AUTHOR=Nguyen Tuan-Anh M. , Grzech Dagny , Chung Khoa , Xia Zhicheng , Nguyen Trinh-Don , Dang Thu-Thuy T. 

TITLE=Discovery of a cytochrome P450 enzyme catalyzing the formation of spirooxindole alkaloid scaffold

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=Volume 14 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2023.1125158

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2023.1125158

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=Oxindole alkaloids from plants include compounds with an extensive range of biological activities such as anticancer, antibiotics, and anti-hypertension. However, the establishment and rationale of the oxindole scaffold biosynthesis are yet to be elucidated. Herein, we report the discovery and characterization of a cytochrome P450 enzyme (CYP) from kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) responsible for the formation of the spirooxindole alkaloids 3-epi-corynoxeine and isocorynoxeine from the corynanthe-type precursors. This discovery highlights the versatility of plant CYPs in building unusual alkaloid scaffolds and paves the way for accessing the spirooxindole pharmacophore and its derivatives.