Evolution and functional characterization of a biosynthetic gene cluster for saponin biosynthesis in Sapindaceae

Link to paper: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molp.2025.04.013

Published: 2 May 2025, Molecular Plant

Summary

We identified a biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) comprising BAS, CYP716A, and UGT87 that underlies saponin biosynthesis in Sapindaceae. Comparative genomic analyses reveal that the cluster arose through stepwise gene-translocation events, with UGT87 incorporated via a reciprocal chromosomal translocation. These findings offer key insights into the evolutionary processes that drive plant BGC assembly.