Abstract:

Saponins, featuring multiple glycosyl moieties in long sugar-chains, are significant plant secondary metabolites known for their diverse pharmacological properties, including immunomodulation, antitumor activity, and lipid-lowering effects. Variations in sugar chain composition critically contribute to their structural diversity. Recently, the biosynthetic pathway of Saponarioside B, an octasaccharide saponin derived from Saponaria officinalis, was elucidated through collaborative research efforts led by Prof. Anne Osbourn (John Innes Centre, UK) and Prof. Jim Leebens-Mack (University of Georgia, USA), as published in Nature Chemical Biology. The biosynthetic pathways of other long sugar-chain saponins, such as avenacin A-1, yossoside V, α-tomatine, and QS-21, have also been elucidated in recent years. This review aims to explore the glycosylation reactions and their catalytic enzymes in the biosynthesis of long sugar-chain saponins, integrating recent advances to update enzyme discoveries, optimize biomanufacturing strategies, and develop synthetic biology approaches for plant-derived saponins.

Key words: long sugar-chain saponins, biosynthesis, glycosylation reaction, glycosyltransferase

摘要：

含有多个糖基的长糖链皂苷是常见的植物次生代谢产物，具有调节免疫、抗肿瘤、降脂等药理活性，糖链组成差异是其结构多样性的重要原因。近期，英国约翰英纳斯中心Anne Osbourn教授团队和美国佐治亚大学Jim Leebens-Mack教授团队在Nat. Chem. Biol.期刊上发表了一篇文章，解析了肥皂草中八糖皂苷Saponarioside B的生物合成途径。其他长糖链皂苷如avenacin A-1、yossoside V、α-tomatine、QS-21等的生物合成途径也已于近年阐明。本文将结合相关研究，针对长糖链皂苷生物合成途径中的糖基化酶进行评论，为长糖链皂苷的生物合成酶挖掘与生物制造提供思路，为植物源皂苷的合成生物学提供线索。

关键词: 长糖链皂苷, 生物合成, 糖基化反应, 糖基转移酶