The glycosyltransferases involved in triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis: a review.

Author: Chen ZHOU ¹ ; Ting GONG ¹ ; Jingjing CHEN ¹ ; Tianjiao CHEN ¹ ; Jinling YANG ¹ ; Ping ZHU ¹
Author Information

1. NHC Key Laboratory of Biosynthesis of Natural Products, CAMS Key Laboratory of Enzyme and Biocatalysis of Natural Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China.
Publication Type:Review
Keywords: UDP-dependent glycosyltransferase; biosynthesis; glycosylation; natural product; triterpenoid saponin
MeSH: Glycosyltransferases/genetics*; Plants; Saponins/chemistry*; Triterpenes
From: Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2022;38(3):1004-1024
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Triterpenoid saponins are widely used in medicine, health cares, cosmetics, food additives and agriculture because of their unique chemical properties and rich pharmacological activities. UDP-dependent glycosyltransferases (UGTs) are the key enzymes involved in triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis, and play important roles in the diversity of triterpenoid saponin structures and pharmacological activities. This review summarized the UGTs involved in plant triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis based on the sources of UGTs and the types of receptors. Moreover, the application of UGTs in heterologous biosynthesis of triterpenoid saponins based on synthetic biology was also discussed.