Recombinant microorganisms, plants, and plant cells are disclosed that have been engineered to express novel recombinant genes encoding steviol biosynthetic enzymes and UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs). Such microorganisms, plants, or plant cells can produce steviol or steviol glycosides, e.g., rubusoside or Rebaudioside A, which can be used as natural sweeteners in food products and dietary supplements.

This invention provides improved biological synthesis of the apocarotenoid α-ionone in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The final native step involved in the natural apocarotenoid pathway depends on an endogenous farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPPs). From there, heterologous geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase (crtE), phytoene synthase (crtB), phytoene desaturase (crtI), lycopene ε-cyclase (LycE) and a Carotenoid Cleavage Dioxygenase (CCD1) are required to complete the synthesis of α-ionone. Lycopene ε-cyclase from lettuce (Lactuca sativa) or modified cyclase from Arabidopsis thaliana was used to overproduce lycopene which was then cleaved by the carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase from Petunia hybrida (Ph-CCD1).

Provided herein are compositions and methods for producing myrcene by culturing genetically modified microbial host cells that express a myrcene synthase and optionally a geranyl pyrophosphate synthase. Also provided herein are isolated nucleic acid molecules that encode myrcene synthase variants derived from the Ocimum species myrcene synthase, which comprise one or more amino acid substitutions that improve in vivo performance of myrcene synthase in genetically modified microbial host cells. Also provided herein are isolated myrcene synthase variants that exhibit an improved activity for converting geranyl diphosphate into myrcene.

The present invention provides a technique for synthesizing a carotenoid composition by a genetic recombination technique. A transformant in which a first promoter, an upstream gene of a carotenoid biosynthesis gene including a crtY and crtZ operably linked to the first promoter, a second promoter having higher promoter intensity than the first promoter, and a ZEP gene and a CCS gene operably linked to the second promoter have been introduced into a host cell.

The invention relates to recombinant microorganisms and methods for producing steviol glycosides and steviol glycoside precursors.

Described herein are devices and methods for increasing the production of steviol glycosides, which have industrial and economic value. The steviol glycosides produced by the devices and methods disclosed herein do not require the ultra purification that is common in conventional or commercial methods and do not have a bitter aftertaste, making them better suited as flavor-enhancing N additives to food, pharmaceutical, and nutritional supplement products.

The present disclosure relates generally to methods and compositions for activating gamma-delta (GD) T cells. Such methods and compositions can be used to treat cancer.

Recombinant microorganisms, plants, and plant cells are disclosed that have been engineered to express novel recombinant genes encoding steviol biosynthetic enzymes and UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs). Such microorganisms plants, or plant cells can produce steviol or steviol glycosides, e.g., rubusoside or Rebaudioside A, which can be used as natural sweeteners in food products and dietary supplements.

The invention relates to recombinant microorganisms and methods for producing steviol glycosides and steviol glycoside precursors.

In some aspects of the design, novel forms of geranylpyrophosphate:olivetolate geranyltransferase; of olivetol synthase or of geranyl pyrophosphate synthase; of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase; of olivetolic acid cyclase; and/or of olivetolic acid synthase for making large scale amounts of cannabinoids in cells, in vitro are presented.