Cloning and Functional Prediction of the 3-O-Glucosyltransferase Gene from Conyza blinii

Objective 3-O-glucosyltransferase gene (3GT) was cloned from Conyza blinii H. Lév for a biological function analysis.

Methods Based on the previously sequenced C. blinii transcriptome, a primer was designed to clone 3GT using PCR for the bioinformatic analysis. Molecular dockings of the protein were determined.

Results The cloned 3GT was named CbUGT that had a cDNA with the full-length of 1 470 bp encoding 489 amino acids. The unstable hydrophilic protein had a theoretical molecular weight of 54.88 kDa, an isoelectric point of 5.50, an instability index (II) of 43.12, and a hydrophilicity coefficient of −0.185. The BLAST alignment revealed that it contained a glycosyltransferase family 1 domain and a GTB topology-related protein domain. Phylogenetically, it was clustered with Arabidopsis thaliana D-class UGT73C1 and localized on plasma membrane. Consistent with the prediction by a structure analysis, the molecular docking of the protein showed a binding affinity to glucose and oleanolic acid.

Conclusion CbUGT encoded a typical plant 3-O-glucosyltransferase and might be involved in the glucosyl transfer at C-3 position of saponins in C. blinii.