Expansion within the CYP71D subfamily drives the heterocyclization of tanshinones synthesis in Salvia miltiorrhiza

Nat Commun. 2021 Jan 29;12(1):685. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-20959-1.

Abstract

Tanshinones are the bioactive nor-diterpenoid constituents of the Chinese medicinal herb Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza). These groups of chemicals have the characteristic furan D-ring, which differentiates them from the phenolic abietane-type diterpenoids frequently found in the Lamiaceae family. However, how the 14,16-epoxy is formed has not been elucidated. Here, we report an improved genome assembly of Danshen using a highly homozygous genotype. We identify a cytochrome P450 (CYP71D) tandem gene array through gene expansion analysis. We show that CYP71D373 and CYP71D375 catalyze hydroxylation at carbon-16 (C16) and 14,16-ether (hetero)cyclization to form the D-ring, whereas CYP71D411 catalyzes upstream hydroxylation at C20. In addition, we discover a large biosynthetic gene cluster associated with tanshinone production. Collinearity analysis indicates a more specific origin of tanshinones in Salvia genus. It illustrates the evolutionary origin of abietane-type diterpenoids and those with a furan D-ring in Lamiaceae.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abietanes / biosynthesis*
  • Abietanes / chemistry
  • Cyclization
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / genetics*
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / metabolism
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / chemistry
  • Evolution, Molecular*
  • Genes, Plant / genetics
  • Genome, Plant
  • Multigene Family / genetics
  • Plant Proteins / genetics*
  • Plant Proteins / metabolism
  • Plant Roots / chemistry
  • Plant Roots / metabolism
  • Salvia miltiorrhiza / chemistry
  • Salvia miltiorrhiza / enzymology*
  • Salvia miltiorrhiza / genetics

Substances

  • Abietanes
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Plant Proteins
  • tanshinone
  • dan-shen root extract
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System