Molecular biological control for high triterpenoid production in Glycyrrhiza plant.

甘草是从乌拉尔甘草中提取的地下物质，在世界范围内被广泛用作中草药。甘草的生物活性归功于甘草酸(一种三萜类化合物)。上调甘草酸在甘草中的产量是很重要的。在本研究中，我们阐明了甘草酸生物合成的基因调控，并开发了在培养细胞中生产甘草酸的基本技术。

Glycyrrhizae Radix, the underground material derived from Glycyrrhiza uralensis is extensively used as an herbal medicine in worldwide. Biological activities of licorice have been attributed to glycyrrhizin (a triterpenoid compound). It is important to up-regulate the production of glycyrrhizin in G. uralensis. In this study, we clarified the gene regulation of glycyrrhizin biosynthesis, and develop a basic technique for the producing glycyrrhizin in the cultured cells.