Plant biochemistry and biosynthesis

Structure of Bifunctional Variediene Synthase Yields Unique Insight on Biosynthetic Diterpene Assembly and Cyclization

The paper presents the first structure of a bifunctional terpene synthase, revealing its architecture and suggesting how GGPP might be transferred between domains.

Evolution of CYP71D as a driving force of the diversification of monoterpene indole alkaloid biosynthesis

This study investigates the evolutionary diversification of CYP71D enzymes in Gentianales, showing how gene duplication and neofunctionalization expanded MIA chemical diversity.

Molecular basis behind the isoprene emission diversity in Fagaceae

The paper identifies the IspS gene responsible for isoprene emission in Quercus serrata and shows functional differences in related genes from non-emitting species.

Entry Steps in the Biosynthetic Pathway to DiterpenoidAlkaloids

The paper identifies six enzymatic steps in the biosynthesis of atisinium using comparative transcriptomics and demonstrates ethanolamine as the preferred nitrogen source for diterpenoid alkaloids.

Discover the Maze-like Pathway for Glabridin Biosynthesis

The paper reconstructs a multi-route biosynthetic network for glabridin in yeast, showing increased robustness and productivity compared to single-route designs.

Chiral monoterpene dynamics of shoots and roots of Norway spruce in response to drought

This study examines chiral monoterpene dynamics in Norway spruce shoots and roots under drought, finding tissue-specific emissions and active regulation mechanisms.

Isotopic Labeling Analysis using Single Cell Mass Spectrometry

The paper demonstrates the use of single cell mass spectrometry to track isotopic labeling in plant protoplasts, showing the synthesis and transport of alkaloids over 24 hours.

Elucidation and de novo Reconstitution of Glyceollin Biosynthesis

This study identifies and reconstructs the complete glyceollin biosynthetic pathway in soybean, enabling sustainable production in yeast.

2-Oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases contribute to cardenolide biosynthesis in Erysimum cheiranthoides (wormseed wallflower)

This study identifies 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases involved in cardenolide biosynthesis in Erysimum cheiranthoides and characterizes their enzymatic functions.

Divergent biosynthesis of monoterpene indole alkaloids from geissoschizine

The paper investigates how three cytochrome P450 enzymes in Catharanthus roseus transform 19E-geissoschizine into four distinct alkaloid scaffolds through oxidative transformations.

Engineering IspH for Enhanced Terpenoid Yield: Computational and Molecular Dynamics Studies

This study analyzes IspH homologs in Bacillus and other bacteria to improve terpenoid production through computational and molecular dynamics methods.

CrGEF1, CrGAP1, and CrGDI2 function as key regulators of ROP-GTPase mediated modulation of alkaloid biosynthesis in Catharanthus roseus

The paper identifies CrGEF1, CrGAP1, and CrGDI2 as key regulators of ROP-GTPase mediated modulation of alkaloid biosynthesis in Catharanthus roseus through functional and localization studies.

A molecular representation system with a common reference frame for natural products pathway discovery and structural diversity tasks.

Loss of tomato geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase 2 increases monoterpenoid levels and enhances immune responses to bacterial infection

This study shows that loss of SlG2 in tomato increases monoterpenoid levels and enhances resistance to bacterial infection through elevated salicylic acid.

It runs in the family: Discovery of enzymes in the oleuropein pathway in Olive (Olea europaea) by comparative transcriptomics

This paper identifies enzymes in the oleuropein biosynthesis pathway in olive using comparative transcriptomics and discovers novel genes involved in the pathway.

Crocetin and crocin production in plant and bacteria using a CCD4 enzyme from Nyctanthes arbor-tristis.

This paper reports the identification of NatCCD4.1, an enzyme from Nyctanthes arbor-tristis, and demonstrates its use in microbial and plant systems to produce crocetin dialdehyde and crocins with high yields.

BAHD news from Euphorbia peplus: identification of acyltransferase enzymes involved in ingenane diterpenoid biosynthesis

This paper identifies acyltransferase genes involved in ingenol-3-angelate biosynthesis in Euphorbia peplus and shows functional redundancy in acetylation steps.

Sub-functionalization and epigenetic regulation of a biosynthetic gene cluster in Solanaceae

The paper identifies a sub-functionalized biosynthetic gene cluster in Physalis grisea, showing epigenetic regulation and tissue-specific expression of withanolide biosynthesis.

Three cytochrome P450 enzymes catalyse the formation of furanoclerodane precursors in Salvia spp.

The paper identifies three cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in furanoclerodane biosynthesis in Salvia splendens and supports their evolutionary link to salvinorin A biosynthesis in S. divinorum.

A Metabolic Complex Involved in Tomato Specialized Metabolism

This study identifies a distributed metabolic complex involved in acylsugar biosynthesis in tomato, revealing subcellular localization and protein-protein interactions among four acyltransferases.

Crystal Structure and Catalytic Mechanism of Drimenol Synthase, a Bifunctional Terpene Cyclase-Phosphatase

This study reports the crystal structure and mechanism of AsDMS, a bifunctional terpene cyclase-phosphatase, revealing its unique dual activity and substrate promiscuity.

Archaeal lineages related to eukaryotes encode functional diterpenoid cyclases

The paper identifies and characterizes diterpenoid cyclases in Asgardarchaeota, showing they produce bicyclic halimadienyl pyrophosphate, potentially relevant to microbial persistence.

Chemotype diversity of foliar volatile emissions in Cork oak suggests independent geographic variations in quality and quantity

The paper examines volatile emissions in Cork oak seedlings from ten provenances, finding distinct chemotypes and geographic variations in emission rates and composition.

Discovery of the missing cytochrome P450 monooxygenase cyclases that conclude glyceollin biosynthesis in soybean

This study identifies three cytochrome P450 monooxygenase cyclases responsible for the final steps of glyceollin biosynthesis in soybean.

Identification and Engineering of UDP-rhamnosyltransferase from Trillium tschonoskii for Heterologous Biosynthesis of Polyphyllin II in Engineered Yeast

This study identifies and engineers a UDP-rhamnosyltransferase from Trillium tschonoskii to enable heterologous biosynthesis of polyphyllin II in yeast.

Biosynthesis and Bioactivity of Anti-Inflammatory Triterpenoids in Calendula officinalis (pot marigold)

This study identifies C16-hydroxylated triterpenoids as key anti-inflammatory compounds in Calendula officinalis and reconstructs their biosynthetic pathway for production.

Using lineage-specific patterns to understand convergence of enzymatic functions led to the identification of Moraceae-specific P450s involved in furanocoumarin biosynthesis

The paper identifies Moraceae-specific P450 enzymes involved in furanocoumarin biosynthesis by analyzing evolutionary patterns and functional divergence in Ficus carica.

Prediction of the reaction mechanisms of sesquiterpene coumarin synthases supports a direct evolutionary link with triterpene biosynthesis.

The paper reviews putative reaction pathways for the biosynthesis of sesquiterpene coumarins derived from 7-farnesyloxycoumarins, highlighting their evolutionary link to triterpene biosynthesis.

Rule-Based Deconstruction and Reconstruction of Diterpene Libraries: Categorizing Patterns & Unravelling the Structural Landscape

The paper deconstructs and reconstructs diterpene structures to categorize patterns and model synthesis mechanisms, revealing core skeletons and predicting compound diversity.

Compartmentalized sesquiterpenoid biosynthesis and functionalization in the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii plastid

This paper demonstrates the production and functionalization of heterologous sesquiterpenoids in the plastid of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii using STPs and soluble CYPs, achieving up to 80% functionalization and 250-2500 µg L-1 yields.