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A Customizable Approach for the Enzymatic Production and Purification of Diterpenoid Natural Products
Published on: October 4, 2019
Evolution of rosmarinic acid biosynthesis
Maike Petersen1, Yana Abdullah, Johannes Benner
1Institut für Pharmazeutische Biologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany. petersen@staff.uni-marburg.de
Phytochemistry
|June 30, 2009
Summary
Rosmarinic acid and chlorogenic acid are plant defense compounds. This study surveyed over 240 species, finding new rosmarinic acid sources and detailing its biosynthesis, likely evolving from related pathways.
Area of Science:
- Plant biochemistry
- Natural product chemistry
- Evolutionary biology
Background:
- Rosmarinic acid and chlorogenic acid are widespread phenolic compounds in plants, often acting as defense agents.
- Their biosynthesis involves shared precursors and enzymatic steps within the phenylpropanoid and shikimate pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To survey plant species for rosmarinic acid and chlorogenic acid presence.
- To elucidate the biosynthetic pathways and evolutionary origins of rosmarinic acid synthesis.
Main Methods:
- Screening of over 240 plant species for rosmarinic acid and chlorogenic acid.
- Analysis of biosynthetic pathways involving hydroxycinnamoyltransferases and cytochrome P450 monooxygenases.
Main Results:
- Identified several new rosmarinic acid-containing plant species, including previously unknown occurrences in the Marantaceae family.
- Demonstrated conserved enzymatic mechanisms (BAHD acyltransferases, CYP98A family) in the biosynthesis of rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid, and caffeoylshikimic acid.
- Highlighted substrate specificity and evolutionary diversification of enzymes involved in phenolic ester metabolism.
Conclusions:
- Rosmarinic acid biosynthesis likely evolved from existing pathways for chlorogenic and caffeoylshikimic acid, requiring minimal novel enzyme recruitment.
- Enzymes like hydroxycinnamoyltransferases and CYP98A monooxygenases play crucial, conserved roles.
- Further biosynthetic steps may be derived from phenylpropanoid metabolism, tocopherol/plastoquinone biosynthesis, and photorespiration.
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