Mechanistic Insights into the Bornyl Diphosphate Synthase from <i>Lavandula angustifolia</i>
Lavender species hold substantial economic importance due to their widespread cultivation for essential oils (EOs). Lavender EOs contain terpenes essential for industries such as cosmetics, personal care, and pharmaceuticals. In the biosynthetic pathway of EOs, <i>Lavandula angustifolia</i&...
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2025-07-01
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| author | Dafeng Liu Na Li Feng Yu Yanyan Du Hongjun Song Wenshuang Yao |
| author_facet | Dafeng Liu Na Li Feng Yu Yanyan Du Hongjun Song Wenshuang Yao |
| author_sort | Dafeng Liu |
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| description | Lavender species hold substantial economic importance due to their widespread cultivation for essential oils (EOs). Lavender EOs contain terpenes essential for industries such as cosmetics, personal care, and pharmaceuticals. In the biosynthetic pathway of EOs, <i>Lavandula angustifolia</i> bornyl diphosphate synthase (LaBPPS) catalyzes the conversion of geranyl diphosphate (GPP) to bornyl diphosphate (BPP). However, the functional mechanisms of LaBPPS remain poorly understood. Here, we conducted mutational experiments based on the molecular docking results, and found that mutations at positions D356A, D360A, R497A, D501A, or E508A led to a 50- to 100-fold reduction in the activity. Deletion of region 1–58 (∆1–58) did not affect activity compared to the wild-type (WT) protein, while deletions of regions 1–74 or 59–74 (∆1–74 or ∆59–74) significantly decreased the activity. Conversely, deletion of residues 578–602 (∆578–602) dramatically increased the activity. The <i>LaBPPS</i> gene showed dramatically higher expression levels in flowers compared to other tissues (stems, leaves and roots), peaking at 8:00. Our results provide valuable insights into EO biosynthesis in lavender and suggest potential strategies for genetic engineering aimed at improving EO quality. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-eabc196505bd426ba2a02b2492e12ee32025-08-20T03:35:27ZengMDPI AGCurrent Issues in Molecular Biology1467-30371467-30452025-07-0147751710.3390/cimb47070517Mechanistic Insights into the Bornyl Diphosphate Synthase from <i>Lavandula angustifolia</i>Dafeng Liu0Na Li1Feng Yu2Yanyan Du3Hongjun Song4Wenshuang Yao5Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Lavender Conservation and Utilization, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Yili Normal University, Yining 835000, ChinaXinjiang Key Laboratory of Lavender Conservation and Utilization, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Yili Normal University, Yining 835000, ChinaXinjiang Key Laboratory of Lavender Conservation and Utilization, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Yili Normal University, Yining 835000, ChinaXinjiang Key Laboratory of Lavender Conservation and Utilization, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Yili Normal University, Yining 835000, ChinaSchool of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, ChinaSchool of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, ChinaLavender species hold substantial economic importance due to their widespread cultivation for essential oils (EOs). Lavender EOs contain terpenes essential for industries such as cosmetics, personal care, and pharmaceuticals. In the biosynthetic pathway of EOs, <i>Lavandula angustifolia</i> bornyl diphosphate synthase (LaBPPS) catalyzes the conversion of geranyl diphosphate (GPP) to bornyl diphosphate (BPP). However, the functional mechanisms of LaBPPS remain poorly understood. Here, we conducted mutational experiments based on the molecular docking results, and found that mutations at positions D356A, D360A, R497A, D501A, or E508A led to a 50- to 100-fold reduction in the activity. Deletion of region 1–58 (∆1–58) did not affect activity compared to the wild-type (WT) protein, while deletions of regions 1–74 or 59–74 (∆1–74 or ∆59–74) significantly decreased the activity. Conversely, deletion of residues 578–602 (∆578–602) dramatically increased the activity. The <i>LaBPPS</i> gene showed dramatically higher expression levels in flowers compared to other tissues (stems, leaves and roots), peaking at 8:00. Our results provide valuable insights into EO biosynthesis in lavender and suggest potential strategies for genetic engineering aimed at improving EO quality.https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/47/7/517<i>Lavandula angustifolia</i>bornyl diphosphate synthasegeranyl diphosphateenzymatic activity assaysgene expression profiles |
| spellingShingle | Dafeng Liu Na Li Feng Yu Yanyan Du Hongjun Song Wenshuang Yao Mechanistic Insights into the Bornyl Diphosphate Synthase from <i>Lavandula angustifolia</i> Current Issues in Molecular Biology <i>Lavandula angustifolia</i> bornyl diphosphate synthase geranyl diphosphate enzymatic activity assays gene expression profiles |
| title | Mechanistic Insights into the Bornyl Diphosphate Synthase from <i>Lavandula angustifolia</i> |
| title_full | Mechanistic Insights into the Bornyl Diphosphate Synthase from <i>Lavandula angustifolia</i> |
| title_fullStr | Mechanistic Insights into the Bornyl Diphosphate Synthase from <i>Lavandula angustifolia</i> |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mechanistic Insights into the Bornyl Diphosphate Synthase from <i>Lavandula angustifolia</i> |
| title_short | Mechanistic Insights into the Bornyl Diphosphate Synthase from <i>Lavandula angustifolia</i> |
| title_sort | mechanistic insights into the bornyl diphosphate synthase from i lavandula angustifolia i |
| topic | <i>Lavandula angustifolia</i> bornyl diphosphate synthase geranyl diphosphate enzymatic activity assays gene expression profiles |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/47/7/517 |
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