IN-VIVO AND IN-VITRO BIOSYNTHESIS OF SAPONINS IN SEA-CUCUMBERS

Authors
KERR RG CHEN ZJ
Citation
Rg. Kerr et Zj. Chen, IN-VIVO AND IN-VITRO BIOSYNTHESIS OF SAPONINS IN SEA-CUCUMBERS, Journal of natural products, 58(2), 1995, pp. 172-176
Citations number
13
Categorie Soggetti
Chemistry,"Plant Sciences","Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Journal title
Journal of natural products → ACNP
ISSN journal
01633864
Volume
58
Issue
2
Year of publication
1995
Pages
172 - 176
Database
ISI
SICI code
0163-3864(1995)58:2<172:IAIBOS>2.0.ZU;2-X
Abstract
The triterpene precursor of saponins in sea cucumbers has been identif ied as parkeol [lanost-9(11)-en-3 beta-ol] [1]. Dissection of the sea cucumbers Holothuria floridea and Actinopyga agassize after incubation s with radiolabeled parkeol demonstrated that saponin biosynthesis occ urs exclusively in the Cuvier gland. This result was corroborated by i ncubating a cell-free extract of the Cuvier gland with labeled parkeol and observing transformation of the precursor to saponins.