Evolution of linear triterpenoid biosynthesis within the Euphorbia genus

A - Papers appearing in refereed journals

Czechowski, T., Li, Y., Gilday, A. D., Harvey, D., Swamidatta, S. H., Lichman, B. R., Ward, J. L. and Graham, I. A. 2025. Evolution of linear triterpenoid biosynthesis within the Euphorbia genus. Nature Communications. 16, p. 5602. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60708-2

AuthorsCzechowski, T., Li, Y., Gilday, A. D., Harvey, D., Swamidatta, S. H., Lichman, B. R., Ward, J. L. and Graham, I. A.
Abstract

Terpenoids are among the largest classes of plant natural products. Squalene, a high value commodity in the cosmetic, food and pharmaceutical industries, is a common linear precursor for the biosynthesis of C30 triterpenes and sterols across plant, animal and fungal kingdoms. The anti-fungal compound peplusol is another linear C30 triterpene, but has only been reported in the genus Euphorbia. Here, we show that peplusol production has evolved due to duplication of a sterol synthase gene with one copy acquiring peplusol synthase activity and the original gene retaining the ancestral function. We identify a number of key amino acid residues that can convert the squalene synthase enzyme into peplusol synthase and vice versa. The PEPLUSOL SYNTHASE gene from E. peplus is able to drive significant levels of peplusol production in alternate host production platforms including Nicotiana benthamiana (over 2.5% leaf dry weight) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (30 mg/L culture).

Year of Publication2025
JournalNature Communications
Journal citation16, p. 5602
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60708-2
Open accessPublished as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
FunderBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Innovate UK
Publisher's version
Supplemental file
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online01 Jul 2025
Publication process dates
Accepted02 Jun 2025
PublisherNature Publishing Group
ISSN2041-1723

Permalink - https://repository.rothamsted.ac.uk/item/99415/evolution-of-linear-triterpenoid-biosynthesis-within-the-euphorbia-genus

4 total views
1 total downloads
4 views this month
1 downloads this month
Download files as zip