Strictosidine is a natural

chemical compound A chemical compound is a chemical substance composed of many identical molecules (or molecular entities) containing atoms from more than one chemical element held together by chemical bonds. A molecule consisting of atoms of only one element ...

and is classified as a glucoalkaloid and a

vinca alkaloid ''Vinca'' alkaloids are a set of Antimitotic agent, anti-mitotic and Anti-microtubule activity, anti-microtubule alkaloid agents originally derived from the periwinkle plant ''Catharanthus roseus'' (basionym ''Vinca rosea'') and other ''vinca'' p ...

. It is formed by the Pictet–Spengler

condensation reaction In organic chemistry, a condensation reaction is a type of chemical reaction in which two molecules are combined to form a single molecule, usually with the loss of a small molecule such as water. If water is lost, the reaction is also known as a ...

of tryptamine with

secologanin Secologanin is a secoiridoid monoterpene synthesized from geranyl pyrophosphate in the mevalonate pathway. Secologanin then proceeds with dopamine or tryptamine to form ipecac and terpene indole alkaloids, respectively. Biosynthesis Secologa ...

, catalyzed by the enzyme

strictosidine synthase Strictosidine synthase (EC 4.3.3.2) is an enzyme in alkaloid biosynthesis that catalyses the condensation of tryptamine with secologanin to form strictosidine in a formal Pictet–Spengler reaction: :3-α(''S'')-strictosidine + H2O = tryptamine ...

. Thousands of strictosidine derivatives are sometimes referred to by the broad phrase of

monoterpene Monoterpenes are a class of terpenes that consist of two isoprene units and have the molecular formula C10H16. Monoterpenes may be linear (acyclic) or contain rings (monocyclic and bicyclic). Modified terpenes, such as those containing oxygen func ...

indole alkaloids Indole alkaloids are a class of alkaloids containing a Moiety (chemistry), structural moiety of indole; many indole alkaloids also include isoprene groups and are thus called terpene indole or secologanin tryptamine alkaloids. Containing more than ...

. Strictosidine is an intermediate in the

biosynthesis Biosynthesis, i.e., chemical synthesis occurring in biological contexts, is a term most often referring to multi-step, enzyme-Catalysis, catalyzed processes where chemical substances absorbed as nutrients (or previously converted through biosynthe ...

of numerous pharmaceutically valuable metabolites including

quinine Quinine is a medication used to treat malaria and babesiosis. This includes the treatment of malaria due to ''Plasmodium falciparum'' that is resistant to chloroquine when artesunate is not available. While sometimes used for nocturnal leg ...

, camptothecin, ajmalicine, serpentine, vinblastine,

vincristine Vincristine, also known as leurocristine and sold under the brand name Oncovin among others, is a chemotherapy medication used to treat a number of types of cancer. This includes acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, Hodgkin lym ...

and mitragynine. Biosynthetic pathways help to define the subgroups of strictosidine derivatives.

Distribution

Strictosidine is found in the following plant families: *

Apocynaceae Apocynaceae (, from '' Apocynum'', Greek for "dog-away") is a family of flowering plants that includes trees, shrubs, herbs, stem succulents, and vines, commonly known as the dogbane family, because some taxa were used as dog poison. Notable mem ...

Here especially in Rhazya stricta and Catharanthus roseus. * Loganiaceae *

Rubiaceae Rubiaceae () is a family (biology), family of flowering plants, commonly known as the coffee, madder, or bedstraw family. It consists of terrestrial trees, shrubs, lianas, or herbs that are recognizable by simple, opposite leaves with Petiole ( ...

* Icacinaceae * Nyssaceae * Alangiaceae Recent efforts in metabolic engineering have permitted the synthesis of strictosidine by yeast (''

Saccharomyces cerevisiae ''Saccharomyces cerevisiae'' () (brewer's yeast or baker's yeast) is a species of yeast (single-celled fungal microorganisms). The species has been instrumental in winemaking, baking, and brewing since ancient times. It is believed to have be ...

''). This was accomplished by adding 21 genes and 3 gene deletions.

Research

The involvement of the glucoalkaloid strictosidine in the antimicrobial and antifeedant activity of Catharanthus roseus leaves was studied. Strictosidine and its deglucosylation product, specifically formed by the enzyme strictosidine glucosidase, were found to be active against several microorganisms.

References

{{Reflist Indole alkaloids Glucosides Vinyl compounds