Research on the production of terpenoid compounds by transformed cultured cells in Glycyrrhiza plant

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K07150
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 47050:Environmental and natural pharmaceutical resources-related
• Research Institution: Health Sciences University of Hokkaido
• Principal Investigator: KOJOMA Mareshige 北海道医療大学, 薬学部, 准教授 (80342781)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 関 光 大阪大学, 工学研究科, 准教授 (30392004) ; 金 尚永 北海道医療大学, 薬学部, 講師 (70624287)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: カンゾウ / 培養細胞 / テルペノイド

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Glycyrrhiza plants (Licorice) is used as a natural herbal drug. Glycyrrhizin, a triterpenoid saponin derived from the underground parts, is a major bioactive compound that has several pharmacological activities. Licorice also produces other triterpenoids, including soyasaponins. Recent studies have revealed various oxidosqualene cyclases and cytochrome P450 monooxygenases required for the biosynthesis of triterpenoids in licorice.
[1] We have established a method for efficiently inducing and proliferating hairy roots in G. uralensis. [2] CYP88D6 has a key role in the glycyrrhizin biosynthetic pathway. We found that over-expression of the CYP88D6 gene can cause a marked accumulation of glycyrrhizin and 11-oxo-b-amyrin in the transformed hairy roots. [3] We have established a culture method for obtaining cloned plants from G. uralensis low-content glycyrrhizic acid plants. [4] We established a culture method to obtain cloned plants of G. inflata.

Free Research Field

薬用植物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

医薬品原料として高品質なカンゾウを社会に供するためには、グリチルリチン酸生成に関するトリテルペノイド生合成機構を解明することが必要である。本研究から、トリテルペノイド化合物の生合成酵素遺伝子の解析、発現制御を明らかにした。このような基礎データのさらなる蓄積により、薬用成分含有量の高いカンゾウを品種改良して社会に供給することが可能となる。また培養細胞による医薬品、機能性成分の生産も可能となる。