Crystal structure of chalcone synthase, a key enzyme for isoflavonoid
biosynthesis in soybean
Abstract
Isoflavonoid is one of the groups of flavonoids that play pivotal roles
in the survival of land plants. Chalcone synthase (CHS), the first
enzyme of the isoflavonoid biosynthetic pathway, catalyzes the formation
of a common isoflavonoid precursor. We have previously reported that an
isozyme of soybean CHS (termed GmCHS1) is a key component of the
isoflavonoid metabolon, a protein complex to enhance efficiency of
isoflavonoid production. Here, we determined the crystal structure of
GmCHS1 as a first step of understanding the metabolon structure, as well
as to better understand the catalytic mechanism of GmCHS1.