Functional identification of valerena-1,10-diene synthase, a terpene synthase catalyzing a unique chemical cascade in the biosynthesis of biologically active sesquiterpenes in Valeriana officinalis

Yun Soo Yeo, University of Kentucky
S. Eric Nybo, University of Kentucky
Amar G. Chittiboyina, University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy
Aruna D. Weerasooriya, University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy
Yan Hong Wang, University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy
Elsa Góngora-Castillo, Michigan State University
Brieanne Vaillancourt, Michigan State University
C. Robin Buell, Michigan State University
Dean Dellapenna, Michigan State University
Mary Dawn Celiz, Michigan State University
A. Daniel Jones, Michigan State University
Eve Syrkin Wurtele, Iowa State University
Nick Ransom, Iowa State University
Natalia Dudareva, Purdue University
Khaled A. Shaaban
Nidhi Tibrewal
Suman Chandra, University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy
Troy Smillie, University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy
Ikhlas A. Khan, University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy
Robert M. Coates, University of Kentucky
David S. Watt, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Joe Chappell, University of Kentucky

Abstract

Background: Therapeutic values of Valeriana officinalis have been associated with sesquiterpenes whose biosynthetic origins have remained enigmatic. Results: A cyclobutenyl intermediate in the catalytic cascade of valerena-1,10-diene synthase is reported. Conclusion: A new class of sesquiterpene synthases for the biosynthesis of sesquiterpenes harboring isobutenyl functional groups is proposed. Significance: Similar catalytic mechanisms from evolutionarily diverse organisms are proposed and portend sources for sesquiterpene diversity. © 2013 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.