Work

Prenylation of olivetolate by a hemp transferase yields cannabigerolic acid, the precursor of tetrahydrocannabinol

Year: 1998

Type: article

Abstract: A new enzyme, geranylpyrophosphate:olivetolate geranyltransferase (GOT), the first enzyme in the biosynthesis of cannabinoids could be detected in extracts of young leaves of Cannabis sativa. The enzyme accepts geranylpyrophosphate (GPP) and to a lesser degree also nerylpyrophosphate (NPP) as a cosubstrate. It is, however, specific for olivetolic acid; its decarboxylation product olivetol is inactive as a prenyl acceptor.

Source: FEBS Letters

DOI: 10.1016/s0014-5793(98)00450-5

Authors: Monika Fellermeier, Meinhart H Zenk

Institution: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

Language: English

Topic: Plant biochemistry and biosynthesis

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

Award: G3045606455