Frey Maximilian, Jochimsen Christina Marie, Degenhardt Jörg
Department of Pharmaceutical Biology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacy, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Hoher Weg 8, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany.
Department of Cell and Metabolic Biology, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany.
Molecules. 2025 Aug 29;30(17):3540. doi: 10.3390/molecules30173540.
Terpenes, the largest class of plant specialized products, are built from C5 building blocks via terpene synthases and oxidized by cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) for structural diversity. In some cases, CYPs do not simply oxidize the terpene backbone, but induce backbone rearrangements, methyl group shifts, and carbon-carbon (C-C) scissions. Some of these reactions were characterized over 25 years ago, but most of them were reported in recent years, indicating a highly dynamic research area. These reactions are involved in mono-, sesqui-, di- and triterpene metabolism and provide key catalytic steps in the biosynthesis of plant hormones, volatiles, and defense compounds. Many commercially relevant terpenoids require such reaction steps in their biosynthesis such as triptonide (rodent pest management), secoiridoids (flavor determinants), as well as ginkgolides, cardenolides, and sesquiterpene lactones with pharmaceutical potential. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the underlying mechanisms.
萜类化合物是植物特化产物中最大的一类，由C5结构单元通过萜烯合酶合成，并被细胞色素P450酶（CYPs）氧化以实现结构多样性。在某些情况下，CYPs不仅简单地氧化萜烯骨架，还会诱导骨架重排、甲基迁移和碳 - 碳（C - C）键断裂。其中一些反应在25年前就已被表征，但大多数是近年来报道的，这表明该领域研究动态性很强。这些反应参与单萜、倍半萜、二萜和三萜的代谢，并为植物激素、挥发物和防御化合物的生物合成提供关键催化步骤。许多具有商业价值的萜类化合物在其生物合成过程中需要此类反应步骤，如雷公藤内酯醇（用于鼠害防治）、裂环环烯醚萜（风味决定因素），以及具有药用潜力的银杏内酯、强心苷和倍半萜内酯。在此，我们对其潜在机制进行全面概述。
