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Updated: Jun 10, 2025

A Customizable Approach for the Enzymatic Production and Purification of Diterpenoid Natural Products
Published on: October 4, 2019
Plants Utilize a Protection/Deprotection Strategy in Limonoid Biosynthesis: A "Missing Link" Carboxylesterase Boosts
Hannah Hodgson1, Michael J Stephenson2, Shingo Kikuchi1
1Department of Biochemistry and Metabolism, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, U.K.
Abstract:
The furan ring is a defining feature of limonoids, a class of highly rearranged and bioactive plant tetranortriterpenoids. We recently reported an apparent complete biosynthetic pathway to these important natural furanoids. Herein, we disclose the subsequent discovery of a yield-boosting "missing link" carboxylesterase that selectively deprotects a late-stage intermediate, so triggering more efficient furan biosynthesis. This has allowed, for the first time, the isolation and structural elucidation of unknown intermediates, refining our understanding of furan formation in limonoid biosynthesis.
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