화학공학소재연구정보센터
Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Vol.173, No.2, 579-595, 2014
Isolation, Characterization, and Structure Analysis of a Vacuolar Processing Enzyme Gene (MhVPE gamma) from Malus hupehensis (Pamp) Rehd
Vacuolar processing enzymes (VPEs) have received considerable attention recently, as they exhibit caspase-1-like cleavage activity and regulate the process of PCD. However, knowledge about their detailed characteristics and structures is relatively limited. In this study, a gamma vacuolar processing enzyme gene, MhVPE gamma, has been isolated from the leaves of Malus hupehensis (Ramp) Rehd. var pinyiensis Jiang. MhVPE gamma coded-translated protein sequence comprised of 494 amino acids with a signal peptide and a transmembrane helix structure at N-terminal, peptidase_C13 domain, and vacuolar sorting signal at C-terminal. Consequently, genomic walking approach was performed for the isolation of its upstream sequence. Computational analysis demonstrated several motifs of the promoter exhibiting hypothetic MeJA, ABA, and light-induced characteristics, as well as some typical domains universally discovered in promoter, such as TATA-box and CAAT-box. MhVPE gamma transcript level was enhanced during wounding treatment, and WUN-motif, as one of the cis-acting regulatory elements existing in the upstream sequence perhaps regulates its expression. In silico-constructed 3D models revealed that MhCPYL successively interacts with MhVPE gamma like that of "Induced Fit-Lock and Key" model, providing molecular conformation evidence that CPY is a direct substrate of VPE gamma. This study is the first stride to understand the molecular mechanism of VPE gamma and CPYL interactions.