Wolfsbane and larkspur alkaloid biosynthesis decoded

Researchers from Michigan State University and the China — Chinese Academy of Sciences have identified the first biochemical steps by which the poisonous plants wolfsbane and larkspur produce diterpenoid alkaloids, a class of compounds with potential medicinal applications against pain, malaria, cancer, and agricultural pests. The team, led by Björn Hamberger and Tomáš Pluskal, analyzed thousands of genes and identified six enzymes that together produce the alkaloid atisinium. They then transferred the corresponding genes into tobacco plants, which acted as biofactories and successfully produced atisinium. The findings, published in the journal Molecular Plant, provide a foundation for sustainable production of these complex natural products and for future drug development.