Molecular characterization and in vitro interaction analysis of Op14-3-3 µ protein from Opuntia ficus-indica: identification of a new client protein from shikimate pathway.

In plants, 14-3-3 proteins are important modulators of protein-protein interactions in response to environmental stresses. The aim of the present work was to characterize one Opuntia ficus-indica 14-3-3 and get information about its client proteins. To achieve this goal, O. ficus-indica 14-3-3 cDNA, named as Op14-3-3 µ, was amplified by 3'-RACE methodology. Op14-3-3 µ contains an Open Reading Frame of 786 bp encoding a 261 amino acids protein. Op14-3-3 µ cDNA was cloned into a bacterial expression system and recombinant protein was purified. Differential Scanning Fluorimetry, Dynamic Light Scattering, and Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry were used for Op14-3-3 µ protein characterization, and Affinity-Purification-Mass Spectrometry analysis approach was used to obtain information about their potential client proteins. Pyrophosphate-fructose 6-phosphate 1-phosphotransferase, ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase large subunit, and vacuolar-type H+-ATPase were identified. Interestingly chorismate mutase p-prephenate dehydratase was also identified. Op14-3-3 µ down-regulation was observed in Opuntia calluses when they were induced with Jasmonic Acid, while increased accumulation of Op14-3-3 µ protein was observed. The putative interaction of 14-3-3 µ with chorismate mutase, which have not been reported before, suggest that Op14-3-3 µ could be an important regulator of metabolites biosynthesis and responses to stress in Opuntia spp. SIGNIFICANCE: Opuntia species are important crops in arid and semiarid areas worldwide, but despite its relevance, little information about their tolerance mechanism to cope with harsh environmental conditions is reported. 14-3-3 proteins have gained attention due to its participation as protein-protein regulators and have been linked with primary metabolism and hormones responses. Here we present the characterization of the first Opuntia ficus-indica 14-3-3 (Op14-3-3) protein using affinity purification-mass spectrometry (AP-MS) strategy. Op14-3-3 has high homology with other 14-3-3 from Caryophyllales. A novel Op14-3-3 client protein has been identified; the chorismate mutase p-prephenate dehydratase, key enzyme that links the primary with secondary metabolism. The present results open new questions about the Opuntia spp. pathways mechanisms in response to environmental stress and the importance of 14-3-3 proteins in betalains biosynthesis.