Current Perspectives on Biotechnological Cannabinoid Production in Plants

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Cannabis sativa contains psychoactive cannabinoids with significant pharmaceutical potential.
• Medicinal cannabis use is increasingly legalized globally, driving research into its therapeutic applications.
• Understanding cannabinoid interactions with other cannabis compounds is crucial for disease treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current biotechnological approaches for optimizing cannabinoid production in Cannabis sativa.
• To explore the potential of transgenic cannabis plants and cell cultures for cannabinoid profiling.
• To evaluate alternative host organisms for the heterologous production of cannabinoids.

Main Methods:

• Review of current research on Cannabis cell culture systems and in vitro propagation.
• Analysis of transformation techniques for Cannabis plants to optimize cannabinoid profiles.
• Evaluation of heterologous expression systems, including tobacco and yeast, for cannabinoid production.

Main Results:

• Cannabis cell cultures and in vitro propagation offer opportunities for biotechnological cannabinoid production.
• Transgenic Cannabis plants can be developed to modify and optimize cannabinoid profiles.
• Alternative organisms like tobacco present viable platforms for heterologous cannabinoid synthesis.

Conclusions:

• Biotechnological strategies, including cell cultures and transgenic approaches, are promising for producing and optimizing cannabinoids.
• Further research into Cannabis plant biotechnology and heterologous production systems can advance therapeutic applications.
• Optimizing cannabinoid profiles through genetic modification and alternative hosts is key for pharmaceutical development.