Zhan Mai

Ancient gene clusters govern the initiation of monoterpenoid indole alkaloid biosynthesis and C3 stereochemistry inversion

This study identifies and characterizes a conserved oxidase-reductase pair responsible for C3 stereochemistry inversion in monoterpenoid indole alkaloids and traces the evolutionary origin of the gene clusters involved.

Oxidation of Four Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloid Classes by Three Cytochrome P450 Monooxygenases from Tabernaemontana litoralis

This study identifies and characterizes three new CYPs in T. litoralis that catalyze specific oxidations of four MIA skeletons, expanding understanding of MIA biosynthesis.

Parallel evolution of methyltransferases leads to vobasine biosynthesis in Tabernaemontana elegans and Catharanthus roseus

This study identifies and characterizes a new gammaTMT-like enzyme from Tabernaemontana elegans, showing parallel evolution of methyltransferases leading to perivine N-methylation in two plant species.

Improved protein glycosylation enabled heterologous biosynthesis of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids and their unnatural derivatives in yeast

This study improves yeast-based biosynthesis of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids by expressing a key enzyme and integrating biosynthetic gene cassettes, enabling production of vinblastine precursors and their unnatural derivatives.