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Gärditz KF, Czesnick H. Paclitaxel - a Product of Fungal Secondary Metabolism or an Artefact? PLANTA MEDICA 2024; 90:726-735. [PMID: 38754434 PMCID: PMC11254485 DOI: 10.1055/a-2309-6298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Taxol (common name: paclitaxel) is an extremely important component of drugs for the treatment of various cancers. Thirty years after the discovery of its effectiveness, a metabolic precursor of Taxol (10-deacetylbaccatin III) is still primarily extracted from needles of European yew trees. In order to meet the considerable demand, hopes were pinned on the possibilities of biotechnological production from the very beginning. In 1993, as if by chance, Taxol was supposedly discovered in fungi that grow endobiotically in yew trees. This finding aroused hopes of biotechnological use to produce fungal Taxol in large quantities in fermenters. It never came to that. Instead, a confusing flood of publications emerged that claimed to have detected Taxol in more and more eukaryotic and even prokaryotic species. However, researchers never reproduced these rather puzzling results, and they could certainly not be applied on an industrial scale. This paper will show that some of the misguided approaches were apparently based on a seemingly careless handling of sparse evidence and on at least questionable publications. Apparently, the desired gold rush of commercial exploitation was seductive. Scientific skepticism as an indispensable core of good scientific practice was often neglected, and the peer review process has not exerted its corrective effect. Self-critical reflection and more healthy skepticism could help to reduce the risk of such aberrations in drug development. This article uses this case study as a striking example to show what can be learned from the Taxol case in terms of research ethics and the avoidance of questionable research practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaus Ferdinand Gärditz
- Institute of Public Law, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Ombudsman for suspected cases of scientific misconduct, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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Rezazadeh H, Ghanati F, Bonfill M, Nasibi F, Tabarsa M. Optimization of the fermentation media, mathematical modeling, and enhancement of paclitaxel production by Alternaria alternata after elicitation with pectin. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12980. [PMID: 38839906 PMCID: PMC11153502 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63681-w] [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: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Alternaria alternata fungus is a potent paclitaxel producer isolated from Corylus avellana. The major challenge is the lack of optimized media for endophytic fungi productivity. In the effort to maximize the production of taxoids by A. alternata, several fermentation conditions, including pH (pH 4.0-7.0), different types and concentrations of carbon (fructose, glucose, sucrose, mannitol, sorbitol, and malt extract), and nitrogen (urea, ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, ammonium phosphate, and ammonium sulfate) were applied step by step. Based on the results, A. alternata in a medium containing sucrose 5% (w/v) and ammonium phosphate 2.5 mM at pH 6.0 showed a rapid and sustainable growth rate, the highest paclitaxel yield (94.8 µg gFW-1 vs 2.8 µg gFW-1 in controls), and the maximum content of amino acids. Additionally, the effect of pectin was evaluated on fungus, and mycelia harvested. Pectin significantly enhanced the growth and taxoid yield on day 21 (respectively 171% and 116% of their corresponding on day 7). The results were checked out by mathematical modeling as well. Accordingly, these findings suggest a low-cost, eco-friendly, and easy-to-produce approach with excellent biotechnological potential for the industrial manufacture of taxoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamzeh Rezazadeh
- Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University (TMU), POB 14115-154, Tehran, Iran
| | - Faezeh Ghanati
- Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University (TMU), POB 14115-154, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mercedes Bonfill
- Department of Biology, Healthcare and the Environment, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fatemeh Nasibi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mehdi Tabarsa
- Department of Seafood Processing, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Noor, Iran
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Vu THN, Quach NT, Pham QA, Le PC, Nguyen VT, Le TTX, Do TT, Anh DH, Quang TH, Chu HH, Phi QT. Fusarium solani PQF9 Isolated from Podocarpus pilgeri Growing in Vietnam as a New Producer of Paclitaxel. Indian J Microbiol 2023; 63:596-603. [PMID: 38031615 PMCID: PMC10681966 DOI: 10.1007/s12088-023-01119-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Endophytic fungi are known as an alternative promising source of anticancer drug, paclitaxel, however fungi inhabiting in medicinal plant Podocarpus pilgeri and their paclitaxel production have not been reported to date. In the present study, a total of 15 culturable fungi classified into 5 genera, were successfully recovered from P. pilgeri collected in Vietnam. Screening fungal dichloromethane extracts for anticancer activity revealed that only PQF9 extract displayed potent inhibitory effects on A549 and MCF7 cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 33.9 ± 2.3 µg/mL and 43.5 ± 1.7 µg/mL, respectively. Through PCR-based molecular screening, the isolate PQF9 was found to possess 3 key genes involved in paclitaxel biosynthesis. Importantly, high-performance liquid chromatography quantification showed that fungal isolate PQF9 was able to produce 18.2 µg/L paclitaxel. The paclitaxel-producing fungus was identified as Fusarium solani PQF9 based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic analysis. Intensive investigations by chromatographic methods and spectroscopic analyses confirmed the presence of paclitaxel along with tyrosol and uracil. The pure paclitaxel had an IC50 value of 80.8 ± 9.4 and 67.9 ± 7.0 nM by using cell viability assay on A549 lung and MCF7 breast cancer cells. In addition, tyrosol exhibited strong antioxidant activity by scavenging 2, 2-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (IC50 5.1 ± 0.2 mM) and hydroxyl radical (IC50 3.6 ± 0.1 mM). In contrast, no biological activity was observed for uracil. Thus, the paclitaxel-producing fungus F. solani PQF9 could serve as a new material for large-scale production and deciphering paclitaxel biosynthesis. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12088-023-01119-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thi Hanh Nguyen Vu
- Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, 10072 Vietnam
- Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, 10072 Vietnam
| | - Ngoc Tung Quach
- Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, 10072 Vietnam
- Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, 10072 Vietnam
| | - Quynh Anh Pham
- Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, 10072 Vietnam
| | - Phuong Chi Le
- Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, 10072 Vietnam
| | - Van The Nguyen
- Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, 10072 Vietnam
| | - Thi Thanh Xuan Le
- Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, 10072 Vietnam
| | - Thi Thao Do
- Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, 10072 Vietnam
- Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, 10072 Vietnam
| | - Do Hoang Anh
- Institute of Marine Biochemistry, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, 10072 Vietnam
| | - Tran Hong Quang
- Institute of Marine Biochemistry, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, 10072 Vietnam
| | - Hoang Ha Chu
- Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, 10072 Vietnam
- Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, 10072 Vietnam
| | - Quyet Tien Phi
- Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, 10072 Vietnam
- Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, 10072 Vietnam
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Zhang S, Ye T, Liu Y, Hou G, Wang Q, Zhao F, Li F, Meng Q. Research Advances in Clinical Applications, Anticancer Mechanism, Total Chemical Synthesis, Semi-Synthesis and Biosynthesis of Paclitaxel. Molecules 2023; 28:7517. [PMID: 38005238 PMCID: PMC10673093 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28227517] [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: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Paclitaxel, a natural secondary metabolite isolated and purified from the bark of the Taxus tree, is considered one of the most successful natural anticancer drugs due to its low toxicity, high potency and broad-spectrum anticancer activity. Taxus trees are scarce and slow-growing, and with extremely low paclitaxel content, the contradiction between supply and demand in the market is becoming more and more intense. Therefore, researchers have tried to obtain paclitaxel by various methods such as chemical synthesis, artificial culture, microbial fermentation and tissue cell culture to meet the clinical demand for this drug. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of paclitaxel extraction, combination therapy, total synthesis, semi-synthesis and biosynthesis in recent years and provides an outlook, aiming to provide a theoretical basis and reference for further research on the production and application of paclitaxel in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengnan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China; (S.Z.); (T.Y.); (Y.L.); (F.Z.)
| | - Taiqiang Ye
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China; (S.Z.); (T.Y.); (Y.L.); (F.Z.)
| | - Yibin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China; (S.Z.); (T.Y.); (Y.L.); (F.Z.)
| | - Guige Hou
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China;
| | - Qibao Wang
- School of Biological Science, Jining Medical University, Rizhao 276800, China;
| | - Fenglan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China; (S.Z.); (T.Y.); (Y.L.); (F.Z.)
| | - Feng Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China; (S.Z.); (T.Y.); (Y.L.); (F.Z.)
| | - Qingguo Meng
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China; (S.Z.); (T.Y.); (Y.L.); (F.Z.)
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Subban K, Kempken F. Insights into Taxol® biosynthesis by endophytic fungi. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 107:6151-6162. [PMID: 37606790 PMCID: PMC10560151 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12713-y] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
There have been two hundred reports that endophytic fungi produce Taxol®, but its production yield is often rather low. Although considerable efforts have been made to increase Taxol/taxanes production in fungi by manipulating cocultures, mutagenesis, genome shuffles, and gene overexpression, little is known about the molecular signatures of Taxol biosynthesis and its regulation. It is known that some fungi have orthologs of the Taxol biosynthetic pathway, but the overall architecture of this pathway is unknown. A biosynthetic putative gene homology approach, combined with genomics and transcriptomics analysis, revealed that a few genes for metabolite residues may be located on dispensable chromosomes. This review explores a number of crucial topics (i) finding biosynthetic pathway genes using precursors, elicitors, and inhibitors; (ii) orthologs of the Taxol biosynthetic pathway for rate-limiting genes/enzymes; and (iii) genomics and transcriptomics can be used to accurately predict biosynthetic putative genes and regulators. This provides promising targets for future genetic engineering approaches to produce fungal Taxol and precursors. KEY POINTS: • A recent trend in predicting Taxol biosynthetic pathway from endophytic fungi. • Understanding the Taxol biosynthetic pathway and related enzymes in fungi. • The genetic evidence and formation of taxane from endophytic fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamalraj Subban
- Department of Genetics & Molecular Biology in Botany, Botanical Institute and Botanical Garden, Christian-Albrecht University of Kiel, Olshausenstraße 40, 24098, Kiel, Germany
| | - Frank Kempken
- Department of Genetics & Molecular Biology in Botany, Botanical Institute and Botanical Garden, Christian-Albrecht University of Kiel, Olshausenstraße 40, 24098, Kiel, Germany.
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Ramírez-Villalobos JM, Gomez-Flores R, Velázquez-Flores PV, Morán-Santibáñez KS, Tamez-Guerra P, Pérez-González O, de la Garza-Ramos MA, Rodríguez-Padilla C, Romo-Sáenz CI. Effect of Culture Conditions of Lophocereus marginatus Endophytic Fungi on Yield and Anticancer and Antioxidant Activities. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20053948. [PMID: 36900961 PMCID: PMC10001847 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20053948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Culture conditions affect the production of secondary metabolites in endophytic fungi. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the yield and anticancer and antioxidant activity of endophytic fungi extracts from the cactus Lophocereus marginatus, under different culture conditions. The strains Penicillium citrinum, Aspergillus versicolor, Metarhizium anisopliae, and Cladosporium sp. were fermented in different culture media (potato dextrose agar, Czapeck broth, and malt broth), types of inoculums (spore or mycelium), and shaking conditions (150 rpm or static) for one week. Methanol extracts were obtained from mycelia, which was followed by determining their yields and evaluating their effect on L5178Y-R murine lymphoma cells growth and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) viability, using the 3-[4,5dimethylthiazol-2-yl]2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide reduction colorimetric assay. In addition, antioxidant activity was determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl test. We determined the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of tumor cell growth inhibition, the selectivity index (SI), and the antioxidant activity, as compared with the healthy cells control. The best yields were obtained with the Czapeck broth medium in all the evaluated strains, reaching values of 50.3%. Of the 48 extracts evaluated, only seven significantly (p < 0.01) inhibited tumor cell growth (IC50 < 250 µg/mL). A. versicolor extract showed the highest anticancer activity, after culturing spores (IC50 = 49.62 µg/mL; SI = 15.8) or mycelium (IC50 = 69.67 µg/mL; SI = 12.2) in malt broth, under static conditions. Extracts did not present significant antioxidant activity. In conclusion, we showed that culture conditions influenced the anticancer activity of L. marginatus endophytic fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesica María Ramírez-Villalobos
- Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza 66455, Mexico
| | - Ricardo Gomez-Flores
- Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza 66455, Mexico
| | - Priscilla Viridiana Velázquez-Flores
- Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza 66455, Mexico
| | - Karla Selene Morán-Santibáñez
- Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza 66455, Mexico
| | - Patricia Tamez-Guerra
- Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza 66455, Mexico
| | - Orquídea Pérez-González
- Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza 66455, Mexico
| | - Myriam Angélica de la Garza-Ramos
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León Dr. Eduardo Aguirre Pequeño y Silao S/N, Colonia Mitras Centro, Monterrey 64460, Mexico
| | - Cristina Rodríguez-Padilla
- Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza 66455, Mexico
| | - César Iván Romo-Sáenz
- Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza 66455, Mexico
- Universidad Emiliano Zapata, Avenida Rodrigo Gómez, Sector Heroico S/N, Monterrey 64260, Mexico
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Biological Activity of Hybrid Molecules Based on Major Constituents of Cinnammomun verum and Thymus vulgaris Essential Oils. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13020499. [PMID: 36836856 PMCID: PMC9966931 DOI: 10.3390/life13020499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Plants have been used by humans since ancient times due their antimicrobial and medicinal properties. Essential oils (EOs) are complex mixtures of secondary plant metabolites, including terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, and other aromatic compounds. Cinnamomun verum and Thyme vulgaris EOs and their organic extracts exert numerous biological activities because of their major compounds, particularly thymol, carvacrol, eugenol, and benzoic and cinnamic acid. The structural motifs presented by these phytochemicals are responsible for their biological activities. Modification or hybridization of these structures could lead to new bio-based compounds with improved efficacy or multiple modes of action. In this work, we aimed to develop reliable methods of obtaining six hybrid molecules from the major constituents of C. verum and T. vulgaris EOs. For the first time, we tested their efficacy in the inhibition of the mycelium growth and spore germination of two of the most important phytopathogenic fungi, Fusarium oxysporum and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, and one opportunistic human pathogen, Aspergillus niger. The cytotoxic activity of the obtained hybrids was assessed using the brine shrimp lethality assay. In addition, we report for the first time a biocatalytic process for the obtention of these bioactive hybrid molecules. The results of this work enable the possibility of using hybrid molecules based on the major constituents of EOs as active ingredients in strategic industries such as agriculture, aquaculture, and pharmaceuticals.
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Ding C, Yu D, Chen Y, Zhu J, Wu J, Du X, Wang X. Analysis of the mechanism of saponin biotransformation in Dioscoreae nipponicae rhizoma by the endophytic fungus Fusarium sp. C39 using whole-genome sequencing. J Basic Microbiol 2022; 62:623-633. [PMID: 35411947 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.202100664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Fusarium sp. C39 is an endophytic fungus of Dioscorea nipponica Makino. Symbiosis of Fusarium sp. C39 with Rhizoma Dioscoreae Nipponicae (RDN) can significantly increase the content of saponin, which provides a new approach for saponin production and reduces the pressure on natural sources of saponins. However, the underlying mechanism is not clear, limiting its application. In this study, the genome of Fusarium sp. C39 was sequenced, the gene functions were predicted via gene annotation, and the genome was compared to the genomes of four related species. Fusarium sp. C39 is predicted to encode many key enzyme genes involved in saponin synthesis, which could transform the mevalonate, isopentenyl pyrophosphate, and various intermediate compounds present in the RDN extract into saponins. The Fusarium sp. C39 genome contains specific genes that are conducive to its endophytic lifestyle and can provide abundant raw materials for saponin synthesis. Based on the genomic analysis, we proposed the mechanism by which Fusarium sp. C39 generates saponins and provides a theoretical basis for rapid, efficient, low-cost production of saponins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changhong Ding
- College of Pharmacy, Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - Dan Yu
- College of Pharmacy, Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - Yiyang Chen
- College of Pharmacy, Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - Junyi Zhu
- College of Pharmacy, Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - Junkai Wu
- College of Pharmacy, Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - Xiaowei Du
- College of Pharmacy, Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - Xijun Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
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Kui L, Majeed A, Dong Y. Reference-grade Taxus genome unleashes its pharmacological potential. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 27:10-12. [PMID: 34772612 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2021.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The genus Taxus is well known for its anticancer metabolite, paclitaxel. Recent releases of chromosome-scale reference genomes for two Taxus species (Xiong et al. and Cheng et al.) now provide novel insights on genome structure and phylogenomics and the origin and evolution of the paclitaxel biosynthesis pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Kui
- Shenzhen Qianhai Shekou Free Trade Zone Hospital, Shenzhen 518067, China; School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Aasim Majeed
- School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana 141004, India
| | - Yang Dong
- BGI Institute of Applied Agriculture, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518120, China; State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Kunming 650201, China.
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Škubník J, Pavlíčková V, Ruml T, Rimpelová S. Current Perspectives on Taxanes: Focus on Their Bioactivity, Delivery and Combination Therapy. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 10:569. [PMID: 33802861 PMCID: PMC8002726 DOI: 10.3390/plants10030569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Taxanes, mainly paclitaxel and docetaxel, the microtubule stabilizers, have been well known for being the first-line therapy for breast cancer for more than the last thirty years. Moreover, they have been also used for the treatment of ovarian, hormone-refractory prostate, head and neck, and non-small cell lung carcinomas. Even though paclitaxel and docetaxel significantly enhance the overall survival rate of cancer patients, there are some limitations of their use, such as very poor water solubility and the occurrence of severe side effects. However, this is what pushes the research on these microtubule-stabilizing agents further and yields novel taxane derivatives with significantly improved properties. Therefore, this review article brings recent advances reported in taxane research mainly in the last two years. We focused especially on recent methods of taxane isolation, their mechanism of action, development of their novel derivatives, formulations, and improved tumor-targeted drug delivery. Since cancer cell chemoresistance can be an unsurpassable hurdle in taxane administration, a significant part of this review article has been also devoted to combination therapy of taxanes in cancer treatment. Last but not least, we summarize ongoing clinical trials on these compounds and bring a perspective of advancements in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Silvie Rimpelová
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 3, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic; (J.Š.); (V.P.); (T.R.)
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