Biochemical characterization of diterpene synthases of Taiwania cryptomerioides expands the known functional space of specialized diterpene metabolism in gymnosperms

• Published in: The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology Vol. 100; no. 6; pp. 1254 - 1272
• Main Authors: Ma, Li‐Ting, Lee, Yi‐Ru, Tsao, Nai‐Wen, Wang, Sheng‐Yang, Zerbe, Philipp, Chu, Fang‐Hua
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.12.2019
• Subjects: Abietatriene; Angiospermae; Angiosperms; biochemical enzyme characterization; Biological evolution; Biosynthesis; Chemical defense; chemical defenses; cupressaceae; decay resistance; diterpene metabolism; diterpene synthase; Diterpenes; diterpenoids; Divergence; divergent evolution; durability; Enzymes; Fungicides; genes; Gymnosperms; Metabolism; Metabolites; Methyl jasmonate; Molecular evolution; Organic chemistry; plant specialized metabolism; Taiwania cryptomerioides; Terpenes; trees; wood; diterpene synthase; biochemical enzyme characterization; gymnosperms; plant specialized metabolism; Taiwania cryptomerioides; diterpene metabolism; methyl jasmonate; cupressaceae

Summary Taiwania cryptomerioides is a monotypic gymnosperm species, valued for the high decay resistance of its wood. This durability has been attributed to the abundance of terpenoids, especially the major diterpenoid metabolite ferruginol, with antifungal and antitermite activity. Specialized dite...