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Coevolution of cannabinoid biosynthesis

Turning a new leaf on cannabinoids

Nature Plants volume 9, pages 687–688 (2023)Cite this article

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Only a limited subset of angiosperms produce cannabinoids. Evidence for the independent evolution of cannabinoid biosynthesis was discovered in the South African plant Helichrysum umbraculigerum. This discovery provides an alternative set of enzymes that will expand the synthetic biology toolbox for those interested in manipulating the pathway for drug discovery.

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Fig. 1: The convergent evolution of cannabinoid biosynthesis between Cannabis sativa and Helichrysum umbraculigerum.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular Genetics, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Seeland, Germany

    Benjamin G. Chavez & John C. D’Auria

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  1. Benjamin G. Chavez
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  2. John C. D’Auria
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Correspondence to John C. D’Auria.

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Chavez, B.G., D’Auria, J.C. Turning a new leaf on cannabinoids. Nat. Plants 9, 687–688 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41477-023-01415-y

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