A cytochrome P450 CYP71 enzyme expressed in Sorghum bicolor root hair cells participates in the biosynthesis of the benzoquinone allelochemical sorgoleone

What is it about?

Sorgoleone, a phytotoxic compound produced in sorghum root hairs, likely accounts for many of the allelopathic properties of Sorghum plants. The biosynthetic pathway for the formation of this compound has been elucidated, except for the enzyme responsible for catalyzing the addition of two hydroxy groups to the resorcinol ring. In this report, we demonstrate that a single P450 enzyme is capable of performing this dihydroxylation reaction.

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