An Overview of Chemistry and Biosynthesis of Anthraquinones

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Anthraquinones are a class of secondary metabolites, have garnered significant interest due to their diverse biological activities and various industrial applications. The derivatives of anthraquinones are widely distributed in nature, being found in numerous plants, fungi, and bacteria. The biosynthetic pathways leading to anthraquinones differ among various organisms, yet common underlying mechanisms can be observed. Enzymatic reactions play a pivotal role in the functionalization and diversification of anthraquinones. Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, glycosyltransferases, and acyltransferases are key enzymes involved in modifying the basic anthraquinone skeleton, leading to a wide array of structurally distinct derivatives. Moreover, advances in genomic and proteomic technologies have facilitated the discovery of genes and enzymes responsible for anthraquinone biosynthesis. Genetic engineering and synthetic biology approaches have enabled the manipulation of biosynthetic pathways, paving the way for the production of novel anthraquinones with engineering and synthetic biology approaches have enabled the manipulation of biosynthetic pathways, paving the way for the production of novel anthraquinones with enhanced bioactivity and potential applications in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and the dye industry. In the present work, we will focus on the different biosynthetic pathways for the biosynthesis of anthraquinones.