Gene sequences for the biosynthesis of podophyllotoxin derivatives

Stanford researchers at the Sattely Lab have discovered six podophyllotoxin biosynthetic genes and their polypeptide products from the plant, Podophyllum hexandrum (mayapple). This discovery enables the engineering of alternative biological hosts for the production of a direct precursor for the semi-synthesis of Etopophos, an FDA approved anticancer agent. The genes and their polypeptide products were elucidated by RNA-Seq analysis and their activities were demonstrated by in vivo and in vitro testing.

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