# Efficient Biosynthesis of Gastrodin by UDP-Glycosyltransferase from Rauvolfia serpentina

## TL;DR

Scientists purified and characterized a plant enzyme that efficiently produces gastrodin, a valuable compound with health benefits.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates the efficient enzymatic biosynthesis of gastrodin using RsUGT from Rauvolfia serpentina.

## Key findings

- RsUGT was purified 20.8-fold with a recovery rate of 58.6% and specific activity of 79.2 mU/mg.
- Optimized conditions achieved 285.35 mg/l of gastrodin with a 99.67% conversion rate.
- A recombinant strain produced 225.99 mg/l of gastrodin with a 98% conversion rate.

## Abstract

Gastrodin, the primary bioactive constituent of Gastrodia elata, possesses numerous remarkable pharmacological properties. In this investigation, UDP-glycosyltransferase from Rauvolfia serpentina (RsUGT) was expressed, subsequently purified and characterized. The maximum yield of the enzyme was 17.57 mU/ml and possessed a relative molecular weight of approximately 77.7 kDa. Utilizing GST affinity resin, RsUGT was purified 20.8-fold, with an overall recovery rate of 58.6% and specific activity of 79.2 mU/mg. The optimal temperature and pH for RsUGT was identified as 40°C and 10.0, respectively. Notably, 2% DMSO could increase the RsUGT activity by 12.15%. The Michaelis-Menten constants KM and Vmax were determined to be 0.50mM and 171.60 mU/mg. By optimizing the conditions for the enzymatic biosynthesis of gastrodin by RsUGT, the highest gastrodin production was 285.35 mg/l, accompanied by a molar conversion rate of 99.67%. In addition, the conditions of gastrodin biosynthesis by recombinant strain BL-RsUGT were also studied. The highest gastrodin production was 225.99 mg/l, and the corresponding pHBA conversion rate was 98.00%. These findings confirmed the promising potential of RsUGT in the production of gastrodin.