Cannabidiolic-acid synthase, the chemotype-determining enzyme in the fiber-type Cannabis sativa

FEBS Lett. 2007 Jun 26;581(16):2929-34. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2007.05.043. Epub 2007 May 25.

Abstract

Cannabidiolic-acid (CBDA) synthase is the enzyme that catalyzes oxidative cyclization of cannabigerolic-acid into CBDA, the dominant cannabinoid constituent of the fiber-type Cannabis sativa. We cloned a novel cDNA encoding CBDA synthase by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reactions with degenerate and gene-specific primers. Biochemical characterization of the recombinant enzyme demonstrated that CBDA synthase is a covalently flavinylated oxidase. The structural and functional properties of CBDA synthase are quite similar to those of tetrahydrocannabinolic-acid (THCA) synthase, which is responsible for the biosynthesis of THCA, the major cannabinoid in drug-type Cannabis plants.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Cannabis / chemistry*
  • Cannabis / classification
  • Cannabis / enzymology*
  • Cannabis / genetics
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Coenzymes / metabolism
  • Intramolecular Oxidoreductases / genetics*
  • Intramolecular Oxidoreductases / physiology*
  • Models, Biological
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Plant Structures / chemistry
  • Protein Binding
  • Spodoptera / genetics
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Coenzymes
  • Intramolecular Oxidoreductases
  • cannabidiolic acid synthase