PKS activities and biosynthesis of cannabinoids and flavonoids in Cannabis sativa L. plants.
Polyketide synthase (PKS) enzymatic activities were analyzed in crude protein extracts from cannabis plant tissues. Chalcone synthase (CHS, EC 2.3.1.74), stilbene synthase (STS, EC 2.3.1.95), phlorisovalerophenone synthase (VPS, EC 2.3.1.156), isobutyrophenone synthase (BUS) and olivetol synthase activities were detected during the development and growth of glandular trichomes on bracts. Cannabinoid biosynthesis and accumulation take place in these glandular trichomes. In the biosynthesis of the first precursor of cannabinoids, olivetolic acid, a PKS could be involved; however, no activity for an olivetolic acid-forming PKS was detected. Content analyses of cannabinoids and flavonoids, two secondary metabolites present in this plant, from plant tissues revealed differences in their distribution, suggesting a diverse regulatory control for these biosynthetic fluxes in the plant.
Pharmacognosy Department/Metabolomics, Institute of Biology, Gorlaeus Laboratories, PO Box 9502, 2300 RA Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Isvett Josefina
IJ
Flores-Sanchez
Robert
R
Verpoorte
D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002188:Cannabis / Q000201:enzymology*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D048630:Polyketide Synthases / Q000378:metabolism*
D002186:Cannabinoids; D005419:Flavonoids; D048630:Polyketide Synthases