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Cao ZQ, Wang GQ, Luo R, Gao YH, Lv JM, Qin SY, Chen GD, Awakawa T, Bao XF, Mei QH, Yao XS, Hu D, Abe I, Gao H. Biosynthesis of Enfumafungin-type Antibiotic Reveals an Unusual Enzymatic Fusion Pattern and Unprecedented C-C Bond Cleavage. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:12723-12733. [PMID: 38654452 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c02415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Enfumafungin-type antibiotics, represented by enfumafungin and fuscoatroside, belong to a distinct group of triterpenoids derived from fungi. These compounds exhibit significant antifungal properties with ibrexafungerp, a semisynthetic derivative of enfumafungin, recently gaining FDA's approval as the first oral antifungal drug for treating invasive vulvar candidiasis. Enfumafungin-type antibiotics possess a cleaved E-ring with an oxidized carboxyl group and a reduced methyl group at the break site, suggesting unprecedented C-C bond cleavage chemistry involved in their biosynthesis. Here, we show that a 4-gene (fsoA, fsoD, fsoE, fsoF) biosynthetic gene cluster is sufficient to yield fuscoatroside by heterologous expression in Aspergillus oryzae. Notably, FsoA is an unheard-of terpene cyclase-glycosyltransferase fusion enzyme, affording a triterpene glycoside product that relies on enzymatic fusion. FsoE is a P450 enzyme that catalyzes successive oxidation reactions at C19 to facilitate a C-C bond cleavage, producing an oxidized carboxyl group and a reduced methyl group that have never been observed in known P450 enzymes. Our study thus sets the important foundation for the manufacture of enfumafungin-type antibiotics using biosynthetic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Qin Cao
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Postdoctoral Research Station, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510317, China
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Gao-Qian Wang
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Rui Luo
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yao-Hui Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Jian-Ming Lv
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Sheng-Ying Qin
- Clinical Experimental Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Guo-Dong Chen
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Takayoshi Awakawa
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Xue-Feng Bao
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Qing-Hua Mei
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou 510317, China
| | - Xin-Sheng Yao
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
- School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Dan Hu
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Ikuro Abe
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hao Gao
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
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Wang H, Abe I. Recent developments in the enzymatic modifications of steroid scaffolds. Org Biomol Chem 2024; 22:3559-3583. [PMID: 38639195 DOI: 10.1039/d4ob00327f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Steroids are an important family of bioactive compounds. Steroid drugs are renowned for their multifaceted pharmacological activities and are the second-largest category in the global pharmaceutical market. Recent developments in biocatalysis and biosynthesis have led to the increased use of enzymes to enhance the selectivity, efficiency, and sustainability for diverse modifications of steroids. This review discusses the advancements achieved over the past five years in the enzymatic modifications of steroid scaffolds, focusing on enzymatic hydroxylation, reduction, dehydrogenation, cascade reactions, and other modifications for future research on the synthesis of novel steroid compounds and related drugs, and new therapeutic possibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huibin Wang
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
| | - Ikuro Abe
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
- Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
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Wu L, Zhao B, Deng Z, Wang B, Yu Y. A biosynthetic network for protoberberine production in Coptis chinensis. HORTICULTURE RESEARCH 2024; 11:uhad259. [PMID: 38282690 PMCID: PMC10812381 DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhad259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Protoberberine alkaloids are a group of tetracyclic isoquinoline compounds known for their well-established antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. The richness and diversity of protoberberine alkaloids accumulated in the Coptis genus necessitate a comprehensive examination of the biosynthetic machinery to understand their ecological significance. Here, from Coptis chinensis we identified CcCYP719A1, which could install a methylenedioxy bridge on either ring A or ring D of the protoberberine backbone, thus diverging metabolite flux towards the biosynthesis of various protoberberine components. We also obtained CcCYP719A2 and CcCYP719A3, which underwent positive selection after diverging from CcCYP719A1 and maintained specific catalytic activity on ring D. Further, we resolved the biosynthetic pathway of jatrorrhizine by identifying two demethylases, which could also modulate protoberberine composition by removing the C-3 methyl group and methylenedioxy bridge of ring D, allowing demethylated metabolites to be redirected into different routes. Moreover, we characterized 2-O-methyltransferase CcOMT1 and flavin-dependent oxidase CcTHBO, respectively responsible for the commonly observed 2-O-methylation and aromatic ring-C assembly in protoberberine alkaloids. Overall, this study reveals an interconnected metabolite network from which diverse protoberberine alkaloids originate. It provides valuable insights into the existence of undiscovered protoberberine components, and paves the way for the targeted production of desired protoberberine components for potential therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linrui Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, 185 East Lake Road, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Binxin Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, 185 East Lake Road, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Zixin Deng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, 185 East Lake Road, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Bin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Non-Food Biomass and Enzyme Technology, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning 530007, China
| | - Yi Yu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, 185 East Lake Road, Wuhan 430071, China
- State Key Laboratory of Non-Food Biomass and Enzyme Technology, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning 530007, China
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Pan J, Li W, Chen B, Liu L, Zhang J, Li J. Arabidopsis 3β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases/C4-Decarboxylases Are Essential for the Pollen and Embryonic Development. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15565. [PMID: 37958553 PMCID: PMC10649741 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The biosynthesis of C27-29 sterols from their C30 precursor squalene involves C24-alkylation and the removal of three methyl groups, including two at the C4 position. The two C4 demethylation reactions require a bifunctional enzyme known as 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/C4-decarboxylase (3βHSD/D), which removes an oxidized methyl (carboxylic) group at C4 while simultaneously catalyzing the 3β-hydroxyl→3-keto oxidation. Its loss-of-function mutations cause ergosterol-dependent growth in yeast and congenital hemidysplasia with ichthyosiform erythroderma and limb defect (CHILD) syndrome in humans. Although plant 3βHSD/D enzymes were well studied enzymatically, their developmental functions remain unknown. Here we employed a CRISPR/Cas9-based genome-editing approach to generate knockout mutants for two Arabidopsis 3βHSD/D genes, HSD1 and HSD2, and discovered the male gametophytic lethality for the hsd1 hsd2 double mutation. Pollen-specific expression of HSD2 in the heterozygous hsd1 hsd2/+ mutant not only rescued the pollen lethality but also revealed the critical roles of the two HSD genes in embryogenesis. Our study thus demonstrated the essential functions of the two Arabidopsis 3βHSD/D genes in male gametogenesis and embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawen Pan
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (J.P.); (W.L.); (B.C.); (L.L.)
| | - Weifeng Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (J.P.); (W.L.); (B.C.); (L.L.)
| | - Binzhao Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (J.P.); (W.L.); (B.C.); (L.L.)
| | - Linchuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (J.P.); (W.L.); (B.C.); (L.L.)
| | - Jianjun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (J.P.); (W.L.); (B.C.); (L.L.)
| | - Jianming Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (J.P.); (W.L.); (B.C.); (L.L.)
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
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Dembitsky VM. Fascinating Furanosteroids and Their Pharmacological Profile. Molecules 2023; 28:5669. [PMID: 37570639 PMCID: PMC10419491 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28155669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
This review article delves into the realm of furanosteroids and related isoprenoid lipids derived from diverse terrestrial and marine sources, exploring their wide array of biological activities and potential pharmacological applications. Fungi, fungal endophytes, plants, and various marine organisms, including sponges, corals, molluscs, and other invertebrates, have proven to be abundant reservoirs of these compounds. The biological activities exhibited by furanosteroids and related lipids encompass anticancer, cytotoxic effects against various cancer cell lines, antiviral, and antifungal effects. Notably, the discovery of exceptional compounds such as nakiterpiosin, malabaricol, dysideasterols, and cortistatins has revealed their potent anti-tuberculosis, antibacterial, and anti-hepatitis C attributes. These compounds also exhibit activity in inhibiting protein kinase C, phospholipase A2, and eliciting cytotoxicity against cancer cells. This comprehensive study emphasizes the significance of furanosteroids and related lipids as valuable natural products with promising therapeutic potential. The remarkable biodiversity found in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems offers an extensive resource for unearthing novel biologically active compounds, paving the way for future drug development and advancements in biomedical research. This review presents a compilation of data obtained from various studies conducted by different authors who employed the PASS software 9.1 to evaluate the biological activity of natural furanosteroids and compounds closely related to them. The utilization of the PASS software in this context offers valuable advantages, such as screening large chemical libraries, identifying compounds for subsequent experimental investigations, and gaining insights into potential biological activities based on their structural features. Nevertheless, it is crucial to emphasize that experimental validation remains indispensable for confirming the predicted activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valery M Dembitsky
- Centre for Applied Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Lethbridge College, 3000 College Drive South, Lethbridge, AB T1K 1L6, Canada
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Metabolomics-guided discovery of cytochrome P450s involved in pseudotropine-dependent biosynthesis of modified tropane alkaloids. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3832. [PMID: 35780230 PMCID: PMC9250511 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31653-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant alkaloids constitute an important class of bioactive chemicals with applications in medicine and agriculture. However, the knowledge gap of the diversity and biosynthesis of phytoalkaloids prevents systematic advances in biotechnology for engineered production of these high-value compounds. In particular, the identification of cytochrome P450s driving the structural diversity of phytoalkaloids has remained challenging. Here, we use a combination of reverse genetics with discovery metabolomics and multivariate statistical analysis followed by in planta transient assays to investigate alkaloid diversity and functionally characterize two candidate cytochrome P450s genes from Atropa belladonna without a priori knowledge of their functions or information regarding the identities of key pathway intermediates. This approach uncovered a largely unexplored root localized alkaloid sub-network that relies on pseudotropine as precursor. The two cytochrome P450s catalyze N-demethylation and ring-hydroxylation reactions within the early steps in the biosynthesis of diverse N-demethylated modified tropane alkaloids. Cytochrome P450s drive the structural diversity of plant alkaloids, many of which have biotechnological uses. Here the authors use reverse genetics and metabolomics to identify two Atropa belladonna cytochrome P450s that synthesize pseudotropine-derived alkaloids.
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Du Y, Fu X, Chu Y, Wu P, Liu Y, Ma L, Tian H, Zhu B. Biosynthesis and the Roles of Plant Sterols in Development and Stress Responses. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23042332. [PMID: 35216448 PMCID: PMC8875669 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant sterols are important components of the cell membrane and lipid rafts, which play a crucial role in various physiological and biochemical processes during development and stress resistance in plants. In recent years, many studies in higher plants have been reported in the biosynthesis pathway of plant sterols, whereas the knowledge about the regulation and accumulation of sterols is not well understood. In this review, we summarize and discuss the recent findings in the field of plant sterols, including their biosynthesis, regulation, functions, as well as the mechanism involved in abiotic stress responses. These studies provide better knowledge on the synthesis and regulation of sterols, and the review also aimed to provide new insights for the global role of sterols, which is liable to benefit future research on the development and abiotic stress tolerance in plant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinglin Du
- The College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China; (Y.D.); (Y.C.); (P.W.); (Y.L.); (L.M.); (H.T.)
| | - Xizhe Fu
- The College of Biosystems Engineering and Food Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310012, China;
| | - Yiyang Chu
- The College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China; (Y.D.); (Y.C.); (P.W.); (Y.L.); (L.M.); (H.T.)
| | - Peiwen Wu
- The College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China; (Y.D.); (Y.C.); (P.W.); (Y.L.); (L.M.); (H.T.)
| | - Ye Liu
- The College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China; (Y.D.); (Y.C.); (P.W.); (Y.L.); (L.M.); (H.T.)
| | - Lili Ma
- The College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China; (Y.D.); (Y.C.); (P.W.); (Y.L.); (L.M.); (H.T.)
| | - Huiqin Tian
- The College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China; (Y.D.); (Y.C.); (P.W.); (Y.L.); (L.M.); (H.T.)
| | - Benzhong Zhu
- The College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China; (Y.D.); (Y.C.); (P.W.); (Y.L.); (L.M.); (H.T.)
- Correspondence:
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TIAN C, WANG K, ZHANG X, LI G, LOU HX. Old fusidane-type antibiotics for new challenges: Chemistry and biology. Chin J Nat Med 2022; 20:81-101. [DOI: 10.1016/s1875-5364(21)60114-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Abstract
Colchicine (1) is a bioactive plant alkaloid from Colchicum and Gloriosa species that is used as a pharmaceutical treatment for inflammatory diseases, including gouty arthritis and familial Mediterranean fever. The activity of this alkaloid is attributed to its ability to bind tubulin dimers and inhibit microtubule assembly, which not only promotes anti-inflammatory effects, but also makes colchicine a potent mitotic poison. The biochemical origins of colchicine biosynthesis have been investigated for over 50 years, but only recently has the underlying enzymatic machinery become clear. Here, we report the discovery of multiple pathway enzymes from Gloriosa superba that allows for the reconstitution of a complete metabolic route to 1. This includes three enzymes that process a previously established tropolone-containing intermediate into 1 via tailoring of the nitrogen atom. We further demonstrate the total biosynthesis of enantiopure (-)-1 from primary metabolites via heterologous production in a model plant, thus enabling future efforts for the metabolic engineering of this medicinal alkaloid. Additionally, our results provide insight into the timing and tissue specificity for the late stage modifications required in colchicine biosynthesis, which are likely connected to the biological functions for this class of medicinal alkaloids in native producing plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan S. Nett
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Elizabeth S. Sattely
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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