Biosynthetic Insights into p-Hydroxybenzoic Acid-Derived Benzopyrans in Piper gaudichaudianum

Piper gaudichaudianum Kunth (Piperaceae) accumulates gaudichaudianic acid, a prenylated benzopyran, as its major component. Interestingly, this trypanocidal compound occurs as a racemic mixture. Herein, transcriptomic investigations of Piper gaudichaudianum using the RNA-seq approach are reported, and from the analysis of the transcripts expressed it was possible to propose a complete biosynthetic pathway for the production of gaudichaudianic acid, including the steps that originate its precursor, p-hydroxybenzoic acid. Peperomia obtusifolia (L.) A. Dietr. (Piperaceae) also accumulates racemic...