The
biosynthesis
Biosynthesis is a multi-step, enzyme-catalyzed process where substrates are converted into more complex products in living organisms. In biosynthesis, simple compounds are modified, converted into other compounds, or joined to form macromolecules. ...
of
phenylpropanoid
The phenylpropanoids are a diverse family of organic compounds that are synthesized by plants from the amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine. Their name is derived from the six-carbon, aromatic phenyl group and the three-carbon propene tail of ...
s involves a number of enzymes.
From amino acids to cinnamates
In plants, all phenylpropanoids are derived from the amino acids
phenylalanine
Phenylalanine (symbol Phe or F) is an essential α-amino acid with the formula . It can be viewed as a benzyl group substituted for the methyl group of alanine, or a phenyl group in place of a terminal hydrogen of alanine. This essential amino a ...
and
tyrosine
-Tyrosine or tyrosine (symbol Tyr or Y) or 4-hydroxyphenylalanine is one of the 20 standard amino acids that are used by cells to synthesize proteins. It is a non-essential amino acid with a polar side group. The word "tyrosine" is from the Gr ...
.
Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL, a.k.a. phenylalanine/tyrosine ammonia-lyase) is an enzyme that transforms L-
phenylalanine
Phenylalanine (symbol Phe or F) is an essential α-amino acid with the formula . It can be viewed as a benzyl group substituted for the methyl group of alanine, or a phenyl group in place of a terminal hydrogen of alanine. This essential amino a ...
and
tyrosine
-Tyrosine or tyrosine (symbol Tyr or Y) or 4-hydroxyphenylalanine is one of the 20 standard amino acids that are used by cells to synthesize proteins. It is a non-essential amino acid with a polar side group. The word "tyrosine" is from the Gr ...
into trans-
cinnamic acid and
''p''-coumaric acid, respectively.
Trans-cinnamate 4-monooxygenase
In enzymology, a trans-cinnamate 4-monooxygenase () is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction
:trans-cinnamate + NADPH + H+ + O2 \rightleftharpoons 4-hydroxycinnamate + NADP+ + H2O
The 4 substrates of this enzyme are trans-cinnamate, N ...
(cinnamate 4-hydroxylase) is the enzyme that transforms trans-cinnamate into 4-hydroxycinnamate (''p''-coumaric acid).
4-Coumarate-CoA ligase is the enzyme that transforms 4-coumarate (''p''-coumaric acid) into
4-coumaroyl-CoA
Coumaroyl-coenzyme A is the thioester of coenzyme-A and coumaric acid. Coumaroyl-coenzyme A is a central intermediate in the biosynthesis of myriad natural products found in plants. These products include Monolignol, lignols (precursors to lignin ...
.
Enzymes associated with biosynthesis of hydroxycinnamic acids
*
Cinnamyl-alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD), an enzyme that transforms
cinnamyl alcohol into
cinnamaldehyde
Cinnamaldehyde is an organic compound with the formula(C9H8O) C6H5CH=CHCHO. Occurring naturally as predominantly the ''trans'' (''E'') isomer, it gives cinnamon its flavor and odor. It is a phenylpropanoid that is naturally synthesized by the shik ...
*
Sinapine esterase
The enzyme sinapine esterase (EC 3.1.1.49) catalyzes the reaction
:sinapoylcholine + H2O \rightleftharpoons sinapate + choline
This enzyme belongs to the family of hydrolases, specifically those acting on carboxylic ester bonds. The systematic ...
, an enzyme that transforms
sinapoylcholine
Sinapine is an alkaloidal amine found in some seeds, particularly oil seeds of plants in the family Brassicaceae. It is the choline ester of sinapic acid.
Sinapine was discovered by Etienne Ossian Henry in 1825.
Occurrence
Sinapine typically oc ...
into sinapate (
sinapic acid
Sinapinic acid, or sinapic acid (Sinapine - Origin: L. Sinapi, sinapis, mustard, Gr., cf. F. Sinapine.), is a small naturally occurring hydroxycinnamic acid. It is a member of the phenylpropanoid family. It is a commonly used matrix in MALDI mass ...
) and
choline
*
Trans-cinnamate 2-monooxygenase
In enzymology, a trans-cinnamate 2-monooxygenase () is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction
:trans-cinnamate + NADPH + H+ + O2 \rightleftharpoons 2-hydroxycinnamate + NADP+ + H2O
The 4 substrates of this enzyme are trans-cinnamate, ...
, an enzyme that transforms trans-cinnamate (
cinnamic acid) into
2-hydroxycinnamate
''o''-Coumaric acid is a hydroxycinnamic acid, an organic compound that is a hydroxy derivative of cinnamic acid. There are three isomers of coumaric acids — ''o''-coumaric acid, ''m''-coumaric acid, and ''p''-coumaric acid — that differ by ...
*
Caffeate O-methyltransferase
In enzymology, a caffeate ''O''-methyltransferase () is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction
:''S''-adenosyl-L-methionine + 3,4-dihydroxy-''trans''-cinnamate \rightleftharpoons ''S''-adenosyl-L-homocysteine + 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-''trans ...
, an enzyme that transforms
caffeic acid into
ferulic acid
*
Caffeoyl-CoA O-methyltransferase
In enzymology, a caffeoyl-CoA O-methyltransferase () is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction
:S-adenosyl-L-methionine + caffeoyl-CoA \rightleftharpoons S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine + feruloyl-CoA
Thus, the two substrates of this enzyme a ...
, an enzyme that transforms
caffeoyl-CoA into
feruloyl-CoA
*
5-O-(4-coumaroyl)-D-quinate 3'-monooxygenase
In enzymology, a 5-O-(4-coumaroyl)-D-quinate 3'-monooxygenase () is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction
:trans-5-O-(4-coumaroyl)-D-quinate + NADPH + H+ + O2 \rightleftharpoons trans-5-O-caffeoyl-D-quinate + NADP+ + H2O
The 4 substra ...
, an enzyme that transforms
trans-5-O-(4-coumaroyl)-D-quinate into
trans-5-O-caffeoyl-D-quinate
*
Sinapoylglucose—choline O-sinapoyltransferase
In enzymology, a sinapoylglucose---choline O-sinapoyltransferase () is an enzyme that catalysis, catalyzes the chemical reaction
:1-O-sinapoyl-beta-D-glucose + choline \rightleftharpoons D-glucose + sinapoylcholine
Thus, the two substrate (bioche ...
, an enzyme that transforms
1-O-sinapoyl-beta-D-glucose into sinapoylcholine (
sinapine)
*
Sinapoylglucose—malate O-sinapoyltransferase, an enzyme that transforms
1-O-sinapoyl-beta-D-glucose into
sinapoyl-(S)-malate
*
Cinnamoyl-CoA reductase
Cinnamoyl-CoA reductase (), systematically named cinnamaldehyde:NADP+ oxidoreductase (CoA-cinnamoylating) but commonly referred to by the acronym CCR, is an enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of a substituted cinnamoyl-CoA to its corresponding ...
, an enzyme that transforms
cinnamoyl-CoA
Cinnamoyl-Coenzyme A is an intermediate in the phenylpropanoids metabolic pathway.
Enzymes using Cinnamoyl-Coenzyme A
* Cinnamoyl-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction cinnamaldehyde + CoA + NADP+ → cinnamoyl-CoA + NADP ...
from
cinnamaldehyde
Cinnamaldehyde is an organic compound with the formula(C9H8O) C6H5CH=CHCHO. Occurring naturally as predominantly the ''trans'' (''E'') isomer, it gives cinnamon its flavor and odor. It is a phenylpropanoid that is naturally synthesized by the shik ...
Conjugation enzymes
These enzymes
conjugate phenylpropanoids to other molecules.
*
2-coumarate O-beta-glucosyltransferase, the enzyme that transforms
trans-2-hydroxycinnamate into
trans-beta-D-glucosyl-2-hydroxycinnamate
*
Hydroxycinnamate 4-beta-glucosyltransferase, the enzyme that transforms
p-coumaric acid into
4-O-beta-D-glucosyl-4-hydroxycinnamate
*
Shikimate O-hydroxycinnamoyltransferase
In enzymology, a shikimate O-hydroxycinnamoyltransferase () is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction
:4-coumaroyl-CoA + shikimate \rightleftharpoons CoA + 4-coumaroylshikimate
Thus, the two substrates of this enzyme are 4-coumaroyl-CoA ...
, the enzyme that transforms
4-coumaroyl-CoA
Coumaroyl-coenzyme A is the thioester of coenzyme-A and coumaric acid. Coumaroyl-coenzyme A is a central intermediate in the biosynthesis of myriad natural products found in plants. These products include Monolignol, lignols (precursors to lignin ...
into
4-coumaroylshikimate
*
Quinate O-hydroxycinnamoyltransferase, the enzyme that transforms
feruloyl-CoA into
O-feruloylquinate
*
Sinapate 1-glucosyltransferase
In enzymology, a sinapate 1-glucosyltransferase () is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction:
:UDP-glucose + sinapate \rightleftharpoons UDP + 1-sinapoyl-D-glucose
Thus, the two substrates of this enzyme are UDP-glucose and sinapate, wh ...
, the enzyme that transforms sinapate (
sinapic acid
Sinapinic acid, or sinapic acid (Sinapine - Origin: L. Sinapi, sinapis, mustard, Gr., cf. F. Sinapine.), is a small naturally occurring hydroxycinnamic acid. It is a member of the phenylpropanoid family. It is a commonly used matrix in MALDI mass ...
) into
1-sinapoyl-D-glucose
*
Coniferyl-alcohol glucosyltransferase
In enzymology, a coniferyl-alcohol glucosyltransferase () is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction
:UDP-glucose + coniferyl alcohol \rightleftharpoons UDP + coniferin
Thus, the two substrates of this enzyme are UDP-glucose and conifery ...
, the enzyme that transforms
coniferyl alcohol
Coniferyl alcohol is an organic compound with the formula HO(CH3O)C6H3CH=CHCH2OH. A colourless or white solid, it is one of the monolignols, produced via the phenylpropanoid biochemical pathway. When copolymerized with related aromatic compounds, ...
into
coniferin
Deconjugation enzymes
*
Coniferin beta-glucosidase, in the
glucosidase that transforms
coniferin into
coniferol
Stilbenoids biosynthesis
*
Pinosylvin synthase
In enzymology, a pinosylvin synthase () is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction
:3 malonyl-CoA + cinnamoyl-CoA \rightleftharpoons 4 CoA + pinosylvin + 4 CO2
Thus, the two substrates of this enzyme are malonyl-CoA and cinnamoyl-CoA, ...
, an enzyme that transforms
pinosylvin
Pinosylvin is an organic compound with the formula C6H5CH=CHC6H3(OH)2. A white solid, it is related to trans-stilbene, but with two hydroxy groups on one of the phenyl substituents. It is very soluble in many organic solvents, such as acetone.
O ...
from
cinnamoyl-CoA
Cinnamoyl-Coenzyme A is an intermediate in the phenylpropanoids metabolic pathway.
Enzymes using Cinnamoyl-Coenzyme A
* Cinnamoyl-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction cinnamaldehyde + CoA + NADP+ → cinnamoyl-CoA + NADP ...
*
Trihydroxystilbene synthase
In enzymology, a trihydroxystilbene synthase () is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction
:3 malonyl-CoA + 4-coumaroyl-CoA \rightleftharpoons 4 CoA + 3,4',5-trihydroxy-stilbene + 4 CO2
Thus, the two substrates of this enzyme are malonyl- ...
, an enzyme that transforms
4-coumaroyl-CoA
Coumaroyl-coenzyme A is the thioester of coenzyme-A and coumaric acid. Coumaroyl-coenzyme A is a central intermediate in the biosynthesis of myriad natural products found in plants. These products include Monolignol, lignols (precursors to lignin ...
to
resveratrol
Resveratrol (3,5,4′-trihydroxy-''trans''-stilbene) is a stilbenoid, a type of natural phenol, and a phytoalexin produced by several plants in response to injury or when the plant is under attack by pathogens, such as bacteria or fungi. Sources ...
.
An alternative bacterial
ketosynthase-directed
stilbenoids biosynthesis pathway exists in ''
Photorhabdus
''Photorhabdus'' is a genus of bioluminescent, gram-negative bacilli which lives symbiotically within entomopathogenic nematodes, hence the name ''photo'' (which means light producing) and ''rhabdus'' (rod shape). ''Photorhabdus'' is known to be ...
'' bacterial symbionts of ''
Heterorhabditis'' nematodes, producing
3,5-dihydroxy-4-isopropyl-trans-stilbene
Tapinarof, also known as benvitimod and sold under the brand name Vtama, is a medication used for the treatment of plaque psoriasis. The medication is applied to the skin. Besides its use in medicine, tapinarof is a naturally occurring compound ...
for antibiotic purposes.
Coumarins biosynthesis
*
Scopoletin glucosyltransferase
In enzymology, a scopoletin glucosyltransferase () is an enzyme that catalysis, catalyzes the chemical reaction
:UDP-glucose + scopoletin \rightleftharpoons UDP + scopolin
Thus, the two substrate (biochemistry), substrates of this enzyme are UDP- ...
, the enzyme that transforms
scopoletin into
scopolin
Scopolin is a glucoside of scopoletin formed by the action of the enzyme scopoletin glucosyltransferase.
References
Bibliography
*
*
O-methylated coumarins
Phenol glucosides
{{aromatic-stub ...
Chalcones biosynthesis
4-Coumaroyl-CoA
Coumaroyl-coenzyme A is the thioester of coenzyme-A and coumaric acid. Coumaroyl-coenzyme A is a central intermediate in the biosynthesis of myriad natural products found in plants. These products include Monolignol, lignols (precursors to lignin ...
can be combined with
malonyl-CoA
Malonyl-CoA is a coenzyme A derivative of malonic acid.
Functions
It plays a key role in chain elongation in fatty acid biosynthesis and polyketide biosynthesis.
Fatty acid biosynthesis
Malonyl-CoA provides 2-carbon units to fatty acids and commi ...
to yield the true backbone of flavonoids, a group of compounds called
chalconoid
Chalconoids Greek: χαλκός ''khalkós'', "copper", due to its color), also known as ''chalcones'', are natural phenols related to chalcone. They form the central core for a variety of important biological compounds.
They show antibacterial, ...
s, which contain two
phenyl rings.
Naringenin-chalcone synthase
Chalcone synthase or naringenin-chalcone synthase (CHS) is an enzyme ubiquitous to higher plants and belongs to a family of polyketide synthase enzymes (PKS) known as type III PKS. Type III PKSs are associated with the production of chalcones, a ...
is an enzyme that catalyzes the following conversion:
:3-malonyl-CoA + 4-coumaroyl-CoA → 4 CoA +
naringenin chalcone
Naringenin chalcone is a common chalconoid (or chalcone, not to be confused with the compound chalcone). It is synthesized from 4-coumaroyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA by chalcone synthase (CHS), a key enzyme in the phenylpropanoid pathway. Naringenin ...
+ 3 CO
2
Flavonoids biosynthesis
Conjugate ring-closure of chalcones results in the familiar form of
flavonoid
Flavonoids (or bioflavonoids; from the Latin word ''flavus'', meaning yellow, their color in nature) are a class of polyphenolic secondary metabolites found in plants, and thus commonly consumed in the diets of humans.
Chemically, flavonoids ...
s, the three-ringed structure of a
flavone
Flavone is an organic compound with the formula . A white solid, flavone is a derivative of chromone with a phenyl (Ph) substituent adjacent to the ether group. The compound is of little direct practical importance, but susbstituted derivatives, t ...
.
Biodegradation
Hydroxycinnamic acids degradation
*
Caffeate 3,4-dioxygenase
Caffeate 3,4-dioxygenase () is an enzyme that catalysis, catalyzes the chemical reaction
:3,4-dihydroxy-''trans''-cinnamate + O2 \rightleftharpoons 3-(2-carboxyethenyl)-''cis'',''cis''-muconate
Thus, the two substrate (biochemistry), substrates ...
is an enzyme that uses 3,4-dihydroxy-trans-cinnamate (
caffeic acid) and oxygen to produce
3-(2-carboxyethenyl)-cis,cis-muconate.
References
{{reflist
Biosynthesis