Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Amino Acid Biosynthetic Pathways01:29

Amino Acid Biosynthetic Pathways

605
Amino acid biosynthesis is essential for cell growth, protein synthesis, and metabolic regulation. Cells generate essential and non-essential amino acids from metabolic intermediates to sustain vital biological functions. These intermediates originate from key metabolic pathways: glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and the pentose phosphate pathway. Important precursors include α-ketoglutarate, pyruvate, oxaloacetate, phosphoenolpyruvate, and erythrose-4-phosphate, which...
605
Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules01:10

Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules

2.4K
Microtubules are dynamic structures and can be regulated by microtubule targeting agents (MTAs). Microtubule destabilizing drugs are a class of MTAs that destabilize and prevent microtubules' polymerization. Both natural and synthetic chemicals can be found under this class of drugs. Vincristine and vinblastine, two vinca alkaloids, and colchicine were among the first to be discovered. These drugs can affect cells in various ways, either by inducing a change in cell morphology, preventing...
2.4K
Biosynthesis of Nucleic Acids01:28

Biosynthesis of Nucleic Acids

615
Nucleic acid biosynthesis is a fundamental biochemical process that produces the purine and pyrimidine nucleotides essential for DNA and RNA synthesis. This pathway maintains a balanced nucleotide pool, preventing imbalances that could jeopardize genetic integrity and cellular function. Given the crucial role of nucleotides, their synthesis is tightly regulated to ensure proper cellular homeostasis.Purine BiosynthesisThe biosynthesis of purine nucleotides begins with ribose-5-phosphate, a...
615
Biosynthesis in Bacteria01:24

Biosynthesis in Bacteria

384
Biosynthesis in bacteria is a fundamental anabolic process that generates essential macromolecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and polysaccharides. These macromolecules are critical for cellular growth, replication, and function. The process is tightly regulated and energetically linked to catabolic pathways to ensure optimal resource utilization.Biosynthetic pathways begin with precursor metabolites such as pyruvate, acetyl-CoA, and glucose-6-phosphate derived from glycolysis,...
384
Biosynthesis of Lipids01:29

Biosynthesis of Lipids

340
Microbial membranes exhibit remarkable diversity in lipid composition, reflecting evolutionary adaptations to various environmental conditions. The three domains of life—Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya—synthesize membrane lipids through distinct biosynthetic pathways, leading to fundamental structural differences that impact membrane stability, function, and adaptability.Fatty Acid-Based Lipids in Bacteria and EukaryaBacteria and eukaryotes share a common fatty acid biosynthesis...
340
Allosteric Proteins-ATCase01:19

Allosteric Proteins-ATCase

6.3K
Binding sites linkages can regulate a protein's function.  For example, enzyme activity is often regulated through a feedback mechanism where the end product of the biochemical process serves as an inhibitor.
Aspartate transcarbamoylase (ATCase) is a cytosolic enzyme that catalyzes the condensation of L-aspartate and carbamoyl phosphate to  N-carbamoyl-L-aspartate. This reaction is the first step in pyrimidine biosynthesis. UTP and CTP, the end products of the pyrimidine synthesis...
6.3K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Innovation in antifungal therapy.

EMBO molecular medicine·2026
Same author

Voacangine/coronaridine hydroxylases catalyze C19-hydroxylation in iboga alkaloid synthesis.

Planta·2026
Same author

Tracing the origin and evolution of specialized biosynthetic pathways in marine organisms.

mBio·2026
Same author

Metabolic engineering in <i>Nicotiana benthamiana</i>.

aBIOTECH·2025
Same author

The Paclitaxel Biosynthesis Pathway Unlocked.

Research (Washington, D.C.)·2025
Same author

Author Correction: Control of replication and gene expression by ADP-ribosylation of DNA in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

The EMBO journal·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 1, 2025

Biosynthesis of a Flavonol from a Flavanone by Establishing a One-pot Bienzymatic Cascade
09:50

Biosynthesis of a Flavonol from a Flavanone by Establishing a One-pot Bienzymatic Cascade

Published on: August 14, 2019

9.6K

Puzzling Out the Colchicine Biosynthetic Pathway.

Emily A Stander1, Nicolas Papon2,3, Vincent Courdavault1

  • 1Université de Tours, BBV EA2106, 37200, Tours, France.

Chemmedchem
|November 9, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Researchers deciphered the colchicine biosynthetic pathway, a crucial step for metabolic engineering. This advance offers a sustainable alternative to plant extraction for producing this vital anti-inflammatory compound.

Keywords:
bio-productioncell factoriescolchicinemetabolic engineeringtobacco

More Related Videos

From a Natural Product to Its Biosynthetic Gene Cluster: A Demonstration Using Polyketomycin from Streptomyces diastatochromogenes T&#252;6028
09:08

From a Natural Product to Its Biosynthetic Gene Cluster: A Demonstration Using Polyketomycin from Streptomyces diastatochromogenes Tü6028

Published on: January 13, 2017

17.6K
A Customizable Approach for the Enzymatic Production and Purification of Diterpenoid Natural Products
07:59

A Customizable Approach for the Enzymatic Production and Purification of Diterpenoid Natural Products

Published on: October 4, 2019

10.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Dec 1, 2025

Biosynthesis of a Flavonol from a Flavanone by Establishing a One-pot Bienzymatic Cascade
09:50

Biosynthesis of a Flavonol from a Flavanone by Establishing a One-pot Bienzymatic Cascade

Published on: August 14, 2019

9.6K
From a Natural Product to Its Biosynthetic Gene Cluster: A Demonstration Using Polyketomycin from Streptomyces diastatochromogenes T&#252;6028
09:08

From a Natural Product to Its Biosynthetic Gene Cluster: A Demonstration Using Polyketomycin from Streptomyces diastatochromogenes Tü6028

Published on: January 13, 2017

17.6K
A Customizable Approach for the Enzymatic Production and Purification of Diterpenoid Natural Products
07:59

A Customizable Approach for the Enzymatic Production and Purification of Diterpenoid Natural Products

Published on: October 4, 2019

10.2K

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Metabolic Engineering
  • Natural Product Chemistry

Background:

  • Colchicine, an ancient plant natural product (NP), treats gout and inflammation but is scarce in plants.
  • Current production relies on extraction from natural resources, limiting availability.
  • Metabolic engineering offers a promising alternative for cost-effective NP production.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the biosynthetic pathway of colchicine.
  • To enable metabolic engineering for sustainable colchicine production.

Main Methods:

  • Transcriptomics and metabolomics were employed to identify pathway genes.
  • Pathway reconstitution was used to confirm gene function.
  • This was achieved without prior knowledge of the specific biosynthetic genes.

Main Results:

  • A near-complete colchicine biosynthetic pathway was deciphered.
  • The study provides a benchmark for NP pathway elucidation.
  • This opens new avenues for metabolic engineering of colchicine.

Conclusions:

  • The elucidation of the colchicine pathway is a significant breakthrough.
  • Metabolic engineering strategies can now be developed for enhanced production.
  • This research paves the way for sustainable and scalable colchicine synthesis.