Email: biochem@mail.kib.ac.cn
Telephone: 0871-65223210
Mobile phone:
Address: 132 Lanhei Road, Heilongtan, Kunming
Postcode: 650201
Research Interests
Plants and fungi evolved highly specialized biosynthetic networks classified as secondary metabolic pathways to form a rich repertoire of chemically complex small molecule natural products which serve as chemical languages in ecosystems and impart a species-specific chemical "signature" on the parent organism. Furthermore, these natural chemicals often exhibit medicinal and health-promoting characteristics essential for human healthcare needs.
Through the integrated approaches of biochemistry, molecular biology and medicinal chemistry, we are tapping the biosynthetic potential by studying the enzymes and metabolic pathways leading to the production of these natural compounds. In addition to deciphering the biosynthetic principles that underlie the vast space for chemical diversity in plants and fungi, we also aim to exploit what we learn to direct our efforts at harnessing and engineering these enzymes to build up an enzyme arsenal for use in biotransformation.
Projects underway in the lab include:
• Biosynthesis of pharmacologically active Isodon ent-kaurane diterpenoids
• Elucidation of the molecular mechanism for vibralactone biosynthesis in the fungus of Basidiomycete Boreostereum vibrans
• Diversity-oriented biosynthesis in higher fungi
Publications
Yan-Long Yang, Hui Zhou, Gang Du, Ke-Na. Feng, Tao Feng, Xiao-Li Fu, Ji-Kai Liu*, Ying Zeng*. A Monooxygenase from Boreostereum vibrans Catalyzes Oxidative Decarboxylation in a Divergent Vibralactone Biosynthesis Pathway. Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2016, 55, 18, 5463–5466
Hui Zhou, Yan-Long Yang, Jun Zeng, Ling Zhang, Zhi-Hui Ding, Ying Zeng. Identification and characterization of a d-cadinol synthase potentially involved in the formation of boreovibrins in Boreostereum vibrans of Basidiomycota. Natural Products and Bioprospecting 2016, 6,
Bing-Jie Zhang, Mei-Fen Bao, Chun-Xia Zeng, Xiu-Hong Zhong, Ling Ni, Ying Zeng*, and Xiang-Hai Cai*. Dimeric Erythrina Alkaloids from the Flower of Erythrina variegate. Org Lett, 2014, 16, 6400–6403
Hai-Yan Gong. Ying Zeng*. Xiao-Ya Chen (2014) Diterpene Synthases and Their Responsible Cyclic Natural Products. Nat. Prod. Bioprospect. 4, 59–72
Zhao PJ*, Yang YL, Du L, Liu JK, Zeng Y* (2013) Elucidating the biosynthetic pathway for vibralactone, a novel pancreatic lipase inhibitor with a fused bicyclic β-lactone. Angewandte Chemie International Edition 52, 2298–2302
Li JL, Chen QQ, Jin QP, Gao J, Zhao,PJ, Lu S, Zeng Y* (2012) IeCPS2 is potentially involved in the biosynthesis of pharmacologically active Isodon diterpenoids rather than gibberellin. Phytochemistry 76, 32–39
Li J, Zhao PJ, Ma CL, Zeng Y* (2012) A chitosan induced 9-lipoxygenase in Adelostemma gracillimum seedlings. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 13, 540–551
Wang H, Geng Z, Zeng Y*, Shen Y (2008) Enriching plant microbiota for a metagenomic library construction. Environmental Microbiology 10, 2684–2691
Zhao P, Bai L, Ma J, Zeng Y, Li L, Zhang Y, Lu C, Dai H, Wu Z, Li Y, Wu X, Chen G, Hao X, Shen Y , Deng Z, Floss HG (2008) Amide N-Glycosylation by Asm25, an N-Glycosyltransferase of Ansamitocins. Chemistry & Biology 15, 863–874
Wang H, Yang T, Zeng Y*, Hu Z (2007) Expression analysis of the gastrodianin gene ga4B in an achlorophyllous plant Gastrodia elata Bl. Plant Cell Reports 26, 253–259
Jiao J, Wang H, Zeng Y*, Shen Y（2006）Enrichment for microbes living in association with plant tissues. Journal of Applied Microbiology 100, 830–837
Yang T, Li J, Wang H, Zeng Y* (2005) A geraniol-synthase gene from Cinnamomum tenuipilum. Phytochemistry 66, 285–293