Purification and Properties of Strictosidine Synthase, the Key Enzyme in Indole Alkaloid Formation

A new enzyme, strictosidine synthase, which catalyzes the synthesis of 3‐α( S )‐strictosidine from tryptamine and secologanin was isolated from the soluble protein extract of Catharanthus roseus cell suspension cultures and was purified approximately 50‐fold by ammonium sulfate fractionation, column chromatography on DEAE‐cellulose, Ultrogel AcA34 and isoelectric focusing. The apparent molecular weight of the enzyme was 34000. The pH optimum was 6.8, apparent K m values for tryptamine and secologanin were 2.3 mM and 3.4 mM respectively for the enzyme to synthesize strictosidine. Strictosidine synthase shows high substrate specificity. No apparent cofactor requirement could be demonstrated. Of several enzyme inhibitors tested, only p ‐chloromercuribenzoate inhibited the enzyme. The enzyme was relatively stable and could be stored at −20°C for periods of up to 1 year without appreciable loss of catalytic activity. The enzyme was demonstrated to occur in suspension cultures of 15 different species belonging to 9 different genera of the indole‐alkaloidproducing subfamily Plumerioideae of the Apocynaceae family. This enzyme is responsible for the synthesis of strictosidine the key intermediate in the formation of the majority of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids occurring in the plant kingdom.