Metabolite and target transcript analyses during Crocus sativus stigma development

Rubio-Moraga, Ángela; Rambla, José L.; Ahrazem, Oussama; Granell, Antonio; Gómez-Gómez, Lourdes

doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2009.04.022

Cited by 109 publications

(110 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…In particular, CCD2 expression peaks early, at the O stage ( Fig. 2A) coincident with crocetin and crocin accumulation (22), whereas ZCD and CCD4 are expressed late during stigma development.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 98%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Novel carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase catalyzes the first dedicated step in saffron crocin biosynthesis

Frusciante

Diretto²,

Bruno

et al. 2014

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

236

282

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Crocus sativus stigmas are the source of the saffron spice and accumulate the apocarotenoids crocetin, crocins, picrocrocin, and safranal, responsible for its color, taste, and aroma. Through deep transcriptome sequencing, we identified a novel dioxygenase, carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase 2 (CCD2), expressed early during stigma development and closely related to, but distinct from, the CCD1 dioxygenase family. CCD2 is the only identified member of a novel CCD clade, presents the structural features of a bona fide CCD, and is able to cleave zeaxanthin, the presumed precursor of saffron apocarotenoids, both in Escherichia coli and in maize endosperm. The cleavage products, identified through high-resolution mass spectrometry and comigration with authentic standards, are crocetin dialdehyde and crocetin, respectively. In vitro assays show that CCD2 cleaves sequentially the 7,8 and 7′,8′ double bonds adjacent to a 3-OH-β-ionone ring and that the conversion of zeaxanthin to crocetin dialdehyde proceeds via the C 30 intermediate 3-OH-β-apo-8′-carotenal. In contrast, zeaxanthin cleavage dioxygenase (ZCD), an enzyme previously claimed to mediate crocetin formation, did not cleave zeaxanthin or 3-OH-β-apo-8′-carotenal in the test systems used. Sequence comparison and structure prediction suggest that ZCD is an N-truncated CCD4 form, lacking one blade of the β-propeller structure conserved in all CCDs. These results constitute strong evidence that CCD2 catalyzes the first dedicated step in crocin biosynthesis. Similar to CCD1, CCD2 has a cytoplasmic localization, suggesting that it may cleave carotenoids localized in the chromoplast outer envelope.β-citraurin | symmetric carotenoid cleavage

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…2A). Crocetin and crocins start accumulating at the O stage and their biosynthesis is essentially complete at the R stage (22). Approximately 120,000 454 reads from each stage were assembled using Newbler, and the contigs were searched for similarity to known CCD enzymes using BLAST.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Novel carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase catalyzes the first dedicated step in saffron crocin biosynthesis

Frusciante

Diretto²,

Bruno

et al. 2014

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

236

282

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Moraga et al (2009) found that saffron is a monomorphic species as revealed by RAPD, ISSR and microsatellite analyses. Pardo et al (2004) investigated the distinction and variability of Crocus sativus from several geographic areas (Italy, Iran, Greece and Spain) using molecular markers and dry stigmas as plant material.…”

Section: Genetic Relationshipmentioning

confidence: 93%

Molecular Characterization of Saffron-Potential Candidates for Crop Improvement

et al. 2015

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In this study, thirty one (31) morphologically distinct selections of saffron crop were used for molecular characterization. Molecular characterization was done through SSR, ISSR and RAPD markers. RAPD and ISSR markers showed significant variation; however, SSR markers did not reveal any variation between the selected clones. The Jaccard's similarity coefficient ranged from 0.94 to 1.00 with an average of 0.98 among all 31 selections used. Minimum similarity value (0.94) was observed between CITH-S-107 and PAM-S-116 selections. The study provides sufficient knowledge to identify clones with better stigma characteristics for further crop improvement programs.

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“…The stigmas must be hand-picked from the delicate blossoms upon opening to preserve the desirable volatile components 5 . With its unmatched signature bitter-like taste, slightly metallic sub-notes and pungent hay-like aroma, saffron was used as both flavoring and coloring agent in food 6 . Interest in the impact of saffron on human health is growing due to their proved health properties 7 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Crocus cancellatus subsp. damascenus stigmas: chemical profile, and inhibition of α-amylase, α-glucosidase and lipase, key enzymes related to type 2 diabetes and obesity

Loizzo

Marrelli

Pugliese

et al. 2015

Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and Medicinal Chemistry

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Spices are appreciated for their medicinal properties besides their use as food adjuncts to enhance the sensory quality of food. In this study, Crocus cancellatus subsp. damascenus was investigated for its antioxidant activities employing different in vitro systems. Stigma extract demonstrated a radical scavenging activity against both 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2 0 -azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radicals with IC 50 values of 34.6 and 21.6 mg/mL and a good ferric reducing ability (53.9 mM Fe(II)/g). In order to clarify the potential functional properties of this spice, the carbohydrate-hydrolysing enzymes and pancreatic lipase inhibitory properties were investigated. Crocus cancellatus subsp. damascenus extract inhibited a-amylase and a-glucosidase with IC 50 values of 57.1 and 68.6 mg/mL, respectively. The bioactivity was discussed in terms of phytochemicals content. The obtained results may be of interest from a functional point of view or as food additive and to promote the revalorization of this species.

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Metabolite and target transcript analyses during Crocus sativus stigma development

Cited by 109 publications

References 57 publications

Novel carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase catalyzes the first dedicated step in saffron crocin biosynthesis

Novel carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase catalyzes the first dedicated step in saffron crocin biosynthesis

Molecular Characterization of Saffron-Potential Candidates for Crop Improvement

Crocus cancellatus subsp. damascenus stigmas: chemical profile, and inhibition of α-amylase, α-glucosidase and lipase, key enzymes related to type 2 diabetes and obesity

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