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Convergent evolution in biosynthesis of cyanogenic defence compounds in plants and insects

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  • Niels Bjerg Jensen

    (Plant Biochemistry Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, 40 Thorvaldsensvej, DK 1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark.
    The Villum Foundation Research Centre 'Pro-Active Plants', University of Copenhagen, 40 Thorvaldsensvej, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark.
    Present address: Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, 2185 East Mall Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.)

  • Mika Zagrobelny

    (Plant Biochemistry Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, 40 Thorvaldsensvej, DK 1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark.
    The Villum Foundation Research Centre 'Pro-Active Plants', University of Copenhagen, 40 Thorvaldsensvej, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark.
    Center for Applied Bioinformatics, University of Copenhagen, 40 Thorvaldsensvej, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark.)

  • Karin Hjernø

    (University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark.)

  • Carl Erik Olsen

    (University of Copenhagen, 40 Thorvaldsensvej, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark.)

  • Jens Houghton-Larsen

    (Evolva A/S, Bülowsvej 25, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C)

  • Jonas Borch

    (University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark.)

  • Birger Lindberg Møller

    (Plant Biochemistry Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, 40 Thorvaldsensvej, DK 1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark.
    The Villum Foundation Research Centre 'Pro-Active Plants', University of Copenhagen, 40 Thorvaldsensvej, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark.
    Center for Synthetic Biology, University of Copenhagen, 40 Thorvaldsensvej, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark.)

  • Søren Bak

    (Plant Biochemistry Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, 40 Thorvaldsensvej, DK 1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark.
    The Villum Foundation Research Centre 'Pro-Active Plants', University of Copenhagen, 40 Thorvaldsensvej, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark.
    Center for Applied Bioinformatics, University of Copenhagen, 40 Thorvaldsensvej, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark.)

Abstract

For more than 420 million years, plants, insects and their predators have co-evolved based on a chemical arms race including deployment of refined chemical defence systems by each player. Cyanogenic glucosides are produced by numerous plants and by some specialized insects and serve an important role as defence compounds in these intimate interactions. Burnet moth larvae are able to sequester cyanogenic glucosides from their food plant as well as to carry out de novo biosynthesis. Here we show that three genes (CYP405A2, CYP332A3 and UGT33A1) encode the entire biosynthetic pathway of cyanogenic glucosides in the Burnet moth Zygaena filipendulae. In both plants and insects, convergent evolution has led to two multifunctional P450 enzymes each catalysing unusual reactions and a glucosyl-transferase acting in sequence to catalyse cyanogenic glucoside formation. Thus, plants and insects have independently found a way to package a cyanide time bomb to fend off herbivores and predators.

Suggested Citation

  • Niels Bjerg Jensen & Mika Zagrobelny & Karin Hjernø & Carl Erik Olsen & Jens Houghton-Larsen & Jonas Borch & Birger Lindberg Møller & Søren Bak, 2011. "Convergent evolution in biosynthesis of cyanogenic defence compounds in plants and insects," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 2(1), pages 1-9, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:2:y:2011:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms1271
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1271
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    1. Wei-Nan Kang & Yang Pan & Lan-Lan Liao & Yi-Kuan Wu & Xiao-Qing Zhang & Lin Jin & Kai-Yun Fu & Wen-Chao Guo & Guo-Qing Li, 2024. "Mandelonitrile produced by commensal bacteria protects the Colorado potato beetle against predation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Yu-Hsien Lin & Juliette J. M. Silven & Nicky Wybouw & Richard A. Fandino & Henk L. Dekker & Heiko Vogel & Yueh-Lung Wu & Chris Koster & Ewald Große-Wilde & Michel A. Haring & Robert C. Schuurink & Sil, 2023. "A salivary GMC oxidoreductase of Manduca sexta re-arranges the green leaf volatile profile of its host plant," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-17, December.

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