Background: Jatropha curcas
is a rich reservoir of pharmaceutically active terpenoids.More than 25 terpenoids have been
isolated fromthis plant, and their activities are anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-cancer, insecticidal, rodenticidal, cytotoxic
and molluscicidal. But not much is known about the pathway involved in the biosynthesis of terpenoids. The present
investigation describes the cloning, characterization and subcellular localization of isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase
(IPI) gene from
J. curcas. IPI is one of the rate limiting enzymes in the biosynthesis of terpenoids, catalyzing the crucial
interconversion of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP).
Results: A full-length
JcIPI cDNA consisting of 1355 bp was cloned. It encoded a protein of 305 amino acids. Analysis of
deduced amino acid sequence predicted the presence of conserved active sites, metal binding sites and the NUDIX
motif, which were consistent with other IPIs. Phylogenetic analysis indicated a significant evolutionary relatedness
with
Ricinus communis
. Southern blot analysis showed the presence of an
IPI multigene family in
J. curcas.
Comparative expression analysis of tissue specific
JcIPI demonstrated the highest transcript level in flowers. Abiotic
factors could induce the expression of
JcIPI. Subcellular distribution showed that
JcIPI was localized in chloroplasts.
Conclusion: This is the first report of cloning and characterization of IPI from
J. curcas. Our study will be of significant
interest to understanding the regulatory role of IPI in the biosynthesis of terpenoids, although its function still needs
further confirmation.
