Abstract
BackgroundSalvia diterpenes have been found to have health promoting properties. Among them, carnosic acid and carnosol, tanshinones and sclareol are well known for their cardiovascular, antitumor, antiinflammatory and antioxidant activities. However, many of these compounds are not available at a constant supply and developing biotechnological methods for their production could provide a sustainable alternative. The transcriptome of S.pomifera glandular trichomes was analysed aiming to identify genes that could be used in the engineering of synthetic microbial systems.ResultsIn the present study, a thorough metabolite analysis of S. pomifera leaves led to the isolation and structure elucidation of carnosic acid-family metabolites including one new natural product. These labdane diterpenes seem to be synthesized through miltiradiene and ferruginol. Transcriptomic analysis of the glandular trichomes from the S. pomifera leaves revealed two genes likely involved in miltiradiene synthesis. Their products were identified and the corresponding enzymes were characterized as copalyl diphosphate synthase (SpCDS) and miltiradiene synthase (SpMilS). In addition, several CYP-encoding transcripts were identified providing a valuable resource for the identification of the biosynthetic mechanism responsible for the production of carnosic acid-family metabolites in S. pomifera.ConclusionsOur work has uncovered the key enzymes involved in miltiradiene biosynthesis in S. pomifera leaf glandular trichomes. The transcriptomic dataset obtained provides a valuable tool for the identification of the CYPs involved in the synthesis of carnosic acid-family metabolites.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-2147-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
IntroductionCarnosic acid and carnosol, tanshinones and sclareol are well known for their cardiovascular, antitumor, antiinflammatory and antioxidant activities
Salvia diterpenes have been found to have health promoting properties
From the full transcriptomic profile of S. pomifera’s, we identified the CYPs providing a useful insight on the subsequent biosynthetic steps
Summary
Carnosic acid and carnosol, tanshinones and sclareol are well known for their cardiovascular, antitumor, antiinflammatory and antioxidant activities. Many of these compounds are not available at a constant supply and developing biotechnological methods for their production could provide a sustainable alternative. Diterpenes is the largest group comprising 545 of 791 presently identified Salvia sp. The main building block of terpenes is an isoprene unit that is derived from isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP). By the action of prenyltransferases on IPP and DMAPP, the higher building blocks of terpenes are generated: geranyl diphosphate (GPP) for monoterpene synthesis, (E, E)farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) for sesquiterpene and (E, E, E)-geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) for diterpene synthesis [19]. Diterpenes are mainly synthesized via the MEP pathway; a crosstalk between the pathways has been reported [20]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
