Taxol: biosynthesis, molecular genetics, and biotechnological applications

Over the past decade, Taxol and its closely related structural analogue Tax otere have emerged as very important antitumor agents. Their widespread use in the treatment of a variety of cancer types, their likely approval for t he treatment of additional forms of cancer, and their use at earlier stages of intervention will lead to increased demand for these drugs in the futur e. Because of yield considerations, Taxol and Taxotere are currently derive d via semisynthesis from the advanced taxoid 10-deacetylbaccatin III, which must be isolated from yew (Taxus) trees. Thus, efforts are underway to pro duce Taxol (and other advanced taxoids for use in semisynthesis) by alterna te, biotechnological means. This article provides a current overview of res earch on taxoid biosynthesis and an assessment of bioengineering applicatio ns for taxoid production in yew cell culture.