Abstract
Lys-derived alkaloids, including piperidine, quinolizidine, indolizidine, and lycopodium alkaloids, are widely distributed throughout the plant kingdom. Several of these alkaloids have beneficial properties for humans and have been used in medicine. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the biosynthesis of these alkaloids are not well understood. In the present article, we discuss recent advances in our understanding of Lys-derived alkaloids, especially the biochemistry, molecular biology, and biotechnology of quinolizidine alkaloid (QA) biosynthesis. We have also highlighted Lys decarboxylase (LDC), the enzyme that catalyzes the first committed step of QA biosynthesis and answers a longstanding question about the molecular entity of LDC activity in plants. Further prospects using current advanced technologies, such as next-generation sequencing, in medicinal plants have also been discussed.
Highlights
Plant secondary metabolites play multiple roles in the interaction between plants and their environment (Dixon, 2001)
We discuss recent advances in our understanding of the Lys-derived alkaloids, especially the genes involved in the quinolizidine alkaloid (QA) biosynthetic pathway
Feeding studies demonstrated that the first step in piperidine, quinolizidine, and lycopodium alkaloid biosynthesis is the decarboxylation of L-Lys into cadaverine by Lys decarboxylase (LDC) (EC 4.1.1.18)
Summary
Plant secondary metabolites play multiple roles in the interaction between plants and their environment (Dixon, 2001). 20% of plant species accumulate alkaloids and over 12,000 different alkaloids have been described, suggesting higher structural and biosynthetic diversity compared to other secondary metabolites (Croteau et al, 2000; De Luca and St Pierre, 2000). Alkaloids derived from Lys are widely distributed throughout the plant kingdom and are subdivided into piperidine, quinolizidine, indolizidine, and lycopodium alkaloids. We discuss recent advances in our understanding of the Lys-derived alkaloids, especially the genes involved in the quinolizidine alkaloid (QA) biosynthetic pathway. Biosynthetic pathways of several potential Lys-derived alkaloids have been proposed based on tracer experiments with labeled precursors (Leistner and Spenser, 1973 and references therein). Feeding studies demonstrated that the first step in piperidine, quinolizidine, and lycopodium alkaloid biosynthesis is the decarboxylation of L-Lys into cadaverine by LDC (EC 4.1.1.18). Oxidative deamination of cadaverine by copper amine oxidase (CuAO, EC 1.4.3.22) yields 5-aminopentanal, which is spontaneously cyclized to Δ1-piperideine Schiff base
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.
