Description

Ophiorrhiza pumila, a fast-growing herbaceous plant from the Rubiaceae family, has emerged as a model plant for the study of monoterpene indole alkaloids (MIAs) biosynthesis and regulation, and a sustainable source of camptothecin. Camptothecin, a strictosidinederived molecule and one of the most potent anticancer MIAs, is the precursor for the commercial synthesis of topotecan and irinotecan.

Scientific classitication

Family: Rubiaceae

Genus: Ophiorrhiza

Common Name

She Gen Cao

Reference

Rai, A., Hirakawa, H., Nakabayashi, R., Kikuchi, S., Hayashi, K., Rai, M., Tsugawa, H., Nakaya, T., Mori, T., Nagasaki, H., Fukushi, R., Kusuya, Y., Takahashi, H., Uchiyama, H., Toyoda, A., Hikosaka, S., Goto, E., Saito, K., & Yamazaki, M. (2021). Chromosome-level genome assembly of Ophiorrhiza pumila reveals the evolution of camptothecin biosynthesis. Nature communications, 12(1), 405. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-20508-2