Current Progress in Tropane Alkaloid Production by Transgenic and Heterologous Gene Expression Approaches

Abstract

The secondary metabolites of nightshade and coca plant families contain important compounds known as tropane alkaloids (TAs). TAs possess pharmaceutical properties and are used in the treatment of several neurological disorders such as cardiac arrhythmia, Parkinson’s disease, etc. These compounds are also used as bronchodilators and anesthetics, although their prolonged use has many side effects. Comparing the global consumption rate of the TAs to the production by the original plant source, their yield is too low. Thus, it is important to increase their production. Several TAs such as scopolamine, spermidine, and hyoscyamine have been subjected to the de novo manufacturing processes for their large-scale production. This chapter summarizes the scientific efforts used to scale up the production of TAs for medicinal purposes. Several strategies such as tissue culture, root culture, hairy root culture, and genetically modified microbe (bacteria and yeast)-mediated large-scale production have been described. However, the best strategies are expected to come in near future, which could fulfill the gap of requirement and the production rate of TAs along with their preserved bioactivity.