What if I told you that a rare substance found in plants might hold the key to fighting cancer? Scientists at UBC Okanagan are doing just that with their groundbreaking research into mitraphylline, a natural compound that could change the game in anti-cancer treatments.

Mitraphylline belongs to a fascinating group of plant-derived molecules called spirooxindole alkaloids, known for their unique twisted ring-like chemical structures that pack a powerful punch against tumors and inflammation. Until recently, the molecular process behind how these plants create spirooxindoles remained a mystery.

Fast forward to 2023, and Dr. Thu-Thuy Dang and her incredible team in the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science have turned the tide. They’ve identified the first enzyme capable of twisting a molecule into the unique spiro shape. This monumental breakthrough set the stage for doctoral student Tuan-Anh Nguyen to step in, leading to the discovery of two collaborative enzymes that play a crucial role: one shapes the molecule’s 3D arrangement while the other performs the final twist to create mitraphylline.

“This is similar to finding the missing links in an assembly line,” says Dr. Dang, who holds the position of UBC Okanagan Principal's Research Chair in Natural Products Biotechnology. “It answers a long-standing question about how nature builds these complex molecules and gives us a new way to replicate that process.”

Why is this important? Well, natural compounds like mitraphylline are often only available in minuscule amounts, making them exceptionally challenging—and costly—to produce in the lab. Found in trace quantities in tropical trees such as Mitragyna (kratom) and Uncaria (cat’s claw), mitraphylline has been a hidden treasure in the world of botany.

By pinpointing the enzymes that assemble and shape mitraphylline, these researchers are paving the way for more efficient and sustainable production of this remarkable compound and others like it. “With this discovery, we have a green chemistry approach to accessing compounds with enormous pharmaceutical value,” Nguyen emphasizes. He credits UBC Okanagan’s collaborative research environment for empowering students and faculty to tackle global challenges.

Nguyen also expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Being part of the team that uncovered the enzymes behind spirooxindole compounds has been amazing. UBC Okanagan's mentorship and support made this possible, and I'm excited to keep growing as a researcher here in Canada.”

This project is a collaborative triumph, involving Dr. Dang's lab at UBC Okanagan and Dr. Satya Nadakuduti's team at the University of Florida, and has received backing from Canada's Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council's Alliance International Collaboration program, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, and more.

“We are proud of this discovery coming from UBC Okanagan. Plants are fantastic natural chemists,” Dr. Dang concludes, hinting at future ventures that will adapt these molecular tools to create an even broader array of therapeutic compounds.