Work

Protein Structure, Evolution and Regulation of CER3, a Core Enzyme Partitioning Carbon into Two Specific Wax Biosynthetic Pathways

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Cuticular wax is a critical component of the plant cuticle, playing an indispensable role in plant growth, development, and defense against environmental stresses. ECERIFERUM3 (CER3), a very-long-chain fatty acyl-CoA reductase, serves as a pivotal hub channeling carbon resources into the alkane- and alcohol-forming pathways respectively. Here, we systematically characterized the protein structural features and evolutionary patterns of CER3. We also comprehensively reviewed the multiple regulatory mechanisms governing CER3, encompassing transcriptional, post-transcriptional, translational, and epigenetic modifications, with particular emphasis on the definitive finding that CER3 modulates cuticular wax biosynthetic flux by assembling distinct protein complexes. Finally, existing knowledge gaps and future research directions are also discussed.

Source: Biology

DOI: 10.3390/biology15161437

Authors: Qingqing Niu, Limei Liu, Chang Liu, Shiyou Lü, Hui Zhang

Institutions: State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei University

Language: English

Topic: Plant Surface Properties and Treatments

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,258

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province