Comprehensive strategies for paclitaxel production: insights from plant cell culture, endophytic microorganisms, and synthetic biology

Abstract

Taxus L., an important ornamental, economic, and medicinal plant, is renowned for producing paclitaxel (Taxol®), a potent chemotherapeutic agent. The biosynthesis of paclitaxel involves intricate biosynthetic pathways, spanning multiple enzymatic steps. Despite advances, challenges remain in optimizing production methods. Microorganisms, particularly endophytic fungi, show potential in producing paclitaxel, though with limitations in yield and stability. The suspension culture of Taxus cells is a promising alternative, offering sustainable production, yet it requires further genetic and environmental optimization. Recent advancements in synthetic biology have enabled partial reconstitution of paclitaxel pathways in microbial and plant chassis. However, achieving complete biosynthesis remains an ongoing challenge. This review consolidates recent progress in paclitaxel biosynthesis, highlighting current limitations and future prospects for industrial-scale production.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Dr. Qing Li, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences， Shenzhen, China, for her guiding suggestions for this article. This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province China (2024JJ5178), the Forestry Science and Technology Innovation Foundation of Hunan Province for Distinguished Young Scholarship (XLKJ202205), the key project of the Hunan Provincial Education Department (22A0155), the Forest Bureau of Hunan Province (XLKY2024), and the Graduate Innovation Project of Hunan Province (2023XC108).

Author contributions

J.-Y.Y. and M.L. completed literature organization; J.-Y.Y. and Y.-L.L. drafted the manuscript; X.-Y.Y., X.-Y.X., and D.-D.S. participated in discussions and provided some valuable advice. All authors provided final approval for publication.

Data availability

Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analyzed in this study.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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