This invention is an improved method of robust and scalable production of precursors of active cannabinoids, including geranyl pyrophosphate (GPP) and/or cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), in a methylotrophic yeast host cell. The improved methods incorporate a polypeptide encoding an Erg20 variant (F98W/N128W) into a methylotrophic yeast host cell, for example Pichia pastoris (Komagataella phaffii), that biases the natural production of FPP and GPP towards GPP, a precursor to the intermediate CBGA, crucial to the synthesis of active cannabinoids.

A gene for biosynthesis of core structure of ophiobolin, the gene being the AuOS gene of Aspergillus sp. 094102, deposited with the accession number CCTCC No: M208153, the gene sequence thereof being shown as SEQ ID NO. 1. Also provided is a method of preparation of ophiobolin using the gene.

Objects are to provide: a fusion protein capable of binding to lipid droplets while having an enzymatic activity to synthesize a hydrophobic compound; a method for producing a substance including accumulating a hydrophobic compound in lipid droplets using the fusion protein; a vector which can enhance production of a hydrophobic compound when it is introduced into cells using genetic recombination techniques; and a transgenic cell into which the vector or a gene coding for the fusion protein has been introduced. The present disclosure relates to a fusion protein having an amino acid sequence (first amino acid sequence) capable of binding to lipid droplets, and an amino acid sequence (second amino acid sequence) having an enzymatic activity to synthesize a hydrophobic compound, with the enzymatic activity of the second amino acid sequence being maintained.

Embodiments of the disclosure encompass systems, methods, and compositions related to selective advantages to somatic cells that harbor one or more particular genetic modifications. In particular embodiments, there is selective expansion of gene-targeted cells wherein the strategy involves deletion of an essential gene product that is replaced with targeted integration that also includes integration of a therapeutic transgene. The cells that harbor the replaced essential gene product, and thereby the therapeutic transgene, are selected for using pharmaceutical or nutritional agents that are linked to the function of the essential gene product.

The disclosure relates to the biosynthesis of cannabinoids and related prenylated phenolic compounds using recombinant enzymes. In particular, the disclosure provides recombinant prenyltransferase enzymes engineered to produce a greater amount of a desired product, or to have a greater ability to catalyze a reaction using a desired substrate, as compared to the wild type prenyltransferase. The disclosure also provides methods of preparing such recombinant enzymes; as well as methods of use thereof in improving the biosynthesis of cannabinoids and related prenylated phenolic compounds.

An expression vector containing appropriate mitochondrion-targeting sequences (MTS) and appropriate 3′UTR sequences provides efficient and stable delivery of a mRNA encoding a protein (CDS) to the mitochondrion of a mammalian cell. The MTS and 3′UTR sequences guide the CDS mRNA from the nuclear compartment of the cell to mitochondrion-bound polysomes, where the CDS is translated. This provides an efficient translocation of a mature functional protein into the mitochondria. A method of targeting mRNA expressed in the nuclear compartment of a mammalian cell to the mitochondrion is also provided. The vector and methods can be used to treat defects in mitochondrial function.

A genetically engineered microorganism for the production of a cannabinoid is described. The genetically engineered microorganism comprises at least one nucleic acid molecule encoding at least one cannabinoid biosynthetic pathway enzyme. The disclosure also relates to methods for producing a cannabinoid using a genetically engineered microorganism.

Disclosed are novel prenylated psilocybin derivative compounds and pharmaceutical and recreational drug formulations containing the same. The compounds may be produced in vitro or in vivo using a biosynthetic system which comprises cells comprising a prenyl transferase, and, optionally, additional enzymes, including a decarboxylase, and an N-acetyl transferase.

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 additives to food, pharmaceutical, and nutritional supplement products.