Abstract
Cannabinoids, consiting of alkylresorcinol and monoterpene groups, are the unique secondary metabolites that are found only in Cannabis sativa. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabichromene (CBC) are well known cannabinoids and their pharmacological properties have been extensively studied. Recently, biosynthetic pathways of these cannabinoids have been successfully established. Several biosynthetic enzymes including geranylpyrophosphate: olivetolate geranyltransferase, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) synthase, cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) synthase and cannabichromenic acid (CBCA) synthase have been purified from young rapidly expanding leaves of C. sativa. In addition, molecular cloning, characterization and localization of THCA synthase have been recently reported. THCA and cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), its substrate, were shown to be apoptosis-inducing agents that might play a role in plant defense. Transgenic tobacco hairy roots expressing THCA synthase can produce THCA upon feeding of CBGA. These results open the way for biotechnological production of cannabinoids in the future.
Keywords: Cannabis sativa, cannabinoid, tetrahydrocannabinol, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid synthase, biosynthesis, glandular trichome and biotechnology
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Title: Recent Advances in Cannabis sativa Research: Biosynthetic Studies and Its Potential in Biotechnology
Volume: 8 Issue: 4
Author(s): Supaart Sirikantaramas, Futoshi Taura, Satoshi Morimoto and Yukihiro Shoyama
Affiliation:
Keywords: Cannabis sativa, cannabinoid, tetrahydrocannabinol, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid synthase, biosynthesis, glandular trichome and biotechnology
Abstract: Cannabinoids, consiting of alkylresorcinol and monoterpene groups, are the unique secondary metabolites that are found only in Cannabis sativa. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabichromene (CBC) are well known cannabinoids and their pharmacological properties have been extensively studied. Recently, biosynthetic pathways of these cannabinoids have been successfully established. Several biosynthetic enzymes including geranylpyrophosphate: olivetolate geranyltransferase, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) synthase, cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) synthase and cannabichromenic acid (CBCA) synthase have been purified from young rapidly expanding leaves of C. sativa. In addition, molecular cloning, characterization and localization of THCA synthase have been recently reported. THCA and cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), its substrate, were shown to be apoptosis-inducing agents that might play a role in plant defense. Transgenic tobacco hairy roots expressing THCA synthase can produce THCA upon feeding of CBGA. These results open the way for biotechnological production of cannabinoids in the future.
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Cite this article as:
Supaart Sirikantaramas , Futoshi Taura , Satoshi Morimoto and Yukihiro Shoyama , Recent Advances in Cannabis sativa Research: Biosynthetic Studies and Its Potential in Biotechnology, Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology 2007; 8 (4) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138920107781387456
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138920107781387456 |
Print ISSN 1389-2010 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4316 |
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