3-Jun-2025
Two plant species invent the same chemically complex and medically interesting substance
The elucidation of the biosynthetic pathway of #ipecacuanha #alkaloids shows how two distantly related plant species could develop the same substance independently
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1085960 #science #plants #bioactives #biosynthesis #evolution #plantPhysiology
The biosynthesis of the great variety of natural plant products has not yet been elucidated for many medically interesting substances. In a new study, an international team of researchers was able to show how ipecacuanha alkaloids, substances used in traditional medicine, are synthesized. They compared two distantly related plant species and were able to show that although both plant species use a comparable chemical approach, the enzymes they need for synthesis differ and a different starting material is used. Further investigations revealed that the biosynthetic pathways of these complex chemical compounds have developed independently in the two species. These results help to enable the synthesis of these and related substances on a larger scale for medical use.
#Leaf-dwelling #fungi enhance black #poplar chemical defenses and mediate multi-trophic #insect interactions.
#Cladosporium #predation #herbivore #alkaloids #stachydrine #metabolomics #microbiome
https://phys.org/news/2025-02-leaf-fungi-black-poplar-chemical.html
In a new study published in Ecology Letters, researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology and the University of Kiel, Germany, report on the influence of an endophytic fungus of the genus Cladosporium on the defense of black poplars against herbivorous insects. The fungus, which lives inside the leaves, not only increases the production of defensive substances in the trees, but also produces an alkaloid itself that protects the trees from feeding damage.
'Genetic regulation and manipulation of #nicotine #biosynthesis in #tobacco: strategies to eliminate addictive #alkaloids' - Tsubasa Shoji, Takashi Hashimoto, Kazuki Saito https://bit.ly/48TacRw
This diagram shows the biosynthesis of nicotine and related alkaloids in tobacco. Putrescine N-methyltransferase (PMT) and N-methylputrescine oxidase (MPO) have been proposed to have evolved from spermidine synthase (SPDS) and diamine oxidase (DAO), respectively.
#Protein allows poison dart #frogs to accumulate #toxins safely, shows study.
https://phys.org/news/2023-12-protein-poison-dart-frogs-accumulate.html
Scientists have identified the protein that helps poison dart frogs safely accumulate their namesake toxins, according to a study published today in eLife. The findings solve a long-standing scientific mystery and may suggest potential therapeutic strategies for treating humans poisoned with similar molecules.
#Protein allows poison dart #frogs to accumulate toxins safely
https://phys.org/news/2023-12-protein-poison-dart-frogs-accumulate.html
Binding and sequestration of poison #frog alkaloids by a plasma globulin https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2023.2177
"In humans, the liver can safely metabolize modest amounts of these compounds. Tiny #PoisonDartFrogs consume far more toxic #alkaloids in their diets, but instead of breaking the #toxins down, they accumulate them in their skin as a defense mechanism against predators."
Scientists have identified the protein that helps poison dart frogs safely accumulate their namesake toxins, according to a study published today in eLife. The findings solve a long-standing scientific mystery and may suggest potential therapeutic strategies for treating humans poisoned with similar molecules.
Total synthesis of periglaucine C and other hasubanan alkaloids. The Shuanhu Gao Group from the East China Normal University (Shanghai) published in the journal Angewandte Chemie the synthesis of these natural products featuring an intramolecular Diels Alder reaction after photoenolization and a late stage Michael addition.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/anie.202214873
Researchers identify last remaining steps in the #biosynthesis of #tropane #alkaloids from #coca.
https://phys.org/news/2022-11-biosynthesis-tropane-alkaloids-coca.html
Tropane alkaloids are a particular class of plant-derived compounds that have been exploited by mankind since the domestication of medicinal plants. The distribution of these alkaloids is scattered amongst the flowering plants and the two most studied families include those from the Solanaceae (tomato, tobacco, potato relatives) and the Erythroxylaceae (coca). The WHO lists several tropane alkaloids as some of the most important medicines in the modern day pharmacopeia. However other compounds such as cocaine are more infamous for their narcotic and euphorigenic properties.
Referenced link: https://phys.org/news/2022-11-biosynthesis-tropane-alkaloids-coca.html
Discuss on https://discu.eu/q/https://phys.org/news/2022-11-biosynthesis-tropane-alkaloids-coca.html
Originally posted by Phys.org / @[email protected]: https://twitter.com/physorg_com/status/1594797818124042241#m
Researchers identify last remaining steps in the biosynthesis of #tropane #alkaloids from coca @PNASNews https://phys.org/news/2022-11-biosynthesis-tropane-alkaloids-coca.html
Tropane alkaloids are a particular class of plant-derived compounds that have been exploited by mankind since the domestication of medicinal plants. The distribution of these alkaloids is scattered amongst the flowering plants and the two most studied families include those from the Solanaceae (tomato, tobacco, potato relatives) and the Erythroxylaceae (coca). The WHO lists several tropane alkaloids as some of the most important medicines in the modern day pharmacopeia. However other compounds such as cocaine are more infamous for their narcotic and euphorigenic properties.
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