Chinese Bulletin of Botany ›› 2012, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (6): 571-580.DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1259.2012.00571

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An Overview of Heterologous Organisms Used to Produce Artemisinin and Its Precursors

Xing Li1, He Hao1, Jianting Chi1, Hong Wang1*, Hechun Ye2   

  1. 1College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China;

    2Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
  • Received:2012-03-05 Revised:2012-04-27 Online:2012-11-01 Published:2012-09-04
  • Contact: Hong Wang

Abstract: Artemisinin, a sesquiterpene endoperoxide lactone extracted from the traditional Chinese herb Artemisia annua, is an effective drug against the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum and has many positive effects on human health. We explored the possibility of producing artemisinin and its precursors by heterologous systems including Escherichia coli, Sacchromyces cerevisiae and tobacco. We also discuss recent progress in the artemisinin biosynthetic pathway and new genes and enzymes involved in artemisinin biosynthesis.