Biosynthesis of cannabinoids

Abstract

The biosynthesis of cannabinoids was studied in cut sprouts of Cannabis sativa by incorporation experiments using mixtures of unlabeled glucose and [1‐ 13 C]glucose or [U‐ 13 C 6 ]glucose. 13 C‐labeling patterns of cannabichromenic acid and tetrahydrocannabinolic acid were analyzed by quantitative NMR spectroscopy. 13 C enrichments and coupling patterns show that the C 10 ‐terpenoid moiety is biosynthesized entirely or predominantly (> 98%) via the recently discovered deoxyxylulose phosphate pathway. The phenolic moiety is generated by a polyketide‐type reaction sequence. The data support geranyl diphosphate and the polyketide, olivetolic acid, as specific intermediates in the biosynthesis of cannabinoids.