A metabolic regulon reveals early and late acting enzymes in neuroactive Lycopodium alkaloid biosynthesis.

ABSTRACT: Plants synthesize many diverse small molecules that affect function of the mammalian central nervous system, making them crucial sources of therapeutics for neurological disorders. A notable portion of neuroactive phytochemicals are lysine-derived alkaloids, but the mechanisms by which plants produce these compounds have remained largely unexplored. To better understand how plants synthesize these metabolites, we focused on biosynthesis of the Lycopodium alkaloids that are produced by club mosses, a clade of plants used traditionally as herbal medicines. Hundreds of Lycopodium alkaloids have been described, including huperzine A (HupA), an acetylcholine esterase inhibitor that has generated interest as a treatment for the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Through combined metabolomic profil

SUBMITTER: Nett RS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8214681 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature