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[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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.