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Sesquiterpene lactone engineering in microbial and plant platforms: parthenolide and artemisinin as case studies

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Abstract

Sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) are one of the most diverse groups of secondary metabolites that mainly have been observed in the Asteraceae. They are composed of a C15 skeleton bearing functional groups, e.g., hydroxy, keto, or epoxy. Sesquiterpene lactones have been shown to display several biological activities; hence, their therapeutic effects are indispensable. To overcome low yield of sesquiterpene lactone content in native plants, manipulation of their biosynthetic pathway(s) has become an interesting approach for many researchers. Several genetic engineering strategies have been used in plants or microbial systems for elucidation of the biosynthetic pathway and high-level production of sesquiterpene lactones. Here, we will introduce ongoing research and perspectives about the manipulation of sesquiterpene lactone biosynthesis by various non-traditional metabolic engineering strategies, along with successful examples of high-yield production of sesquiterpene lactones mainly focused on parthenolide and artemisinin in plants and microorganisms.

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Acknowledgments

This work was financially supported by the Iran National Science Foundation [Grant No. 90007936] and the University of Kurdistan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran

    Mohammad Majdi

  2. Research Center for Medicinal Plant Breeding and Development, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran

    Mohammad Majdi

  3. Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran

    Morahem Ashengroph

  4. Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran

    Mohammad Reza Abdollahi

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  1. Mohammad Majdi
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  2. Morahem Ashengroph
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  3. Mohammad Reza Abdollahi
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Correspondence to Mohammad Majdi.

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Majdi, M., Ashengroph, M. & Abdollahi, M.R. Sesquiterpene lactone engineering in microbial and plant platforms: parthenolide and artemisinin as case studies. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 100, 1041–1059 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-015-7128-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-015-7128-6

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