Artemisinin: The biosynthetic pathway and its regulation in Artemisia annua, a terpenoid-rich species |
| |
Authors: | Pamela J Weathers Shereen Elkholy Kristin K Wobbe |
| |
Institution: | (1) Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 100 Institute Road, 01609 Worcester, MA;(2) Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 100 Institute Road, 01609 Worcester, MA;(3) Present address: Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, 9 Gamaa St., Giza, Egypt |
| |
Abstract: | Summary Artemisinin is a sesquiterpene lactone isolated from the aerial parts of Artemisia annua L. plants. Besides being currently the best therapeutic against both drug-resistant and cerebral malaria-causing strains
of Plasmodium falciparum, the drug has also been shown to be effective against other infections diseases including schistosomiasis and hepatitis.
More recently, it has also been shown to be effective against numerous types of tumors. Although chemical synthesis of artemisinin
is possible, it is not economically feasible. The relatively low yield (0.01–0.8%) of artemisinin in A. annua is a further serious limitation to the commercialization of the drug. Therffore, the enhanced production of artemisinin either
in cell/tissue culture or in the whole plant of A. annua is highly desirable. A better understanding of the biochemical pathway leading to the synthesis of artemisinin and its regulation
by both exogenous and endogenous factors is essential for facilitating increased yield. Two genes of the artemisinin biosynthetic
pathway have now been identified. This critical review covers recent developments related to the biosynthesis of this important
compound and related terpenoids, their regulation, and the production of these compounds both in vitro and in whole plants. |
| |
Keywords: | amorpha-4 11-diene synthase CYP71AV1 sesquiterpene cyclase or synthase |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|