Soapbark tree’s biosynthetic pathway for vaccine adjuvant saponins
Researchers use genome mining and bioengineering techniques to map out route
Researchers have revealed the synthetic pathway that the Chilean soapbark tree, Quillaja Saponaria, follows to make saponins. They did it by installing genes for the pathway enzymes into a tobacco relative, Nicotiana benthamiana, to generate soapbark compounds in leaves. The effort was undertaken because some saponins – triterpene glycosides – are essential to some of the newer immune-boosting adjuvants in vaccines.