Comprehensive studies for the biotechnological production of daurichromenic acid, an anti-HIV natural product

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K07994
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Natural medicines
• Research Institution: University of Toyama
• Principal Investigator: Taura Futoshi 富山大学, 大学院医学薬学研究部(薬学), 准教授 (00301341)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): AKASHI Tomoyoshi 日本大学, 生物資源科学部, 准教授 (80328707) ; MORITA Hiroyuki 富山大学, 和漢医薬学総合研究所, 教授 (20416663)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 生合成 / メロテルペノイド / ダウリクロメン酸 / バイオテクノロジー

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this project, I have attempted comprehensive understanding and elucidation of the biosynthetic genes of daurichromenic acid, a meroterpenoid with a potent anti-HIV activity isolated from a medicinal plant Rhododendron dauricum. I have successfully cloned genes coding for polyketide synthase, prenyltransferase, and oxidocyclase (DCA synthase) that constitute the DCA pathway. This study comprehensively identified the biosynthetic genes and established the heterologous expression system of each biosynthetic enzyme to develop the biotechnological production of daurichromenic acid.

Free Research Field

生薬学