Identification of Serratane Synthase Gene from the Fern Lycopodium clavatum

Ferns are known to produce onoceroids including onoceranes and serratanes having unusual structures among triterpenes. From the fern Lycopodium clavatum, a novel onoceroid synthase gene was cloned that showed high sequence identity with a previously identified α-onocerin synthase. Functional analysis by coexpression with pre-α-onocerin synthase in yeast led to the production of tohogenol and serratenediol. The result suggested that serratanes are directly biosynthesized from pre-α-onocerin and not from α-onocerin as previously assumed.