Elucidation of machinery for saikosaponin biosynthesis in Bupleurum falcatum L.

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25460145
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Natural medicines
• Research Institution: Tokushima Bunri University
• Principal Investigator: Noji Masaaki 徳島文理大学, 薬学部, 准教授 (80271534)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: ミシマサイコ / サイコサポニン生合成 / シトクロムP450 / グリコシルトランスフェラーゼ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In order to identify the genes involved in saikosaponin biosynthesis, we first established expressed sequence tag (EST) databases of roots, leaves, and stems from Bupleurum falcatum L. by using next-generation sequencing platforms.
Some candidate genes that may be concerned with the biosynthesis of saikosaponins were available by searching EST databases of B. falcatum. Sixteen new cDNAs encoding cytochrome P450 were isolated and were characterized using a yeast expression system. One of these cytochrome P450s, R144792, catalyzes the C-28 hydroxylation of beta-amyrin, and another cytochrome P450, Rnn2525, catalyzes the C-16 alpha hydroxylation of beta-amyrin, that are essential for the biosynthesis of saikosaponins. Furthermore, two new cDNAs encoding glycosyltransferase were isolated from B. falcatum.

Free Research Field

天然資源系薬学