Science子刊 | 浙江大学陈卫教授团队在合成生物学领域取得重要进展

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the advancements in glycosyltransferase engineering for the efficient glycosylation of flavonoids, highlighting the potential applications in health and wellness products, as well as in the fields of agriculture and biomedicine [5][11]. Summary by Sections Glycosylation of Flavonoids - Flavonoids are important plant secondary metabolites with significant biological activities used in disease prevention and treatment [3]. - The glycosylation of flavonoids is catalyzed by plant UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs), which is a green and economical method compared to traditional chemical synthesis [3][4]. Research Findings - The study identified a rare glycosyltransferase, UGT75AJ2, capable of catalyzing the glycosylation at C-3' and C-7 hydroxyl positions of flavonoids, leading to the directed synthesis of bioactive flavonoid glycosides [5][6]. - The research demonstrated that glycosylation at these positions enhances antioxidant and blood sugar-lowering activities [4]. Engineering Strategies - A custom FRISM strategy was developed for the rational design of UGTs, resulting in a quadruple mutant (Mut4-1) of UGT75AJ2 with 128 times the catalytic activity of the wild type [7]. - The strategy was also successfully applied to other glycosyltransferases, validating its effectiveness and versatility [7][8]. Implications and Applications - The study provides a new paradigm for enhancing the activity, donor promiscuity, and regioselectivity of plant glycosyltransferases, which is crucial for the biosynthesis of high-value flavonoid glycosides [11]. - This research integrates multiple disciplines, including food science, synthetic biology, artificial intelligence, and pharmacology, contributing to the development of health products with medicinal value [11].