Nepenthes species
Carnivorous plants capture and digest insects for nutrients, allowing them to survive in soil deprived of nitrogenous nutrients.
Plants from the genus Nepenthes produce unique pitchers containing secretory glands, which secrete hydrolytic enzymes into the acidic digestive fluid for prey digestion and nutrient absorption (Ravee et al. 2018). |
A typical Nepenthes pitcher constitutes three functional zones. First, the attractive zone comprises the lid with nectars as baits to lure insects and the rim known as peristome often with striking colours. Second, the slippery waxy zone with epicuticular waxes covering the peristome and upper inside surface of pitchers. Third, the digestive zone at the lower inside surface of pitchers with glands secreting acidic fluids and hydrolytic enzymes for the digestion and absorption of nutrients through transporters. Insects often accidentally fall into pitchers from the slippery waxy peristome. Within the pitcher, the trapped insects are intoxicated by naphthoquinones before drowned in the viscous digestive fluid.
Studies
MetabolomicsUPLC-TOF-MS/MS-Based Metabolomics Analysis Reveals Species-Specific Metabolite Compositions in Pitchers of Nepenthes ampullaria and Nepenthes rafflesiana, and their hybrid, Nepenthes × hookeriana
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ProteomicsTranscriptomic and proteomic analyses of Nepenthes ampullaria and Nepenthes rafflesiana reveal parental molecular expression in the pitchers of their hybrid, Nepenthes × hookeriana
Protein replenishment in pitcher fluids of Nepenthes × ventrata revealed by quantitative proteomics (SWATH-MS) informed by transcriptomics
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TranscriptomicsTranscriptome-wide shift from photosynthesis and energy metabolism upon endogenous fluid protein depletion in young Nepenthes ampullaria pitchers
Protease activity is maintained in Nepenthes ampullaria digestive fluids depleted of endogenous proteins with compositional changes
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From exploratory omics to translational research with precision biotechnological development
Functional Characterization of Commercially Useful Enzymes (CUEs) from Pitcher Fluids
With the discovery of various hydrolytic enzymes from the pitcher fluids, our group is currently characterising the activity of these enzymes through recombinant approaches. |
Bioengineering of Microbial Hosts with Nepenthes Enzymes
Currently, our group is attempting bioengineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactococcus bacillus with a protease to detoxify gluten in bakery and as a functional probiotic, respectively. This will add to another option for people with coeliac disease or gluten sensitivity. |
Structure-Function Analysis of NeprosinAn extensive in silico structure-function analysis of neprosins from Nepenthes species yielded experimental-quality protein structures, which revealed the regulatory and catalytic mechanisms of a mature neprosin. The evidence shows that neprosin belongs to a new family of glutamic peptidase with two glutamic acids as the putative catalytic dyad. We presented the first model on the catalytic mechanism of post-proline cleaving activity of neprosin.
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Review on Post-Proline Cleaving EnzymesPost-proline cleaving enzymes (PPCEs) comprise different families of proteases in diverse taxa. To date, there is no review on PPCEs that comprehensively discuss their structure-function relationships and molecular mechanisms. In this review, we do so by summarizing recent findings on structural studies, biochemical characterization, biological functions, and potential biotechnological applications. This review covered beyond plant PPCEs as a reference for researchers in the field for future studies.
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Towards the Bioengineering of Nepenthes Pitchers for Pharming
It has become possible that any protein of critical function, either natural or bioengineered, can be produced through plants provided with only simple nutrients, water and sunlight. The first plant-derived recombinant pharmaceutical protein (PMP) has received commercial approval, and many more are expected to come.
Imagine the future of protein farming (pharming), whereby this can be achieved in a more sustainable, convenient and cheaper way through the development of a new expression system based on our local plants.
Nepenthes pitcher plants belong to the species-rich family of Nepenthaceae, which is found to be endemic in Southeast Asia, and are especially diverse in Borneo.
The unique pitcher glands, which secrete proteins into pitcher fluids, could potentially be exploited for the production of pharmaceutically important recombinant proteins.
It has become possible that any protein of critical function, either natural or bioengineered, can be produced through plants provided with only simple nutrients, water and sunlight. The first plant-derived recombinant pharmaceutical protein (PMP) has received commercial approval, and many more are expected to come.
Imagine the future of protein farming (pharming), whereby this can be achieved in a more sustainable, convenient and cheaper way through the development of a new expression system based on our local plants.
Nepenthes pitcher plants belong to the species-rich family of Nepenthaceae, which is found to be endemic in Southeast Asia, and are especially diverse in Borneo.
The unique pitcher glands, which secrete proteins into pitcher fluids, could potentially be exploited for the production of pharmaceutically important recombinant proteins.
The importance of studying Nepenthes functional genomics
Nepenthes pitcher plants provide a unique study system with potential applications in various fields, such as crop improvement, ecological conservation, and biotechnological innovations towards sustainability and agricultural advancements.
- Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security: Understanding the functional genomics of Nepenthes pitcher plants can offer insights into their unique adaptations and interactions with the environment. This knowledge could be utilised to develop sustainable agricultural practices or biotechnological applications that enhance crop resilience and productivity.
- Climate Change and Plant Adaptation: Studying the functional genomics of pitcher plants can shed light on their mechanisms for coping with environmental stresses. These adaptations could serve as potential models for understanding plant responses to climate change and inspire the development of climate-resilient crops.
- Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering: Investigating the functional genomics of Nepenthes pitcher plants may reveal novel genes or metabolic pathways with interesting applications. This knowledge could be used in genetic engineering efforts to introduce specific traits into other plants, such as increased insect resistance or drought tolerance.
- Plant-Microbe Interactions: Nepenthes pitcher plants have intricate interactions with microbial communities within their pitchers. Understanding the functional genomics of these interactions could offer insights into beneficial plant-microbe partnerships that could be harnessed for improving plant health in agriculture.
- Biodiversity Conservation and Restoration: Nepenthes pitcher plants are often found in unique and threatened ecosystems. Research on their functional genomics can contribute to conservation efforts by identifying genetic factors relevant to their survival and reproduction.
- Biological Control and Integrated Pest Management: Nepenthes pitcher plants are known for trapping insects in their pitchers. Investigating the functional genomics underlying this process may provide valuable insights for developing alternative pest control strategies in agriculture.
- Plant-based Biomaterials: Nepenthes pitcher plants produce specialised structures with unique properties. Understanding their functional genomics may open up opportunities for bioinspired materials with various applications.
References
Books
Grants
- Baharin A, Ting T-Y & Goh H-H (2022) Post-proline Cleaving Enzymes (PPCEs): Classification, Structure, Molecular Properties, and Applications. Plants 11(10), 1330. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11101330 (Q1, IF:3.935)
- Ting T-Y, Baharin A, Ramzi AB, Ng C-L & Goh H-H (2022) Neprosin belongs to a new family of glutamic peptidase based on in silico evidence. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 183, 23-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2022.04.027 (Q1, IF:4.27)
- Ravee R, Baharin A, Cho W-T, Ting T-Y & Goh H-H* (2021) Protease activity is maintained in Nepenthes ampullaria digestive fluids depleted of endogenous proteins with compositional changes. Physiologia Plantarum doi: 10.1111/ppl.13540
- Rosli MAF, Mediani A, Azizan KA, Baharum SN & Goh H-H* (2021) UPLC-TOF-MS/MS-based metabolomics analysis reveals species-specific metabolite compositions in pitchers of Nepenthes ampullaria, Nepenthes rafflesiana, and their hybrid Nepenthes × hookeriana. Front. Plant Sci. 12:655004. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2021.655004
- Zulkapli MM, Ab Ghani NS, Ting TY, Aizat WM & Goh H-H* (2021) Transcriptomic and Proteomic Analyses of Nepenthes ampullaria and Nepenthes rafflesiana Reveal Parental Molecular Expression in the Pitchers of Their Hybrid, Nepenthes × hookeriana. Front. Plant Sci. 11:625507. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2020.625507
- Goh H-H*, Baharin A, Mohd Salleh FI, Ravee R, Wan Zakaria WNA. & Mohd Noor N (2020) Transcriptome-wide shift from photosynthesis and energy metabolism upon endogenous fluid protein depletion in young Nepenthes ampullaria pitchers. Scientific Reports 10: 6575.
- Wan Zakaria WNA., Aizat WM, Goh H-H* & Mohd Noor N (2019) Protein replenishment in pitcher fluids of Nepenthes × ventrata revealed by quantitative proteomics (SWATH-MS) informed by transcriptomics. Journal of Plant Research 132 (5), 681-694.
- Rosli MA, Azizan, KA & Goh H-H* (2018) Antioxidant activity of pitcher extracts from three Nepenthes species. Sains Malaysiana 47(12):3069-3075.
- Ravee R, Mohd Salleh FI & Goh H-H* (2018) Discovery of digestive enzymes in carnivorous plants with focus on proteases. PeerJ 6:e4914.
- Wan Zakaria WNA., Aizat WM, Goh, H-H* & Mohd Noor N (2018) Proteomic analysis of pitcher fluid from Nepenthes × ventrata. Data in Brief 17:517-519.
- Rosli MA, Azizan, KA, Baharum SN & Goh H-H* (2017) Mass Spectrometry Data of Metabolomics Analysis of Nepenthes Pitchers. Data in Brief 14:295-297.
- Zulkapli MM, Rosli AF, Mohd Salleh F-‘I, Normah MN, Aizat WM & Goh H-H* (2016) Iso-Seq analysis of Nepenthes ampullaria, Nepenthes rafflesiana and Nepenthes x hookeriana for hybridisation study in pitcher plants. Genomics Data, 12, 130-131.
- Wan Zakaria WA, Loke K-K, Zulkapli MM, Mohd Salleh F-‘I, Goh H-H* & Normah M.N. (2016) RNA-seq analysis of Nepenthes ampullaria. Frontiers in Plant Science, 6, 1229.
- Wan Zakaria WA, Loke K-K, Goh H-H* & Normah M.N. (2016) RNA-seq analysis for plant carnivory gene discovery in Nepenthes x ventrata. Genomics Data, 7, 18-19.
Books
- Wan Zakaria W.N.A., Cho W.T., & Goh H-H. (2020) Merungkai komposisi protein cecair kendi periuk kera Nepenthes. UKM Press ISBN 9789672510338
- Rosli A.F., Baharum S. N. & Goh H-H. (2019) Merungkai kandungan fitokimia dalam kendi periuk kera (Nepenthes sp.). UKM Press ISBN 9789672388296
Grants
- FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF A NOVEL PROLYL PROTEASE NEPROSIN FROM Nepenthes ampullaria - FRGS/1/2019/STG05/UKM/02/10 [1 Sep 2019 – 31 Aug 2021]
- PROFILING AND FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISATION OF ENZYME FROM NEPENTHES PITCHER PLANT - Research University Grant: GUP-2017-057 [16 Oct 2017 – 15 Jul 2019]
- GENOME-WIDE IDENTIFICATION AND FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERIZATION OF NOVEL PROTEINS FROM Nepenthes ampullaria THROUGH TRANSCRIPTOMIC APPROACH - FRGS/2/2014/SG05/UKM/02/4 [1 Dec 2014 – 30 Nov 2017]
- PROTEOMIC AND METABOLOMIC SCREENING OF DIFFERENT NEPENTHES SPECIES - Research University Grant: DIP-2014-008 [1 Aug 2014 – 31 Jul 2017]
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