Expressed sequence tag analysis of khat (Catha edulis) provides a putative molecular biochemical basis for the biosynthesis of phenylpropylamino alkaloids

Genetics and Molecular Biology

Jillian M. Hagel²  Raz Krizevski¹  Korey Kilpatrick¹  Yaron Sitrit¹  Frédéric Marsolais¹  Efraim Lewinsohn¹  Peter J. Facchini² 

[1] ,University of Calgary Department of Biological Sciences Alberta,Canada

关键词: khat;    (S)-cathinone;    phenylpropylamino alkaloids biosynthesis;    EST library;    gene discovery;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S1415-47572011000400017

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

Khat (Catha edulis Forsk.) is a flowering perennial shrub cultivated for its neurostimulant properties resulting mainly from the occurrence of (S)-cathinone in young leaves. The biosynthesis of (S)-cathinone and the related phenylpropylamino alkaloids (1S,2S)-cathine and (1R,2S)-norephedrine is not well characterized in plants. We prepared a cDNA library from young khat leaves and sequenced 4,896 random clones, generating an expressed sequence tag (EST) library of 3,293 unigenes. Putative functions were assigned to > 98% of the ESTs, providing a key resource for gene discovery. Candidates potentially involved at various stages of phenylpropylamino alkaloid biosynthesis from L-phenylalanine to (1S,2S)-cathine were identified.

【 授权许可】

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