Background and Aim:Recent research has indicated the association of a large number of bioactive endophytic microbiome with the plant family Cupressaceae (Coniferals). Here, we elucidate a possible biosynthetic pathway behind the bioactivity of such endophytes. Indeed, we document the presence of taxane diterpenoid biosynthesis pathway in endophytic bacterial microbiome isolated from the plant family Cupressaceae Methods:Eight endophytic bacteria and five endohyphal bacteria from fungal endophytes of Cupressaceae were investigated for the presence of taxadine synthase (TS), 10-deacetylbaccatin III-10-O-acetyl transferase (DBAT) and C-13 phenylpropanoid side chain-CoA acyltransferase (BAPT) genes in the taxol biosynthetic pathway. Results:PCR analyses indicated that 3 out of 8 endophytic bacteria gave positive results for the presence of all three genes, i.e. TS, DBAT and BAPT. The other five isolates gave positive results only for DBAT and BAPT genes. Moreover, out of five endofungal bacteria, only one gave positive results for the presence of all three genes, i.e. TS, DBAT and BAPT. The other four isolates gave positive results only for DBAT and BAPT genes. This indicates the presence of taxane diterpenoid biosynthesis pathway in endophytic bacterial microbiome of Cupressaceae. Conclusion:Since DBAT catalyzes the formation of baccatin III, which is the immediate diterpenoid precursor of taxol and BAPT catalyzes attachment of taxol side chain precursor, this suggests the possible production of taxane diterpenoids in such bacteria. This provides a possible explanation for the observed bioactivities of such a microbiome. This is the first to document the presence of taxane diterpenoid biosynthesis pathway in endophytic and endofungal bacterial microbiomes.
