Inhibition of pectin methyl esterase activity by green tea catechins

• Published in: Phytochemistry (Oxford) Vol. 69; no. 14; pp. 2586 - 2592
• Main Authors: Lewis, Kristin C., Selzer, Tzvia, Shahar, Chen, Udi, Yael, Tworowski, Dmitry, Sagi, Irit
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2008; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Camellia sinensis; Camellia sinensis - chemistry; Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases - antagonists & inhibitors; Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases - metabolism; Castilleja; Castilleja indivisa; Catechin - analogs & derivatives; Catechin - metabolism; Catechins; Cell wall degrading enzymes; Chemical constitution; Citrus - enzymology; citrus fruits; Cuscuta pentagona; Cuscutaceae; Dodder; Entireleaf Indian paintbrush; enzyme inhibition; enzyme inhibitors; epigallocatechin; Epigallocatechin gallate; flavanols; Fluorometry; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Green tea; Inhibition; Lycopersicon esculentum - enzymology; Orobanchaceae; parasitic plants; Parasitism; Parasitism and symbiosis; Pectin methyl esterase; pectinesterase; Plant Extracts - metabolism; Plant physiology and development; Substrate Specificity; Tea - chemistry; Theaceae; tomatoes; Pectin methyl esterase; Cuscutaceae; Castilleja indivisa; Dodder; Catechins; Camellia sinensis; Epigallocatechin gallate; Orobanchaceae; Entireleaf Indian paintbrush; Parasitism; Cuscuta pentagona; Cell wall degrading enzymes; Inhibition; Green tea; Theaceae; Stimulant plant; Esterases; Convolvulaceae; Flavonoid; Cell wall; Polyphenol; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Catechin; Gallic acid; Enzyme; Chemical structure; Pectin; Cuscuta; Plant origin; Phenols; Hydrolases; Spermatophyta; Parasitic plant
• ISSN: 0031-9422; 1873-3700
• DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2008.08.012

Pectin methyl esterases and their endogenous inhibitors are involved in many processes in plant physiology. Exogenous inhibitors of PME can be used to further our understanding of these processes. We identify the green tea catechin epigallocatechin gallate as a natural inhibitor of pectin methyl esterases from multiple taxa. Pectin methyl esterases (PMEs) and their endogenous inhibitors are involved in the regulation of many processes in plant physiology, ranging from tissue growth and fruit ripening to parasitic plant haustorial formation and host invasion. Thus, control of PME activity is critical for enhancing our understanding of plant physiological processes and regulation. Here, we report on the identification of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a green tea component, as a natural inhibitor for pectin methyl esterases. In a gel assay for PME activity, EGCG blocked esterase activity of pure PME as well as PME extracts from citrus and from parasitic plants. Fluorometric tests were used to determine the IC50 for a synthetic substrate. Molecular docking analysis of PME and EGCG suggests close interaction of EGCG with the catalytic cleft of PME. Inhibition of PME by the green tea compound, EGCG, provides the means to study the diverse roles of PMEs in cell wall metabolism and plant development. In addition, this study introduces the use of EGCG as natural product to be used in the food industry and agriculture.