| abstract |
Amorpha-4,11-diene is a precursor of the new anti-malarial drug artemisinin produced by the plant Artemisia annua L.. cDNA encoding amorpha-4,11-diene synthase from A. annua has been isolated and sequenced, and the corresponding amino acid sequence has been determined. Replicable recombinant cloning vehicles are provided which code for amorpha-4,11-diene synthase or for a base sequence sufficiently complementary to at least a portion of the amorpha-4,11-diene synthase DNA or RNA to enable hybridization therewith. Modified host cells are provided that have been transformed, infected, transfected and/or injected with a recombinant cloning vehicle and/or DNA sequence encoding amorpha-4,11-diene synthase. In general terms, systems and methods are provided for the recombinant expression of amorpha-4,11-diene synthase that may be used to facilitate the production, isolation, and purification of recombinant amorpha-4,11-diene synthase or the enzyme product amorpha-4,11-diene. The subsequent use is to obtain enhanced expression of amorpha-4,11-diene synthase in an organism to accomplish enhanced morpha-4,11-diene production, either in A. annua to obtain enhanced artemisinin production, which is used as an antimalarial drug, or in another organism. <IMAGE> <IMAGE> |