Identification of iridoid synthases from Nepeta species: Iridoid cyclization does not determine nepetalactone stereochemistry

Nathaniel H. Sherden, Benjamin Lichman, Lorenzo Caputi, Dongyan Zhao, Mohamed O. Kamileen, C. Robin Buell, Sarah E. O'Connor*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Nepetalactones are iridoid monoterpenes with a broad range of biological activities produced by plants in the Nepeta genus. However, none of the genes for nepetalactone biosynthesis have been discovered. Here we report the transcriptomes of two Nepeta species, each with distinctive profiles of nepetalactone stereoisomers. As a starting point for investigation of nepetalactone biosynthesis in Nepeta, these transcriptomes were used to identify candidate genes for iridoid synthase homologs, an enzyme that has been shown to form the core iridoid skeleton in several iridoid producing plant species. Iridoid synthase homologs identified from the transcriptomes were cloned, heterologously expressed, and then assayed with the 8-oxogeranial substrate. These experiments revealed that catalytically active iridoid synthase enzymes are present in Nepeta, though there are unusual mutations in key active site residues. Nevertheless, these enzymes exhibit similar catalytic activity and product profile compared to previously reported iridoid synthases from other plants. Notably, four nepetalactone stereoisomers with differing stereochemistry at the 4α and 7α positions – which are generated during the iridoid synthase reaction – are observed at different ratios in various Nepeta species. This work strongly suggests that the variable stereochemistry at these 4α and 7α positions of nepetalactone diastereomers is established further downstream in the iridoid pathway in Nepeta. Overall, this work provides a gateway into the biosynthesis of nepetalactones in Nepeta.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)48-56
Number of pages9
JournalPHYTOCHEMISTRY
Volume145
Early online date5 Nov 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2018

Bibliographical note

©2017 The Author(s).

Keywords

  • Iridoid
  • Natural product biosynthesis
  • Short chain alcohol dehydrogenase
  • Terpenoid

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