Research progress on key enzymes involved in biosynthesis of tanshinone
10.7501/j.issn.0253-2670.2015.01.026
- Author:
Li-Jia LIU
1
Author Information
1. School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Biosynthesis;
Key enzymes;
Mevalonate pathway;
Pyruvate/glyceralde-hydes-3-phosphate pathway;
Tanshinone
- From:
Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs
2015;46(1):140-147
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Tanshinone, a group of diterpene quinones from Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix with strong physiological activities and broad pharmacological effects, is well known as an effective compound to cure cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Natural tanshinone is generated by complex biosynthetic pathway and Salvia miltiorrhiza is its main source. The increasing medical demand for tanshinone, however, can not be satisfied. The limited resource of S. miltiorrhiza and the low content of tanshinone may cause the poor yield of these compounds. This problem may be solved by regulating the key enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of tanshinone so as to elevate its content. This review summarized the research progress in the biosynthetic pathway of tanshinone and the key enzymes related to this process.
