A scaffold protein manages the biosynthesis of steroidal defense metabolites in plants

plants produce two major classes of valuable sterol-derived natural products-steroidal glycoalkaloids and steroidal saponins-from a common cholesterol precursor. Attempts to heterologously produce these molecules have consistently failed, although the genes responsible for each biosynthetic step hav...

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Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 2024-12, Vol.386 (6728), p.1366-1372
Main Authors: Boccia, Marianna, Kessler, Danny, Seibt, Wibke, Grabe, Veit, Rodríguez López, Carlos E, Grzech, Dagny, Heinicke, Sarah, O'Connor, Sarah E, Sonawane, Prashant D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biosynthesis
Cellulose
Cellulose synthase
Chemical defense
Cholesterol
Gene deletion
Gene Knockout Techniques
Glucosyltransferases - genetics
Glucosyltransferases - metabolism
Glucuronosyltransferase
Glycoalkaloids
Host plants
Intermediates
Metabolites
Natural products
Pests
Phytosterols - biosynthesis
Phytosterols - metabolism
Plant layout
Plant Proteins - genetics
Plant Proteins - metabolism
Protein biosynthesis
Protein engineering
Proteins
Saponins
Saponins - biosynthesis
Saponins - metabolism
Scaffolding
Secondary metabolites
Solanaceous Alkaloids - biosynthesis
Solanum nigrum - genetics
Solanum nigrum - metabolism
Steroids
Steroids - biosynthesis
Steroids - metabolism
Toxicity
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Summary:plants produce two major classes of valuable sterol-derived natural products-steroidal glycoalkaloids and steroidal saponins-from a common cholesterol precursor. Attempts to heterologously produce these molecules have consistently failed, although the genes responsible for each biosynthetic step have been identified. Here we identify a cellulose synthase-like protein, an unexpected biosynthetic component that interacts with the early pathway enzymes, enabling steroidal scaffolds production in plants. Moreover, knockout of this gene in black nightshade, , resulted in plants lacking both steroidal alkaloids and saponins. Unexpectedly, these knockout plants also revealed that steroidal saponins deter serious agricultural insect pests. This discovery provides the missing link to engineer these high-value steroidal molecules and also pinpoints the ecological role for steroidal saponins.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.ado3409