Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
The Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid synthase (THCAS) from Cannabis sativa was expressed intracellularly in different organisms to investigate the potential of a biotechnological production of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) using whole cells.
RESULTS:
Functional expression of THCAS was obtained in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia (Komagataella) pastoris using a signal peptide from the vacuolar protease, proteinase A. No functional expression was achieved in Escherichia coli. The highest volumetric activities obtained were 98 pkat ml-1 (intracellular) and 44 pkat ml-1 (extracellular) after 192 h of cultivation at 15 °C using P. pastoris cells. Low solubility of CBGA prevents the THCAS application in aqueous cell-free systems, thus whole cells were used for a bioconversion of cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) to THCA. Finally, 1 mM (0.36 g THCA l-1) THCA could be produced by 10.5 gCDW l-1 before enzyme activity was lost.
CONCLUSION:
Whole cells of P. pastoris offer the capability of synthesizing pharmaceutical THCA production.
- PMID:
25994576
[PubMed – as supplied by publisher]
