ABSTRACT
Paclitaxel, a diterpenoid alkaloid, is known as one of the most effective plant antitumor drugs. At present, paclitaxel products are mainly obtained by semi-chemical synthesis, extraction from Taxus spp. plant and bark cell culture synthesis. This study emphatically analyzed the research progress in the production of paclitaxel. The identification of genes related to paclitaxel biosynthesis was summarized. Furthermore, it was assessed that the possibility of using the bark cell culture of Taxus chinensis, endophytic fungi fermentation and the synthetic biology heterologous synthesis to produce paclitaxel compounds. The review can provide theoretical reference for the establishment of green and sustainable industrial production methods of the paclitaxel active products and their precursors.