Three-step biosynthesis of salicylic acid from benzoyl-CoA in plants

Yanan Liu, Lu Xu, Mingsong Wu, Jingjie Wang, Dan Qiu, Jiameng Lan, Junxing Lu, Yang Zhang, Xin Li and Yuelin Zhang ()
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Yanan Liu: Sichuan University
Lu Xu: University of British Columbia
Mingsong Wu: Sichuan University
Jingjie Wang: Sichuan University
Dan Qiu: Sichuan University
Jiameng Lan: University of British Columbia
Junxing Lu: Chongqing Normal University
Yang Zhang: Sichuan University
Xin Li: University of British Columbia
Yuelin Zhang: Sichuan University

Nature, 2025, vol. 645, issue 8079, 201-207

Abstract: Abstract Salicylic acid (SA) is the active ingredient in willow bark that has been used for anti-inflammation and pain relief for centuries. Aspirin, a derivative of SA, is the most widely used medication in human history. SA also acts as a key plant defence hormone1–4. Although SA was known to be produced from chorismate in the model plant Arabidopsis5,6, how it is biosynthesized in plant families outside Brassicaceae remains unclear. Here we report the identification of a conserved pathway for SA biosynthesis in seed plants. Using Nicotiana benthamiana as a model, we identified three key steps for the biosynthesis of SA. First, ligation of benzoyl coenzyme A (CoA) and benzyl alcohol by benzoyl-CoA:benzyl alcohol benzoyl transferase (BEBT) gives rise to benzyl benzoate, which is then hydroxylated by benzyl benzoate oxidase (BBO) to produce benzyl salicylate. Subsequent cleavage of benzyl salicylate by benzyl salicylate hydrolase (BSH) yields SA. Notably, genes encoding these three enzymes are present in a broad range of plants, and the genes from dicots such as willow, poplar and soybean as well as the monocot rice can complement the phenotype of SA-deficient mutants of N. benthamiana. Moreover, knockout analysis of the Oryza sativa OsBEBT, OsBBO and OsBSH genes reveals that they are required for SA biosynthesis in rice. Our findings suggest that the SA biosynthesis pathway is highly conserved in plants.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09185-7

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