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Updated: Jul 10, 2025

A Customizable Approach for the Enzymatic Production and Purification of Diterpenoid Natural Products
Published on: October 4, 2019
Catalytic Potential of Cannabis Prenyltransferase to Expand Cannabinoid Scaffold Diversity
Ryosuke Tanaya1, Takeshi Kodama1, Yuan-E Lee1
1Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan.
Abstract:
Biologically active cannabinoids are derived from cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), which is biosynthesized by aromatic prenyltransferase CsPT4. We exploit the catalytic versatility of CsPT4 to synthesize various CBGA analogues, including a geranylated bibenzyl acid, the precursor to bibenzyl cannabinoids of liverwort origin. The synthesized natural and new-to-nature cannabinoids exhibit potent cytotoxicity in human pancreatic cancer cells. CsPT4 can artificially extend the cannabinoid biosynthetic diversity with novel and improved biological activities.
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