title: Phloridzin: biosynthesis, distribution and physiological relevance in plants.
abstract: The phenolic compound phloridzin (phloretin 2'-O-glucoside, phlorizin, phlorrhizin, phlorhizin or phlorizoside) is a prominent member of the chemical class of dihydrochalcones, which are phenylpropanoids. The apple tree (Malus sp.) accumulates high amounts of phloridzin, whereas few other species contain this compound only in low amounts. Additionally, Malus sp. show a species- and tissue-specific distribution of phloridzin and its derivatives. Whereas the physiological role of phloridzin in planta is not fully understood, the effect on human health - especially diabetes - and membrane permeability is well documented. The biosynthesis of phloridzin was investigated only recently with recombinant enzymes and plant protein extracts and involved a NADPH-dependent dehydrogenase, chalcone synthase and UDP-glucose:phloretin 2'-O-glycosyltransferase.
authors.affiliation: Vienna University of Technology, Institute of Chemical Engineering, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gosch
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Halbwirth
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stich
mesh_terms: D000217:Acyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000378:metabolism; D006031:Glycosylation; D016695:Glycosyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D027845:Malus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009249:NADP / Q000378:metabolism; D010693:Phloretin / Q000378:metabolism; D010695:Phlorhizin / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D005419:Flavonoids; D009249:NADP; D010695:Phlorhizin; D000217:Acyltransferases; C020141:flavanone synthetase; D016695:Glycosyltransferases; D010693:Phloretin