Systematic identification of terpene synthases from sacred lotus (<i>Nelumbo nucifera</i>) and heterologous biosynthesis of the insecticidal and antimicrobial compound γ-eudesmol.

ABSTRACT: Sacred lotus is widely used in the agricultural, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries. Terpenes are not only crucial components of sacred lotus essential oil, but also serve as signaling molecules involved in plant-environment interactions. However, the biosynthesis of terpenes in sacred lotus has not yet been reported. Thus, gene-directed heterologous mining and combinatorial biosynthesis methods were used in this study to systematically characterize the function of terpene synthase genes in the sacred lotus. As a result, two monoterpene, 11 sesquiterpene, and three diterpene products were synthesized, and a highly efficient γ-eudesmol synthase was discovered. In addition, a mechanistic study revealed that N314 is the key amino acid responsible for the secondary cyclization that p

SUBMITTER: Xu Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12539867 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature