Genome-wide identification and functional characterization of borneol dehydrogenases in Wurfbainia villosa

Main conclusion Genome-wide screening of short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDR) family reveals functional diversification of borneol dehydrogenase (BDH) in Wurfbainia villosa . Abstract Wurfbainia villosa is an important medicinal plant, the fruits of which accumulate abundant terpenoids, especially bornane-type including borneol and camphor. The borneol dehydrogenase (BDH) responsible for the conversion of borneol to camphor in W. villosa remains unknown. BDH is one member of short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDR) family. Here, a total of 115 classical WvSDR genes were identified through genome-wide screening. These WvSDRs were unevenly distributed on different chromosomes. Seven candidate WvBDHs based on phylogenetic analysis and expression levels were selected for cloning. Of them, four BDHs can catalyze different configurations of borneol and other monoterpene alcohol substrates to generate the corresponding oxidized products. WvBDH1 and WvBDH2, preferred (+)-borneol to (−)-borneol, producing the predominant ( +)-camphor. WvBDH3 yielded approximate equivalent amount of (+)-camphor and (−)-camphor, in contrast, WvBDH4 generated exclusively (+)-camphor. The metabolic profiles of the seeds showed that the borneol and camphor present were in the dextrorotatory configuration. Enzyme kinetics and expression pattern in different tissues suggested WvBDH2 might be involved in the biosynthesis of camphor in W. villosa . All results will increase the understanding of functional diversity of BDHs.