The disclosure relates to biosynthesis of cannabinoids and cannabinoid precursors in recombinant cells and in vitro comprising the use of disclosed prenyltransferase variants.

A plurality of isolated polynucleotide sequences encoding enzymes of the astaxanthin pathway is disclosed. The polynucleotides include: (i) a polynucleotide which encodes Phytoene dehydrogenase (crtI) and a first transcriptional regulatory sequence; (ii) a polynucleotide which encodes Beta-lycopene cyclase (lcy-B) and a second transcriptional regulatory sequence; (iii) a polynucleotide which encodes Beta-carotene ketolase (crtW) and a third transcriptional regulatory sequence; and wherein the first, second and third regulatory sequence are selected such that the expression of the Icy-B and the crtW is greater than a level of expression of the crtI. Methods of generating astaxanthin using the plurality of polynucleotide are also disclosed as well as bacterial cells comprising high levels of astaxanthin.

Nucleic acid molecules from cannabis has been isolated and characterized and encode polypeptides having aromatic prenyltransferase activity. Expression or over-expression of the nucleic acids alters levels of cannabinoid compounds. The polypeptides may be used in vivo or in vitro to produce cannabinoid compounds.

Described are methods for the production of isobutene comprising the enzymatic conversion of 3-methylcrotonic acid into isobutene wherein said 3-methylcrotonic acid is obtained by the enzymatic conversion of 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA into 3-methylcrotonic acid or wherein said 3-methylcrotonic acid is obtained by the enzymatic conversion of 3-hydroxyisovalerate (HIV) into 3-methylcrotonic acid. It is described that the enzymatic conversion of 3-methylcrotonic acid into isobutene can, e.g., be achieved by making use of a 3-methylcrotonic acid decarboxylase, preferably an FMN-dependent decarboxylase associated with an FMN prenyl transferase, an aconitate decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.6), a methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.4), or a geranoyl-CoA carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.5).

This document provides materials and methods for generating oilseed (e.g., pennycress) plants that having low levels of erucic acid. For example, oilseed plants having reduced expression levels of one or more polypeptides involved in erucic acid metabolism (e.g., fatty acid elongase 1 (FAE1)), as well as materials and methods for making and using oilseed plants having low levels of erucic acid are provided.

The presently disclosed invention relates to a method of diagnosing Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in a patient comprising obtaining a sample from the patient, determining a level of one or more H2S generating enzymes in the sample from the patient, and diagnosing the patient with MS when the level of the one or more H2S generating enzymes is one of at least 15% higher or lower than a control level for the one or more H2S generating enzymes, and at least 10% higher or lower than a control level for the one or more H2S generating enzymes.

Disclosed are novel multi-substituent psilocybin derivative compounds and pharmaceutical and recreational drug formulations containing the same. The compounds may be produced by reacting a reactant psilocybin derivative with a substituent containing compound.

A novel PSL family prenyltransferase has relaxed substrate specificity, which can use a variety of cyclic dipeptides and prenyl donors as substrates to produce various terpenylated diketopiperazines. An amino acid sequence of the prenyltransferase is SEQ ID NO: 1. An application of the prenyltransferase is transferring different prenyl groups to Trp-containing cyclic dipeptides. The prenyltransferase catalyzes the formation of terpenylated diketopiperazines by assembling prenyl groups onto cyclic dipeptides, which provides a new strategy for drug development of diketopiperazines.

Provided herein are methods and compositions for producing cannabinoids and other metabolites in a host cell.

The present invention provides genetically engineered host organisms capable of producing terpenoids. The present invention also relates terpenoids obtained from such genetically engineered organisms. Examples of the produced terpenoids include carotenoids, ionones, abienol, and other isoprenoid derived compounds. In addition, the invention relates to a methods of for the preparation of terpenoids using such a genetically engineered organism.