Characterization of capsaicin synthase and identification of its gene (csy1) for pungency factor capsaicin in pepper (Capsicum sp.).

Prasad, B. C. N. and Kumar, Vinod and Gururaj, H. B. and Parimalan, R. and Giridhar, P. and Ravishankar, G. A. (2006) Characterization of capsaicin synthase and identification of its gene (csy1) for pungency factor capsaicin in pepper (Capsicum sp.). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 103 (36). pp. 13315-13320. ISSN 0027-8424

PDF PNAS_2006_103_36_13315-13320.pdf Restricted to Registered users only Download (1MB)

Abstract

Capsaicin is a unique alkaloid of the plant kingdom restricted to the genus Capsicum. Capsaicin is the pungency factor, a bioactive molecule of food and of medicinal importance. Capsaicin is useful as a counterirritant, antiarthritic, analgesic, antioxidant, and anticancer agent. Capsaicin biosynthesis involves condensation of vanillylamine and 8-methyl nonenoic acid, brought about by capsaicin synthase (CS). We found that CS activity correlated with genotype-specific capsaicin levels. We purified and characterized CS ( approximately 35 kDa). Immunolocalization studies confirmed that CS is specifically localized to the placental tissues of Capsicum fruits. Western blot analysis revealed concomitant enhancement of CS levels and capsaicin accumulation during fruit development. We determined the N-terminal amino acid sequence of purified CS, cloned the CS gene (csy1) and sequenced full-length cDNA (981 bp). The deduced amino acid sequence of CS from full-length cDNA was 38 kDa. Functionality of csy1 through heterologous expression in recombinant Escherichia coli was also demonstrated. Here we report the gene responsible for capsaicin biosynthesis, which is unique to Capsicum spp. With this information on the CS gene, speculation on the gene for pungency is unequivocally resolved. Our findings have implications in the regulation of capsaicin levels in Capsicum genotypes.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	chili; gene cloning; localization
Subjects:	500 Natural Sciences and Mathematics > 04 Chemistry and Allied Sciences > 02 Alkaloids Chemistry 600 Technology > 08 Food technology > 30 Spices/Condiments > 09 Pepper
Divisions:	Plant Cell Biotechnology
Depositing User:	Users 16 not found.
Date Deposited:	27 Jun 2011 07:01
Last Modified:	05 Oct 2018 06:40
URI:	http://ir.cftri.res.in/id/eprint/1919

Actions (login required)

View Item