A new P450 involved in the furanocoumarin pathway underlies a recent case of convergent evolution

Furanocoumarins are phytoalexins often cited as an example to illustrate the arms race between plants and herbivorous insects. They distributed in a limited number of phylogenetically distant plant lineages, but synthesized through similar pathway, which raised question unique or multiple emergence higher plants. The furanocoumarin pathway was investigated fig tree (Ficus carica, Moraceae). Transcriptomic metabolomic approaches led identification CYP76F112, cytochrome P450 catalyzing original reaction. CYP76F112 inquired using phylogenetics combined with silico modelling site-directed mutagenesis. found convert demethylsuberosin into marmesin very high affinity. This atypical cyclisation reaction represents key step within polyphenol biosynthesis pathway. evolutionary patterns suggests that synthase activity appeared recently Moraceae family, lineage-specific expansion diversification. characterization first known opens new prospects for use It also supports acquisition angiosperms by convergent evolution, perspectives regarding ability cytochromes evolve functions related adaptation their environment.