A functional genomics approach to tanshinone biosynthesis provides stereochemical insights.
Tanshinones are abietane-type norditerpenoid quinone natural products that are the bioactive components of the Chinese medicinal herb Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. The initial results from a functional genomics-based investigation of tanshinone biosynthesis, specifically the functional identification of the relevant diterpene synthases from S. miltiorrhiza, are reported. The cyclohexa-1,4-diene arrangement of the distal ring poises the resulting miltiradiene for the ensuing aromatization and hydroxylation to ferruginol suggested for tanshinone biosynthesis.
Gao
Wei
W
Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Beijing 100700, China.
Hillwig
Matthew L
ML
Huang
Luqi
L
Cui
Guanghong
G
Wang
Xueyong
X
Kong
Jianqiang
J
Yang
Bin
B
Peters
Reuben J
RJ
D045784:Abietanes; D001685:Biological Factors / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D023281:Genomics; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010616:Phenanthrenes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D013237:Stereoisomerism
D045784:Abietanes; D001685:Biological Factors; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D010616:Phenanthrenes; C021751:tanshinone