Functional characterization of a Mg2+-dependent O-methyltransferase with coumarin as preferred substrate from the liverwort Plagiochasma appendiculatum

PaOMT2 was able to methylate esculetin generating scopoletin and isoscopoletin, with the major product was identified as scopoletin. This is the first time an O-methyltransferase was characterized with a preference for esculetin.