Biosynthetic System Of Camptothecin: An Anticancer Plant Product

Camptothecin is one of the clinically used anticancer compounds derived from plants. We have established a hairy root culture Ophiorrhiza pumila, which efficiently produces camptothecin. The strictosidine synthase cDNA was obtained from O. pumila. and its properties were characterized using recombinant protein expressed in Escherichia coli. The mechanisms of camptothecin transport and self-resistance of producing plant cells have also been investigated. These studies offer a basis for pathway engineering of camptothecin in the future.