Researchers have successfully converted chalcone synthase, a biosynthetic protein enzyme in all higher plants, into a resveratrol synthase. An element of red wine, resveratrol has been found, in a number of studies, to provide a wonderful list of health benefits:
- An antioxidant
- Cancer-preventing agent
- Blood thinner
- Blood pressure lowering compound
- Anti-aging chemical
The surprising fact about resveratrol found by researchers: This compound is produced by grapes as a defense against fungi.
For a long time, scientists knew chalcones and stilbenes (individual classes of natural products in plants with different properties) were created by closely related enzymatic proteins. Chalcone chemicals provide a number of important biological functions in all higher plants including roles in fertility, disease resistance and flower color. Conversely, resveratrol and other rare anti-fungal stilbenes are produced in just a few plants, including blueberries and pine trees.
After discovering the differences between these related plant enzymes, researchers converted the chalcone synthase in alfalfa into a resveratrol-producing compound by reconfiguring a handful of amino acids. The resulting advance will allow scientists to develop natural resveratrol production in crops with a small modification of the plant's chalcone synthase gene that already takes place in grapes.
EurekAlert September 17, 2004
Chemistry and Biology September, 2004;11:1179-1194
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