Research conducted by our team at Canurta explores the biosynthesis of specialized metabolites called 'bibenzyls' in Cannabis sativa L,they are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. They identified the last three-step of the bibenzyl biosynthesis involving 4-coumarate-CoA ligases, double-bond reductases, and a bibenzyl synthase.
The researchers identified a bibenzyl synthase enzyme (CsBBS2) that evolved to favor reduced substrates, and introduced mutations that partially restored enzymatic activity with oxidized substrates. This study provides valuable insights into the biosynthesis of bibenzyls and supports the rational metabolic engineering of natural product therapeutics.
We encourage interested readers to delve deeper into our research by reading the full paper at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/tpj.15588