【科技日报】人工构建本草细胞高效合成甾体激素

Core Viewpoint - The research team at the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology has discovered an efficient biosynthetic pathway for progesterone in plants, marking a significant advancement in the synthesis technology of third-generation steroid hormones in China [1][2]. Group 1: Research Breakthrough - The team successfully constructed artificial herbal cells capable of producing steroid hormones, utilizing a more efficient "plant route" compared to the traditional "animal route" [1]. - The new method allows for the direct synthesis of steroid hormones from cholesterol-like substances in the endoplasmic reticulum, bypassing the complex mitochondrial transport steps required in the "animal route" [1]. Group 2: Economic Impact - Steroid hormones such as progesterone and hydrocortisone represent the second largest category of chemical drugs after antibiotics, with global annual sales exceeding $100 billion [1]. - The production yield of steroid hormones using the new method exceeds gram-level per liter, achieving over a tenfold increase compared to the "animal route" [1]. Group 3: Environmental Considerations - Traditional production methods rely on plant resources and can lead to environmental pollution, while the new approach offers a more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative for producing steroid hormone drugs [1][2]. Group 4: Broader Implications - This breakthrough provides new insights into the exploration of life's evolution and lays an important foundation for the efficient and environmentally friendly production of steroid hormone drugs based on heterologous biomimetic synthesis technology [2].