Biosynthesis of Ephedrine Initiated by Pyridoxal Phosphate-Dependent Formation of Cathinone.

ABSTRACT: Ephedra alkaloids possess some of the most basic structures of alkaloids. Despite their importance for human use and their commercial relevance, the biosynthesis of ephedra alkaloids has remained enigmatic. The predominant biosynthetic pathway in the literature proposes a thiamin-dependent carboligation followed by a transaminase, although no candidate enzymes have yet been identified in ephedra alkaloid producers. In this work, an alternative pathway in plants to ephedra alkaloids via (S)-cathinone is investigated that circumvents the formation of 1-phenylpropane-1,2-dione as an intermediate and is in full agreement with previous biosynthetic studies. This alternative pathway involves the pyridoxal phosphate (PLP)-dependent carboligation of -benzoyl-CoA- and L-alanine in a single step. Th

SUBMITTER: Witte K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12278337 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature