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A polyketide synthase of Plumbago indica that catalyzes the formation of hexaketide pyrones
Author(s) -
Springob Karin,
Samappito Supachai,
Jindaprasert Aphacha,
Schmidt Jürgen,
Page Jonathan E,
DeEknamkul Wanchai,
Kutchan Toni M
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the febs journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.981
H-Index - 204
eISSN - 1742-4658
pISSN - 1742-464X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2006.05588.x
Subject(s) - polyketide synthase , polyketide , biosynthesis , stereochemistry , escherichia coli , atp synthase , chemistry , pyrone , enzyme , biochemistry , biology , gene
Plumbago indica L. contains naphthoquinones that are derived from six acetate units. To characterize the enzyme catalyzing the first step in the biosynthesis of these metabolites, a cDNA encoding a type III polyketide synthase (PKS) was isolated from roots of P. indica . The translated polypeptide shared 47–60% identical residues with PKSs from other plant species. Recombinant P. indica PKS expressed in Escherichia coli accepted acetyl‐CoA as starter and carried out five decarboxylative condensations with malonyl coenzyme A (‐CoA). The resulting hexaketide was not folded into a naphthalene derivative. Instead, an α‐pyrone, 6‐(2′,4′‐dihydroxy‐6′‐methylphenyl)‐4‐hydroxy‐2‐pyrone, was produced. In addition, formation of α‐pyrones with linear keto side chains derived from three to six acetate units was observed. As phenylpyrones could not be detected in P. indica roots, we propose that the novel PKS is involved in the biosynthesis of naphthoquinones, and additional cofactors are probably required for the biosynthesis of these secondary metabolites in vivo .