Stilbenoids are a family of phenylpropanoids which contain a 1,2-diphenylethylene moiety that exist in the plant kingdom and have a variety of biological functions (PMID: 23014926). Diarylheptanoids are another group of phenylpropanoids that are found in plants which have a 1,7-diphenylheptane skeleton (PMID: 21121274). Gingerols are a group of compounds containing a gingerol moiety, some of which are known to be useful for medication purposes (PMID: 26228533). In Arabidopsis, the stilbenoid, diarylheptanoid, and gingerol biosynthesis pathway takes place in the endoplasmic reticulum. This pathway involves coumaroyl-CoA sourced either directly from phenylpropanoid biosynthesis or derived from cinnamoyl-CoA in a reaction catalyzed by cinnamate-4-hydroxylase. Removal of a CoA group from coumaroyl-CoA and a reaction of coumaroyl-CoA with either shikimic acid or quinic acid produces 4-coumaroylshikimic acid or coumaroyl quinic acid. This is catalyzed by hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA shikimate/quinate hydroxycinnamoyl transferase. CYP98A3 enzyme catalyzes hydroxylation of the products to produce caffeoylshikimic acid or chlorogenic acid respectively. Further reaction of products with CoA, catalyzed again by hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA shikimate/quinate hydroxycinnamoyl transferase, produces caffeoyl-CoA. Caffeoyl-CoA is then reacted with S-adenosyl-L-methionine to produce feruloyl-CoA with catalyzation by caffeoyl-CoA O-methyltransferase. 1-dehydro-6-gingerdione and 6-gingerol may then be further derived from feruloyl-CoA.

Stilbenoid, Diarylheptanoid, and Gingerol Biosynthesis References