The ancient CYP716 family is a major contributor to the diversification of eudicot triterpenoid biosynthesis.

ABSTRACT: Triterpenoids are widespread bioactive plant defence compounds with potential use as pharmaceuticals, pesticides and other high-value products. Enzymes belonging to the cytochrome P450 family have an essential role in creating the immense structural diversity of triterpenoids across the plant kingdom. However, for many triterpenoid oxidation reactions, the corresponding enzyme remains unknown. Here we characterize CYP716 enzymes from different medicinal plant species by heterologous expression in engineered yeasts and report ten hitherto unreported triterpenoid oxidation activities, including a cyclization reaction, leading to a triterpenoid lactone. Kingdom-wide phylogenetic analysis of over 400 CYP716s from over 200 plant species reveals details of their evolution and suggests that in eu

SUBMITTER: Miettinen K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5303825 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature