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Updated: Aug 26, 2025

A Customizable Approach for the Enzymatic Production and Purification of Diterpenoid Natural Products
Published on: October 4, 2019
Cytochrome P450 monooxygenase-mediated tailoring of triterpenoids and steroids in plants
Karan Malhotra1, Jakob Franke1,2
1Institute of Botany, Leibniz University Hannover, Herrenhäuser Str. 2, 30419 Hannover, Germany.
Abstract:
The cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (CYP) superfamily comprises hemethiolate enzymes that perform remarkable regio- and stereospecific oxidative chemistry. As such, CYPs are key agents for the structural and functional tailoring of triterpenoids, one of the largest classes of plant natural products with widespread applications in pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics, and agricultural industries. In this review, we provide a full overview of 149 functionally characterised CYPs involved in the biosynthesis of triterpenoids and steroids in primary as well as in specialised metabolism. We describe the phylogenetic distribution of triterpenoid- and steroid-modifying CYPs across the plant CYPome, present a structure-based summary of their reactions, and highlight recent examples of particular interest to the field. Our review therefore provides a comprehensive up-to-date picture of CYPs involved in the biosynthesis of triterpenoids and steroids in plants as a starting point for future research.
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