Medicinal terpenoid UDP-glycosyltransferases in plants: recent advances and research strategies

Terpenoid glycosides have significant curative effects on many kinds of diseases. Most of these compounds are derived from medicinal plants. Glycosylation is a key step in the biosynthesis of medicinal terpenoids. In plants, UDP-dependent glycosyltransferases comprise a large family of enzymes that catalyze the transfer of sugars from donor to acceptor to form various bioactive glycosides. In recent years, numerous terpenoid UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) have been cloned and characterized in medicinal plants. We review the typical characteristics and evolution of terpenoid-related UGTs in plants and summarize the advances and research strategies of terpenoid UGTs in medicinal plants over the past 20 years. We provide a reference for the study of glycosylation of terpenoid skeletons and the biosynthetic pathways for medicinal terpenoids in plants. This review summarizes advances and research strategies of the medicinal terpenoid UDP-glycosyltransferases over the past 20 years and analyzes their characteristics and evolution.

Automated summary

Terpenoid glycosides derived from medicinal plants have shown significant curative effects in the treatment of various diseases. UDP-dependent glycosyltransferases in plants play a crucial role in the biosynthesis of bioactive glycosides. In this review, the characteristics, evolution, and recent advances in terpenoid UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) in medicinal plants over the past 20 years are summarized, providing a reference for the study of glycosylation and biosynthetic pathways of medicinal terpenoids in plants.