A GDSL Esterase/Lipase Catalyzes the Esterification of Lutein in Bread Wheat

Date

2019

Authors

Watkins, Jacinta
Li, Ming
McQuinn, Ryan
Chan, Kai Xun
McFarlane, Heather E.
Ermakova, Maria
Furbank, Robert
Mares, Daryl
Dong, Chongmei
Chalmers, Kenneth J.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

American Society of Plant Biologists

Abstract

Xanthophylls are a class of carotenoids that are important micronutrients for humans. They are often found esterified with fatty acids in fruits, vegetables, and certain grains, including bread wheat (Triticum aestivum). Esterification promotes the sequestration and accumulation of carotenoids, thereby enhancing stability, particularly in tissues such as in harvested wheat grain. Here, we report on a plant xanthophyll acyltransferase (XAT) that is both necessary and sufficient for xanthophyll esterification in bread wheat grain. XAT contains a canonical Gly-Asp-Ser-Leu (GDSL) motif and is encoded by a member of the GDSL esterase/lipase gene family. Genetic evidence from allelic variants of wheat and transgenic rice (Oryza sativa) calli demonstrated that XAT catalyzes the formation of xanthophyll esters. XAT has broad substrate specificity and can esterify lutein, β-cryptoxanthin, and zeaxanthin using multiple acyl donors, yet it has a preference for triacylglycerides, indicating that the enzyme acts via transesterification. A conserved amino acid, Ser-37, is required for activity. Despite xanthophylls being synthesized in plastids, XAT accumulated in the apoplast. Based on analysis of substrate preferences and xanthophyll ester formation in vitro and in vivo using xanthophyll-accumulating rice callus, we propose that disintegration of the cellular structure during wheat grain desiccation facilitates access to lutein-promoting transesterification.

Description

Keywords

Citation

Source

The Plant Cell

Type

Journal article

Book Title

Entity type

Access Statement

License Rights

Restricted until

2099-12-31