Identification of a key peptide cyclase for novel cyclic peptide discovery in Pseudostellaria heterophylla.

ABSTRACT: Orbitides, also known as Caryophyllaceae-type cyclic peptides, from the Traditional Chinese Medicine plant Pseudostellaria heterophylla (Miq.) Pax, exhibit great potential for improving memory and treating diabetes. Orbitides are ribosomally encoded and post-translationally modified peptides; however, the key biosynthetic enzyme mediating this process remains unknown in P. heterophylla. In this study, we investigated the distribution of orbitides in P. heterophylla and mined novel precursor peptide genes and peptide cyclases from multiple omics datasets. The function of PhPCY3, a gene encoding a key tailoring enzyme, was elucidated using transient heterologous expression and virus-induced gene silencing systems. Our findings suggest that PhPCY3 specifically cyclizes linear precursor peptid

SUBMITTER: Qin X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12143145 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature