Molecular Cloning and Characterization of Bacillus cereus O-Methyltransferase

Biotransformation is a good tool to synthesize regioselective compounds. It could be performed with diverse sources of genes, and microorganisms provide a myriad of gene sources for biotransformation. We were interested in modification of flavonoids, and therefore, we cloned a putative O-methyltransferase from Bacillus cereus, BcOMT-2. It has a 668-bp open reading frame that encodes a 24.6-kDa protein. In order to investigate the modification reaction mediated by BcOMT-2, it was expressed in E. coli as a His-tag fusion protein and purified to homogeneity. Several substrates such as naringenin, luteolin, kaempferol, and quercetin were tested and reaction products were analyzed by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). BcOMT-2 could transfer a methyl group to substrates that have a 3' functional hydroxyl group, such as luteolin and quercetin. Comparison of the HPLC retention time and UV spectrum of the quercetin reaction product with corresponding authentic 3'-methylated and 4'-methylated compounds showed that the methylation position was at either the 3'-hydroxyl or 4'-hydroxyl group. Thus, BcOMT-2 transfers a methyl group either to the 3'-hydroxyl or 4'-hydroxyl group of flavonoids when both hydroxyl groups are available. Among several flavonoids that contain a 3'- and 4'-hydroxyl group, fisetin was the best substrate for the BcOMT-2.