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Production of Plant Bioactive Triterpenoid Saponins: Elicitation Strategies and Target Genes to Improve Yields

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Abstract

Triterpenoid saponins are a class of plant secondary metabolites with structure derived from the precursor oxidosqualene in which one or more sugar residues are added. They have a wide range of pharmacological applications, such as antiplatelet, hypocholesterolemic, antitumoral, anti-HIV, immunoadjuvant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, insecticide, fungicide and anti-leishmanial agents. Their accumulation in plant cells is stimulated in response to changes mediated by biotic and abiotic elicitors. The enhancement of saponin yields by methyl jasmonate in plants and cell cultures in several species indicates the involvement of these metabolites in plant defence mechanisms. The elucidation of their biosynthesis at the molecular level has advanced recently. Most studies to date have focused on the participation of early enzymes in the pathway, including oxidosqualene cyclase, squalene synthase and dammarenediol synthase, as well as in isolating and characterizing genes that encode β-amyrin synthase. Yields of bioactive saponins in various plant species and experimental systems have been successfully increased by treating cells and tissues with jasmonate or by exposing these to oxidative stress. These elicitation and molecular studies are consolidating a robust knowledge platform from which to launch the development of improved sources for commercial supply of bioactive saponins.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, Graduate Program in Botany, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, Porto Alegre, RS, 91501-970, Brazil

    Anna C. A. Yendo & Fernanda de Costa

  2. Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, UFRGS, Av. Ipiranga 2752, Porto Alegre, RS, 90610-000, Brazil

    Grace Gosmann

  3. Plant Physiology Laboratory, Graduate Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, Center for Biotechnology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), P.O. Box 15005, Porto Alegre, RS, 91501-970, Brazil

    Arthur G. Fett-Neto

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  1. Anna C. A. Yendo
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  2. Fernanda de Costa
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  4. Arthur G. Fett-Neto
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Correspondence to Arthur G. Fett-Neto.

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Yendo, A.C.A., de Costa, F., Gosmann, G. et al. Production of Plant Bioactive Triterpenoid Saponins: Elicitation Strategies and Target Genes to Improve Yields. Mol Biotechnol 46, 94–104 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12033-010-9257-6

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