title: Stereochemical diversity in lignan biosynthesis of Arctium lappa L.
abstract: The stereochemistry of lignan biosynthesis in Arctium lappa L. is regulated organ-specifically. (+)-Secoisolariciresinol [81% enantiomeric excess (e.e.)] was isolated from A. lappa petioles. In sharp contrast, lignans whose predominant enantiomers have the opposite absolute configuration to that of (+)-secoisolariciresinol [i.e., (-)-matairesinol (>99% e.e.), (-)-arctigenin (>99% e.e.), and (-)-secoisolariciresinol (65% e.e.)] were isolated from seeds of the species. The stereochemical diversity of secoisolariciresinol was demonstrated with enzyme preparations from A. lappa petioles and seeds. Thus, a petiole enzyme preparation catalyzed the formation of (+)-pinoresinol (33% e.e.), (+)-lariciresinol (30% e.e.), and (+)-secoisolariciresinol (20% e.e.) from achiral coniferyl alcohol in the presence of NADPH and H202, whereas that from ripening seeds catalyzed the formation of (-)-pinoresinol (22% e.e.), (-)-lariciresinol (>99% e.e.), and (-)-secoisolariciresinol (38% e.e.) under the same conditions. In addition, the ripening seed enzyme preparation mediated the selective formation of the optically pure (>99% e.e.) (-)-enantiomer of matairesinol from racemic (+/-)-secoisolariciresinols in the presence of NADP. These results indicate that the stereochemical mechanism for lignan biosynthesis in A. lappa varies with organs, suggesting that multiple lignan-synthesizing isozymes are involved in the stereochemical control of lignan formation in A. lappa.
authors.affiliation: Wood Research Institute, Kyoto University, Uji, Japan.
authors.forename: Shiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Toshiaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Umezawa
authors.forename: Mikio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shimada
mesh_terms: D031170:Arctium / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D017705:Lignans / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009928:Organ Specificity; D018514:Plant Structures / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D013237:Stereoisomerism
chemical_list: D017705:Lignans