Plant biochemistry and biosynthesis

A cofactor-promiscuous HMGR from the Lyme disease pathogen illuminates diversity in bacterial isoprenoid biosynthesis

This study identifies HMGR as a critical enzyme in B. burgdorferi's mevalonate pathway, revealing its cofactor promiscuity and evolutionary significance.

Full-length transcriptome atlas of Panax vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus reveals novel genes and alternative splicing in tissue-specific biosynthesis of ocotillol-type saponins

This study constructs the first full-length transcriptome atlas of Panax vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus, identifying novel genes and extensive alternative splicing events related to OCT-type saponin biosynthesis.

Paving the way for plant-based bioproduction of (Z)-13-octadecenoic moth pheromone compounds

This paper demonstrates the biotechnological production of C18 pheromone precursors in Camelina sativa using insect enzymes, enabling sustainable pest control.

Elucidation and engineering of arabinofuranosyltransferase to enable total de novo biosynthesis of paris saponins in yeast

This paper reports the first complete de novo biosynthesis of four bioactive Paris saponins in yeast by engineering sugar donor specificity and integrating biosynthetic modules.

Identification of a volatile chemotype associated with resilience to water stress in domesticated varieties of Cotton

The paper identifies a binary chemotype in cotton associated with drought resilience, showing differential volatile compound production and physiological responses to water stress.

A cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase-like scaffold organizes monoterpenoid indole alkaloid biosynthesis

The paper identifies VinBLAST, a scaffold protein that facilitates the biosynthesis of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids by enhancing the interaction and activity of key enzymes.

Pioneering the Formation of 2-Carboxylic Anthraquinone: CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Functional Validation of Octaketide Synthase and Polyketide Reductase Genes in Aloe vera

This study identifies and validates the role of polyketide reductase in anthraquinone biosynthesis in Aloe vera using CRISPR/Cas9 and biochemical analysis.

Evolutionary conserved cis-trans regulation machinery for diterpenoid phytoalexin production in Poaceae

The paper investigates the regulatory mechanisms of diterpenoid phytoalexin production in wild rice, identifying DPF and N-boxes as key cis-trans regulators conserved across species.

Molecular evolution of terpene synthase underlying the diversification of isoprene emission in Fagaceae

The paper investigates the molecular evolution of terpene synthase genes in Fagaceae, revealing convergent evolution of isoprene synthase activity in two lineages within subgenus Quercus.

ABCG transporters are involved in the accumulation of specialized metabolites in the oil bodies of Marchantia polymorpha

This study identifies MpABCG1 and MpABCG36 as key proteins involved in the accumulation of specialized metabolites in oil bodies of Marchantia polymorpha.

Genome-Wide Discovery and Characterization of Terpene Synthases Contributing to Strawberry Aroma Metabolism

The paper identifies and characterizes terpene synthase genes in strawberry, revealing their role in terpene aroma diversity and providing resources for aroma trait improvement.

Nicotine biosynthesis completed by cryptic activating glucosylation

This paper reconstructs the complete nicotine biosynthesis pathway in vitro and in planta, identifying key enzymes and providing structural insights.

Repurposing the diatom periplastidial compartment for heterologous terpenoid production

The paper profiles terpenoid biosynthetic capacity in diatoms by targeting synthases to different compartments, revealing precursor availability and efficiency across compartments.

Discovery of a Plant Pictet-Spenglerase with R-Stereoselectivity

The paper identifies an STR ortholog in Pogonopus speciosus that produces the 3R epimer of strictosidine, revealing amino acids responsible for stereoselectivity and enabling engineered switches in stereoselectivity.

Elucidation and functional characterization of natural sweetener biosynthesis in hortensia species

This study identifies metabolites and genes involved in the biosynthesis of the sweetener phyllodulcin in Hydrangea species through metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis.

ABA-responsive transcription factor CbNAC63 is involved in modulating biosynthesis of triterpenoid saponins in Conyza blinii

The paper identifies CbNAC63 as a transcription factor that integrates ABA and cold signals to enhance triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis in Conyza blinii.

Iterative and modular expression of Botryococcus braunii genes enhances isoprenoid production in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum

This study transfers specialized terpenoid biosynthesis genes from Botryococcus braunii into the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum to enhance isoprenoid production.

The ABCG1 transporter facilitates sesquiterpene accumulation in Marchantia polymorpha oil bodies.

The paper identifies ABCG1 as critical for sesquiterpene retention in Marchantia polymorpha oil bodies through overexpression and CRISPR disruption experiments.

Capsanthin/Capsorubin Synthase Expression in Tomato Alters Carotenoid Pools, Enhancing Provitamin A and Flavor Volatiles

This study overexpresses pepper CCS in tomato to enhance provitamin A and flavor volatiles, increasing carotenoid levels and meeting dietary requirements.

Uncovering the molecular basis of high morphinan product efficiency in opium poppy through Multi-omics integrated analysis with multi-capsules

This study identifies molecular mechanisms and genetic differences contributing to higher morphine production in opium poppy subspecies Shan Yang compared to Lan Tian.

Elucidation of gene clusters underlying withanolide biosynthesis in ashwagandha through yeast metabolic engineering

This study identifies gene clusters involved in withanolide biosynthesis in ashwagandha using yeast metabolic engineering and characterizes key enzymes in the pathway.

ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5 regulates light-mediated squalene biosynthesis and development in Arabidopsis thaliana

This study identifies ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5 as a light-regulated repressor of squalene biosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana through direct promoter binding and gene regulation.

Real-time tracking of intracellular prenyl phosphate pools in the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum with a metabolite protein-based biosensor

The paper introduces a biosensor to monitor intracellular prenyl phosphate levels in diatoms and demonstrates its use in tracking metabolic perturbations and subcellular localization.

Parallel evolution of plant alkaloid biosynthesis from bacterial-like decarboxylases

This study identifies OLADOs, a new class of eukaryotic decarboxylases involved in alkaloid biosynthesis, showing their parallel evolution from bacterial-like enzymes.

Steviol glycoside biosynthesis pathway gene expression profiling of transformed and non-transformed plant leaf tissues of Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni)

This paper compares gene expression and metabolite levels in transformed and non-transformed Stevia rebaudiana plants to assess the impact of genetic modification on steviol glycoside biosynthesis.

Conserved early steps of stemmadenine biosynthesis

The paper identifies and characterizes stemmadenine acetate pathway genes from Tabernanthe iboga, reconstitutes the biosynthesis in Nicotiana benthamiana, and identifies shunt products affecting pathway flux.

MARTS-DB: A Database of Mechanisms And Reactions of Terpene Synthases

MARTS-DB is a manually curated database of terpene synthase mechanisms and reactions, providing over 2,600 reactions and supporting computational analysis and machine learning.

Structure and Mechanism of Avermitilol Synthase, a Sesquiterpene Cyclase that Generates a Highly Strained 6-6-3 Tricyclic Alcohol

This paper investigates the mechanism of avermitilol synthase, revealing how trapped water molecules influence product specificity through structural and enzymological studies.

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.

Investigating the dynamics of precursor availability for sesquiterpenoid production in the cytoplasm and plastid of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

This study investigates sesquiterpenoid production in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii by expressing patchoulol synthase in different subcellular compartments and optimizing carbon sources to maximize yield.