Amorpha-4,11-diene

Amorpha-4,11-diene is a sesquiterpene that is a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of the antimalarial drug artemisinin. It is produced by the plant Artemisia annua, also known as sweet wormwood or annual mugwort.

Biosynthesis

The biosynthesis of amorpha-4,11-diene begins with the conversion of farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) into amorpha-4,11-diene by the enzyme amorpha-4,11-diene synthase. This reaction is a part of the mevalonate pathway, which is responsible for the production of many different types of terpenes and terpenoids.

Role in Artemisinin Production

Amorpha-4,11-diene is a precursor to artemisinic acid, which is then converted into dihydroartemisinic acid before finally being transformed into artemisinin. The conversion of amorpha-4,11-diene to artemisinic acid is catalyzed by a series of enzymes, including cytochrome P450 enzymes and a reductase.

Biotechnological Production

Due to the importance of artemisinin in the treatment of malaria, there has been significant interest in developing biotechnological methods for producing amorpha-4,11-diene. This has included the genetic modification of yeast and E. coli to produce the compound. These methods have the potential to provide a more sustainable and cost-effective source of artemisinin than traditional plant-based methods.

See Also

• Artemisinin
• Sesquiterpene
• Mevalonate pathway