The combination of bioinformatics and functional approaches was used to identify three cytochrome P450 from the CYP71 clan that perform the 19-hydroxylation of two monoterpene indole alkaloids (coronaridine and voacangine) from Voacanga thouarsii. Voacanga thouarsii is a medicinal plant from the Apocynaceae family producing monoterpene indole alkaloids (MIAs), notably iboga-type ones, to cope...
Current BiologyAugust 19, 2024Vincent Courdavault, Nicolas Papon1 citation
Our knowledge of the biosynthesis of medicinal compounds from plants remains limited. A new study has deciphered the complete metabolic pathway leading to the biosynthesis of the psychedelic mescaline in the cactus peyote, suggesting the development of biotechnological strategies for a sustainable supply of this important plant drug.