Perspectives and Recent Advances in Taxol Producing Endophytic Fungal Research

UMESh HR; Neha B.M.

Abstract

Taxol being the most successful anti cancer drug was discovered from the bark of the Taxus brevifolia. Its chemistry, structure and mechanistic action were long back established. There was a Shift of the taxol production from the yew the deforestation of the yew tree was more, and the yield was less. The discovery of the endophytic fungi which produces Taxol, lead the way for the taxol production in the larger scale. As the gene for the taxol production was unstable in endophytic fungi under culture conditions, the consistent production was not achieved. In this review, we focus on the different methods by which scientists are trying to overcome this problem. Efforts are on to utilise genetic engineering tool to solve the problems like instability of the culture. The sequencing of the genome of the fungi might lead a way for more modification and increase the stability in the culture and the more yield. Here we discuss about the methods like the agro bacterium mediated gene transfer and the multiple gene shuffling to check the yield and stability of the large cultures in the industries. Finally, we hope the better methods become available to cure the cancer with endophytic fungal Taxol in future.

Abstract

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