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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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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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41477-023-01415-y
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