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

Convergent Evolution01:54

Convergent Evolution

27.6K
Evolution shapes the features of organisms over time, ensuring that they are suited for the environments in which they live. Sometimes, selection pressure leads to the rise of similar but unrelated adaptations in organisms with no recent common ancestors, a process known as convergent evolution.
27.6K
Biosynthesis of Lipids01:29

Biosynthesis of Lipids

1
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...
1
Amino Acid Biosynthetic Pathways01:29

Amino Acid Biosynthetic Pathways

3
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...
3
Biosynthesis in Bacteria01:24

Biosynthesis in Bacteria

1
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,...
1
Biosynthesis of Nucleic Acids01:28

Biosynthesis of Nucleic Acids

7
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...
7
Regioselectivity and Stereochemistry of Hydroboration02:36

Regioselectivity and Stereochemistry of Hydroboration

8.0K
A significant aspect of hydroboration–oxidation is the regio- and stereochemical outcome of the reaction.
Hydroboration proceeds in a concerted fashion with the attack of borane on the π bond, giving a cyclic four-centered transition state. The –BH2 group is bonded to the less substituted carbon and –H to the more substituted carbon. The concerted nature requires the simultaneous addition of –H and –BH2 across the same face of the alkene giving syn...
8.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

A Review of <i>Canarii Fructus</i> (<i>Canarium album</i>) Polyphenols: From Efficient Extraction to Mechanistic Understanding and Functional Food Development.

Foods (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

Phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, and applications of the genus Dendrobium: An updated review from bioactive constituents and mechanisms to translational perspectives.

Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology·2026
Same author

Light-responsive transcription factor ApTrihelix1 modulates andrographolide biosynthesis via targeting <i>ApCPS2</i> in <i>Andrographis paniculata</i>.

Horticulture research·2026
Same author

Secondary metabolism in <i>Irpex lacteus</i> (Fr.) Fr.: biosynthetic logic and redox integration.

Critical reviews in biochemistry and molecular biology·2026
Same author

Oligodendrocyte prosaposin restores subarachnoid haemorrhage-induced consciousness impairment.

Experimental & molecular medicine·2026
Same author

<i>Angelica sinensis</i>: Botany, Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Safety, and Applications.

The American journal of Chinese medicine·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 6, 2025

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

9.7K

Convergent evolution of berberine biosynthesis.

Zhichao Xu1,2, Ya Tian1,2, Jing Wang1,2

  • 1Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration (Northeast Forestry University), Ministry of Education, Harbin 150040, China.

Science Advances
|November 29, 2024
PubMed
Summary

Researchers elucidated the berberine biosynthesis pathway in Phellodendron amurense, identifying novel enzymes and uncovering convergent evolution. This discovery deepens our understanding of plant specialized metabolism and alkaloid production.

More Related Videos

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

9.3K
Transient Expression in Nicotiana Benthamiana Leaves for Triterpene Production at a Preparative Scale
08:56

Transient Expression in Nicotiana Benthamiana Leaves for Triterpene Production at a Preparative Scale

Published on: August 16, 2018

17.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 6, 2025

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

9.7K
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

9.3K
Transient Expression in Nicotiana Benthamiana Leaves for Triterpene Production at a Preparative Scale
08:56

Transient Expression in Nicotiana Benthamiana Leaves for Triterpene Production at a Preparative Scale

Published on: August 16, 2018

17.2K

Area of Science:

  • Plant biochemistry and molecular biology
  • Metabolomics and natural product biosynthesis
  • Evolutionary biology and comparative genomics

Background:

  • Berberine is a valuable alkaloid with antimicrobial and antidiabetic properties, found in diverse plant families like Coptis and Phellodendron.
  • The biosynthesis pathway of berberine in Coptis is known, but its elucidation in Phellodendron species has remained a significant gap in knowledge.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize the key enzymes and steps involved in berberine biosynthesis within Phellodendron amurense.
  • To compare the berberine biosynthetic pathway in Phellodendron with that of Coptis, investigating potential evolutionary convergence.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized chromosome-level genome assembly and coexpression matrix analysis of Phellodendron amurense.
  • Performed biochemical assays to validate identified biosynthetic steps, including methylation, hydroxylation, and berberine bridge formation.
  • Conducted structural analysis and mutagenesis studies on key enzymes, such as O-methyltransferases (PaNOMT9) and monooxygenases (PaCYP71BG29).

Main Results:

  • Identified six crucial steps in Phellodendron amurense berberine biosynthesis, including a novel N-methylation step catalyzed by a specific O-methyltransferase (NOMT) family.
  • Discovered that Phellodendron utilizes a NAD(P)H-dependent monooxygenase (PaCYP71BG29) for berberine bridge formation, distinct from the FAD-dependent mechanism in Coptis.
  • Demonstrated that PaCYP71BG29 arose from the neofunctionalization of a tryptamine 5-hydroxylase, highlighting enzymatic evolutionary adaptation.

Conclusions:

  • The findings reveal a convergent evolution of berberine biosynthesis between the Ranunculales (Coptis) and Sapindales (Phellodendron) orders.
  • This study significantly advances the understanding of plant specialized metabolism and provides insights into the evolutionary strategies plants employ for producing valuable secondary metabolites.