J.-K. Weng

Emergence of a proton exchange-based isomerization and lactonization mechanism in the plant coumarin synthase COSY

This study identifies a proton exchange-based isomerization and lactonization mechanism in the plant enzyme COSY, revealing its unique catalytic activity and evolutionary adaptation.

Mechanistic basis for the emergence of EPS1 as a catalyst in plant salicylic acid biosynthesis

The paper identifies how EPS1, a BAHD acyltransferase, evolved to catalyze a unique lyase reaction in SA biosynthesis in Brassicaceae plants through active site reconfiguration.

Structural basis for divergent and convergent evolution of catalytic machineries in plant aromatic amino acid decarboxylase proteins

This paper presents crystal structures of four plant AAAD paralogs, revealing structural features and mutations that underlie divergent substrate selectivity and convergent aldehyde synthase activity evolution.

PBS3 and EPS1 complete salicylic acid biosynthesis from isochorismate in Arabidopsis

This study identifies PBS3 and EPS1 as enzymes completing salicylic acid biosynthesis from isochorismate in Arabidopsis, differing from bacterial pathways.

Mechanistic basis for the evolution of chalcone synthase catalytic cysteine reactivity in land plants

This study identifies structural and functional differences in chalcone synthase (CHS) catalytic cysteine reactivity across land plant lineages, showing increased nucleophilicity in euphyllophytes compared to basal plants.

The molecular structure of plant sporopollenin

This study determines the molecular structure of pine sporopollenin using thioacidolysis and solid-state NMR, revealing its composition and crosslinking mechanism.

PRX9 and PRX40 are extensin peroxidases essential for maintaining tapetum and microspore cell wall integrity during Arabidopsis anther development

This study identifies PRX9 and PRX40 as essential extensin peroxidases required for tapetum and microspore cell wall integrity in Arabidopsis anther development, leading to male sterility in double mutants.

The biosynthetic origin of psychoactive kavalactones in kava

This study identifies the biosynthetic pathway of kavalactones in kava, revealing key enzymes and enabling heterologous production for psychiatric drug development.

Discovery and reduction of nonspecific activities of the major herbicide-resistance gene BAR

The paper identifies and reduces nonspecific activities of the BAR gene, showing it alters plant amino acids and presents engineered variants with reduced off-target effects.