Computational Analysis for Regulation of Podophyllotoxin Biosynthesis Pathway in Podophyllum with Potential Substitute Species

Podophyllum species, the source of important secondary metabolite, podophyllotoxin, is over-exploited for production of anti-cancer drugs endangering this genus globally. Lack of complete knowledge on podophyllotoxin biosynthesis is a major drawback in its cultivation and identification for alternative plants. The current study on secoisolariciresinol dehydrogenase, dirigent protein oxidase and pluviatolide synthase identifies their role in regulating podophyllotoxin biosynthesis. The present computational analysis of podophyllotoxin proposes a correlating interconnected network of pathways for podophyllotoxin biosynthesis besides identifying potential substitute species for the biosynthesis of podophyllotoxin and accounting for possible reason for variation in podophyllotoxin yield from different species of this genus