The invention provides a method of producing a host cell, plant cell or plant with increased trilobatin content or increased N 4′-O-glycosyltransferase activity, the method comprising transformation of the host cell or plant cell with a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide with 4′-O-glycosyltransferase activity. The invention also provides host cells, plant cells and plants, genetically modified to contain and or express the polynucleotides.

The present invention relates to an in vitro or in vivo process for producing a glucuronide comprising a glucuronic acid moiety bound to a phenolic hydroxyl group or a phenolic carboxyl group. Also provided are expression vectors, nucleic acids, polypeptides, and recombinant microbial cells useful in carrying out the process and prodrugs produced by the process.

Recombinant microorganisms, plants, and plant cells are disclosed that have been engineered to express a zeaxanthin cleavage dioxygenase alone or in combination with recombinant genes encoding UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs). Such microorganisms, plants, or plant cells can produce compounds from saffron such as crocetin, crocetin dialdehyde, crocin, or picrocrocin.

Recombinant microorganisms, plants, and plant cells are disclosed that have been engineered to express a zeaxanthin cleavage dioxygenase alone or in combination with recombinant genes encoding UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs). Such microorganisms, plants, or plant cells can produce compounds from saffron such as crocetin, crocetin dialdehyde, crocin, or picrocrocin.

The present invention relates to an isolated DNA molecule encoding a fagopyritol synthase. A method for producing a fagopyritol, an insulin mediator, an insulin mediator analogue, an insulin mediator homologue, or an insulin mediator inhibitor is also described. The method includes providing a fagopyritol synthase, providing a substrate comprising a galactosyl donor and a galactosyl acceptor, and combining the fagopyritol synthase with the substrate under conditions effective produce a fagopyritol, an insulin mediator, an insulin mediator analogue, an insulin mediator homologue, or an insulin mediator inhibitor.

The present invention relates to an isolated DNA molecule encoding a fagopyritol synthase. A method for producing a fagopyritol, an insulin mediator, an insulin mediator analogue, an insulin mediator homologue, or an insulin mediator inhibitor is also described. The method includes providing a fagopyritol synthase, providing a substrate comprising a galactosyl donor and a galactosyl acceptor, and combining the fagopyritol synthase with the substrate under conditions effective produce a fagopyritol, an insulin mediator, an insulin mediator analogue, an insulin mediator homologue, or an insulin mediator inhibitor.

α2-6-Sialyltransferase (2,6ST) variants having improved α2-6-specific sialidase activity as compared to the native 2,6ST enzymes are described. The variants include GT80 sialyltransferases such as P. damselae Pd2,6ST. Methods for making de-sialylated products and screening sialidase activity are also described.

The present disclosure relates generally to methods and cells for the production of substituted phytocannabinoids or substituted phytocannabinoid precursors in host cells that produce the phytocannabinoid or the phytocannabinoid precursor. Methods are described which comprise transforming host cells with a sequence encoding an enzyme for derivatizing the phytocannabinoid or precursor with a substituent, such as O-methyl, glycosyl, or halogen. The transformed cells are cultured to produce substituted phytocannabinoids or substituted phytocannabinoid precursors.

The present invention belongs to the field of plant biotechnology engineering, and particularly relates to a method for improving flavonoid phenylpropanoid compounds in a Saussurea involucrata cell culture. In a medium used in the method, a phosphorus concentration is 0.5-3 mmol/L, a NO.sub.3.sup.− ion concentration is 20-35 mmol/L, a NH.sub.4.sup.+ ion concentration is 0-30 mmol/L, a Ca.sup.2+ ion concentration is 0.5-3 mmol/L, a Mg.sup.2+ ion concentration is 0.2-1.5 mmol/L, and a boron ion concentration is 0.02-0.1 mmol/L; an inducer or precursor or bypass metabolism inhibitor may be added to the medium. Finally, the content of total flavonoids and the contents of rutin, chlorogenic acid, syringin and 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid in the Saussurea involucrata cell culture are significantly improved.

The present invention belongs to the field of plant biotechnology engineering, and particularly relates to a method for improving flavonoid phenylpropanoid compounds in a Saussurea involucrata cell culture. In a medium used in the method, a phosphorus concentration is 0.5-3 mmol/L, a NO.sub.3.sup.− ion concentration is 20-35 mmol/L, a NH.sub.4.sup.+ ion concentration is 0-30 mmol/L, a Ca.sup.2+ ion concentration is 0.5-3 mmol/L, a Mg.sup.2+ ion concentration is 0.2-1.5 mmol/L, and a boron ion concentration is 0.02-0.1 mmol/L; an inducer or precursor or bypass metabolism inhibitor may be added to the medium. Finally, the content of total flavonoids and the contents of rutin, chlorogenic acid, syringin and 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid in the Saussurea involucrata cell culture are significantly improved.