Chaffin Timothy A, Wang Weijiao, Chen Jin-Gui, Chen Feng
Graduate School of Genome Science and Technology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
Plants (Basel). 2024 Nov 29;13(23):3364. doi: 10.3390/plants13233364.
Land plant evolution has been marked by numerous genetic innovations, including novel catalytic reactions. Plants produce various carboxyl methyl esters using carboxylic acids as substrates, both of which are involved in diverse biological processes. The biosynthesis of methyl esters is catalyzed by SABATH methyltransferases, and understanding of this family has broadened in recent years. Meanwhile, the enzymes catalyzing demethylation-known as methylesterases (MESs)-have received less attention. Here, we present a comprehensive review of the plant MES family, focusing on known biochemical and biological functions, and evolution in the plant kingdom. Thirty-two genes have been biochemically characterized, with substrates including methyl esters of plant hormones and several other specialized metabolites. One characterized member demonstrates non-esterase activity, indicating functional diversity in this family. genes regulate biological processes, including biotic and abiotic defense, as well as germination and root development. While genes are absent in green algae, they are ubiquitous among the land plants analyzed. Extant genes belong to three groups of deep origin, implying ancient gene duplication and functional divergence. Two of these groups have yet to have any characterized members. Much remains to be uncovered about the enzymatic functions, biological roles, and evolution of the MES family.
陆地植物的进化以众多基因创新为特征，包括新的催化反应。植物以羧酸为底物产生各种羧基甲酯，这两者都参与了多种生物过程。甲酯的生物合成由SABATH甲基转移酶催化，近年来对这个家族的了解有所拓宽。与此同时，催化去甲基化的酶——即甲酯酶（MESs）——受到的关注较少。在这里，我们对植物MES家族进行全面综述，重点关注已知的生化和生物学功能以及在植物界的进化。已经对32个基因进行了生化特性分析，其底物包括植物激素的甲酯和其他几种特殊代谢产物。一个已鉴定的成员表现出非酯酶活性，表明该家族存在功能多样性。这些基因调节生物过程，包括生物和非生物防御以及发芽和根系发育。虽然绿藻中没有这些基因，但在分析的陆地植物中它们普遍存在。现存的这些基因属于起源较深的三个组，这意味着古老的基因复制和功能分化。其中两组尚未有任何已鉴定的成员。关于MES家族的酶功能、生物学作用和进化，仍有许多有待揭示的地方。
