Secologanin Explained

Secologanin is a secoiridoid monoterpene synthesized from geranyl pyrophosphate in the mevalonate pathway. Secologanin then proceeds with dopamine or tryptamine to form ipecac and terpene indole alkaloids, respectively.

Biosynthesis

Secologanin biosynthesis begins from geranyl pyrophosphate (GPP) taken from the mevalonate pathway used to make terpenoids. Recent efforts have characterized the entire secologanin biosynthetic pathway.^[1] Secologanin is formed from loganin through the action of the enzyme secologanin synthase. Secologanin is then able to proceed onto produce ipecac and terpene indole alkaloids.^[2]

Notes and References

1. Miettinen K, Dong L, Navrot N, Schneider T, Burlat V, Pollier J, Woittiez L, van der Krol S, Lugan R, Ilc T, Verpoorte R, Oksman-Caldentey KM, Martinoia E, Bouwmeester H, Goossens A, Memelink J, Werck-Reichhart D . The seco-iridoid pathway from Catharanthus roseus . Nature Communications . 5 . 1 . 3606 . April 2014 . 24710322 . 3992524 . 10.1038/ncomms4606 .
2. Web site: Secologanin Biosynthesis . 31 May 2011 . Nomenclature Committee of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (NC-IUBMB) . School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London .