Dataset Information

Identification of a methyltransferase catalyzing the final step of methyl anthranilate synthesis in cultivated strawberry.

ABSTRACT: Methyl anthranilate (MA) contributes an attractive fruity note to the complex flavor and aroma of strawberry (Fragaria spp.), yet it is rare in modern cultivars. The genetic basis for its biosynthesis has not been elucidated. Understanding the specific genes required for its synthesis could allow the development of gene/allele-specific molecular markers to speed breeding of flavorful strawberries.Ripe fruits from individuals in an F1 population resulting from a cross between a MA producer and a non-producer were examined using a bulk-segregant transcriptome approach. MA producer and non-producer transcriptomes were compared, revealing five candidate transcripts that strictly co-segregated with MA production. One candidate encodes an annotated methyltransferase. MA levels are lower when this transcript is suppressed with RNAi, and bacterial cultures expressing the protein produced MA in the presence of anthranilic acid. Frozen fruit powders reconstituted with anthranilic acid and a methyl donor produced MA only if the transcript was detected in the fruit powder. A DNA-based molecular marker was developed that segregates with the MA-producing gene variant.These analyses indicate that the methyltransferase, now noted ANTHRANILIC ACID METHYL TRANSFERASE (FanAAMT), mediates the ultimate step of MA production in cultivated strawberry. Identification of this gene and its associated molecular marker may hasten breeding efforts to introduce this important volatile into modern cultivars.

SUBMITTER: Pillet J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5580298 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Identification of a methyltransferase catalyzing the final step of methyl anthranilate synthesis in cultivated strawberry.

Pillet Jeremy J Chambers Alan H AH Barbey Christopher C Bao Zhilong Z Plotto Anne A Bai Jinhe J Schwieterman Michael M Johnson Timothy T Harrison Benjamin B Whitaker Vance M VM Colquhoun Thomas A TA Folta Kevin M KM

BMC plant biology 20170831 1

<h4>Background</h4>Methyl anthranilate (MA) contributes an attractive fruity note to the complex flavor and aroma of strawberry (Fragaria spp.), yet it is rare in modern cultivars. The genetic basis for its biosynthesis has not been elucidated. Understanding the specific genes required for its synthesis could allow the development of gene/allele-specific molecular markers to speed breeding of flavorful strawberries.<h4>Results</h4>Ripe fruits from individuals in an F1 population resulting from ...[more]

PMID: 28859633

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Project description:BackgroundAnthranilate is a platform chemical used by the industry in the synthesis of a broad range of high-value products, such as dyes, perfumes and pharmaceutical compounds. Currently anthranilate is produced via chemical synthesis from non-renewable resources. Biological synthesis would allow the use of renewable carbon sources and avoid accumulation of toxic by-products. Microorganisms produce anthranilate as an intermediate in the tryptophan biosynthetic pathway. Several prokaryotic microorganisms have been engineered to overproduce anthranilate but attempts to engineer eukaryotic microorganisms for anthranilate production are scarce.ResultsWe subjected Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a widely used eukaryotic production host organism, to metabolic engineering for anthranilate production. A single gene knockout was sufficient to trigger anthranilate accumulation both in minimal and SCD media and the titer could be further improved by subsequent genomic alterations. The effects of the modifications on anthranilate production depended heavily on the growth medium used. By growing an engineered strain in SCD medium an anthranilate titer of 567.9 mg l-1 was obtained, which is the highest reported with an eukaryotic microorganism. Furthermore, the anthranilate biosynthetic pathway was extended by expression of anthranilic acid methyltransferase 1 from Medicago truncatula. When cultivated in YPD medium, this pathway extension enabled production of the grape flavor compound methyl anthranilate in S. cerevisiae at 414 mg l-1.ConclusionsIn this study we have engineered metabolism of S. cerevisiae for improved anthranilate production. The resulting strains may serve as a basis for development of efficient production host organisms for anthranilate-derived compounds. In order to demonstrate suitability of the engineered S. cerevisiae strains for production of such compounds, we successfully extended the anthranilate biosynthesis pathway to synthesis of methyl anthranilate.

Dataset Information

Identification of a methyltransferase catalyzing the final step of methyl anthranilate synthesis in cultivated strawberry.

Publications

Identification of a methyltransferase catalyzing the final step of methyl anthranilate synthesis in cultivated strawberry.

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