Breakthrough maps how plants assemble mitraphylline
In a collaborative effort spanning Canada and the United States, researchers have uncovered the molecular steps plants use to produce mitraphylline, a rare spirooxindole alkaloid with potential anti-cancer properties. The discovery, led by doctoral student Tuan-Anh Nguyen under the guidance of Dr. Thu-Thuy Dang at UBC Okanagan, builds on a 2023 breakthrough that identified the first plant enzyme capable of twisting a molecule into the distinctive spirooxindole shape, a structural hallmark tied to powerful biological activity.
From assembly lines to green chemistry
Spirooxindole alkaloids like mitraphylline are prized for their unusual, twisted ring structures that correlate with strong effects against tumours and inflammation. Yet for years, scientists faced a mystery: how do plants stitch these complex molecules together with precision? The latest work identifies a pair of enzymes that first set the three-dimensional configuration of the precursor and then twist it into mitraphylline itself. This duo completes a critical step in the natural biosynthetic pathway, effectively filling in the missing links of an assembly line that nature has perfected over millennia.
Why this matters for science and medicine
Mitraphylline occurs in trace amounts in tropical trees of the Mitragyna (kratom) and Uncaria (cat’s claw) genera, both members of the coffee family. Harvesting such scarce compounds from nature is difficult and costly, which is a major hurdle for research and therapeutic development. By revealing the enzymes responsible for mitraphylline production, the team provides a blueprint for sustainable production. Researchers anticipate leveraging these enzymes to synthesize not only mitraphylline but related spirooxindole molecules with medical value in a greener, more scalable way.
Implications for future research and industry
“With this discovery, we have a green chemistry approach to accessing compounds with enormous pharmaceutical value,” said Tuan-Anh Nguyen. The work can enable plant-based or microbe-based production systems, reducing reliance on slow, extractive methods and enabling more consistent supply for laboratory studies and potential therapies. The researchers emphasize that their achievement is not just about a single molecule, but about a toolkit for creating a wider range of therapeutically relevant compounds through natural biosynthetic strategies.
Collaborative effort and funding
The study represents a collaboration between Dr. Dang’s lab at UBC Okanagan and Dr. Satya Nadakuduti’s team at the University of Florida. Support came from Canada’s Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council’s Alliance International Collaboration program, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, and the Michael Smith Health Research BC Scholar Program, with additional backing from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The cross-border partnership underscores how shared scientific curiosity can accelerate breakthroughs with global impact.
What happens next
Looking ahead, the researchers plan to adapt these molecular tools to produce a broader suite of spirooxindole compounds. By tailoring the enzymes or the host production system, they aim to expand access to valuable natural products while advancing the field of sustainable drug discovery. As Dr. Dang notes, plants are “fantastic natural chemists,” and this work represents a major step in translating their ingenuity into practical, environmentally friendly solutions.
This discovery from UBC Okanagan signals a promising era where nature-inspired biosynthesis could accelerate the development of cancer-fighting therapies while reducing environmental impact.
