The present invention includes novel systems, methods, and compositions for the non-endogenous production of cannabinoids in non-Cannabis plants, and preferably Glycine max or other high-biomass crops. In one embodiment, the present invention includes the generation of transgenic plant seeds, and preferably Glycine max seeds, expressing a heterologous nucleotide sequence encoding one or more heterologous enzymes necessary for the production a cannabinoid, a cannabinoid intermediate from a precursor compound. Certain precursors compound may be produced endogenously by the plant, or incorporated from a heterologous source and incorporated into the non-endogenous cannabinoid pathway.

Exemplary embodiments provided herein include genetically engineering microorganisms, such as yeast or bacteria, to produce cannabinoids by inserting genes that produce the appropriate enzymes for the metabolic production of a desired compound.

The present invention provides methods for producing cannabinoids and cannabinoid analogs as well as a system for producing these compounds. The inventive method is directed to contacting a compound according to Formula I or Formula II with a cannabinoid synthase. ##STR00001##
Also described is a system for producing cannabinoids and cannabinoid analogs by contacting a THCA synthase with a cannabinoid precursor and modifying at least one property of the reaction mixture to influence the quantity formed of a first cannabinoid relative to the quantity formed of a second cannabinoid.

The present disclosure features compositions and methods for producing one or more cannabinoids, such as cannabidiolic acid (CBDa) or cannabidiol (CBD), in a host cell, such as a yeast cell, that is genetically modified to express the enzymes of a cannabinoid biosynthetic pathway. Using the compositions and methods of the present invention, the host cell may be genetically modified to express one or more enzymes of a cannabinoid biosynthetic pathway, such as CBDaS. The host cell may be cultured in the medium in the presence of a first cannabinoid, for example CBGa, and incubated for a time sufficient to allow for bioconversion of the first cannabinoid to a second cannabinoid, for example CBDa, by the host cell.

The present disclosure provides genetically modified host cells that produce a cannabinoid, a cannabinoid derivative, a cannabinoid precursor, or a cannabinoid precursor derivative. The present disclosure provides methods of synthesizing a cannabinoid, a cannabinoid derivative, a cannabinoid precursor, or a cannabinoid precursor derivative.

The present invention provides methods for producing cannabinoids and cannabinoid analogs as well as a system for producing these compounds. The inventive method is directed to contacting a compound according to Formula I or Formula II with a cannabinoid synthase.

##STR00001##

Also described is a system for producing cannabinoids and cannabinoid analogs by contacting a THCA synthase with a cannabinoid precursor and modifying at least one property of the reaction mixture to influence the quantity formed of a first cannabinoid relative to the quantity formed of a second cannabinoid.

Nucleic acid molecules encoding polypeptides having polyketide synthase activity have been identified and characterized. Expression or over-expression of the nucleic acids alters levels of cannabinoid compounds in organisms. The polypeptides may be used in vivo or in vitro to produce cannabinoid compounds.

The present invention provides methods for producing cannabinoids and cannabinoid analogs as well as a system for producing these compounds. The inventive method is directed to contacting a compound according to Formula I or Formula II with a cannabinoid synthase.

##STR00001##

Also described is a system for producing cannabinoids and cannabinoid analogs by contacting a THCA synthase with a cannabinoid precursor and modifying at least one property of the reaction mixture to influence the quantity formed of a first cannabinoid relative to the quantity formed of a second cannabinoid.

The present invention provides methods for producing cannabinoids and cannabinoid analogs as well as a system for producing these compounds. The inventive method is directed to contacting a compound according to Formula I or Formula II with a cannabinoid synthase.

##STR00001##

Also described is a system for producing cannabinoids and cannabinoid analogs by contacting a THCA synthase with a cannabinoid precursor and modifying at least one property of the reaction mixture to influence the quantity formed of a first cannabinoid relative to the quantity formed of a second cannabinoid.

Nucleic acid molecules encoding polypeptides having polyketide synthase activity have been identified and characterized. Expression or over-expression of the nucleic acids alters levels of cannabinoid compounds in organisms. The polypeptides may be used in vivo or in vitro to produce cannabinoid compounds.