Molecular basis for the structural diversity of sesquiterpenoids in the genus Artemisia

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Artemisia species are small herbs composing one of the largest and most widely distributed genera of the family Compositae. More than 250 species are known from the genus Artemisia and they produce various sesquiterpenoids. Sesquiterpenoids are a group of plant specialized (secondary) metabolites derived from a common precursor, farnesyl diphosphate (FDP) that consists of three C5 isoprene units. Sesquiterpenoids have been shown various pharmacological and/or biological activities. The most studied Artemisia species is Artemisia annua that produces artemisinin, a sesquiterpene lactone which provides the basis for effective treatments of malaria. Intriguingly, artemisinin is only produced by A. annua. Therefore it is important to reveal factors determining the artemisinin biosynthetic capability in Artemisia species.