Genomic analysis of secondary metabolite biosynthesis gene clusters and structural characterization of terpene synthase and cytochrome P450 enzymes in Zingiber officinale Roscoe

Abstract

This study uses bioinformatics approaches to elucidate the genetic basis of secondary metabolite biosynthesis in Zingiber officinale (Z. officinale). To this end, it identifies 44 secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters and maps onto individual chromosomes, with chromosomes 1A and 8A exhibiting higher concentrations. Here, protein homology modeling provided insights into the structural characteristics of terpene synthases and Cytochrome P450 enzymes, shedding light on their potential roles in stress response and secondary metabolite production. Moreover, the identification of enzymes, such as (-)-kolavenyl diphosphate synthase TPS28 and cytochrome P450 93A3-like, opens up new possibilities for investigating the intricate pathways involved in terpene diversity and stress response mechanisms within Z. officinale. This study highlights the importance of understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying plant-derived bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical applications.