Advances in flavanoid glycosyltransferase research: integrating recent findings with long-term citrus studies

Authors: MCINTOSH, CECILIA - East Tennessee State University; Owens, Daniel

Submitted to: Phytochemistry Reviews
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/17/2016
Publication Date: 3/26/2016
Citation: Mcintosh, C., Owens, D.K. 2016. Advances in flavanoid glycosyltransferase research: integrating recent findings with long-term citrus studies. Phytochemistry Reviews. 15. 10.1007/s11101-016-9460-6.

Interpretive Summary: Glycosyltransferases are enzymes that attach a sugar substituent to a larger molecule, such as a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a group of natural products that are responsible for coloration, protection from damaging UV light (plant sunscreens), interactions with other organisms, and a number of other critical roles within higher plants. They are also used for the benefit of humans in such areas as medicine, influencing taste (particulalry in citrus species), and improving fitness of crop plants. This review examines recent advances relating to how flavonoid glycosyltransferases are produced, specifics about the nature of their biochemical functions, and the critical influence of 3-dimensional structure on the enzymes various actions and roles. These studies are considered with regards to their importance in relation to historical findings as well as implications that they may have for future work within the field.

Technical Abstract: Flavonoid glycosides are required for a number of crucial roles in planta and have the potential for development in a variety of agricultural, medicinal, and biotechnological applications. A number of recent advancements have been made in characterizing glycosyltransferases, the enzymes that are responsible for the synthesis of these important molecules. In this review, glycosyltransferases are considered with regard to biochemical properties, expression patterns, levels of enzyme activity during development, and structure/function relationships. This is presented with historical context to highlight critical findings, particularly with regard to the innovative work that has come from research on citrus species. The plant glycosyltransferase crystal structures that have been solved over the past decade, either alone or in complex with sugar donor and/or acceptor molecules, are discussed. The application of results from these structures to inform current structure/function work as well as implications and goals for future crystallography and tertiary modeling studies are considered. A thorough understanding of the properties of glycosyltransferases will be a critical step in any future biotechnological application of these enzymes in areas such as crop improvement and custom design of enzymes to produce desired compounds for nutritional and/or medicinal usage.