OeBAS and CYP716C67 catalyze the biosynthesis of health-beneficial triterpenoids in olive (Olea europaea) fruits

center dot The bioactive properties of olive (Olea europaea) fruits and olive oil are largely attributed to terpenoid compounds, including diverse triterpenoids such as oleanolic, maslinic and ursolic acids, erythrodiol, and uvaol. They have applications in the agri-food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. Some key steps involved in the biosynthesis of these compounds are still unknown. center dot Genome mining, biochemical analysis, and trait association studies have been used to identify major gene candidates controlling triterpenoid content of olive fruits. center dot Here, we identify and functionally characterize an oxidosqualene cyclase (OeBAS) required for the production of the major triterpene scaffold beta-amyrin, the precursor of erythrodiol, oleanolic and maslinic acids, and a cytochrome P450 (CYP716C67) that mediates 2 alpha oxidation of the oleanane- and ursane-type triterpene scaffolds to produce maslinic and corosolic acids, respectively. To confirm the enzymatic functions of the entire pathway, we have reconstituted the olive biosynthetic pathway for oleanane- and ursane-type triterpenoids in the heterologous host, Nicotiana benthamiana. Finally, we have identified genetic markers associated with oleanolic and maslinic acid fruit content on the chromosomes carrying the OeBAS and CYP716C67 genes. center dot Our results shed light on the biosynthesis of olive triterpenoids and provide new gene targets for germplasm screening and breeding for high triterpenoid content.

Automated summary

The bioactive properties of olive fruits and olive oil are largely attributed to terpenoid compounds, and the genes controlling the triterpenoid content of olive fruits have been identified through genome mining, biochemical analysis, and trait association studies. An oxidosqualene cyclase and a cytochrome P450 have been functionally characterized, and the biosynthetic pathway for triterpenoids has been reconstituted in a heterologous host. Genetic markers associated with triterpenoid content have also been identified.