The scaffold-forming steps of plant alkaloid biosynthesis

Benjamin R. Lichman

doi:10.1039/d0np00031k

The scaffold-forming steps of plant alkaloid biosynthesis

Benjamin R. Lichman^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Biology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

Abstract

Alkaloids from plants are characterised by structural diversity and bioactivity, and maintain a privileged position in both modern and traditional medicines. In recent years, there have been significant advances in elucidating the biosynthetic origins of plant alkaloids. In this review, I will describe the progress made in determining the metabolic origins of the so-called true alkaloids, specialised metabolites derived from amino acids containing a nitrogen heterocycle. By identifying key biosynthetic steps that feature in the majority of pathways, I highlight the key roles played by modifications to primary metabolism, iminium reactivity and spontaneous reactions in the molecular and evolutionary origins of these pathways.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	103-129
Number of pages	27
Journal	NATURAL PRODUCT REPORTS
Volume	38
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1039/d0np00031k
Publication status	Published - 3 Aug 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The author acknowledges support from a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship (MR/S01862X/1).

Publisher Copyright:
© The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Copyright:
Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

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d0np00031k
© The Royal Society of Chemistry 2020.
Final published version, 2.84 MBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

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The scaffold-forming steps of plant alkaloid biosynthesis

Abstract

Bibliographical note

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