are part of actual research activities.

Antioxidant activities:

Xanthohumol at 5 µM decreased conjugated diene formation as a measure for lipid peroxidation by more than 70 % after 5 h of incubation in an in vitro assay (protection of LDL from Cu2+ induced oxidation). Furthermore xanthohumol was shown to scavenge hydroxyl-, peroxyl- and superoxide anion radicals [[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11038156 Miranda et al., 2000c]].

Results

BioBricks

The following BioBricks were constructed to achieve the production of xanthohumol.

Overview

We have successfully cloned all 5 enzymes which are necessary for the biosynthesis of xanthohumol in [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K801004 pTUM104] as well as in pSB1C3. Except for APT each enzyme was designed in two versions: one with a proposed yeast consensus sequence and one without. In yeast this sequence should result in improved ribosome binding (TACACA) and was added 5’ of the start codon ATG. All BioBricks were sequenced. Sequences can be found in the registry of standard biological parts: [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K801090 BBa_K801090], [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K801091 BBa_K801091], [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K801092 BBa_K801092], [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K801093 BBa_K801093], [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K801094 BBa_K801094], [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K801095 BBa_K801095], [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K801096 BBa_K801096], [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K801097 BBa_K801097], [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K801098 BBa_K801098].

Our next goal is to prove enzyme expression via SDS-PAGE and Western Blot analysis. Afterwards activities will be tested in in-vitro assays to ensure the functionality of the 5 enzymes.

References

• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12481418 Gerhauser et al., 2002 Gerhauser, C., Alt, A., Heiss, E., Gamal-Eldeen, A., Klimo, K., Knauft, J., Neu- mann, I., Scherf, H.-R., Frank, N., Bartsch, H., and Becker, H. (2002). Cancer chemopreventive activity of xanthohumol, a natural product derived from hop. Mol Cancer Ther, 1(11):959–69.
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10752639 Henderson et al., 2000 Henderson, M. C., Miranda, C. L., Stevens, J. F., Deinzer, M. L., and Buhler, D. R. (2000). In vitro inhibition of human p450 enzymes by prenylated flavonoids from hops, humulus lupulus. Xenobiotica, 30(3):235–51.
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14704995 Jiang and Morgan, 2004 Jiang, H. and Morgan, J. A. (2004). Optimization of an in vivo plant p450 monooxygenase system in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Biotechnol Bioeng, 85(2):130–7.
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10737704 Miranda et al., 2000a Miranda, C. L., Aponso, G. L., Stevens, J. F., Deinzer, M. L., and Buhler, D. R. (2000a). Prenylated chalcones and flavanones as inducers of quinone reductase in mouse hepa 1c1c7 cells. Cancer Lett, 149(1-2):21–9.
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10418944 Miranda et al., 1999 Miranda, C. L., Stevens, J. F., Helmrich, A., Henderson, M. C., Rodriguez, R. J., Yang, Y. H., Deinzer, M. L., Barnes, D. W., and Buhler, D. R. (1999). Antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of prenylated flavonoids from hops (Humulus lupulus) in human cancer cell lines. Food Chem Toxicol, 37(4):271–85.
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10995285 Miranda et al., 2000b Miranda, C. L., Stevens, J. F., Ivanov, V., McCall, M., Frei, B., Deinzer, M. L., and Buhler, D. R. (2000b). Antioxidant and prooxidant actions of prenylated and nonprenylated chalcones and flavanones in vitro. J Agric Food Chem, 48(9):3876–84.
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11038156 Miranda et al., 2000c Miranda, C. L., Yang, Y. H., Henderson, M. C., Stevens, J. F., Santana-Rios, G., Deinzer, M. L., and Buhler, D. R. (2000c). Prenylflavonoids from hops inhibit the metabolic activation of the carcinogenic heterocyclic amine 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4, 5-f]quinoline, mediated by cdna-expressed human cyp1a2. Drug Metab Dispos, 28(11):1297–302.
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19631278 Trantas et al., 2009 Trantas, E., Panopoulos, N., and Ververidis, F. (2009). Metabolic engineering of the complete pathway leading to heterologous biosynthesis of various flavonoids and stilbenoids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Metab Eng, 11(6):355–66.
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11240137 Yilmazer et al., 2001a Yilmazer, M., Stevens, J. F., and Buhler, D. R. (2001a). In vitro glucuronidation of xanthohumol, a flavonoid in hop and beer, by rat and human liver microsomes. FEBS Lett, 491(3):252–6.
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11181488 Yilmazer et al., 2001b Yilmazer, M., Stevens, J. F., Deinzer, M. L., and Buhler, D. R. (2001b). In vitro biotransformation of xanthohumol, a flavonoid from hops (Humulus lupulus), by rat liver microsomes. Drug Metab Dispos, 29(3):223–31.