西红花苷生物合成途径研究进展

Research Progress on Biosynthetic Pathway of Crocin

西红花苷是一种由藏花酸和葡萄糖或龙胆二糖形成的类胡萝卜素类化合物,具有抗动脉粥样硬化、抗高血压、降血脂、抗氧化、抗抑郁、抗癌、抗炎等药理活性。然而,西红花苷类成分在植物界分布较窄,含量较低,且提取工艺复杂,导致其供不应求。随着基因组和转录组测序技术的发展,参与西红花苷合成途径的相关酶基因逐渐被克隆和鉴定。对西红花苷生物合成路径以及该通路相关酶基因的研究现状进行综述,以期为利用代谢工程生产或提高西红花苷类物质提供理论基础,从而扩大西红花苷的开发利用。

Crocin is a kind of carotenoid compound containing crocetin and glucose or gentiane disaccharide,which possesses extensive anti-atherosclerosis,anti-hypertension,anti-hyperlipidemia,anti-oxidation,anti-depression,anticancer,anti-inflammatory,and other pharmacological activities.However,the narrow distribution and low content of crocin in plants,as well as the complicated extraction process have led to the shortage of crocin.With the development of genome and transcriptome sequencing,the related enzyme genes involved in the crocin biosynthesis pathway were cloned and identified.Herein,the research status of crocin biosynthesis pathway and the related enzyme genes were reviewed,hoping to provide theoretical basis for using metabolic engineering to produce or improve crocin substances,and expand the exploitation and utilization of crocin.