Biogenesis of volatile aldehydes from fatty acid hydroperoxides: molecular cloning of a hydroperoxide lyase (CYP74C) with specificity for both the 9- and 13-hydroperoxides of linoleic and linolenic acids.

A novel member of the plant cytochrome P450 CYP74 family of fatty acid hydroperoxide metabolizing enzymes has been cloned from melon fruit (Cucumis melo). The cDNA is comprised of 1,446 nucleotides encoding a protein of 481 amino acids. The homology at the amino acid level to other members of the CYP74 family is 35-50%, the closest relatives being allene oxide synthases. The cDNA was expressed in Escherichia coli, and the corresponding protein was purified by affinity column chromatography. The native enzyme showed a main Soret band at 418 nm, indicative of a low spin ferric cytochrome P450, and a 447-nm peak appeared in the CO-difference spectrum. Using [U-14C]radiolabeled substrate, HPLC, UV, and GC-MS, the products of conversion of 9S-hydroperoxy-linoleic acid were identified as 9-oxo-nonanic acid and 3Z-nonenal. Kinetic analysis of this hydroperoxide lyase showed the highest rate of reaction with 9-hydroperoxy-linolenic acid followed by 9-hydroperoxy-linoleic acid and then the corresponding 13-hydroperoxides. Overall, the newly characterized cytochrome P450 enzyme is a fatty acid hydroperoxide lyase with a preference, but not absolute specificity for the 9-positional hydroperoxides of linoleic and linolenic acids.

Purification, molecular cloning, and expression of the gene encoding fatty acid 13-hydroperoxide lyase from guava fruit (Psidium guajava).

Guava fruit was identified as a particularly rich source of 13-hydroperoxide lyase activity. The enzyme proved stable to chromatographic procedures and was purified to homogeneity. Based on gel filtration and gel electrophoresis, the native enzyme appears to be a homotetramer with subunits of 55 kD. Starting with primers based on the peptide sequence, the enzyme was cloned by polymerase chain reaction with 3' and 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The sequence shows approximately 60-70% identity to known 13-hydroperoxide lyases and is classified in cytochrome P450 74B subfamily as CYP74B5. The cDNA was expressed in Escherichia coli (BL21 cells), with optimal enzyme activity obtained in the absence of isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside and delta-aminolevulinic acid. The expressed enzyme metabolized 13(S)-hydroperoxylinolenic acid over 10-fold faster than 13(S)-hydroperoxylinoleic acid and the 9-hydroperoxides of linoleic and linolenic acids. 13(S)-Hydroperoxylinolenic acid was converted to 12-oxododec-9(Z)-enoic acid and 3(Z)-hexenal, as identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The turnover number with this substrate, with enzyme concentration estimated from the Soret absorbance, was approximately 2000/s, comparable to values reported for the related allene oxide synthases. Distinctive features of the guava 13-hydroperoxide lyase and related cytochrome P450 are discussed.