Researchers engineer plant cells to produce drug for cancer
Researchers from IIT Madras and Mandi have made strides in metabolically engineering plant cells to enhance the production of the anti-cancer drug camptothecin (CPT). The allopathic medicine is produced using Nathapodytes nimmoniana, a native, endangered plant.
Current Challenges
- The extraction of camptothecin from Nathapodytes nimmoniana demands a significant amount of plant material, approx 1,000 tonnes to yield 1 tonne of CPT.
- The plant's endangered status prompted the exploration of alternative sources for this vital anti-cancer compound.
Camptothecin
- It is majorly produced in the southeast Asian region, with the plant being largely found only in China and India.
- The Chinese variety of the plant used to extract the cell is listed as critically endangered.
- In India the plant is a native of western ghats and there was a 20% decline in population in the last decade .
Research Development
- In 2021, IIT Madras researchers identified a microbe as a sustainable and high-yielding alternative source for CPT.
- They then developed a genome-scale metabolic model for N. nimmoniana plant cells using computational tools to enhance the understanding of the plant's metabolic pathways.
Sustainable Production Approach
- The study presents a breakthrough in sustainable and efficient commercial production of CPT and other medically important alkaloids.
- By metabolically engineering plant cells, the researchers aim to
- Reduce the need to cut down endangered plants
- Cater to the increasing market demand for the drug
- The platform developed for metabolic engineering could extend to enhance the production of various high-value phytochemicals, showcasing broader applications.
Prelims Takeaway
- Camptothecin (CPT)
- Nathapodytes nimmoniana
- Cancer