CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Number 62/554,494, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in the entirety and for all purposes.

SEQUENCE LISTING

[0001.1] The instant application contains a Sequence Listing which has been submitted electronically in ASCII format and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Said ASCII copy, created on October 17, 2018, is named NMD-003_PCT_SL.txt and is 109,691 bytes in size.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The glandular trichomes of the plant Cannabis sativa accumulate a variety of terpenophenolic chemical compounds (Cannabinoids). These plant derived natural products are capable of interacting directly to the cannabinoid receptors (CBl and CB2) found throughout the animal and human body. CB- 1 receptors are primarily found in the nervous system and CB-2 receptors are predominantly found in the immune system, or immune-derived cells.

[0003] Cannabinoids, and derivatives thereof, have several properties with therapeutic potential. Activation or blocking of CB-1 and/or CB-2 receptors with a cannabinoid can regulate downstream signalling and metabolic pathways and subsequently influence synaptic transmission, including transmission of pain and other sensory signals in the periphery, immune response, and inflammation. Thus, there is an interest in use of natural or synthetic cannabinoids for therapeutic purposes. However, low extraction yields, and high separation costs have rendered the use of naturally-derived cannabinoids uneconomical. Similarly, fully synthetic methods of cannabinoid production are hampered by the complexity of these compounds.

[0004] Heterologous systems for production of cannabinoids known in the art rely on eukaryotic host organisms for production and secretion of cannabinoid synthase enzymes, which are then used to produce a cannabinoid product in an in vitro enzyme-catalyzed reaction. For example, U.S. Patent Nos.

9,587,212; 9,512,391; 9,394,512; 9,526,715; 9,359,625 each describe methods and compositions and bioreactors for making cannabinoids using a recombinant Pichia pasloris that secretes THCA synthase or CBDA synthase. Unfortunately, however, this system requires additional means to generate a suitable substrate for the secreted enzyme. Thus, there is a long felt and unmet need to develop a cost-effective heterologous system for the production of cannabinoids in vivo.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Described herein are methods, compositions, and host cells for production of cannabinoids, and terpenoids.

[0006] In one aspect, the present invention provides an expression cassette comprising a heterologous promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding a bifunctional ispDF enzyme. In some embodiments, the expression cassette increases the flux through the MEP pathway in a host cell in which the expression cassette is present. The increased flux through the MEP pathway can increase the production of isoprenoid precursors suitable for increasing downstream production of geranyl phosphate (GPP), farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP), geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP), terpenoids, isoprene, lycopene, cannabinoid (e.g., CBGA), monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, and/or carotenoids. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the expression cassette optionally comprises components of a lycopene synthesis pathway (e.g., crtE, crtl, and/or crtB), an isoprene synthase, a GPP synthase (e.g., ispA or a plant derived GPP synthase), a monoterpene synthase, and/or a cannabinoid synthase.

[0007] In some embodiment, the bifunctional ispDF enzyme differs by at least one amino acid from the following ispDF enzymes: H. pylori HP1020, H. pylori J99 jhp0404, H. pylori HPAG1 HPAG1_0427, H. hepaticus HH1582, H. acinonychis st. Sheeba Hac l 124, W. succinogenes DSM 1740 WS1940, S.

denitriflcans DSM 1251 Suden_1487, C.jejuni subsp. jejuni NCTC 11168 Cjl607, C. jejuni RM1221 CJE1779, C.jejuni subsp. jejuni 81-176 CJJ81176 1594, and C. fetus subsp. fetus 82-40 CFF8240 0409. In some cases, the bifunctional ispDF enzyme is no more than 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 90%, or 95% identical to any one of the following ispDF enzymes: H. pylori HP1020, H. pylori J99 jhp0404, H. pylori HPAG1 HPAG1_0427, H. hepaticus HH1582, H. acinonychis st. Sheeba Hac_l 124, W. succinogenes DSM 1740 WS1940, S. denitriflcans DSM 1251 Suden_1487, C. jejuni subsp. jejuni NCTC 11168 Cj l607, C. jejuni RM1221 CJE1779, C.jejuni subsp. jejuni 81-176 CJJ81176 1594, and C. fetus subsp. fetus 82-40 CFF8240 0409. In some embodiments, the bifunctional ispDF enyme is no more than 35%, 34%, 33%, 32%, 31%, 30%, 29%, 28%, 27%, 26%, or 25% similar to CJ-ispDF using default BLAST 2.7.0 protein :protein alignment settings.

[0008] In some embodiments, the promoter operably linked to the nucleic acid encoding the bifunctional ispDF enzyme is an inducible promoter. In some embodiments, the promoter operably linked to the nucleic acid encoding the bifunctional ispDF enzyme is a constitutive promoter. In some embodiments, the bifunctional ispDF enzyme comprises an amino acid sequence at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 99% identical, or identical, to 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 275, or 300 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID No. 1, SEQ ID No. 2, or SEQ ID No. 3. In some embodiments, the bifunctional ispDF enzyme comprises an amino acid sequence at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 99% identical, or identical, to SEQ ID No. 1, SEQ ID No. 2, or SEQ ID No. 3.

[0009] In some embodiments, the nucleic acid encoding the bifunctional ispDF enzyme is codon optimized. In some embodiments, the expression cassette further comprises a nucleic acid encoding one or more, two or more, or all of the enzymes selected from the group consisting of dxs, idi, and ispE. In some embodiments, the expression cassette further comprises a nucleic acid encoding dxs and idi, and optionally a GPP synthase (e.g., ispA or a plant derived GPP synthase), a monoterpene synthase, and/or a cannabinoid synthase. In some embodiments, the expression cassette further comprises a nucleic acid encoding dxs, idi, and ispE, and optionally a GPP synthase (e.g., ispA or a plant derived GPP synthase), a monoterpene synthase, and/or a cannabinoid synthase. In some embodiments, the cannabinoid synthase is CBGA synthase, preferably Cannabis CBGA synthase. [0010] In some embodiments, the cannabinoid synthase is a truncated cannabinoid synthase selected from the group consisting of a THCA synthase, CBDA synthase, and CBCA synthase, wherein the truncation is a deletion of all or part of a signal peptide.

[0011] In one aspect, the present invention provides a plasmid comprising at least one, two, three, or more expression cassettes according to any of the expression cassette aspects, embodiments, cases, or examples described herein, or fragment(s) thereof. In another aspect, the present invention provides a plurality of plasmids comprising at least two, three, four, or more expression cassettes according to any one of the expression cassette aspects, embodiments, cases, or examples described herein, or fragment(s) thereof.

[0012] In some embodiments, the plasmid or plasmids comprise an expression cassette comprising a nucleic acid encoding an isoprene synthase (ispS). In some embodiments, the plasmid or plasmids comprise an expression cassette comprising a nucleic acid encoding a GPP synthase. In some embodiments, the GPP synthase is a GPP synthase derived from a eukaryote. In some embodiments, the GPP synthase is a plant-derived GPP synthase. In some embodiments, the GPP synthase is codon optimized, e.g., for expression in the host cell.

[0013] In some embodiments, the plasmid or plasmids comprise a nucleic acid encoding one or more components of a lycopene synthesis pathway (e.g., crtE, crtl, and/or crtB), a diterpene synthase, a sesquiterpene synthase, or a monoterpene synthase. In some embodiments, the plasmid or plasmids comprise a nucleic acid encoding carene synthase, myrcene synthase, or limonene synthase. In some embodiments, the plasmid or plasmids comprise a nucleic acid encoding a cannabinoid synthase.

[0014] In some cases, the cannabinoid synthase is selected from the group consisting of a CBGA synthase, THCA synthase, CBDA synthase, and CBCA synthase. In some embodiments, the cannabinoid synthase is selected from the group consisting of a Cannabis CBGA synthase, THCA synthase, CBDA synthase, and CBCA synthase. In some embodiments, the cannabinoid synthase is, e.g., Cannabis, CBGA synthase. In some embodiments, In some embodiments, the cannabinoid synthase is a truncated cannabinoid synthase selected from the group consisting of a THCA synthase, CBDA synthase, and CBCA synthase, wherein the truncation is a deletion of all or part of a signal peptide.

[0015] In one aspect, the present invention provides a host cell comprising any one or more of the expression cassette(s) described herein, and/or any one or more of the plasmid(s) described herein. In some embodiments, one or more, or all, of the one or more expression cassette(s) of the host cell are integrated into the genome of the host cell in one locus, or a plurality of loci.

[0016] In one aspect, the present invention provides a host cell comprising: a), an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding a bifunctional ispDF enzyme; and b.) an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding a terpenoid synthase. In some embodiments: i.) the cannabinoid synthase, the ispDF, or one or both of the promoters is heterologous to the host cell; ii.) the nucleic acid encoding the bifunctional ispDF enzyme is heterologous to the operably linked promoter; and/or iii.) the nucleic acid encoding the cannabinoid synthase is heterologous to the operably linked promoter. [0017] In some embodiments, the terpenoid synthase is an isoprene synthase. In some embodiments, the terpenoid synthase is a component of a lycopene synthase pathway (e.g., crtl, crtE, or crtB). In some embodiments, the host cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding a component of a lycopene synthesis pathway comprises one or more nucleic acid(s) encoding crtl, crtE, and crtB, wherein crtl, crtE, and crtB are in the same or different expression cassettes.

[0018] In some embodiments, the terpenoid synthase is a cannabinoid synthase. In some embodiments, the cannabinoid synthase is selected from the group consisting of CBGA synthase, THCA synthase, CBDA synthase, and CBCA synthase. In some embodiments, the cannabinoid synthase is selected from the group consisting of a Cannabis CBGA synthase, THCA synthase, CBDA synthase, and CBCA synthase. In some embodiments, the cannabinoid synthase is a Cannabis sativa cannabinoid synthase. In some embodiments, the host cell comprises a nucleic acid encoding CBGA synthase and a nucleic acid encoding another cannabinoid synthase selected from the group consisting of THCA synthase, CBDA synthase, and CBCA synthase, or a combination of one or more nucleic acids encoding two or all thereof.

[0019] In some embodiments, where the host cell comprises the expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding a cannabinoid synthase, the cannabinoid synthase is CBGA synthase. In some cases, the host cell comprising the CBGA synthase expression cassette further comprises a nucleic acid encoding a THCA synthase, CBDA synthase, and/or CBCA synthase each cannabinoid synthase independently operably linked to a promoter in the same or a different expression cassette.

[0020] In some embodiments, the cannabinoid synthase, or at least one encoded cannabinoid synthase, is a truncated cannabinoid synthase selected from the group consisting of a THCA synthase, CBDA synthase, and CBCA synthase, wherein the truncation is a deletion of all or part of a signal peptide. In some embodiments, the cannabinoid synthase comprises a deletion of all or part of a transmembrane or membrane-associated region, such that the cannabinoid synthase is not membrane-associated.

[0021] In some embodiments, the host cell comprises an expression cassette comprising a heterologous promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding a GPP synthase. In some embodiments, the expression cassette of a) or b) further comprises a nucleic acid encoding a GPP synthase. In some embodiments, the host cell does not comprise a heterologous nucleic acid encoding ispC, ispE, ispG, ispH, or a combination thereof, or all thereof. In some embodiments, the host cell does not comprise a heterologous nucleic acid encoding ispC, ispG, ispH, a combination thereof, or all thereof.

[0022] In some embodiments, the host cell is a prokaryote, such as a prokaryote of the genus

Escherichia, Panteoa, Bacillus, Corynebacterium, or Lactococcus. In some embodiments, the cell is Escherichia coli (E. coli), Panteoa citrea, C. glutamicum, Bacillus subtilis, or L. lactis.

[0023] In some embodiments, the expression cassette of a) and/or b) is integrated into the genome of the host cell. In some embodiments, the expression cassette of a) is integrated into the genome of the host cell and the expression cassette of b) is not integrated, or is integrated at a different locus in the genome of the host cell. In some embodiments, the expression cassette of b) is integrated into the genome of the host cell and the expression cassette of a) is not integrated, or is integrated at a different locus in the genome of the host cell. In some embodiments, the expression cassette of a) and the expression cassette of b) are integrated into the genome of the host cell at the same, or a different, locus.

[0024] In some embodiments, the expression cassette of a) and/or b) resides on a plasmid in the host cell. In some embodiments, the expression cassette of a) and the expression cassette of b) resides on a plasmid in the host cell. In some embodiments, the host cell comprises a plasmid comprising the expression cassette of a) and/or b). In some embodiments, the host cell comprises a plasmid comprising the expression cassette of a), and/or a plasmid comprising the expression cassette of b). In some embodiments, the expression cassette of a) and the expression cassette of b) are in the same plasmid. In some embodiments, the expression cassette of a) is in a different plasmid than the expression cassette of b).

[0025] In some embodiments, the expression cassette comprising the promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding a bifunctional ispDF enzyme also comprises the same promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding a cannabinoid synthase. In some cases, the cannabinoid synthase is CBGA synthase. In some embodiments, the host cell comprises a nucleic acid encoding a cannabinoid synthase (e.g., CBGA synthase) operably linked to a constitutive promoter. In some embodiments, the host cell comprises a nucleic acid encoding a cannabinoid synthase (e.g., CBGA synthase) operably linked to an inducible promoter.

[0026] In some embodiments, the promoter operably linked to the nucleic acid encoding the bifunctional ispDF enzyme is a constitutive promoter. In some embodiments, the promoter operably linked to the nucleic acid encoding the bifunctional ispDF enzyme is an inducible promoter. In some embodiments, where the host cell comprises two or more expression cassettes comprising different cannabinoid synthases, each expression cassette comprising a constitutive promoter operably linked to a cannabinoid synthase, each expression cassette comprising an inducible promoter operably linked to a cannabinoid synthase, or one or more expression cassette(s) comprising a constitutive promoter operably linked to a cannabinoid synthase and one expression cassette(s) comprising an inducible promoter operably linked to a cannabinoid synthase.

[0027] In some embodiments, where the host cell comprises two or more expression cassettes comprising different cannabinoid synthases, each expression cassette comprises an inducible promoter operably linked to a cannabinoid synthase. In some embodiments, where the host cell comprises two or more expression cassettes comprising different cannabinoid synthases, at least one expression cassette comprises an inducible promoter operably linked to a cannabinoid synthase. In some embodiments, where the host cell comprises two or more expression cassettes comprising different cannabinoid synthases, at least one expression cassette comprises a constitutive promoter operably linked to a cannabinoid synthase.

[0028] In some embodiments, the bifunctional ispDF enzyme comprises an amino acid sequence at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 99% identical, or identical, to 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 275, or 300 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID No. 1, SEQ ID No. 2, or SEQ ID No. 3. In some embodiments, the bifunctional ispDF enzyme comprises an amino acid sequence at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 99% identical, or identical, to SEQ ID No. 1, SEQ ID No. 2, or SEQ ID No. 3.

[0029] In some embodiment, the bifiinctional ispDF enzyme differs by at least one amino acid from the following ispDF enzymes: H. pylori HP1020, H. pylori J99 jhp0404, H. pylori HPAGl HPAG1_0427, H. hepaticus HH1582, H. acinonychis st. Sheeba Hac l 124, W. succinogenes DSM 1740 WS1940, S.

denitriflcans DSM 1251 Suden_1487, C.jejuni subsp. jejuni NCTC 11168 Cjl607, C. jejuni RM1221 CJE1779, C.jejuni subsp. jejuni 81-176 CJJ81176 1594, and C. fetus subsp. fetus 82-40 CFF8240 0409. In some cases, the bifiinctional ispDF enzyme is no more than 50%, 80%, 90%, or 95% identical to any one of the following ispDF enzymes: H. pylori HP1020, H. pylori J99 jhp0404, H. pylori HPAGl HPAG1 0427, H. hepaticus HH1582, H. acinonychis st. Sheeba Hac l 124, W. succinogenes DSM 1740 WS1940, S. denitriflcans DSM 1251 Suden_1487, C.jejuni subsp. jejuni NCTC 11168 Cjl607, C. jejuni RM1221 CJE1779, C.jejuni subsp. jejuni 81-176 CJJ81176 1594, and C. fetus subsp. fetus 82-40 CFF8240 0409.

[0030] In some embodiments, the host cell comprises or further comprises an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding one or more MEP pathway enzymes selected from the group consisting of dxs, ispC, ispD, ispE, ispF, ispG, ispH, and idi. In some cases, the expression cassette comprising the bifiinctional ispDF enzyme further comprises a nucleic acid encoding one or more MEP pathway enzymes selected from the group consisting of dxs, ispC, ispD, ispE, ispF, ispG, ispH, and idi. In some cases, the expression cassette comprising the bifiinctional ispDF enzyme further comprises a nucleic acid encoding dxs and idi. In some cases, the expression cassette comprising the bifiinctional ispDF enzyme further comprises a nucleic acid encoding ispE. In some cases, the expression cassette comprising the bifiinctional ispDF enzyme further comprises dxs, idi, and ispE. In some cases, the expression cassette comprising the bifiinctional ispDF enzyme does not comprise a nucleic sequence acid encoding one or more, or all, of ispC, ispE, ispF, ispG, or ispH. In some cases, the expression cassette comprising the bifiinctional ispDF enzyme does not comprise a nucleic sequence acid encoding one or more, or all, of ispC, ispF, ispG, or ispH.

[0031] In some cases, the host cell comprises a higher level of expression of one or more MEP pathway genes as compared to a control cell that does not comprise the expression cassette comprising the bifiinctional ispDF enzyme. In some cases, the host cell comprises a higher level of expression of dxs and idi as compared to a control cell that does not comprise the expression cassette comprising the bifiinctional ispDF enzyme. In some cases, the host cell exhibits higher flux through the MEP pathway as compared to a control cell that does not comprise at least one of the one or more expression cassette(s) and/or one or more plasmid(s) described herein.

[0032] In some embodiments, the host cell comprises an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding GPP synthase. In some cases, the expression cassette of a) further comprises the nucleic acid encoding GPP synthase. In some cases, the expression cassette of b) further comprises the nucleic acid encoding GPP synthase. In some cases, the expression cassette of a) and the expression cassette of b) are different expression cassettes. In some cases, the expression cassette of a) and the expression cassette of b) are the same expression cassette.

[0033] In some embodiments, the host cell further comprises olivetolic acid (OA). In some cases, the olivetolic acid is exogenous to the host cell. For example, the OA can be exogenously applied to a culture media in which the host cell is cultured.

[0034] In some embodiments, the host cell comprises an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding one or more glycosylation pathway genes, wherein: a) the glycosylation pathway genes are heterologous to the host cell; b) the promoter is heterologous to the host cell; c) the promoter is heterologous to one or more of the one or more glycosylation pathway genes; or d) the expression cassette is heterologous to the host cell. In some embodiments, the host cell comprises a deletion in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or all of the genes selected from the group consisting of ackA-pta, poxB, ldhA, did, adhE, pps, and atoDA.

[0035] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a host cell comprising an expression cassette comprising a heterologous promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding a bifunctional ispDF enzyme, wherein the bifunctional ispDF enzyme comprises an amino acid sequence at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 99% identical, or identical, to 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 275, or 300 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID No. 1, SEQ ID No. 2, or SEQ ID No. 3. In some embodiments, the bifunctional ispDF enzyme comprises an amino acid sequence at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 99% identical, or identical, to SEQ ID No. 1, SEQ ID No. 2, or SEQ ID No. 3.

[0036] In some embodiments, the host cell further comprises an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding one or more MEP pathway enzymes selected from the group consisting of dxs, ispC, ispD, ispE, ispF, ispG, ispH, and idi, wherein: a) the promoter is heterologous to the one or more MEP pathway enzymes; or b) the promoter or the one or more MEP pathway enzymes is heterologous to the host cell. In some embodiments, the host cell further comprises an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding dxs and idi. In some embodiments, the host cell further comprises an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding dxs, idi, and ispE.

[0037] In some embodiments, the host cell further comprises an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding an ispS enzyme. In some embodiments, the host cell further comprises an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding a GPP synthase enzyme. In some embodiments, the host cell comprises a deletion in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or all of the genes selected from the group consisting of ackA-pta, poxB, ldhA, did, adhE, pps, and atoDA. In some embodiments, the host cell further comprises a cannabinoid synthase.

[0038] In some embodiments, the host cell is a prokaryote, such as a prokaryote of the genus

Escherichia, Panteoa, Bacillus, Corynebacterium, or Lactococcus. In some embodiments, the cell is Escherichia coli (E. coli), Panteoa citrea, C. glutamicum, Bacillus subtilis, or L. lactis. [0039] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of obtaining a target metabolic product (e.g., a terpenoid or a cannabinoid), the method comprising culturing a host cell according to any one of the aspects, embodiments, cases, or examples described herein in a suitable culture medium under conditions suitable to induce expression in one or more host cell expression cassettes, and then harvesting the cultured cells or spent medium, thereby obtaining the target metabolic product. In some embodiments, the method comprises culturing a host cell according to any one of the aspects, embodiments, cases, or examples, described herein and the metabolic product is a cannabinoid. In some embodiments, the cannabinoid is THCA, CBDA, CBCA, CBN, THC, CBD, or CBC, or a mixture of one or more thereof.

[0040] In some embodiments, the method comprises culturing a host cell according to any one of the aspects, embodiments, cases, or examples described herein and the metabolic product is a terpenoid or is isoprene. In some embodiments, the method comprises harvesting and lysing the cultured cells, thereby producing cell lysate. In some embodiments, the method comprises purifying the target metabolic product from the cell lysate, thereby producing a purified target metabolic product. In some embodiments, the method comprises purifying the target metabolic product from the spent culture medium, thereby producing a purified target metabolic product.

[0041] In some embodiments, the purified target metabolic product is a cannabinoid and the method comprises formulating the cannabinoid in a pharmaceutical composition. In some embodiments, the purified target metabolic product is a cannabinoid and the method comprises forming a salt, prodrug, or solvate of the purified cannabinoid.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[0042] All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0043] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of cannabinoid synthesis in Cannabis Sativa.

[0044] Fig. 2 is an illustration of the mevalonate-independent (MEP) pathway for biosynthesis of isoprenoid precursors in E. coli. Substrates and products are illustrated at top as follows: G3P

(glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate), DOXP (1-Deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate), MEP (2-C-methylerythritol 4- phosphate), CDP-ME (4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methylerythritol), CDP-MEP (4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C- methyl-D-erythritol 2-phosphate), MECPP (2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 2,4-cyclodiphosphate), HMBPP ((E)-4-Hydroxy-3-methyl-but-2-enyl pyrophosphate), IPP (isopentenyl disphosphate), DMAPP

(dimethylallyl diphosphate), GPP (geranyl pyrophosphate). Corresponding enzymes are illustrated at bottom as follows: dxs (DOXP synthase), ispC (DOXP reductase), ispD (2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4- phosphate cytidylyltransferase), ispE (4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methyl-D-erythritol kinase), ispF (2-C- methyl-D-erythritol 2,4-cyclodiphosphate synthase), ispG (HMB-PP synthase), ispH (HMB-PP reductase), and idi (isopentenyl/dimethylallyl diphosphate isomerase).

[0045] Fig.3A-B is an illustration of two different expression cassettes for MEP pathway overexpression in a host cell.

[0046] Fig.4 illustrates an SDS-PAGE gel showing heterologous expression of dxs, ispD, idi, and ispF in a host cell.

[0047] Fig. 5 illustrates an expression cassette for heterologous expression of cannabigerolic acid synthase (CBGAS) in a host cell.

[0048] Fig. 6 illustrates an SDS PAGE gel showing expression and purification of a polyhistidine (6x- His)-tagged aromatic prenyltransferase ("6x-His" disclosed as SEQ ID NO: 43) in an E. coli host cell. Clarified cell lysate was loaded without purification, a: uninduced cell lysate; b-f: lysate of cells induced with 1 mM IPTG; c-f: Nickel-NTA column flow through fractions.

[0049] Fig. 7 is a chromatogram showing in vitro production of cannabigerolic acid (CBGA). The a line is a chromatogram for a CBGA standard at 0.062S ug/mL; b is a reaction mixture containing CBGAS-induced cell lysate, olivetolic acid (OA), and GPP, c is the same reaction mixture but without GPP.

[0050] Fig. 8 is a chromatogram showing in vivo production of cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) in E. coli. The a line is a chromatogram for a CBGA standard at 0.5 μg/mL; b is spent culture media from growth of CBGAS-expressing E. coli supplemented with OA and GPP, c is the same reaction mixture but without OA.

[0051] Fig. 9 is an illustration of an expression cassette for production of A(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid synthase (THCAS) in E. coli.

[0052] Fig. 10 is an illustration of an host cell containing a THCAS expression cassette and a chaperone co-expression cassette.

[0053] Fig. 11 is an illustration of an host cell containing a THCAS expression cassette and an expression cassette for a heterologous glycosylation system.

[0054] Fig. 12 is an illustration of a low copy-number CBGAS expression cassette.

[0055] Fig. 13 is an illustration of a host cell containing a mevalonate- independent pathway expression cassette and a GPP synthase (GPPS) and CBGAS expression cassette.

[0056] Fig. 14 shows a table of optimized inducer concentrations for the indicated expression constructs in E. coli.

[0057] Fig. 15 illustrates OD measurements of E. coli under different inducer concentrations. Strains B- D contain a GPPS CBGAS expression cassette pBAD33_GPPS_CBGAS. Strains F J contain both the pBAD33_GPPS_CBGAS expression cassette and MEP pathway expression cassette pTRC_RDE as illustrated in Fig. 13.

[0058] Fig. 16 shows results of an SDS PAGE analysis of cell lysates after expression of pBAD33_GPPS_CGGAS or co-expression of pBAD33_GPPS_CBGAS and pTRC_RDE. [0059] Fig. 17 illustrates the different protein concentrations in cell lysates from induced expression cultures with the indicated inducer concentrations. Strains A-D contain the plasmid

pBAD33 GPPS_CBGAS. Strains E-J contain plasmids pBAD33_GPPS_CBGAS and pTRC RDE.

[0060] Fig. 18 shows results of an SDS PAGE analysis of cell lysates after expression of ispDF in a strain containing a pTRC RDE* expression construct.

[0061] Fig. 19 illustrates a protein sequence alignment of a bifunctional ispDF enzyme identified from a metagenomics screening assay (ispDFl) (SEQ ID NO: 1) with native ispD and ispF (ispD-ispF) (SEQ ID NO: 42) and C. jejuni ispDF (CJ-ispDF) (SEQ ID NO: 41).

[0062] Fig. 20 illustrates pTRC_RDEE and pTRC_RDE*E expression constructs. pTRC_RDE*E contains the bifunctional ispDF enzyme in place of the ispD and ispF enzymes.

[0063] Fig. 21 illustrates an overview of constructs and strains tested for increased flux through the MEP pathway.

[0064] Fig. 22 illustrates constructs and data for isoprene production. Construct SA04 is identical to construct SA03, except that the nucleic acid encoding ispDF is codon optimized.

[0065] Fig. 23 illustrates lycopene production in four different strains of E. coli. SA01: pAC-LYC; SA02: pAC-LYC and pTRC-RDE; SA03: pAC-LYC and pTRC-RDEE; SA04: pAC-LYC and pTRCRDE*; and SA05: pAC-LYC and pTRC-RDE*E.

[0066] Fig. 24 illustrates production of lycopene.

[0067] Fig. 25 illustrates constructs and data for production of the monoterpene carene.

[0068] Fig. 26 illustrates peptide sequences of the bifunctional enzymes ispDFl, ispDF2, and ispDF3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0069] Described herein is a metabolic engineering strategy for increased production of terpenoids by altering the mevalonate-independent (MEP) pathway. The MEP, or terpenoid, pathway produces geranyl pyrophosphate (GPP), a product that can be used in a variety of downstream processes to produce commercially valuable terpenoids and other compounds.

[0070] Also described herein is a bifunctional enzyme ispDF that can catalyze both of the reactions performed by native E. coli ispD and ispF. The bifunctional enzyme can be used in a variety of in vitro or in vivo isoprene, terpenoid, or cannabinoid production systems. In some embodiments, a metabolic engineering strategy described herein, with or without ispDF can be used to increase the production of isoprene, GPP, or a downstream terpenoid in a heterologous host cell.

[0071] GPP is a substrate for the first enzyme of cannabinoid pathway, cannabigerolic acid synthase (CBGAS), an aromatic prenyltransferase enzyme (Fig. 1). CBGAS uses the substrates GPP and olivetolic acid (OA) to produce cannabigerolic acid (CBGA). In some cases, the CBGA can be used as a substrate for further in vitro or in vivo enzyme-catalyzed reactions, such as to produce Δ ⁹ - tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) via a reaction catalyzed by THCA synthase (THCAS) or cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) via a reaction catalyzed by CBDA synthase (CBDAS). Additional pathways for production of cannabinoids include, but are not limited, to those described in Thakur et al., Life Sciences, 78 (2005) 454-466. Thakur et al., is herein incorporated by reference in the entirety and for all purposes, including but not limited to, the enzymes, products, enzyme substrates, pathways and portions thereof, and synthetic schemes described therein.

[0072] In some embodiments, products of down-stream enzyme-catalyzed reactions involving the substrate CBGA, THCA, CBDA, CBCA, THCVA, CBCVA, CBDVA, and combinations thereof, can be decarboxylated in vitro or in vivo using chemical, enzymatic, or thermal means to produce various cannabinoids, for example as depicted in Fig. 1.

Definitions

[0073] The following abbreviations are used herein: "G3P" means glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate;

"DOXP" means 1-Deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate; "MEP" means 2-C-methylerythritol 4-phosphate; "CDP-ME" means 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methylerythritol; "CDP-MEP" means 4-diphosphocytidyl-2- C-methyl-D-erythritol 2-phosphate; "MECPP" means 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 2,4-cyclodiphosphate; "HMBPP" means (E)-4-Hydroxy-3-methyl-but-2-enyl pyrophosphate; "IPP" means isopentenyl disphosphate; "DMAPP" means dimethylallyl diphosphate; "GPP" means geranyl pyrophosphate.

[0074] "DXP pathway" and "MEP pathway" refer to the non-mevalonate pathway, also known as the mevalonate-independent pathway. The genes of the MEP pathway are dxs, ispC, ispD, ispE, ispF, ispG, ispH, and idi. In reference to DXP or MEP pathway genes or gene products, or a nucleic acid encoding same, the gene can be a native gene of a host cell in which the, e.g., heterologous nucleic acid resides, a codon optimized version thereof, a gene derived {e.g., codon optimized) from a different organism, or an orthologue thereof.

[0075] "dxs" refers to DOXP synthase; "ispC" refers to DOXP reductase; "ispD" refers to 2-C-methyl- D-erythritol 4-phosphate cytidylyltransferase; "ispE" refers to 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methyl-D- erythritol kinase; "ispF" refers to 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 2,4-cyclodiphosphate synthase; "ispG" refers to HMB-PP synthase; "ispH" refers to HMB-PP reductase; "idi" refers to isopentenyl/dimethylallyl diphosphate isomerase; "ispA" refers to farnesyl diphosphate synthase, also known as "GPP synthase," which can convert DMAPP + IPP to GPP and GPP + IPP to farnesyl pyrophosphate.

[0076] The term "ispDF" refers to a bifunctional single-chain enzyme having two different active sites and exhibiting ispD activity (EC 2.7.7.60) and ispF activity (EC 4.6.1.12). Typically, ispDF is a naturally occurring bifunctional enzyme or a derivative of a naturally occurring bifunctional enzyme having one or more modifications such as a deletion, insertion, or substitution of one or more amino acids. In some cases, the gene is plant-derived, or a Cannabis gene. In some cases, the gene is an E. coli gene, or an orthologue thereof.

[0077] "OA" refers to olivetolic acid; "CBGA" refers to cannabigerolic acid; "CBNA" refers to cannabinerolic acid; ; "cannabinol" or "CBN" refers to 6,6,9-trimethyl-3-pentylbenzo[c]chromen-l-ol; "CBGVA" refers to cannabigerivarinic acid; "THCA" refers to tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, including the Δ ⁹ isomer; "CBDV" refers to cannabidivarin; "CBC" refers to cannabichromene; "CBCA" refers to cannabichromenic acid; "CBCV" refers to cannabichromevarin; "CBG refers to cannabigerol; "CBGB" refers to cannabigerovarin; "CBE" refers to cannabielsoin; "CBL" refers to cannabicyclol; "CBV" refers to cannabivarin; "CBT" refers to cannabitriol; "THCV" refers to tetrahydrocannibivarin (THCV); "THC" refers to tetrahydrocannabinol, and " -THC" refers to -tetrahydrocannabinol; "CBDA" refers to cannabidiolic acid.

[0078] As used herein "increased flux through the MEP pathway" refers to an increased production of IPP and/or DMAPP. Typically, production of IPP and/or DMAPP is determined indirectly by detecting product formed by the action of a reporter enzyme that utilizes IPP and/or DMAPP as a reactant. For example, increased flux through the MEP pathway can be detected as increased isoprene production by using isoprene synthase (ispS) as a reporter. As another example, increased flux through the MEP pathway can be detected as increased GPP production by using GPP synthase as a reporter. In some cases, the GPP production is detected using a reporter enzyme. For example, increased GPP production can be detected by detecting increased lycopene production using a GPP synthase enzyme and a lycopene synthase reporter enzyme, thereby detecting increased flux through the MEP pathway. As another example, increased GPP production can be detected by detecting increased monoterpene (e.g., limonene, carene, myrcene) production using a GPP synthase enzyme and a monoterpene (e.g., limonene, carene, myrcene) synthase reporter enzyme, thereby detecting increased flux through the MEP pathway. As another example, increased GPP production can be detected by detecting increased cannabinoid (e.g., CBGA) production using a GPP synthase enzyme and a cannabinoid (e.g., CBGA) synthase reporter enzyme, thereby detecting increased flux through the MEP pathway. Typically, the increase is at least 10% as compared to a control strain lacking one or more heterologous expression cassettes in the test strain. In some cases, the increase is at least 2-fold as compared to a control strain lacking one or more heterologous expression cassettes in the test strain.

[0079] As used herein, the terms "cannabidiol," "CBD," or "cannabidiols" refer to one or more of the following compounds, and, unless a particular other stereoisomer or stereoisomers are specified, includes the compound "A ² -cannabidiol." These compounds are: (1) A ⁵ -cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methyl- 5-cyclohexen-l-yl)-5-pentyl-l,3-benzenediol); (2) A ⁴ -cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-4- cyclohexen-l-yl)-5-pentyl-l,3-benzenediol); (3) A ³ -cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-3- cyclohexen-l-yl)-5-pentyl-l,3-benzenediol); (4) A ³ ' ⁷ -cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3- methylenecyclohex- l-yl)-5-pentyl-l ,3-benzenediol); (5) A ² -cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-2- cyclohexen-l-yl)-5-pentyl-l,3-benzenediol); (6) A'-cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-l- cyclohexen-l-yl)-5-pentyl-l,3-benzenediol); and (7) A ⁶ -cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-6- cyclohexen-l-yl)-5-pentyl-l,3-benzenediol).

[0080] These compounds have one or more chiral centers and two or more stereoisomers as stated below: (1) (1) A ⁵ -cannabidiol has 2 chiral centers and 4 stereoisomers; (2) A ⁴ -cannabidiol has 3 chiral centers and 8 stereoisomers; (3) A ³ -cannabidiol has 2 chiral centers and 4 stereoisomers; (4) A ^{3 7} - cannabidiol has 2 chiral centers and 4 isomers; (5) -cannabidiol has 2 chiral centers and 4

stereoisomers; (6) -cannabidiol has 2 chiral centers and 4 stereoisomers; and (7) -cannabidiol has 1 chiral center and 2 stereoisomers. In a preferred embodiment, canabidiol is specifically -cannabidiol. Unless specifically stated, a reference to "cannabidiol," "CBD," or "cannabidiols" or to any of specific cannabidiol compounds (l)-(7) as referred to above includes all possible stereoisomers of all compounds included by the reference. In one embodiment, " -cannabidiol" can be a mixture of the -cannabidiol stereoisomers that are partially or entirely produced in a heterologous system.

[0081] The term "isoprenoid" or "terpenoid" refers to any compound comprising one or more five- carbon isoprene building blocks, including linear and cyclic terpenoids. As used herein, the term "terpene" is interchangeable with terpenoid and isoprenoid. When terpenes are modified chemically, such as by oxidation or rearrangement of the carbon chain, the resulting compounds are generally referred to as terpenoids, also called isoprenoids.

[0082] Terpenoids can be named according to the number of carbon atoms present, using groups of 5 and 10 carbons as a reference. For example a hemiterpenoid (C5) has one isoprene unit (a half- terpenoid); a monoterpenoid (CIO) has two isoprene units (one terpenoid); a sesquiterpenoid (C15) has three isoprene units (1.5 terpenoids); and a diterpenoid (C20) has four isoprene units (or two terpenoids). Typically, a monoterpenoid is produced in nature from the CIO terpenoid precursor geranyl

pyrophosphate (GPP). Similarly, a "cyclic monoterpene" refers to a cyclic or aromatic terpenoid (i.e., comprising a ring structure). It is made from two isoprene building blocks, typically from GPP. Linear monoterpenes include but are not limited to geraniol, linalool, ocimene, and myrcene. Cyclic monoterpenes (monocyclic, bicyclic and tricyclic) include, but are not limited to, limonene, pinene, carene, terpineol, terpinolene, phellandrene, thujene, tricyclene, borneol, sabinene, and camphene.

[0083] A "terpenoid synthase" refers to an enzyme capable of catalyzing the conversion of one terpenoid or terpenoid precursor to another terpenoid or terpenoid precursor. For example, a GPP synthase is an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of GPP, e.g. from the terpenoid precursors IPP and DMAPP. Similarly, an FPP synthase is an enzyme that catalyzes the production of FPP, e.g. from GPP and IPP. Terpene synthases are enzymes that catalyze the conversion of a prenyl diphosphate (such as GPP) into an isoprenoid or an isoprenoid precursor. The term includes both linear and cyclic terpene synthases.

[0084] A "cyclic terpenoid synthase" refers to an enzyme capable of catalyzing a reaction that modifies a terpenoid or terpenoid precursor to provide a ring structure. For example, a cyclic monoterpenoid synthase refers to an enzyme capable of using a linear monoterpene as a substrate to produce a cyclic or aromatic (ring-containing) monoterpenoid compound. One example would be sabinene synthase, which is capable of catalyzing the formation of the cyclic monoterpene sabinene from the linear monoterpene precursor GPP. As used herein, the term "terpene synthase" is interchangeable with terpenoid synthase.

[0085] A prenyl transferase or isoprenyl transferase enzyme, also called a prenyl or isoprenyl synthase is an enzyme capable of catalyzing the production of a pyrophosphate precursor of a terpenoid or isoprenoid compound. An exemplary prenyl transferase or isoprenyl transferase enzyme is ispA, which is capable of catalyzing the formation of geranyl diphosphate (GPP) or farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) in the presence of a suitable substrate.

[0086] A "cannabinoid synthase" refers to an enzyme that catalyzes one or more of the following activities: cyclization of CBGA to THCA, CBDA, or CBCA; cyclization of CBGVA to THCVA, CBCVA, CBDVA, prenylation of olivetolic acid to form CBGA, and combinations thereof. Exemplary cannabinoid synthases include, but are not limited to those found naturally occurring in a plant of the genus Cannabis, such as THCA synthase, CBDA synthase, and CBCA synthase of Cannabis sativa.

[0087] Exemplary isoprenoid, terpenoid, cannabinoid, and MEP pathway polypeptides and nucleic acids include those described in the KEGG database. The KEGG database contains the amino acid and nucleic acid sequences of numerous exemplary isoprenoid, terpenoid, cannabinoid, and MEP pathway polypeptides and nucleic acids (see, for example, the world-wide web at

"genome.jp/kegg/pathway/map/map00100.html" and the sequences therein, which are each hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties, particularly with respect to the amino acid and nucleic acid sequences of isoprenoid, terpenoid, cannabinoid, and MEP pathway polypeptides and nucleic acids). Polypeptides described herein that contain a signal peptide, and nucleic acids that encode them, are understood to further describe a truncated version in which a signal peptide is removed or otherwise absent.

[0088] As used herein, the term "heterologous" refers to any two components that are not naturally found together. For example, a nucleic acid encoding a gene that is heterologous to an operably linked promoter is a nucleic acid having expression that is not controlled in its natural state (e.g. , within a non- genetically modified cell) by the promoter to which it is operably linked in a particular genome. As provided herein, all genes operably linked to non- naturally occurring promoters are considered

"heterologous." Similarly, a gene that is "heterologous" to a host cell is a gene that is not found in a non- genetically modified cell of a particular organism or that is found in a different genomic or non-genomic {e.g., plasmid) location, or operably linked to a different promoter in the non-genetically modified cell. Additionally, a promoter that is "heterologous" to a host cell is a promoter that is not found in a non- genetically modified cell of a particular organism or that is found in a different genomic or non-genomic {e.g., plasmid) location, or operably linked to a different nucleic acid in the non-genetically modified cell.

[0089] As used herein, an "expression cassette" refers to the polynucleotide sequences comprising a promoter polynucleotide operably linked to at least one target gene, wherein the promoter is heterologous to at least one operably -linked gene, the promoter is heterologous to a host cell in which it resides, or at least one operably -linked gene is heterologous to the host cell, or a combination thereof.

[0090] "Salt" refers to acid or base salts of the compounds used in the methods of the present invention. Illustrative examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts are mineral acid (hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acid, and the like) salts, organic acid (acetic acid, propionic acid, glutamic acid, citric acid and the like) salts, quaternary ammonium (methyl iodide, ethyl iodide, and the like) salts. It is understood that the pharmaceutically acceptable salts are non-toxic. Additional information on suitable pharmaceutically acceptable salts can be found in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 17th ed., Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa., 1985, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0091] As used herein, the term "solvate" means a compound formed by solvation (the combination of solvent molecules with molecules or ions of the solute), or an aggregate that consists of a solute ion or molecule, i.e., a compound of the invention, with one or more solvent molecules. When water is the solvent, the corresponding solvate is "hydrate." Examples of hydrate include, but are not limited to, hemihydrate, monohydrate, dihydrate, trihydrate, hexahydrate, and other water-containing species. It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, and/or prodrug of a compound may also exist in a solvate form. The solvate is typically formed via hydration which is either part of the preparation of a compound or through natural absorption of moisture by an anhydrous compound of the present invention. In general, all physical forms are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.

[0092] Thus, when a therapeutically active agent made in a method according to the present invention or included in a composition according to the present invention, such as, but not limited to, a cannabinoid or a terpenoid, possesses a sufficiently acidic, a sufficiently basic, or both a sufficiently acidic and a sufficiently basic functional group, these group or groups can accordingly react with any of a number of inorganic or organic bases, and inorganic and organic acids, to form a pharmaceutically acceptable salt. Exemplary pharmaceutically acceptable salts include those salts prepared by reaction of the

pharmacologically active compound with a mineral or organic acid or an inorganic base, such as salts including sulfates, pyrosulfates, bisulfates, sulfites, bisulfites, phosphates, monohydrogenphosphates, dihydrogenphosphates, metaphosphates, pyrophosphates, chlorides, bromides, iodides, acetates, propionates, decanoates, caprylates, acrylates, isobutyrates, caproates, heptanoates, propiolates, oxalates, malonates, succinates, suberates, sebacates, fumarates, maleates, butyne-l,4-dioates, hexyne-l,6-dioates, benzoates, chlorobenzoates, methylbenzoates, dinitrobenzoates, hydroxybenzoates, methoxybenzoates, phthalates, sulfonates, xylenesulfonates, phenylacetates, phenylpropionates, phenylbutyrates, citrates, lactates, β-hydroxybutyrates, glycolates, tartrates, methane-sulfonates, propanesulfonates, naphthalene- 1- sulfonates, naphthalene-2-sulfonates, and mandelates. If the pharmacologically active compound has one or more basic functional groups, the desired pharmaceutically acceptable salt may be prepared by any suitable method available in the art, for example, treatment of the free base with an inorganic acid, such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid and the like, or with an organic acid, such as acetic acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, mandelic acid, fumaric acid, malonic acid, pyruvic acid, oxalic acid, gly colic acid, salicylic acid, a pyranosidyl acid, such as glucuronic acid or galacturonic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid, such as citric acid or tartaric acid, an amino acid, such as aspartic acid or glutamic acid, an aromatic acid, such as benzoic acid or cinnamic acid, a sulfonic acid, such as />-toluenesulfonic acid or ethanesulfonic acid, or the like. If the pharmacologically active compound has one or more acidic functional groups, the desired pharmaceutically acceptable salt may be prepared by any suitable method available in the art, for example, treatment of the free acid with an inorganic or organic base, such as an amine (primary, secondary or tertiary), an alkali metal hydroxide or alkaline earth metal hydroxide, or the like. Illustrative examples of suitable salts include organic salts derived from amino acids, such as glycine and arginine, ammonia, primary, secondary, and tertiary amines, and cyclic amines, such as piperidine, morpholine and piperazine, and inorganic salts derived from sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese, iron, copper, zinc, aluminum and lithium.

[0093] "Composition" as used herein is intended to encompass a product comprising the specified ingredients in the specified amounts, as well as any product that results from combination of the specified ingredients in the specified amounts. By "pharmaceutically acceptable" it is meant the carrier, diluent or excipient must be compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and not deleterious to the recipient thereof.

[0094] "Pharmaceutically acceptable excipient" refers to a substance that aids the administration of an active agent to and absorption by a subject. Pharmaceutical excipients useful in the present invention include, but are not limited to, binders, fillers, disintegrants, lubricants, coatings, sweeteners, flavors and colors. One of skill in the art will recognize that other pharmaceutical excipients are useful in the present invention.

[0095] In some cases, protecting groups can be included in compounds used in methods according to the present invention or in compositions according to the present invention. The use of such a protecting group is to prevent subsequent hydrolysis or other reactions that can occur in vivo and can degrade the compound. Groups that can be protected include alcohols, amines, carbonyls, carboxylic acids, phosphates, and terminal alkynes. Protecting groups useful for protecting alcohols include, but are not limited to, acetyl, benzoyl, benzyl, β-methoxyethoxy ethyl ether, dimethoxytrityl, methoxymethyl ether, methoxytrityl, >-methoxy benzyl ether, methylthiomethyl ether, pivaloyl, tetrahydropyranyl, tetrahydrofuran, trityl, silyl ether, methyl ether, and ethoxyethyl ether. Protecting groups useful for protecting amines include carbobenzyloxy,/>-methoxybenzylcarbonyl, i-butyloxycarbonyl, 9- fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl, acetyl, benzoyl, benzyl, carbamate, />-methoxy benzyl, 3,4- dimethoxybenzyl,/>-methoxyphenyl, tosyl, trichloroethyl chloroformate, and sulfonamide. Protecting groups useful for protecting carbonyls include acetals, ketals, acylals, and dithianes. Protecting groups useful for protecting carboxylic acids include methyl esters, benzyl esters, i-butyl esters, esters of 2,6- disubstituted phenols, silyl esters, orthoesters, and oxazoline. Protecting groups useful for protecting phosphate groups include 2-cyanoethyl and methyl. Protecting groups useful for protecting terminal alkynes include propargyl alcohols and silyl groups. Other protecting groups are known in the art.

[0096] As used herein, the term "prodrug" refers to a precursor compound that, following

administration, releases the biologically active compound in vivo via some chemical or physiological process {e.g., a prodrug on reaching physiological pH or through enzyme action is converted to the biologically active compound). A prodrug itself may either lack or possess the desired biological activity. Thus, the term "prodrug" refers to a precursor of a biologically active compound that is pharmaceutically acceptable, n certain cases, a prodrug has improved physical and/or delivery properties over a parent compound from which the prodrug has been derived. The prodrug often offers advantages of solubility, tissue compatibility, or delayed release in a mammalian organism (H. Bundgard, Design of Prodrugs (Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1988), pp. 7-9, 21-24). A discussion of prodrugs is provided in T. Higuchi et al., "Pro-Drugs as Novel Delivery Systems," ACS Symposium Series. Vol. 14 and in E.B. Roche, ed., Bioreversible Carriers in Drug Design (American Pharmaceutical Association & Pergamon Press, 1987). Exemplary advantages of a prodrug can include, but are not limited to, its physical properties, such as enhanced drug stability for long-term storage.

[0097] The term "prodrug" is also meant to include any covalently bonded carriers which release the active compound in vivo when the prodrug is administered to a subject. Prodrugs of a therapeutically active compound, as described herein, can be prepared by modifying one or more functional groups present in the therapeutically active compound, including cannabinoids, terpenoids, and other therapeutically active compounds used in methods according to the present invention or included in compositions according to the present invention, in such a way that the modifications are cleaved, either in routine manipulation or in vivo, to yield the parent therapeutically active compound. Prodrugs include compounds wherein a hydroxy, amino, or mercapto group is covalently bonded to any group that, when the prodrug of the active compound is administered to a subject, cleaves to form a free hydroxy, free amino, or free mercapto group, respectively. Examples of prodrugs include, but are not limited to, formate or benzoate derivatives of an alcohol or acetamide, formamide or benzamide derivatives of a therapeutically active agent possessing an amine functional group available for reaction, and the like.

[0098] For example, if a therapeutically active agent or a pharmaceutically acceptable form of a therapeutically active agent contains a carboxylic acid functional group, a prodrug can comprise an ester formed by the replacement of the hydrogen atom of the carboxylic acid group with a group such as Ci-8 alkyl, C2-12 alkanoyloxymethyl, l-(alkanoyloxy)ethyl having from 4 to 9 carbon atoms, 1-methyl-l- (alkanoyloxy)ethyl having from 5 to 10 carbon atoms, alkoxycarbonyloxymethyl having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, l-(alkoxycarbonyloxy)ethyl having from 4 to 7 carbon atoms, 1-methyl-l- (alkoxycarbonyloxy)ethyl having from 5 to 8 carbon atoms, N-(alkoxycarbonyl)aminomethyl having from 3 to 9 carbon atoms, l-(N-(alkoxycarbonyl)amino)ethyl having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms, 3- phthalidyl, 4-crotonolactonyl, gamma-butyrolacton-4-yl, di-N,N(Ci-C2)alkylamino(C2-C3)alkyl (such as (3-dimethylaminoethyl), carbamoyl-(Ci-C2)alkyl, N,N-di (Ci-C2)alkylcarbamoyl-(Ci-C2)alkyl and piperidino-, pyrrolidino-, or morpholino(C2-C3)alkyl.

[0099] Similarly, if a disclosed compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable form of the compound contains an alcohol functional group, a prodrug can be formed by the replacement of the hydrogen atom of the alcohol group with a group such as (Ci-C6)alkanoyloxymethyl, 1 -((Ci-Ce))alkanoyloxy)ethyl, 1- methy 1- 1 -((Ci-Ce)alkanoy loxy)ethy 1 (C i-Ce)alkoxy carbony loxymethy 1, N(Ci-

C6)alkoxycarbonylaminomethyl, succinoyl, (Ci-Ce)alkanoyl, a-amino(Ci-C4)alkanoyl, arylacyl and oc- aminoacyl, or α-aminoacyl-a-aminoacyl, where each a-aminoacyl group is independently selected from the naturally occurring L-amino acids, P(0)(OH)2, P(0)(0(Ci-C6)alkyl)2 or glycosyl (the radical resulting from the removal of a hydroxyl group of the hemiacetal form of a carbohydrate).

[00100] If a disclosed compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable form of the compound incorporates an amine functional group, a prodrug can be formed by the replacement of a hydrogen atom in the amine group with a group such as R-carbonyl, RO-carbonyl, NRR'-carbonyl where R and R' are each independently (Ci-Cio)alkyl, (C3-Cv)cycloalkyl, benzyl, or R-carbonyl is a natural a-aminoacyl or natural a-aminoacyl-natural α-aminoacyl, C(OH)C(0)OY ¹ wherein Y ¹ is H, (Ci-C ₆ )alkyl or benzyl, C(OY ² )Y ³ wherein Y ² is (C1-C4) alkyl and Y ³ is (Ci-C6)alkyl, carboxy(Ci-Ce)alkyl, amino(Ci-C4)alkyl or mono-N or di-N,N(Ci-C ₆ )alkylaminoalkyl,C(Y ⁴ )Y ⁵ wherein Y ⁴ is H or methyl and Y ⁵ is mono-N or di-N,N(Ci- C6)alkylamino, morpholino, piperidin-l-yl or pyrrolidin-l-yl.

[00101] The use of prodrug systems is described in T. Jarvinen et al., "Design and Pharmaceutical Applications of Prodrugs" in Drug Discovery Handbook (S.C. Gad, ed., Wiley -Interscience, Hoboken, NJ, 2005), ch. 17, pp. 733-796. Other alternatives for prodrug construction and use are known in the art. When a method or pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention, uses or includes a prodrug of a cannabinoid, terpenoid, or other therapeutically active agent, prodrugs and active metabolites of a compound may be identified using routine techniques known in the art. See, e.g., Bertolini et al., J. Med. Chem., 40, 2011-2016 (1997); Shan et al., J. Pharm. Sci., 86 (7), 765-767;

Bagshawe, Drug Dev. Res., 34, 220-230 (1995); Bodor, Advances in Drug Res., 13, 224-331 (1984); Bundgaard, Design of Prodrugs (Elsevier Press 1985); Larsen, Design and Application of Prodrugs, Drug Design and Development (Krogsgaard-Larsen et al., eds., Harwood Academic Publishers, 1991); Dear et al., J. Chromatogr. B, 748, 281-293 (2000); Spraul et al., J. Pharmaceutical & Biomedical Analysis, 10, 601-605 (1992); and Prox et al., Xenobiol., 3, 103-112 (1992).

Cannabinoids

[00102] Cannabinoids are a group of chemicals known to activate cannabinoid receptors in cells throughout the human body, including the skin. Phytocannabinoids are the cannabinoids derived from cannabis plants. They can be isolated from plants or produced synthetically. Endocannabinoids are endogenous cannabinoids found in the human body. Canonical phytocannabinoids are ABC tricyclic terpenoid compounds bearing a benzopyran moiety.

[00103] Cannabinoids exert their effects by interacting with cannabinoid receptors present on the surface of cells. To date, two types of cannabinoid receptor have been identified, the CB1 receptor and the CB2 receptor. These two receptors share about 48% amino acid sequence identity, and are distributed in different tissues and also have different signaling mechanisms. They also differ in their sensitivity to agonists and antagonists.

[00104] Accordingly, in vitro and in vivo methods are described herein for screening for and identifying genes, promoters, and expression cassettes for in vivo production of cannabinoids.

[00105] Typically, the methods and compositions described herein can be used for production, or increased production of one or more terpenoids, such as cannabinoids in a host cell, or production of one or more terpenoid or cannabinoid precursors in a host cell. In some cases, the terpenoids or cannabinoids or precursors thereof, can be purified, derivatized {e.g., to form a prodrug, solvate, or salt, or to form the target terpenoid or cannabinoid from the precursor), and/or formulated in a pharmaceutical composition. [00106] The cannabinoids that can be produced according to the methods and/or using the compositions of the present invention include but are not limited to phytocannabinoids. In some cases the cannabinoids include but are not limited to, cannabinol, cannabidiols, A ⁹ -tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ ⁹ - THC), the synthetic cannabinoid HU-210 (6a#,10aR)-9-(hydroxymethyl)-6,6-dimethyl-3-(2- methyloctan-2-yl)-6//,6a//,7//, 1 OH, 10a//-benzo[c]isochromen- l-ol), cannabidivarin (CBDV), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabichromevarin (CBCV), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabigerovarin (CBGV), cannabielsoin (CBE),cannabicyclol (CBL),cannabivarin (CBV), and cannabitriol (CBT). Still other cannabinoids include, including tetrahydrocannibivarin (THCV) and cannabigerol monomethyl ether (CBGM). Additional cannabinoids include cannabichromenic acid (CBCA), A ⁹ -tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA); and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA); these additional cannabinoids are characterized by the presence of a carboxylic acid group in their structure.

[00107] Still other cannabinoids include nabilone, rimonabant, JWH-018 (naphthalen-l-yl-(l- pentylindol-3-yl)methanone), JWH-073 naphthalen-l-yl-(l-butylindol-3-yl)methanone, CP-55940 (2- [(lR,2R,5R)-5-hydroxy-2-(3-hydroxypropyl) cyclohexyl]-5-(2-methyloctan-2-yl)phenol),

dimethylheptylpyran, HU-331 (3-hydroxy-2-[(lR)-6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-cyclohex-2-en-l-yl ]-5-pentyl- 1,4-benzoquinone), SR144528 (5-(4-chloro-3-methylphenyl)-l-[(4-methylphenyl)methyl]-N-[( lS,2S,4R)- 1 ,3,3-trimethylbicyclo[2.2. l]heptan-2-yl]-li7-pyrazole-3-carboxamide), WIN 55,212-2 (( 1 lR)-2-methyl- l l-[(moφholin-4-yl)methyl]-3-(naphthalene-l-carbonyl)-9-oxa- l-azatricyclo[6.3.1.0 ⁴ , ¹² ]dodeca- 2,4(12),5,7-tetraene), JWH-133 ((6aR,10aR)-3-(l,l-dimethylbutyl)-6a,7,10,10a-tetrahydro-6,6 ,9- trimethyl-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran), levonatradol, and AM-2201 (l-[(5-fluoropentyl)-l /-indol-3-yl]- (naphthalen-l-yl)methanone). Other cannabinoids include A ⁸ -tetrahydrocannabinol (A ⁸ -THC), 11- hydroxy ^-tetrahydrocannabinol, Δ ¹ '-tetrahydrocannabinol, and 11-hydroxy-tetracannabinol.

[00108] In another alternative, analogs or derivatives of these cannabinoids can be obtained by production of cannabinoid precursors and further derivatization, e.g., by synthetic means. Synthetic cannabinoids include, but are not limited to, those described in United States Patent No. 9,394,267 to Attala et al.; United States Patent No. 9,376,367 to Herkenroth et al.; United States Patent No. 9,284,303 to Gijsen et al.; United States Patent No. 9,173,867 to Travis; United States Patent No. 9,133,128 to Fulp et al.; United States Patent No. 8,778,950 to Jones et al.; United States Patent No. 7,700,634 to Adam- Worrall et al.; United States Patent No. 7,504,522 to Davidson et al.; United States Patent No. 7,294,645 to Barth et al.; United States Patent No. 7,109,216 to Kruse et al.; United States Patent No. 6,825,209 to Thomas et al.; and United States Patent No. 6,284,788 to Mittendorf et al.

[00109] In another alternative, the cannabinoid can be an endocannabinoid or a derivative or analog thereof. Endocannabinoids include but are not limited to anandamide, 2-arachidonoylglycerol, 2- arachidonyl glyceryl ether, N-arachidonoyl dopamine, and virodhamine. A number of analogs of endocannabinoids are known, including 7,10,13,16-docosatetraenoylethanolamide, oleamide, stearoylethanolamide, and homo-Y-linolenoylethanolamine, are also known.

[00110] Cannabinoids produced in methods and compositions according to the present invention can be either selective for the CB2 cannabinoid receptor or non-selective for the two cannabinoid receptors, binding to either the CB1 cannabinoid receptor or the CB2 cannabinoid receptor. In some cases, cannabinoids produced in methods and compositions according to the present invention are selective for the CB2 cannabinoid receptor. In some cases, the cannabinoids, or one of the cannabinoids in a mixture of cannabinoids is an antagonist (e.g., selective or non-selective antagonist) of CB2. In some cases, cannabinoids produced in methods and compositions according to the present invention are selective for the CB2 cannabinoid receptor. In some cases, the cannabinoids, or one of the cannabinoids in a mixture of cannabinoids is an antagonist (e.g., selective or non-selective antagonist) of CB1.

Expression Cassettes

[00111] Described herein are expression cassettes suitable for expressing one or more target genes in a host cell. The expression cassettes described herein can be a component of a plasmid or integrated into a host cell genome. A single plasmid can contain one or more expression cassettes described herein. As used herein, where two or more expression cassettes are described, it is understood that alternatively at least two of the two or more expression cassettes can be combined to reduce the number of expression cassettes. Similarly, where multiple target genes are described as operably linked to a single promoter and thus described as components of a single expression cassette, it is understood that the single expression cassette can be sub-divided into two or more expression cassettes containing overlapping or non-overlapping subsets of the single described expression cassette.

[00112] An expression cassette described herein can contain a suitable promoter as known in the art. In some cases, the promoter is a constitutive promoter. In other cases, the promoter is an inducible promoter. In preferred embodiments, the promoter is a T5 promoter, a T7 promoter, a Trc promoter, a Lac promoter, a Tac promoter, a Trp promoter, a tip promoter, a λΡι, promoter, a PR promoter, a PRPL promoter, an arabinose promoter (araBAD), and the like. In some embodiments, the promoter is selected from the group consisting of the E. coli promoters described in Zaslaver et ah, Nat Methods. 2006 Aug;3(8):623-8, which is hereby incorporated by reference in the entirety, particularly with respect to promoters, expression cassettes, including plasmids, for the expression of nucleic acids of interest, target genes, host cells, and combinations thereof described therein. Promoters, which are useful to drive expression of one or more target genes in various host cells are numerous and familiar to those skilled in the art (see, for example, WO 2004/033646; U.S. 8,507,235; U.S. 8,715,962; and WO 2011/017798, and references cited therein, which are each hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties, particularly with respect to promoters, expression cassettes, including plasmids, for the expression of nucleic acids of interest, target genes, host cells, and combinations thereof described therein.

[00113] Methods and compositions described herein can be used for expression of one or more genes of the MEP pathway, and/or production of one or more products of the MEP pathway in a suitable host cell. In some embodiments, MEP pathway flux is increased by overexpression of one or more endogenous components of the host cell by amplification of gene copy number and/or operably linking an endogenous gene (or copy thereof) to a strong constitutive or inducible heterologous promoter.

Accordingly, in one embodiment, an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding one or more genes of the MEP pathway is provided. In E. coli, endogenous MEP pathway genes are dxs, ispC, ispD, ispE, ispF, ispG, ispH, and idi.

[00114] In some cases, the promoter of the expression cassette is operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding two or more genes of the MEP pathway. In some cases, the promoter of the expression cassette is operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding three or more genes of the MEP pathway. In some cases, the promoter of the expression cassette is operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding four, five, six, or all eight genes of the MEP pathway. In some cases, the genes of the MEP pathway provided in the expression cassette are E. coli genes. In other cases, one or more of the genes of the MEP pathway provided in the expression cassette are genes that are heterologous to wild-type E. coli. In some cases, one or more genes of the MEP pathway are provided in a first expression cassette and one or more genes of the MEP pathway are provided in a second expression cassette. In a preferred embodiment, an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to dxs and idi is provided.

[00115] In some cases, an expression cassette is provided that comprises a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding one or more genes of the MEP pathway and further encoding a GPP synthase, a cannabinoid synthase, or an isoprene synthase. In some cases, an expression cassette is provided that comprises a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding one or more genes of the MEP pathway and further encoding THCA synthase. In some cases, an expression cassette is provided that comprises a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding one or more genes of the MEP pathway and further encoding CBGA synthase. In some cases, an expression cassette is provided that comprises a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding one or more genes of the MEP pathway and further encoding CBCA synthase. In some cases, an expression cassette is provided that comprises a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding one or more genes of the MEP pathway and further encoding CBDA synthase.

[00116] In some embodiments, an expression cassette containing a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding a bifunctional ispDF enzyme is provided. The ispDF gene can be used in addition to, or as an alternative to, overexpression of native ispD and/or ispF in the host cell. In some cases, the nucleic acid encodes an ispDF protein having the following amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO. 1):

MIALQRSLSMHVTAIIAAAGEGRRLGAPLPKQLLDIGGRSILERSVMAFARHERIDD VIWLPPAL

AAAPPDWIAASGRVPAVHWSGGERRQDSVANAFDRVPAQSDWLVHDAARPFVTAELI SRAI

DGAMQHGAAIVAVPVRDTVKRVDPDGEHPVITGTIPRDTIYLAQTPQAFRRDVLGAA VALGRSG

VSATDEAMLAEQAGHRVHWEGDPANVKITTSADLDQARQRLRSAVAARIGTGYDLHR LIEGR

PLIIGGVAVPCDKGALGHSDADVACHAVIDALLGAAGAGNVGQHYPDTDPRWKGASS IGLLRD

ALRLVQERGFTVENVDVCWLERPKIAPFIPEIRARIAGALGIDPERVSVKGKTNEGV DAVGRGE

AIAAHAVALLSES.

[00117] In other embodiments, the ispDF nucleic acid encodes an ispDF protein having at least 32%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 52%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 99% identity with respect to SEQ ID NO.l. In yet other embodiments, the ispDF nucleic acid encodes an ispDF protein having at least 32%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 52%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 99% identity with respect to at least 300 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO.1.

[00118] In some cases, the bifunctional ispDF has a primary amino acid sequence that is no more than 75% identical to at least 300 contiguous amino acids of H. pylori HP1020, H. pylori HP1020, H. pylori J99 jhp0404, H. pylori HPAG1 HPAG1_0427, H. hepaticus HH1582, H. acinonychis st. Sheeba Hac_1124, W. succinogenes DSM 1740 WS 1940, S. denitrificans DSM 1251 Suden_1487, C. jejuni subsp. jejuni NCTC 11168 Cj1607, C. jejuni RM 1221 CJE1779, C. jejuni subsp. jejuni 81-176

CJJ81176 1594, and C. fetus subsp. fetus 82-40 CFF8240 0409. In some cases, the bifunctional ispDF is not H. pylori HP1020, H. pylori HP1020, H. pylori J99 jhp0404, H. pylori HPAG1 HPAG1_0427, H. hepaticus HH1582, H. acinonychis st. Sheeba Hac l 124, W. succinogenes DSM 1740 WS1940, S. denitrificans DSM 1251 Suden_1487, C. jejuni subsp. jejuni NCTC 11168 Cjl607, C. jejuni RM1221 CJE1779, C. jejuni subsp. jejuni 81-176 CJJ81176 1594, or C. fetus subsp. fetus 82-40 CFF8240 0409.

[00119] The bifunctional ispDF can be encoded by a nucleic acid within a plasmid. Alternatively, the bifunctional ispDF can be encoded by a nucleic acid that is integrated into the genome of a heterologous host cell. In some cases, a heterologous promoter is operably linked to the nucleic acid encoding the bifunctional ispDF. Additionally or alternatively, a host cell can be heterologous to the nucleic acid encoding the bifunctional ispDF.

[00120] The nucleic acid encoding the bifunctional ispDF can be in an MEP pathway expression cassette such as any one of the foregoing expression cassettes that contain a nucleic acid encoding an MEP pathway gene. In some cases, the nucleic acid encoding the bifunctional ispDF can be in an expression cassette that contains a nucleic acid encoding a cannabinoid synthase. In some cases, the nucleic acid encoding the bifunctional ispDF can be in an expression cassette that contains a nucleic acid encoding GPP synthase. In some cases, the nucleic acid encoding the bifunctional ispDF can be in an expression cassette that contains a nucleic acid encoding an isoprene synthase.

[00121] Methods and compositions described herein can be used for production of GPP from precursors produced in the MEP pathway in a suitable host cell. Accordingly, in some embodiments, an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding GPP synthase is provided. The GPP synthase can be in an expression cassette that also contains nucleic acid encoding a gene of the MEP pathway. Additionally, or alternatively, the GPP synthase can be in an expression cassette that also contains nucleic acid encoding a cannabinoid synthase. In some cases, the promoter of the expression cassette that is operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding GPP synthase is also operably linked to a cannabinoid synthase. Additionally, or alternatively, the GPP synthase can be in an expression cassette that also contains nucleic acid encoding a GPP synthase. Additionally, or alternatively, the GPP synthase can be in an expression cassette that also contains nucleic acid encoding an isoprene synthase.

[00122] Methods and compositions described herein can be used for production of cannabinoids in a host cell. Accordingly, in some embodiments, an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding a cannabinoid synthase is provided. The cannabinoid synthase can be a cannabinoid synthase endogenous to a plant of the genus Cannabis, or an orthologue thereof. In some cases, the cannabinoid synthase is a cannabinoid synthase endogenous to Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica, or an orthologue thereof. In some cases, the cannabinoid synthase is CBGA synthase, THCA synthase, CBDA synthase, or CBCA synthase (e.g., endogenous to a plant of the genus Cannabis, or an orthologue thereof).

[00123] The cannabinoid synthase can be modified for expression in a host. For example, one or more transmembrane or signal peptide domains can be truncated. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more glycosylation sites can be deleted (e.g., by mutation of the primary amino acid sequence).

Similarly, one or more or all cysteines found in an intramolecular disulfide bond in the native protein in its native host can be mutated, e.g., to serine. Similarly, one or more or all cysteines found in an intermolecular disulfide bond in the native protein in its native host can be mutated, e.g., to serine.

Host Cells

[00124] Any of the foregoing expression cassettes, and combinations thereof, can be introduced into a suitable host cell and used for production of a target terpenoid or cannabinoid. Suitable host cells include, but are not limited to prokaryotes, such as a prokaryote of the genus Escherichia, Panteoa, Corynebacterium, Bacillus, or Lactococcus. Preferred prokaryote host cells include, but are not limited to, Escherichia coli (E. coli), Panteoa citrea, C. glutamicum, Bacillus subtilis, and Lactococcus lactis. In some embodiments, the expression cassettes described herein comprise a promoter (e.g., heterologous promoter) operably linked to a nucleic acid that encodes one or more target genes (e.g., a MEP pathway gene, a cannabinoid synthase gene, ispA, ispS, ispDF, or GPP synthase), wherein the nucleic acid encoding the one or more target genes is codon optimized for the host cell that comprises the expression cassette.

[00125] In some cases, the host cell comprises one or more products of the MEP pathway, such as DMAPP and/or IPP. For example, a host cell containing an MEP pathway expression cassette as described herein can comprise an increased amount of an MEP pathway product such as DMAPP and/or IPP as compared to a host cell that does not contain an MEP pathway expression cassette.

[00126] In some cases, the host cell can comprise one or more products that are downstream of the MEP pathway. For example, a host cell comprising a GPP synthase expression cassette can comprise an increased amount of GPP as compared to a host cell lacking the GPP synthase expression cassette. As another example, a host cell comprising an isoprene synthase expression cassette can comprise an increased amount of isoprene as compared to a host cell lacking the isoprene synthase expression cassette.

[00127] As yet another example, a host cell comprising a cannabinoid synthase expression cassette can comprise an increased amount of cannabinoid as compared to a host cell lacking the cannabinoid synthase expression cassette. In some cases, the cannabinoid is CBGA. In some cases, the cannabinoid is CBCA. In some cases, the cannabinoid is CBDA. In some cases, the cannabinoid is THCA. In some cases, the cannabinoid is CBN. In some cases, the cannabinoid is CBD. In some cases, the cannabinoid is THC. In some cases, the cannabinoid is CBC. In some cases, the cannabinoid is THCV. In some cases, the cannabinoid is CBDV. In some cases, the cannabinoid is CBCV.

[00128] Similarly, the host cell can comprise an elevated amount of a product of one or more enzymes encoded by an expression cassette in the host cell when the host cell is cultured under conditions suitable to induce expression from the expression cassette as compared to non-inducing conditions. For example, the host cell can exhibit increased DMAPP and/or IPP when induced as compared to the same host cell cultured in the absence of an inducer (e.g., in the absence of IPTG, arabinose, etc.). As another example, the host cell can exhibit increased GPP when induced as compared to the same host cell cultured in the absence of an inducer (e.g., in the absence of IPTG, arabinose, etc.). As another example, the host cell can exhibit increased isoprene when induced as compared to the same host cell cultured in the absence of an inducer (e.g., in the absence of IPTG, arabinose, etc.). As another example, the host cell can exhibit increased cannabinoid when induced as compared to the same host cell cultured in the absence of an inducer (e.g., in the absence of IPTG, arabinose, etc.).

[00129] In some embodiments, the host cell comprises olivetolic acid (OA). OA can be introduced into the host cell by culturing the host cell in a medium containing OA. In some embodiments, the host cell comprises divarinic acid (DVA). DVA can be introduced into the host cell by culturing the host cell in a medium containing DVA.

[00130] In some embodiments, the host cell is genetically modified to delete or reduce the expression of one or more genes that encode an endogenous enzyme that reduces flux through the MEP pathway. In some embodiments, the host cell is genetically modified to delete or reduce the amount or activity of an endogenous enzyme that reduces flux through the MEP pathway. For example, pyruvate and glyceraldehyde-3 phosphate (G3P) are the substrates of the initial enzyme of the MEP pathway dxs. Endogenous pathways that consume pyruvate and G3P can be modified to increase the amount of pyruvate and G3P thus increasing the flux through the MEP pathway. In some cases, one or more host cell endogenous genes or gene products selected from the group consisting of ackA-pta, poxB, ldhA, did, adhE, pps, and atoDA are modified to increase pyruvate or G3P levels.

Culture Methods

[00131] The present invention furthermore provides a process for culturing a host cell according to the present invention in a suitable medium under induction conditions, resulting in production of a target metabolic product. The target metabolic product can be a cannabinoid, a terpenoid, or a precursor thereof. The method can include concentrating the metabolite in the spent medium and/or in the host cells.

[00132] The microorganisms produced may be cultured continuously— as described, for example, in WO 05/021772— or discontinuously in a batch process (batch cultivation) or in a fed-batch or repeated fed-batch process for the purpose of producing the desired organic-chemical compound. A summary of a general nature about known cultivation methods is available in the textbook by Chmiel

(BioprozeBtechnik. 1 : Einfiihrung in die Bioverfahrenstechnik (Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart, 1991)) or in the textbook by Storhas (Bioreaktoren and periphere Einrichtungen (Vieweg Verlag,

Braunschweig/Wiesbaden, 1994)).

[00133] The culture medium or fermentation medium to be used must in a suitable manner satisfy the demands of the respective strains. Descriptions of culture media for various microorganisms are present in the "Manual of Methods for General Bacteriology" of the American Society for Bacteriology

(Washington D.C., USA, 1981). The terms culture medium and fermentation medium are

interchangeable.

[00134] It is possible to use, as carbon source, sugars and carbohydrates such as, for example, glucose, sucrose, lactose, fructose, maltose, molasses, sucrose-containing solutions from sugar beet or sugar cane processing, starch, starch hydrolysate, and cellulose; oils and fats such as, for example, soybean oil, sunflower oil, groundnut oil and coconut fat; fatty acids such as, for example, palmitic acid, stearic acid, and linoleic acid; alcohols such as, for example, glycerol, methanol, and ethanol; and organic acids such as, for example, acetic acid or lactic acid.

[00135] It is possible to use, as nitrogen source, organic nitrogen-containing compounds such as peptones, yeast extract, meat extract, malt extract, corn steep liquor, soybean flour, and urea; or inorganic compounds such as ammonium sulfate, ammonium chloride, ammonium phosphate, ammonium carbonate, and ammonium nitrate. The nitrogen sources can be used individually or as a mixture.

[00136] It is possible to use, as phosphorus source, phosphoric acid, potassium dihydrogen phosphate or dipotassium hydrogen phosphate or the corresponding sodium-containing salts.

[00137] The culture medium may additionally comprise salts, for example in the form of chlorides or sulfates of metals such as, for example, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and iron, such as, for example, magnesium sulfate or iron sulfate, which are necessary for growth. Finally, essential growth factors such as amino acids, for example homoserine and vitamins, for example thiamine, biotin or pantothenic acid, may be employed in addition to the abovementioned substances.

[00138] Said starting materials may be added to the culture in the form of a single batch or be fed in during the cultivation in a suitable manner.

[00139] The pH of the culture can be controlled by employing basic compounds such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ammonia, or aqueous ammonia; or acidic compounds such as phosphoric acid or sulfuric acid in a suitable manner. The pH is generally adjusted to a value of from 6.0 to 8.5, preferably 6.5 to 8. To control foaming, it is possible to employ antifoams such as, for example, fatty acid polyglycol esters. To maintain the stability of plasmids, it is possible to add to the medium suitable selective substances such as, for example, antibiotics. The culturing is preferably carried out under aerobic conditions. In order to maintain these conditions, oxygen or oxygen-containing gas mixtures such as, for example, air are introduced into the culture. It is likewise possible to use liquids enriched with hydrogen peroxide. The culturing is carried out, where appropriate, at elevated pressure, for example at an elevated pressure of from 0.03 to 0.2 MP a. The temperature of the culture is normally from 20 °C to 45 °C and preferably from 25 °C to 40 °C, particularly preferably from 30 °C to 37 °C. In batch or fed-batch processes, the cultivation is preferably continued until an amount of the desired organic-chemical compound sufficient for being recovered has formed. This aim is normally achieved within 10 hours to 160 hours. In continuous processes, longer cultivation times are possible. The activity of the microorganisms results in a concentration (accumulation) of the organic-chemical compound in the fermentation medium and/or in the cells of said microorganisms.

[00140] Examples of suitable culture media can be found inter alia in the patents US 5,770,409, US 5,990,350, US 5,275,940, WO 2007/012078, US 5,827,698, WO 2009/043803, US 5,756,345 and US 7,138,266.

[00141] Analysis of target metabolic products to determine the concentration at one or more time(s) during the culturing can take place by separating the metabolites by means of chromatography, preferably reverse-phase chromatography.

[00142] Detection can be carried out carried out photometrically (absorption, fluorescence).

[00143] The performance of the culture methods using a host cell containing one or more expression cassettes according to the invention, in terms of one or more of the parameters selected from the group of concentration (target metabolic product formed per unit volume), yield (target metabolic product formed per unit carbon source consumed), formation (target metabolic product formed per unit volume and time) and specific formation (target metabolic product per unit dry cell matter or dry biomass and time or compound formed per unit cellular protein and time) or else other process parameters and combinations thereof, can be increased by at least 0.5%, at least 1%, at least 1.5%, at least 2%, at least 3%, at least 4%, at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, or at least 100% based on culture methods using host cells that do not contain the expression cassettes according to the invention. This is considered to be very worthwhile in terms of a large-scale industrial process.

[00144] A product containing the target metabolic product can then be provided or produced or recovered in liquid or solid form.

[00145] Spent medium means a culture medium in which a host cell has been cultured for a certain time and at a certain temperature. The culture medium or the media employed during culturing comprise(s) all the substances or components which ensure production of the desired target metabolic product and typically propagation and viability. When the culturing is complete, the resulting spent medium accordingly comprises: a) the biomass (cell mass) of the microorganism, said biomass having been produced due to propagation of the cells of said microorganism; b) the desired target metabolic product formed during the culturing; c) the organic byproducts possibly formed during the culturing; and d) the constituents of the culture medium employed or of the starting materials, such as, for example, vitamins such as biotin or salts such as magnesium sulfate, which have not been consumed in the culturing.

[00146] The organic byproducts include substances which are produced by the microorganisms employed in the culturing in addition to the particular desired compound and are optionally secreted. The spent medium can be removed from the culture vessel or fermentation tank, collected where appropriate, and used for providing a product containing the target metabolic product in liquid or solid form. In the simplest case, the target metabolic product-containing spent medium itself, which has been removed from the fermentation tank, constitutes the recovered product.

[00147] In some cases, recovering the target metabolic product (e.g., terpenoid, cannabinoid, or precursor thereof) includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the measures selected from the group consisting of a) partial (> 0% to < 80%) to complete (100%) or virtually complete (> 80%, > 90%, > 95%, > 96%, > 97%, > 98%, or > 99%) removal of the water; b) partial (> 0% to < 80%) to complete (100%) or virtually complete (> 80%, > 90%, > 95%, > 96%, > 97%, > 98%, or > 99%) removal of the biomass, the latter being optionally inactivated before removal; c) partial (> 0% to < 80%) to complete (100%) or virtually complete (> 80%, > 90%, > 95%, > 96%, > 97%, > 98%, > 99%, > 99.3%, or > 99.7%) removal of the organic byproducts formed during culturing; and d) partial (> 0%) to complete (100%) or virtually complete (> 80%, > 90%, > 95%, > 96%, > 97%, > 98%, > 99%, > 99.3%, or > 99.7%) removal of the constituents of the fermentation medium employed or of the starting materials, which have not been consumed in the culturing, from the spent medium achieves concentration or purification of the desired target metabolic product. Compositions having a desired content of said target metabolic product are isolated in this way.

[00148] The partial (> 0% to < 80%) to complete (100%) or virtually complete (> 80% to < 100%) removal of the water (measure a)) is also referred to as drying.

[00149] In one variant of the process, complete or virtually complete removal of the water, of the biomass, of the organic byproducts and of the unconsumed constituents of the fermentation medium employed results in pure (> 80% by weight, > 90% by weight) or high-purity (> 95% by weight, > 97% by weight, or > 99% by weight) product forms of the desired target metabolic product. An abundance of technical instructions for measures a), b), c) and d) are available in the prior art.

[00150] Depending on requirements, the biomass can be removed wholly or partly from the spent medium by separation methods such as, for example, centrifugation, filtration, decantation or a combination thereof, or be left completely therein. Where appropriate, the biomass or the biomass- containing spent medium is inactivated during a suitable process step, for example by thermal treatment (heating) or by addition of alkaline or acid.

[00151] In one procedure, the biomass is completely or virtually completely removed so that no (0%) or at most 30%, at most 20%, at most 10%, at most 5%, at most 1% or at most 0.1% biomass remains in the prepared product. In a further procedure, the biomass is not removed, or is removed only in small proportions, so that all (100%) or more than 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99% or 99.9% biomass remains in the product prepared. In one process according to the invention, accordingly, the biomass is removed in proportions of from > 0% to < 100%. Finally, the fermentation broth obtained after the fermentation can be adjusted, before or after the complete or partial removal of the biomass, to an acidic pH with an inorganic acid such as, for example, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, or phosphoric acid; or organic acid such as, for example, propionic acid, so as to improve the handling properties of the final product (GB 1,439,728 or EP 1 331220). It is likewise possible to acidify the fermentation broth with the complete content of biomass. Finally, the broth can also be stabilized by adding sodium bisulfite (NaHC03, GB 1,439,728) or another salt, for example ammonium, alkali metal, or alkaline earth metal salt of sulfurous acid.

[00152] During the removal of the biomass, any organic or inorganic solids present in the spent medium can be partially or completely removed. The organic byproducts dissolved in the spent medium, and the dissolved unconsumed constituents of the fermentation medium (starting materials), can remain at least partly (> 0%), in some cases to an extent of at least 25%, in some cases to an extent of at least 50% and in some cases to an extent of at least 75% in the product. Where appropriate, they also remain completely (100%) or virtually completely, meaning > 95% or > 98% or > 99%, in the product.

[00153] Subsequently, water can be removed from the spent medium, or said spent medium can be thickened or concentrated, by known methods such as, for example, using a rotary evaporator, thin-film evaporator, falling-film evaporator, by reverse osmosis or by nanofiltration. This concentrated spent medium can then be worked up to free-flowing products, in particular to a fine powder or preferably coarse granules, by methods of freeze drying, spray drying, spray granulation or by other processes such as in the circulating fluidized bed, as described for example according to PCT/EP2004/006655.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

[00154] The target metabolic product can be formulated into a pharmaceutical composition. In some cases spent medium or concentrated spent medium, or a partially or entirely purified target metabolic product from the spent medium or biomass obtained in the culturing methods described herein, is formulated into a pharmaceutical composition.

[00155] Pharmaceutical compositions according to the present invention can include one or more excipients. Such excipients that are suitable for use in topical compositions intended for application to the skin include, but are not limited to: preservatives; thickening agents; buffers; liquid carriers; isotonic agents; wetting, solubilizing, and emulsifying agents; acidifying agents; antioxidants; alkalinizing agents; carrying agents; chelating agents; complexing agents; solvents; suspending or viscosity-increasing agents; oils; penetration enhancers; polymers; stiffening agents; proteins; carbohydrates; and bulking agents.

[00156] As is generally known in the art of pharmaceutical formulation, a particular excipient can fulfill one or more of these functions in a particular pharmaceutical composition, depending on the concentration of the excipient, the other excipients in the composition, the physical form of the composition, the concentration of active agent in the composition, the intended route of administration of the composition, and other factors. The recitation of a particular excipient in a category below is not intended to exclude the possible use of the excipient in another category or categories.

[00157] The liquid carrier can be, but is not limited to, a liquid carrier selected from the group consisting of saline, phosphate buffered saline, glycerol, and ethanol.

[00158] A thickening agent can be, but is not limited to, a thickening agent selected from the group consisting of glycerol and propylene glycol. [00159] An isotonic agent can be, but is not limited to: a polyalcohol selected from the group consisting of mannitol and sorbitol; sodium chloride; and potassium chloride.

[00160] The wetting, solubilizing, or emulsifying agent is generally a surfactant. Typically, the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, cetylpyridinium chloride, docusate sodium, nonoxynol 9, nonoxynol 10, octoxynol 9, poloxamer, polyoxyl 35 castor oil, polyoxyl 40, hydrogenated castor oil, polyoxyl 50 stearate, polyoxyl 10 oleyl ether, polyoxyl 20, cetostearyl ether, polyoxyl 40 stearate, polysorbate 20, polysorbate 40, polysorbate 60, polysorbate 80, sodium lauryl sulfate, sorbitan monolaureate, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan monostearate, tyloxapol, acacia, cholesterol, diethanolamine, glyceryl monostearate, lanolin alcohols, lecithin, mono- and di-glycerides, monoethanolamine (adjunct), oleic acid (adjunct), oleyl alcohol (stabilizer), poloxamer, polyoxyethylene 50 stearate, polyoxyl 35 castor oil, polyoxyl 40 hydrogenated castor oil, polyoxyl 10 oleyl ether, polyoxyl 20 cetostearyl ether, polyoxyl 40 stearate, polysorbate 20, polysorbate 40, polysorbate 60, polysorbate 80, propylene glycol diacetate, propylene glycol monostearate, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium stearate, sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan monostearate, stearic acid, triethanolamine, emulsifying wax, cetomacrogol, and cetyl alcohol.

[00161] The pharmaceutical composition for topical application can include an emollient. As used herein, the term "emollient" refers to a hydrophobic agent that softens, smoothens and improves lipid content of the skin or other mucous membranes. Examples of suitable emollients for use include isostearic acid derivatives, isopropyl palmitate, lanolin oil, diisopropyl dimerate, diisopropyl adipate, dimethyl isosorbide, maleated soybean oil, octyl palmitat, isopropyl isostearate, cetyl alcohol, cetyl lactate, cetyl ricinoleate, tocopheryl acetate, acetylated lanolin alcohol, cetyl acetate, phenyl trimethicone, glyceryl oleate, tocopheryl linoleate, wheat germ glycerides, arachidyl propionate, myristyl lactate, decyl oleate, propylene glycol ricinoleate, isopropyl lanolate, pentaerythrityl tetrastearate, neopentylglycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, hydrogenated coco-glycerides, isononyl isononanoate, isotridecyl isononanoate, myristyl myristate, triisocetyl citrate, octyl dodecanol, octyl hydroxystearate, grape seed oil, one or more ceramides, cyclomethicone, and mixtures thereof. Other examples of other suitable emollients can also be found in the Cosmetic Bench Reference, pp. 1.19-1.22 (1996). One of skill in the art will appreciate that other emollients are useful in the present invention.

[00162] The preservative can be selected from the group consisting of benzalkonium chloride, benzalkonium chloride solution, benzethonium chloride, benzoic acid, benzyl alcohol, butylparaben, cetylpyridinium chloride, chlorobutanol, chlorocresol, cresol, dehydroacetic acid, diazolidinyl urea, ethylparaben, methylparaben, methylparaben sodium, phenol, phenylethyl alcohol, phenylmercuric acetate, phenylmercuric nitrate, potassium benzoate, potassium sorbate, propylparaben, propylparaben sodium, sodium benzoate, sodium dehydroacetate, sodium propionate, sorbic acid, thimerosal, and thymol.

[00163] The composition can include a buffer selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, ammonium carbonate, ammonium phosphate, boric acid, citric acid, lactic acid, phosphoric acid, potassium citrate, potassium metaphosphate, potassium phosphate monobasic, sodium acetate, sodium citrate, sodium lactate solution, dibasic sodium phosphate, monobasic sodium phosphate, sodium bicarbonate, Tris (Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane), MOPS (3-(N-morpholino)propane sulfonic acid), HEPES (N-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine-N'-(2-ethanesulfonic acid), ACES (2-[(2-amino-2- oxoethyl)amino]ethanesulfonic acid), ADA (N-(2-acetamido)2-iminodiacetic acid), AMPSO (3-[(l,l- dimethyl-2-hydroxyethylamino]-2-propanesulfonic acid), BES (N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-2- aminoethanesulfonic acid, Bicine (N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethylglycine), Bis- Tris (bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)imino- tris(hydroxymethyl)methane, CAPS (3-(cyclohexylamino)-l-propanesulfonic acid), CAPSO (3- (cyclohexylamino)-2-hydroxy-l-propanesulfonic acid), CHES (2-(N-cyclohexylamino)ethanesulfonic acid), DIPSO (3-[N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethylamino]-2-hydroxy-propanesulfonic acid), HEPPS (N-(2- hydroxyethylpiperazine)-N'-(3-propanesulfonic acid), HEPPSO (N-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine-N'-(2- hydroxypropanesulfonic acid), MES (2-(Ν-mοrpholino)ethanesulfonic acid), triethanolamine, imidazole, glycine, ethanolamine, phosphate, MOPSO (3-(Ν-morpholino)-2-hydroxypropanesulfonic acid), PIPES (piperazine-N,N'-bis(2-ethanesulfonic acid), POPSO (piperazine-N,N'-bis(2-hydroxypropaneulfonic acid), TAPS (N-tris[hydroxymethyl)methyl-3-aminopropanesulfonic acid), TAPSO (3- [N-tris(hydroxymethyl)methylamino]-2-hydroxy-propanesulfonic acid), TES (N- tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid), tricine (N-tris(hydroxymethyl)methylglycine), 2-amino-2-methy 1- 1 ,3-propanediol, and 2-amino-2-methy 1- 1 -propanol.

[00164] Typically, the acidifying agent is selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, citric acid, fumaric acid, hydrochloric acid, diluted hydrochloric acid, malic acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, diluted phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, and tartaric acid.

[00165] Typically, the antioxidant is selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, ascorbyl palmitate, butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, hypophosphorous acid,

monothioglycerol, propyl gallate, sodium ascorbate, sodium bisulfite, sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate, sodium metabisulfite, sodium thiosulfate, sulfur dioxide, and tocopherol.

[00166] Typically, the alkalinizing agent is selected from the group consisting of strong ammonia solution, ammonium carbonate, diethanolamine, diisopropanolamine, potassium hydroxide, sodium bicarbonate, sodium borate, sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, and trolamine.

[00167] The carrying agent can be selected from the group consisting of corn oil, mineral oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, bacteriostatic sodium chloride and bacteriostatic water.

[00168] The chelating agent can be selected from the group consisting of edetate disodium, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, citric acid, and salicylates.

[00169] The complexing agent can be selected from the group consisting of

ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, salts of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, gentisic acid ethanolamide, and oxyquinoline sulfate.

[00170] The solvent can be selected from the group consisting of acetone, ethanol, diluted alcohol, amylene hydrate, benzyl benzoate, butyl alcohol, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, corn oil, cottonseed oil, ethyl acetate, glycerol, hexylene glycol, isopropyl alcohol, methyl isobutyl ketone, mineral oil, oleic acid, peanut oil, polyethylene glycol, propylene carbonate, propylene glycol, sesame oil, water, sterile water, and purified water.

[00171] Typically, the suspending and/or viscosity -increasing agent is selected from the group consisting of acacia, agar, alginic acid, aluminum monostearate, bentonite, purified bentonite, magma bentonite, carbomers, carbomer 934p, carboxymethylcellulose calcium, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, carboxymethycellulose sodium 12, carrageenan, microcrystalline and carboxymethylcellulose sodium cellulose, dextrin, gelatin, guar gum, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium aluminum silicate, methylcellulose, pectin, polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl alcohol, povidone, propylene glycol alginate, silicon dioxide, colloidal silicon dioxide, sodium alginate, tragacanth, Veegum, and xanthan gum.

[00172] Typically, the oil is selected from the group consisting of arachis oil, mineral oil, olive oil, sesame oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, corn oil, and soybean oil.

[00173] Typically, the penetration enhancer is selected from the group consisting of monohydroxy or polyhydroxy alcohols, mono- or polyvalent alcohols, saturated or unsaturated fatty alcohols, saturated or unsaturated fatty esters, saturated or unsaturated dicarboxylic acids, essential oils, phosphatidyl derivatives, cephalin, terpenes, amides, ethers, ketones, and ureas.

[00174] Typically, the polymer is selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate, alkyl celluloses, hydroxy alkylcelluloses, acrylic polymers and copolymers, polyesters, polycarbonates, and polyanhydrides.

[00175] Typically, the stiffening agent is selected from the group consisting of hydrogenated castor oil, cetostearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, cetyl esters wax, hard fat, paraffin, polyethylene excipient, stearyl alcohol, emulsifying wax, white wax, and yellow wax.

[00176] Typically, the protein is selected from the group consisting of bovine serum albumin, human serum albumin (HSA), recombinant human albumin (rHA), gelatin, and casein.

[00177] Typically, the carbohydrate is selected from the group consisting of fructose, maltose, galactose, glucose, D-mannose, sorbose, lactose, sucrose, trehalose, cellobiose, raffinose, melezitose, maltodextrins, dextrans, starches, mannitol, maltitol, lactitol, xylitol, sorbitol, and myoinositol.

[00178] Typically, the bulking agent is selected from the group consisting of polypeptides and amino acids.

[00179] The composition can further comprise a a topical soothing agent for the skin, a topical antiinflammatory agent, a topical anti-bacterial agent, a topical anti-fungal agent, a topical steroid, and a topical antioxidant.

[00180] Topical soothing agents for the skin typically include chamomile and aloe; other topical soothing agents are known in the art and can be used.

[00181] Topical anti-inflammatory agents typically include diclofenac, ketoprofen, ibuprofen, piroxicam, and indomethacin; other topical anti-inflammatory agents are known in the art and can be used. [00182] Topical anti-bacterial agents typically include bacitracin, polymyxin B, erythromycin, sodium sulfacetamide, silver sulfadiazine, retapamulin, mupirocin, neomycin, and pramoxine; other topical antibacterial agents are known in the art and can be used.

[00183] Topical anti-fungal agents typically include benzoic acid, salicylic acid, undecylenic acid, ketoconazole, nystatin, naftifine, tolnaftate, miconazole, econazole, ciclopirox, oxiconazole, sertaconazole, efinaconazole, terbinafine, tavaborole, clotrimazole, sulconazole, and butenafine; other topical anti-fungal agents are known in the art and can be used.

[00184] Topical steroids typically include hydrocortisone, triamcinolone, fluocinolone, prednicarbate, desonide, betamethasone, halcinonide, diflorasone, fluocinolone, clobetasol, desoxymetasone, mometasone, clocortolone, fluticasone, fluocinonide, flurandrenolide, alclometasone, and halobetasol; other topical steroids are known in the art and can be used.

[00185] Topical antioxidants typically include vitamin C, vitamin E, and L-selenomethionine; other topical antioxidants are known in the art and can be used.

[00186] Other active agents can be included.

In an alternative, a number of these additional agents, such as a topical anti-inflammatory agent, a topical anti-bacterial agent, a topical anti-fungal agent, a topical steroid, and a topical anti-oxidant, can be administered separately, such as in one or more additional pharmaceutical compositions including one or more excipients as described above.

[00187] In some alternatives, including the use of prodrugs as described above, therapeutically active compounds used in methods and compositions according to the present invention, including but not limited to cannabinoids and terpenoids, are formed by covalently cross-linking one or more conjugation partners to the therapeutically active compound. Suitable reagents for cross-linking many combinations of functional groups are known in the art.

[00188] For example, electrophilic groups can react with many functional groups, including those present in proteins or polypeptides. Various combinations of reactive amino acids and electrophiles are known in the art and can be used. For example, N-terminal cysteines, containing thiol groups, can be reacted with halogens or maleimides. Thiol groups are known to have reactivity with a large number of coupling agents, such as alkyl halides, haloacetyl derivatives, maleimides, aziridines, acryloyl derivatives, arylating agents such as aryl halides, and others. These are described in G. T. Hermanson, "Bioconjugate Techniques" (Academic Press, San Diego, 1996), pp. 146-150.

[00189] The reactivity of the cysteine residues can be optimized by appropriate selection of the neighboring amino acid residues. For example, a histidine residue adjacent to the cysteine residue will increase the reactivity of the cysteine residue. Other combinations of reactive amino acids and electrophilic reagents are known in the art. For example, maleimides can react with amino groups, such as the ε-amino group of the side chain of lysine, particularly at higher pH ranges. Aryl halides can also react with such amino groups. Haloacetyl derivatives can react with the imidazolyl side chain nitrogens of histidine, the thioether group of the side chain of methionine, and the .epsilon.-amino group of the side chain of lysine. Many other electrophilic reagents are known that will react with the ε-amino group of the side chain of lysine, including, but not limited to, isothiocyanates, isocyanates, acyl azides, N- hydroxysuccinimide esters, sulfonyl chlorides, epoxides, oxiranes, carbonates, imidoesters, carbodiimides, and anhydrides. These are described in G.T. Hermanson, "Bioconjugate Techniques" (Academic Press, San Diego, 1996), pp. 137-146.

[00190] Additionally, electrophilic reagents are known that will react with carboxylate side chains such as those of aspartate and glutamate, such as diazoalkanes and diazoacetyl compounds, carbonydilmidazole, and carbodiimides. These are described in G. T. Hermanson, "Bioconjugate Techniques" (Academic Press, San Diego, 1996), pp. 152-154. Furthermore, electrophilic reagents are known that will react with hydroxyl groups such as those in the side chains of serine and threonine, including reactive haloalkane derivatives. These are described in G. T. Hermanson, "Bioconjugate Techniques" (Academic Press, San Diego, 1996), pp. 154-158. In another alternative embodiment, the relative positions of electrophile and nucleophile (i.e., a molecule reactive with an electrophile) are reversed so that the protein has an amino acid residue with an electrophilic group that is reactive with a nucleophile and the targeting molecule includes therein a nucleophilic group. This includes the reaction of aldehydes (the electrophile) with hydroxy lamine (the nucleophile), described above, but is more general than that reaction; other groups can be used as electrophile and nucleophile. Suitable groups are well known in organic chemistry and need not be described further in detail.

[00191] Additional combinations of reactive groups for cross-linking are known in the art. For example, amino groups can be reacted with isothiocyanates, isocyanates, acyl azides, N- hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) esters, sulfonyl chlorides, aldehydes, glyoxals, epoxides, oxiranes, carbonates, alkylating agents, imidoesters, carbodiimides, and anhydrides. Thiol groups can be reacted with haloacetyl or alkyl halide derivatives, maleimides, aziridines, acryloyl derivatives, acylating agents, or other thiol groups by way of oxidation and the formation of mixed disulfides. Carboxy groups can be reacted with diazoalkanes, diazoacetyl compounds, carbonyldiimidazole, carbodiimides. Hydroxyl groups can be reacted with epoxides, oxiranes, carbonyldiimidazole, Ν,Ν'-disuccinimidyl carbonate, N- hydroxysuccinimidyl chloroformate, periodate (for oxidation), alkyl halogens, or isocyanates. Aldehyde and ketone groups can react with hydrazines, reagents forming Schiff bases, and other groups in reductive amination reactions or Mannich condensation reactions. Still other reactions suitable for cross- linking reactions are known in the art. Such cross-linking reagents and reactions are described in G.T. Hermanson, "Bioconjugate Techniques" (Academic Press, San Diego, 1996).

[00192] The amount of a given therapeutically active agent, such as, but not limited to, a cannabinoid or terpenoid as described above, that is included in a unit dose of a pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention will vary depending upon factors such as the particular compound, disease condition and its severity, the identity (e.g., weight) of the subject in need of treatment, but can nevertheless be routinely determined by one skilled in the art. The selected dosage level depends upon a variety of pharmacokinetic factors including the activity of the particular therapeutic agent, the route of administration, the time of administration, the rate of excretion of the particular compound being employed, the severity of the condition, other health considerations affecting the subject, and the status of liver and kidney function of the subject.

[00193] It also depends on the duration of the treatment, other drugs, compounds and/or materials used in combination with the particular therapeutic agent employed, as well as the age, weight, condition, general health and prior medical history of the subject being treated, and like factors. Methods for determining optimal dosages are described in the art, e.g., Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, Mack Publishing Co., 20 ^th ed., 2000. Optimal dosages for a given set of conditions can be ascertained by those skilled in the art using conventional dosage-determination tests in view of the experimental data for an agent.

[00194] The compositions of the invention or compositions employed according to the present invention may be manufactured using techniques generally known for preparing pharmaceutical compositions, e.g., by conventional techniques such as mixing, dissolving, granulating, dragee-making, levitating, emulsifying, encapsulating, entrapping or lyophilizing. Pharmaceutical compositions may be formulated in a conventional manner using one or more physiologically acceptable carriers, which may be selected from excipients and auxiliaries that facilitate processing of the active compounds into preparations.

[00195] Pharmaceutical compositions according to the present invention are usually administered to the subjects on multiple occasions. Intervals between single dosages can be weekly, monthly or yearly. Intervals can also be irregular as indicated by therapeutic response or other parameters well known in the art. Alternatively, the pharmaceutical composition can be administered as a sustained release formulation, in which case less frequent administration is required. Dosage and frequency vary depending on the half-life in the subject of the pharmacologically active agent included in a

pharmaceutical composition. The dosage and frequency of administration can vary depending on whether the treatment is prophylactic or therapeutic.

[00196] In prophylactic applications, a relatively low dosage is administered at relatively infrequent intervals over a long period of time. Some subjects may continue to receive treatment for the rest of their lives. In therapeutic applications, a relatively high dosage at relatively short intervals is sometimes required until progression of the disease is reduced or terminated, and preferably until the subject shows partial or complete amelioration of symptoms of disease. Thereafter, the subject can be administered a prophylactic regime.

[00197] United States Patent No. 6,573,292 to Nardella, United States Patent No. 6,921,722 to Nardella, United States Patent No. 7,314,886 to Chao et al., and United States Patent No. 7,446,122 by Chao et al., which disclose methods of use of various pharmacologically active agents and

pharmaceutical compositions in treating a number of diseases and conditions, including cancer, and methods of determining the therapeutic effectiveness of such pharmacologically active agents and pharmaceutical compositions, are all incorporated herein by this reference. References

[00198] The following publications are incorporated herein by this reference. These publications are referred to herein by the numbers provided below. The inclusion of any publication in this list of publications is not to be taken as an admission that any publication referred to herein is prior art.

• JAMA. 2006; 295(7): 761-775

• Comput Struct Biotechnol J, 2012, 3, 1—11

• Biotechnol.Bioeng.2004 88, 909-915.

• Science 2002, 298 (5599), 1790-3.

EXAMPLES

Example 1 : Engineering the MEP Pathway in E. coli

[00199] The MEP pathway was selected for its thermodynamic favourability and the availability of a suitable bacterial host system. The MEP pathway is native to the host E coli. E. coli BL21 (DE3) was chosen as the expression host in this experiment. Genes that encode rate-limiting enzymes in the MEP pathway were over expressed to maximize the production of cannabinoid precursor. .

[00200] Four steps in MEP pathway are slowest and suffer from low flux. Overexpression of the enzymes that catalyze these rate-limiting steps has been reported to improve flux through MEP pathway and increase downstream terpenoid biosynthesis. For maximizing the production of the precursors isopentenyl diphosphate (ΓΡΡ) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP) for a cannabinoid (Fig. 1), lycopene, monoterpene, or isoprene pathway, the non-mevalonate pathway was therefore engineered to introduce extra copies of the 4 different rate-limiting genes dxs, ispD, ispF and idi (Fig: 2).

[00201] This process was done in stepwise manner through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cloning into a vector backbone having a T7 promoter and pl5A origin of replication, via restriction digestion and ligation, to construct a gene cassette with proper orientation. The entire gene cassette was then sub-cloned into a />7>c-trGPPS(CO)-LS plasmid (Fig. 3) with Trc promoter and pBR322 origin of replication to get a broad window to control the gene expression and thus the production of isoprenoid precursors. The gene cassette along with the pTrc promoter and selection marker gene was then be integrated into the E. coli chromosome as an inducible extra copy to provide overproduction of isoprenoid precursors. Schematic maps of the MEP pathway expression cassettes are shown in Fig. 3. The overexpression of rate limiting enzymes is confirmed by SDS Page analysis (Fig. 4).

[00202] Similarly, GPP synthase is cloned from, e.g., a plant source, and expressed in E. coli to produce GPP, a substrate of the cannabinoid synthase CBGA synthase and a substrate of monoterpene synthases such as carene, myrcene, or limonene synthase. Moreover, the polyketide pathway for synthesis of olivetolic acid, a substrate of CBGA synthase, is cloned and expressed in E. coli, or olivetolic acid is supplied exogenously. Thus, a pathway for production of CBGA is reproduced in a prokaryote host cell. Example 2: Cloning and Expression of Downstream Pathway Cannabinoid Synthase Genes in

E. coli

Introduction:

[00203] Cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) is the parent compound for the synthesis of other cannabinoids. CBGA is produced by the enzymatic reaction from olivetolic acid (OA) and geranyl pyrophosphate (GPP) catalyzed by CBGA synthase (an enzyme from aromatic prenyltransferase family). Cyclization of this prenylated product (CBGA) further gives three different cannabinoid products catalyzed by three different oxidocyclases. A ⁹ -tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) synthase, cannabidiolic (CBDA) synthase, and cannabichromenic acid (CBCA) synthase catalyzes the formation of Δ ⁹ - tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and cannabichromenic acid (CBCA), respectively. Biosynthesis of these cannabinoid products in microbial host (E.coli) involves cloning, expression, and activity determination of THCA synthase, CBGA synthase, CBCA synthase, CBDA synthase, and combinations thereof. Typically, cannabinoid products are produced in a microbial host expressing at least CBGA synthase, optionally in combination with one or more of THCA synthase, CBCA synthase, and CBDA synthase.

CBGA Synthase

[00204] The CBGA synthase gene from Cannabis sativa, codon optimized for E. coli, was successfully cloned into a plasmid vector operably linked to a strong IPTG inducible T5 promoter. The plasmid contains the high copy pUC origin of replication, and is Kanamycin resistant. The plasmid construction for CBGA synthase is shown in Fig. 5. The expression of the CBGA synthase in E. coli. was confirmed by SDS PAGE analysis (Fig. 6). After confirming the expression of CBGAS, the activity of enzyme was determined by exogenously adding the substrates (OA and GPP) to the enzyme solution and the product profiling was done using in-house developed HPLC method. The prenylation reaction was carried out by adding clarified cell lysate to the mixture of OA and GPP at 37 °C and the reaction mixture was extracted by using ethyl acetate and ran on HPLC to measure the product formation. (Fig. 7) The results indicated that CBGAS can be expressed in E. coli and is capable of catalyzing a prenylation reaction with substrates OA and GPP to CBGA.

[00205] In another experiment, the CBGA activity was tested in vivo. In this experiment, host cells containing the CBGAS expression plasmid were cultured and induced upon reaching log-phase growth (OD600 = 0.6) by addition of IPTG. Cells were fed with GPP and OA during the induction phase and were allowed to grow overnight. The cell suspensions were then centrifuged and the supernatant was then injected into HPLC to confirm CBGA formation. Fig. 8 shows the HPLC chromatogram for the detection of CBGA produced in E coli (using low copy plasmid, pBAD33). The concentration of produced CBGA was roughly calculated as 1.2 μg/ml from 5 mL culture.

THCA Synthase (THCAS)

[00206] The THCA synthase gene was also cloned into a high copy, Kanamycin resistant, plasmid under the control of the strong IPTG inducible T5 promoter. The gene insertion was confirmed by PCR and gene sequencing. A schematic diagram of the resulting expression cassette for THCA synthase gene is shown in Fig. 9. The expression of THCA synthase was carried out by IPTG induction and cell lysate was analyzed by SDS page to confirm the expression. However, the THCA synthase was not expressed successfully into E. Coli.

[00207] The THCA synthase gene encodes a flavinylated oxidase class of protein with eight glycosylation sites and a 28 amino acid signal peptide at the N terminal end. These limitations of E. coli for production of glycosylated transmembrane proteins makes it difficult to express the active form of THCA synthase class of proteins. To overcome this limitation a multi-factor strategy has been designed to express the gene without signal peptide to ensure the protein expression happens in cytosol, co-express the gene with modular chaperonins to assist the protein folding and increase production of active protein (e.g., Fig. 10), and co-expression with glycosylation machinery to assist the protein folding {e.g., Fig. 11). CBDA synthase (CBDAS) also falls into the same class of protein family so the same strategy will be applied to express the CBDA synthase as well. Similarly, CBCA synthase (CBCAS) is a glycosylated protein having a native signal sequence and therefore the same strategy will be applied to express the CBCA synthase as well. This part of study is under progress and following approaches are taken into consideration with regard to THCAS, and one of skill in the art will appreciate these approaches can also be applied to CBDAS and CBCAS.

Truncated THCAS

[00208] THCAS is truncated by removing 28 amino acids from the encoded N terminal end (84 bp from 5' end of the gene sequence).

Co-expression With Chaperonin Plasmid

[00209] The THCA synthase gene was cloned onto a plasmid having ampicillin resistance, a pBR322 origin of replication, under the control of pTRC promoter to make sure that it has different and compatible origin of replication for co-expression with plasmids having the chaperonin system and the glycosylation system (Fig. 11). THCAS with and without signal peptide is co-expressed with the two major chaperone pathway components in E. coli, DnaK-DnaJ-GrpE and GroEl-GroES, which play distinct but cooperative roles in protein folding in E coli. Though E coli has its native chaperone system, high level production of recombinant protein can saturate endogenous chaperonin systems and can lead to unproductive aggregation. Under these conditions, an increase in the intracellular concentration of molecular chaperones that are limiting for folding can lessen inclusion body formation. Takahashi Yura group in Japan has constructed a pACYC184-based plasmid having the two chaperone pathways under different promoters. This plasmid (pG-KJE8), or a derivative thereof, is used to identify conditions for production of active THCA synthase in a host cell.

Co-expression With Glycosylation System

[00210] Glycosylation may be required for increased expression, folding, processing, solubility, and/or activity THCA synthase in E. coli. Unfortunately, E coli does not have a native protein glycosylation system. The N glycosylation system from Campylobacter jejuni, called pgl system, has been successfully expressed in E coli. A plasmid with C. jejuni pgl system genes is provided. This plasmid, or a derivative thereof, is used to identify conditions for production of active THCA synthase in a host cell (Fig. 11).

Example 3: Optimization of the expression of Cannabinoid pathway genes

[00211] To optimize the endogenous production of CBGA in E. coli, CBGA synthase is

simultaneously co-expressed with the MEP pathway, GPP synthase, and or polyketide pathway components to provide the substrates GPP and OA, which are required for production of CBGA.

[00212] Co-expression candidates include:

• Co-expression with MEP pathway to produce IPP and DMAPP

• Co-expression with GPP synthase to supply GPP endogenously from IPP and DMAPP

• Co-expression with the polyketide pathway to supply olivetolic acid (OA) endogenously.

[00213] For the co-expression of two different plasmids in E. coli, plasmids with low or medium copy number were used to reduce deleterious effect on cell growth, compatible origins of replication were used to ensure the maintenance of two or more plasmids, and independent antibiotic selection was used for stringent selection of each of the plasmids. Accordingly, CBGA synthase gene was cloned into low copy plasmid pBAD33. A schematic diagram of the low copy CBGA synthase expression plasmid is shown in (Fig. 12). The cloned CBGAS gene was verified by restriction digestion and sequencing. For co- expression of CBGAS with MEP pathway and GPP synthase, GPP synthase was cloned upstream to CBGAS in pBAD33 and then co-transformed with pTRC RDE (Fig. 13). After co-transformation, the cells were grown with antibiotic selection and induced when the Οϋβοο reached 0.6. The amount of inducer concentrations are listed in Fig. 14.

[00214] After adding the inducer, the cells were allowed grow overnight. The Οϋβοο was measured to check the cell viability upon the protein production. The comparison of Οϋβοο for different cultures are shown in Fig. 15. Strains having pBAD33_GPPS_CBGAS were induced by arabinose at the concentrations of 10, 15 and 20 mM. Strains having pBAD33_GPPS_CBGAS and pTRC RDE were induced with different concentration combinations of arabinose and IPTG. The proteins were extracted after cell lysis and the concentration of proteins was measured using Bradford method. The induction and expression of the proteins were checked by SDS PAGE (Fig. 16). Total extracted protein concentrations were plotted (Fig. 17) to compare with the expression data on SDS PAGE. The total protein concentration was found to be increased with the increase in inducer concentration and is inversely related to the cell population and growth.

[00215] Lee et al. have found the interference of IPTG on the induction of arabinose. So the expression of CBGAS was checked with the different combination of arabinose and IPTG

concentrations. The total protein concentration was found to be higher when the cell was induced with 10 mM arabinose and 0.5 mM IPTG. Maintaining multiple plasmids increases the metabolic burden on the cell from DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis as well as the total number of antibiotic resistance proteins the cell must produce, and leads to low production of the desired final product. Also maintaining the balance between different inducers will also give the non-reproducible production level for the final product. To overcome this limitation, the entire gene cassette is constructed on a single plasmid having the MEP pathway and GPPS and CBGAS operon together. Additionally or alternatively, the MEP pathway, GPPS, and/or CBGAS are integrated into the host cell genome.

Example 4: Metagenomic screening and cloning of bifunctional ispDF gene on MEP pathway

[00216] Environmental metagenomes from soil bacteria were screened to identify alternative MEP pathway genes. A novel bifunctional enzyme in the non-mevalonate pathway that is considerably more active than the corresponding E. coli orthologs was identified. The new bifunctional enzyme co- localized the active sites of IspD and IspF onto a single polypeptide scaffold. Activity of bifunctional gene was assessed for lycopene production as a proxy for cannabinoid synthesis. The gene was called as ispDF and cloned in pTrc-RDE operon replacing ispD and ispF with ispDF using same strong RBS. This engineered plasmid was named as pTrc-RDE* and transformed in E. coli (DE3). Two additional metagenomics bifunctional enzymes that co-localized the active sites of ispD and ispF, and were termed ispDF2, and ispDF3, respectively.

Protein expression studies

[00217] Strains harboring plasmids pTrc-RDE and pTrc-RDE* were tested for protein expression by induction with IPTG. Cells were grown in LB broth at 37 °C to reach ΟD ₆₀₀ of 0.6, induced by addition of IPTG into the culture medium, and then the cultures were incubated overnight at 30 °C. Cells harvested from the culture were lysed and total proteins were extracted. Concentration of total protein was estimated with Bradford method and run on SDS-PAGE gel. The gels were stained with Coomassie Brilliant Blue G-250 dye for visualization. Both pTrc-RDE and pTrc-RDE* plasmids upon expression showed bands corresponding to pathway enzymes on SDS-PAGE. ispDF expression was shown by SDS-PAGE analysis of induced cell ly sates (Fig. 18).

[00218] Modelling ispDF: Bifunctional ispDF from Campylobacter jejuni has been reported as CJ- ispDF. IspDF reported in our study (ispDFl) is modelled with CJ-ispDF using Swiss Model. It bears around 31% sequence similarity. Its alignment with CJ-ispDF and, native ispD and ispF shows dissimilar amino acids (Fig. 19). This suggests that ispDF is novel and hasn't been reported. More analysis about active site co-localization is being carried out.

Functional Analysis of Platform Strain:

[00219] Engineered E. coli strains were transformed with plasmids containing downstream genes for conversion of a C5 isoprenoid precursor to lycopene. Lycopene biosynthetic genes were cloned under the control of a constitutive promoter. Lycopene expressing plasmids were low copy and had compatibility of origin of replication for co-expression.

[00220] It is reported that ispD, ispF and ispE enzymes form a multi-component complex to channel metabolite through three consecutive catalytic steps. To study this further, we cloned native ispE gene amplified from genome in both the operons. The variant plasmids were named as pTrc-RDEE and pTrc- RDE*E respectively of pTrc-RDE and pTrc-RDE* (Fig. 20). Both these variants were also tested functionally for lycopene production as described below. Example 5: Increasing Terpenoid Biosynthesis Via Heterologous Expression Of One Or More Components Of An MEP Pathway

[00221] Different constructs were produced tested for the ability to support increased terpenoid biosynthesis (Fig. 21).

Isoprene Synthesis

[00222] The following strains of E. coli were provided: parent control strain (BL21); control strain SAO 1 containing an expression cassette encoding isoprene synthase (ispS) operably linked to an arabinose promoter; strain SA02 containing the expression cassette in SA01 and an RDE expression cassette encoding dxs, ispD, ispF, and idi operably linked to a Trc promoter; and strain SA03 containing the expression cassette in SA01 and an RDE ^* expression cassette encoding dxs, ispDFl, and idi operably linked to a Trc promoter (Fig. 22, left). In SA03, the designation ispDFl- indicates that the nucleic acid encoding ispDFl is not codon optimized for increased expression in the heterologous host cell, whereas ispDF+ (not shown in Fig. 22) indicates that the nucleic acid encoding the enzyme is codon optimized. Cultures were grown in sealed glass culture tubes at 30 °C at 230 rpm. Cultures were induced after reaching OD600 0.6 and incubated further for 20 h. 0.05mM IPTG and 10 mM arabinose were used as inducers. Culture head space was analyzed by GC-MS. Samples were heated to 70 °C before injection. Isoprene was quantified using a calibration curve. Isoprene production by the strains described herein is illustrated in Fig. 22, right.

Lycopene Synthesis

[00223] Plasmid pAC-LYC (Addgene plasmid #53270) was obtained. This plasmid contains an expression cassette having a constitutive promoter operably linked to lycopene synthesis genes crtE, crti, and crtB. See, Cunningham FX Jr, et al, Plant Cell. 1994 Aug;6(8): 1107-21. The following strains of E. coli were provided: parent control strain (BL21(DE3)); strain RDE containing plasmid pAC-LYC and a plasmid containing the RDE expression cassette described above; strain RDE ^* (DF1-) containing plasmid pAC-LYC and a plasmid containing the RDE ^* expression cassette described above; strain RDE ^* (DF1+) containing plasmid pAC-LYC and a plasmid containing the RDE ^* expression cassette having a nucleic acid encoding codon optimized ispDFl; strain RDE*(DF2+) containing plasmid pAC-LYC and a plasmid containing the RDE ^* expression cassette having a nucleic acid encoding codon optimized ispDF2; and strain RDE*(DF3+) containing plasmid pAC-LYC and a plasmid containing the RDE ^* expression cassette having a nucleic acid encoding codon optimized ispDF3. Additional strains generated include SA01, containing pAC-LYC; SA02, containing pAC-LYC and pTrc-RDE; SA03 containing pAC-LYC and pTrc-RDEE; SA04 containing pAC-LYC and pTrc-RDE*; and SA05 containing pAC-LYC and pTrc-RDE*E. The sequences of ispDFl, ispDF2, and ispDF3 are shown in Fig. 26.

[00224] For lycopene production, seed cultures of SA01-SA05 were grown in LB media at 30 °C overnight. These cultures were then diluted to optical density of 0.2 with fresh media and induced with IPTG. The production cultures were incubated at 30° C for 20h in dark shaking at 250rpm. Lycopene extraction was performed by extracting 4mL of culture with 2mL of acetone. The acetone extract was analyzed on HPLC. HPLC method: column - C18, mobile phase - methanol:tetrahydrofuran:water (66:30:4), flow rate - lmL/min, detection at 472nm wavelength using photodiode array detector and lycopene peak was confirmed with in-house lycopene standard. Fig. 23 shows that IPTG induction increases lycopene production. Optimal induction levels are different for different strain.

[00225] In a second experiment, cultures were grown in LB overnight at 30 °C. These cultures were then diluted to OD600 of 0.2 with LB. They were induced with IPTG and were allowed to grow at 30 °C for 24 h. 2 mL of culture were centrifuged at 8000 rpm for 5 min to produce a cell pellet. Lycopene from the cell pellet was extracted with 1 mL acetone at 55 °C for 15 min. The mixtures were then centrifuged at 14000 rpm. The resulting the supernatant was analyzed on a C-18 column by HPLC using an isocratic elution method with a mixture of methanol, tetrahydrofuran and water (66:30:4) at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. Lycopene yield was measured as area under the HPLC curve for lycopene peak. The peak was verified with in house standard. The area was normalized with respect to RDE strain with 0 μΜ IPTG. The results are shown in Fig. 24.

Monoterpene Synthesis

[00226] Fig. 25, top illustrates a construct for producing a monoterpene in a host cell. The construct includes an MEP pathway platform operon encoding dxs, codon optimized ispDFl (DF1+), and idi, operably linked to a T7 promoter; and a monoterpene operon encoding GPP synthase and a monoterpene synthase operably linked to a Trc promoter. In this experiment, the monoterpene synthase was carene synthase.

[00227] Cultures are grown in LB + 0.5% yeast extract overnight at 30 °C. These cultures were then diluted to OD600 of 0.2 with the media supplemented with 2mM magnesium chloride, incubated at 37 °C, and then induced with IPTG at OD600 of 0.8. Cultures were overlaid with 10% dodecane.

Monoterpene concentration was analyzed on GC-MS using standard curve. The results are illustrated in Fig. 25, bottom. Successful production of monoterpenes limonene and myrcene was also achieved using a limonene synthase, and a myrcene synthase respectively. IspDF2+; ispDF3+; and dxs, ispD, ispF, and idi were also able to support increased production of monoterpenes.

EXEMPLARY SEQUENCES

[00228] Exemplary sequences referred to in this application include, but are not limited to those listed in the following table:

[00229] Exemplary sequences are provided below.

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[00230] The inventions illustratively described herein can suitably be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations, not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, for example, the terms "comprising," "including ," "containing," etc. shall be read expansively and without limitation. Additionally, the terms and expressions employed herein have been used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the future shown and described or any portion thereof, and it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

[00231] Thus, it should be understood that although the present invention has been specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of the inventions herein disclosed can be resorted by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of the inventions disclosed herein. The inventions have been described broadly and generically herein. Each of the narrower species and subgeneric groupings falling within the scope of the generic disclosure also form part of these inventions. This includes the generic description of each invention with a proviso or negative limitation removing any subject matter from the genus, regardless of whether or not the excised materials specifically resided therein.

[00232] In addition, where features or aspects of an invention are described in terms of the Markush group, those schooled in the art will recognize that the invention is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group. It is also to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments will be apparent to those of in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent publications and the contents referred to by database (e g., Genbank) accession numbers, are incorporated herein by reference.