The evolutionary advantage of artemisinin production by Artemisia annua

Qinggang Yin, Li Xiang, Xiaoyan Han, Yujun Zhang, Ruiqing Lyu, Ling Yuan, Shilin Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Artemisinin, a potent antimalarial compound, is predominantly derived from Artemisia annua. The uniqueness of artemisinin production in A. annua lies in its complex biochemical pathways and genetic composition, distinguishing it from other plant species, even within the Asteraceae family. In this review, we investigate the potential of A. annua for artemisinin production, drawing evidence from natural populations and mutants. Leveraging high-quality whole-genome sequence analyses, we offer insights into the evolution of artemisinin biosynthesis. We also highlight current understanding of the protective functions of artemisinin in A. annua in response to both biotic and abiotic stresses. In addition, we explore the mechanisms used by A. annua to mitigate the phytotoxicity generated by artemisinin catabolism.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)213-226
Number of pages14
JournalTrends in Plant Science
Volume30
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2025

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 Elsevier Ltd

Keywords

  • ADS
  • ROS
  • artemisinin biosynthesis
  • artemisinin metabolism
  • stress resistance

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Plant Science

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