Advance on inducing ferroptosis of tumor cells based on nanodelivery technology / 药学学报

At present, cancer is still one of the most serious threats to human health. Despite the wide application of multiple cancer therapies in clinical practice, the therapeutic effects of most cancers are still far from satisfactory. In recent years, the discovery of regulated cell death may be a good first step on the road to treat cancer. Ferroptosis is triggered by lipid peroxidation of unsaturated fatty acids in cell membrane catalyzed by iron ion. It has been widely concerned as an emerging target for cancer therapy. With the booming of biomedical nanotechnology, ferroptosis as an emerging therapeutic target has attracted extensive attention. Here, we review the advance on the intersection of ferroptosis and biomedical nanotechnology. First, the research background of ferroptosis and nano-preparation as well as the feasibility of ferroptosis-based nano-drug delivery systems (nano-DDS) for cancer treatment are presented and analyzed. Then, the strategies for inducing ferroptosis based on nano-DDS are summarized, mainly including: the promotion of Fenton reaction, the inhibition of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX-4) and the restriction of the cysteine-glutamate exchange transporter (system Xc-). Furthermore, the combination therapy strategies based on biomedical nanotechnology induced ferroptosis are also discussed. Finally, we shine the spotlight on the prospects and challenges of ferroptosis-based nanotherapeutics in clinical application.

Traditional Chinese herbal medicine Astragalus Radix and its effects on intestinal absorption of aconite alkaloids in rats / 中草药·英文版

Objective: Astragalus Radix (AR, Huangqi in Chinese) has been widely used as a qi (energy) restoring herb that is thought to act through reinvigorating the spleen and lung. Aconite is used to rebalance the body temperature during illness and played an irreplaceable role in disease control since ancient times, but it is limited by its strong neuro and cardiotoxicity. Since the Song Dynasty (1227), the two herbs have been commonly used as herbal pairs including in the famous Qifu Decotion, from the “Wei's Family Prescription”. However, many ancient texts also record that they are not compatible using together, suggesting they can have negative outcomes when mixed. This study investigated whether Astragali Radix had either positive or negative effects on absorption of six different active alkaloids derived from aconite. Methods: Single intestinal perfusion model was used to study the effects of Astragali Radix on aconite alkaloids absorption. Response of ABC transporters and distribution of three tight junction proteins on the surface of intestinal enothelium were assessed by Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot and immunofluorescence microscopy, respectively. Results: The results showed that aconite alkaloids absorption could be inhibited, and different concentrations of Astragali Radix considerably increased the expression levels of the ABC transporters and tight junction proteins with Astragali Radix treatment. Conclusion: These results suggest that Astragali Radix can block absorption of aconite alkaloids through the upregulation expression of ATP-binding cassette transporters (ABC transporters) and tight junction proteins. It demonstrates that co-administration of Astragali Radix with other drugs might change the absorption profile of the second drug which is important to know in clinic therapy.

Research progress on the puerarin derivatization through biocatalysis / 药学学报

Puerarin, also known as daidzein 8-C-glucoside, is a major isoflavone glycoside from Pueraria lobata. Puerarin has been shown to possess a variety of pharmacological activities. It has been widely used for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, the further applications are limited due to its low water solubility and poor bioavailability. Structural modification is thus regarded as an efficient approach to improve the solubility and bioavailability of puerarin. Unlike chemical modifications, enzyme-assisted modifications, namely biocatalysis, is a promising alternative for the regioselective synthesis of puerarin derivatives due to its high selectivity. Up to date, acylation, glycosylation and hydroxylation of puerarin had been achieved through enzyme-based biocatalysis. Diverse active puerarin derivatives with improved solubility and bioavailability have been thus developed. Based on modification groups, this paper focused on the progress in the preparation of puerarin derivatives by biocatalysis, in which the whole-cells or pure enzymes were used as the biocatalysts. This article was expected to provide new ideas for the synthesis and development of puerarin drugs.

The enzymatic biosynthesis of acylated steroidal glycosides and their cytotoxic activity

Herein we describe the discovery and functional characterization of a steroidal glycosyltransferase (SGT) from and a steroidal glycoside acyltransferase (SGA) from and their application in the biosynthesis of acylated steroidal glycosides (ASGs). Initially, an gene, designated as OsSGT1, was isolated from . OsSGT1-containing cell free extract was then used as the biocatalyst to react with 49 structurally diverse drug-like compounds. The recombinant OsSGT1 was shown to be active against both 3- and 17-hydroxyl steroids. Unexpectedly, in an effort to identify OsSGT1, we found the bacteria gene in operon actually encoded an SGA, specifically catalyzing the acetylations of sugar moieties of steroid 17-glucosides. Finally, a novel enzymatic two-step synthesis of two ASGs, acetylated testosterone-17-glucosides (AT-17-Gs) and acetylated estradiol-17-glucosides (AE-17-Gs), from the abundantly available free steroids using OsSGT1 and EcSGA1 as the biocatalysts was developed. The two-step process is characterized by EcSGA1-catalyzed regioselective acylations of all hydroxyl groups on the sugar unit of unprotected steroidal glycosides (SGs) in the late stage, thereby significantly streamlining the synthetic route towards ASGs and thus forming four monoacylates. The improved cytotoxic activities of 3'-acetylated testosterone17-glucoside towards seven human tumor cell lines were thus observable.

The influence of adenosine receptor A1 subtype on the immune regulatory function of retinal pigment epithelium cells / 天津医药

Objective To clarify which adenosine receptor subtype is the most powerful one on controlling retinal pigment epithelial cell (RPE) binding adenosine, and what is its function in RPE. Methods Total mRNA was isolated, and membrane protein was extracted from in vitro cultured human ARPE-19 cells. For all four kinds of adenosine receptors, ARA1, ARA2A, ARA2B and ARA3, their gene expressions were tested by real-time PCR while their molecules in the membrane protein were detected by Western blot assay. To check the influence of each adenosine receptor subtype on ARPE-19 cell binging ability to adenosine the cultured cells were divided into five groups, named A-E. A group was set up as untreated control, while, groups B-E were separately treated by ARA1 agonist DPCPX (50 nmol/L), ARA2A agonist SCH58261 (100 nmol/L), ARA2B agonist MRS1754 (100 nmol/L) or ARA3 agonist MRS1220 (5μmol/L). H3-adenosine a radioactive ligand binding assay was performed and the maximum binding capacities (Bmax) were calculated in groups A-E of ARPE-19 cells. Then, ARPE-19 cells were all treated by the combination of TNF-αand IFN-γbut with or without CCPA (100 nmol/L), an ARA1 agonist. MCP-1, IP-10, IL-6, IL-10 and TGF-β in their mediums were determined by ELISA. Results Either mRNA expression or membrane localization of ARA1, ARA2A, ARA2B and ARA3 were verified by real-time PCR and Western blot assay respectively. For A-E groups of ARPE-19 cells the Bmax of adenosine binding were (2.04± 0.31), (0.44 ± 0.06), (1.82 ± 0.28), (2.01 ± 0.42) and (2.06 ± 0.44) fmol respectively;and which were statistically decreased in group B than those of all other groups (P<0.01). Compared with control RPE, the contents of IL-6, MCP-1 and IP-10 were decreased after treatment with CCPA, and the content of IL-10 increased in RPE group (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in TGF-β content between the two groups. Conclusion APRE-19 cells predominantly use ARA1 to absorb adenosine, and the activation of ARA1 in ARPE-19 cells inhibits its IL-6, MCP-1, and IP-10 production, which have potentially immunosuppressive effects to APRE-19 cells.

Effect of Radix Astragali and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata on intestinal absorption of six kinds of alkaloids in Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata / 中草药

Objective To study the effect of Radix Astragali and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata on the intestinal absorption of the three kinds of monoester-type alkaloids (benzoylthioate, benzoyl neostearine, and benzoyl aconitine) and three kinds of diester-type alkaloids (hypaconitine, neaconitine, and aconitine) in Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata. Methods The rat duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum were selected to study the intestinal segment. The apparent permeability coefficient (Papp) was used to evaluate the effect of Radix Astragali on the Papp of six kinds of alkaloids in Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata. Results When Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata and Radix Astragali was 3:1, Radix Astragali can significantly reduce the dipeptide alkaloid Papp in the duodenum and ileum and reduce the monoester-type alkaloid Papp in three kinds of intestinal segments; When Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata and Radix Astragali was 1:1, except in the ileum, Radix Astragali can significantly reduce the Papp of the diester-type alkaloid; When Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata and Radix Astragali was 1:3, Radix Astragali can significantly reduce the Papp of the monoester-type alkaloid (except the parenteral) and significantly reduced the Papp of the three diester-type alkaloids. Conclusion Radix Astragali can inhibit the absorption of aconite alkaloids, and its inhibition effect is different due to different compatibility ratios, types of alkaloids and intestinal segments.

Steroids hydroxylation catalyzed by the monooxygenase mutantfromBM3

The search of new substrates with pharmaceutical and industrial potential for biocatalysts including cytochrome P450 enzymes is always challenging. Cytochrome P450 BM3 mutant, a versatile biocatalyst, exhibited hydroxylation activities towards fatty acids and alkanes. However, there were limited reports about its hydroxylation activity towards steroids. Herein, an-based whole-cell extract containing the recombinant 139-3 protein was used as the biocatalyst to screen 13 steroids. Results revealed that 139-3 was able to specifically hydroxylate androstenedione () at 1-position, generating a hydroxylated steroid 1-OH-androstenedione (). To investigate whether C-1hydroxylation catalyzed by BM3 mutantcould be industrially used, an optimization of catalyzing conditions was performed. Accordingly, the BM3 mutant 139-3 enzyme was observed to display maximum activity at 37 °C, under pH 7.0 for 4 h, with 37% transformation rate. Moreover, fourvariants were generated by random mutagenesis with the aim of improving its activity and expanding substrate scope. Surprisingly, these mutants, sharing a common mutated site R379S, lost their activities towards androstenedione (). These data clearly indicated that arginine residue located at site 379 played key role in the hydroxylation activities of 139-3. Overall, these new findings broadened the substrate scope of 139-3 enzyme, thereby expanding its potential applications as a biocatalyst on steroids hydroxylation in pharmaceutical industry.

A systematic review of anti-interleukin-17 antibody in the treatment of plaque psoriasis / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy and safety of anti-interleukin-17 antibody in the treatment of plaque psoriasis.</p><p><b>METHDOS</b>Randomized controlled trials (RCT) of anti-interleukin-17 antibody (Secukinumab, Brodalumab, and Ixekizumab) in the treatment of plaque psoriasis published between January, 2000 and March, 2017 were searched from PubMed, Cochrane Library, EBSCO, EMbase, CBM, CNKI, VIPdetabase, and Wangfang database. The quality of the retrieved trials was evaluated and the results of studies were analyzed using RevMan 5.0 software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Thirteen RCTs were included involving a total of 11 203 patients. Meta-analysis showed a significant differences between anti-interleukin-17 antibody and placebo (or positive drug) in terms of PASI75 and sPGA (P<0.05). The total incidence of adverse events differed significantly between anti- interleukin-17 antibody and placebo, but no significant differences were found between them in the incidence of serious adverse events and discontinuation rate due to adverse events (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Anti-interleukin-17 antibody is safe and effective for treatment of plaque psoriasis.</p>

Enzymatic cyclization of peptides using immobilized sortase A / 药学学报

Peptide cyclization, a pivotal approach to modifying linear precursors of proteins and pepticles, has been used to enhance their biological activities and serum stabilities. Recently, sortase A (SrtA) from Staphyloccus aureus becomes a promising new technology for efficiently incorporating site specific modifications into proteins, conjugating the cell surface and cyclizing the linear peptides. In this study, we constructed two recombinant expression systems, one with chitin binding domain and the other with six-histidine tag and chitin binding domain on the N-terminal of SrtA, separately. The results of enzymatic kinetics indicate that the two recombinant tags do not impair the transpeptidase activity of SrtA compared with the standard reaction reported under the same reaction condition. The two synthesized peptides with N-ternimal three glycines and C-terminal penta-amino acid motif, LPETG, were cyclized using immobilized and recycled SrtA. The SrtA-based cyclization promises to represent a simple method for easy and efficient enzymatic synthesis of large cyclic peptides.

A cyclotide against influenza A H1N1 virus from Viola yedoensis / 药学学报

Three cyclotides were isolated from the whole plant of Viola yedoensis in this study. The two, vary peptide E and cycloviolacin Y5, were previously reported, and a novel cycloviolacin VY1 was characterized according to the interpretation of MS/MS fragmentation of peptides which were produced from the reduced and alkylated parent peptide with the digestion of Endo Lys-C, trypsin and chymotrypsin, separately. The stability of remarkable resistance to proteolytic degradation by trypsin and chymotrypsin, and that of thermal denaturation was confirmed again. Besides, the IC50 value of cycloviolacin VY1 against influenza A H1N1 virus was (2.27 +/- 0.20) microg x mL(-1). It is the first cyclotide reported with anti-influenza A H1N1 virus activity in vitro assay.

The advance in synthetic biology: towards a microbe-derived paclitaxel intermediates / 药学学报

The synthetic biology matures to promote the heterologous biosynthesis of the well-known drug paclitaxel that is one of the most important and active chemotherapeutic agents for the first-line clinical treatment of cancer. This review focuses on the construction and regulation of the biosynthetic pathway of paclitaxel intermediates in both Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In particular, the review also features the early efforts to design and overproduce taxadiene and the bottleneck of scale fermentation for producing the intermediates.

Research progresses in synthetic biology of artemisinin / 药学学报

Abstract: The first-line drug artemisinin is widely used against malaria. Commercially available artemisinin is extracted from plants. However, the lack of sufficient raw material, artemisinin and the cost associated with the drug's manufacture have limited the supply of ACT to most malaria sufferers in the Developing World. As such, it is important to develop a low cost, fine to environment and high-quality method to supply sufficient and reliable quantities of artemisinin in the future. The field of synthetic biology, which utilizes cell factories to manipulate microbial metabolism to enhance the production of artemisinin and its intermediates, has a particularly strong impact by providing new platforms for chemical production. After a brief introduction of the artemisinin biosynthetic pathway, the present review focuses on the introduction of artemisinin biosynthetic genes, such as the genes encoding amorpha-4, 11-diene monooxygenase, NADPH: cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase, artemisinic aldehyde delta 11(13) reductase and aldehyde dehydrogenase. The review also addresses general considerations for potential contributions of synthetic biology to artemisinin production, with an emphasis on factors influencing interest compounds production in chassis cells.

Construction and preliminary applications of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae detection plasmid using for screening promoter elements / 药学学报

Synthetic biology of natural products is the design and construction of new biological systems by transferring a metabolic pathway of interest products into a chassis. Large-scale production of natural products is achieved by coordinate expression of multiple genes involved in genetic pathway of desired products. Promoters are cis-elements and play important roles in the balance of the metabolic pathways controlled by multiple genes by regulating gene expression. A detection plasmid of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was constructed based on DsRed-Monomer gene encoding for a red fluorescent protein. This plasmid was used for screening the efficient promoters applying for multiple gene-controlled pathways. First of all, eight pairs of primers specific to DsRed-Monomer gene were synthesized. The rapid cloning of DsRed-Monomer gene was performed based on step-by-step extension of a short region of the gene through a series of PCR reactions. All cloned sequences were confirmed by DNA sequencing. A vector named pEASYDs-M containing full-length DsRed-Monomer gene was constructed and was used as the template for the construction of S. cerevisiae expression vector named for pYeDP60-Ds-M. pYeDP60-Ds-M was then transformed into S. cerevisiae for heterologous expression of DsRed-Monomer gene. SDS-PAGE, Western blot and fluorescence microscopy results showed that the recombinant DsRed-Monomer protein was expressed successfully in S. cerevisiae. The well-characterized DsRed-Monomer gene was then cloned into a yeast expression vector pGBT9 to obtain a promoter detection plasmid pGBT9Red. For determination efficacy of pGBT9Red, six promoters (including four inducible promoters and two constitutive promoters) were cloned by PCR from the S. cerevisiae genome, and cloned into pGBT9Red by placing upstream of DsRed-Monomer gene, separately. The fluorescence microscopy results indicated that the six promoters (GAL1, GAL2, GAL7, GAL10, TEF2 and PGK1) can regulate the expression of DsRed-Monomer gene. The successful construction of pGBT9Red lays the foundation for further analysis of promoter activity and screening of promoter element libraries.

Rapid cloning and functional characterization of hypericin synthase gene / 药学学报

Hypericin, a red-colored naphtodianthrone, is a natural product synthesized in the medicinal plant Hypericum perforatum, commonly known as St. John's wort. Hypericin has attracted a growing attention of the pharmaceutical industry because of its potential application to various therapies, including the treatment of depression and remarkable antiviral and photodynamic activities, hyp-1 gene encodes for phenolic coupling protein which catalyzes in vitro direct and specific conversion of emodin to hypericin which, however, has not formed common opinion so far. Six pairs of primers specific to hyp-1 gene were synthesized. The rapid cloning of hyp-1 gene was performed based on step-by-step extension of a short region of the gene through a series of PCR reactions. All cloned sequences were confirmed by DNA sequencing. A vector named pET32ahyp containing hyp-1 gene was constructed and was transformed into E. coli to induce heterologous expression. SDS-PAGE and Western blot results showed the recombinant Hyp-1 protein was expressed successfully in E. coli. The soluble fraction was used to test the function of the recombinant Hyp-1. Hypericin was detected by LC-MS/MS with emodin as a substrate under in vitro conditions. The above results corroborated the Hyp-1 function, a confusing question, which lay a material foundation for the synthesis of hypericin by synthetic biotechnology.

Impact of prior cerebral infarction on in-hospital mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction / 中华内科杂志

Objective To investigate the impact of prior cerebral infarction (PCI) on in-hospital mortality in patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI).MethodsA retrospective analysis of documents of a total of 3572 consecutive patients with AMI admitted to Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University from 2002 Jan.1 to 2009 Dec.31 were performed.Results There were 564 patients ( 15.8% )with PCI.Compared with the group of without PC1,the group with PCI were substantially older[(69.4 ±9.9) vs (64.2 ± 12.9)years,P =0.000],and had a higher prevalence of hypertensive disease,diabetes mellitus,prior myocardial infarction (MI) and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(NSTEMI)( respectively,71.0% vs 57.3%; 41.0% vs 25.7%,12.9% vs 9.5%; 14.9% vs 10.7%,P ＜ 0.01 ),and a higher in-hospital mortality ( 16.5% vs 10.0%,P= 0.000).Univariate analysis demonstrated that in-hospital mortality associated with age,gender,extensive anterior MI,anterior MI,diabetes mellitus,prior cerebral infarction,prior myocardial infarction,coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention.Logistic regression analysis found that risk factors were age,extensive anterior MI,anterior MI,diabetes mellitus and prior cerebral infarction,and protective factors were coronary angiography and percutanous coronary intervention.PCI was independently associated with in-hospital mortality,OR 1.368,95% CI 1.047-1.787,P = 0.022.Conclusion In patients with acute myocardial infarction,the presence of PCI increases the risk of worse in-hospital outcome.

Advances in functional studies of nonstructural proteins and development of antiviral agents for enterovirus 71 / 药学学报

Human enterovirus 71 (EV71) is one of the major etiological agents for the hand, foot, and month disease (HFMD) and is causing frequent, widespread occurrence in the mainland of China. The single positive-stranded RNA genome of EV71 is translated into a single polyprotein which is autocleavaged into structural and nonstructural proteins. The functions of many nonstructural proteins characterized in the life cycle of virus are potential targets for blocking viral replication. This article reviews the studies of the structures and functions of nonstructural proteins of EV71 and the anti-enterovirus 71 drugs targeting on these nonstructural proteins.

Development of a yeast two-hybrid screen for selection of A/H1N1 influenza NS1 non-structural protein and human CPSF30 protein interaction inhibitors / 药学学报

Influenza A/H1N1 virus-encoded nonstructural, or NS1, protein inhibits the 3'-end processing of cellular pre-mRNAs by binding the cellular protein: the 30-kDa subunit of CPSF (cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor, CPSF30). CPSF30 binding site of the NS1 protein is a potential target for the development of drugs against influenza A/H1N1 virus. A yeast two-hybrid screening system was constructed and used for screening Chinese medicines that inhibit the interaction of the A/H1N1 flu NS1 protein and human CPSF30 protein. The NS1 gene of A/H1N1 virus was amplified by consecutive polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the human CPSF30 gene of HeLa cell cloned by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Then the two gene fragments confirmed by sequencing were subcloned into the yeast expression vectors pGBKT7 and pGADT7, respectively. The two constructs, bait vector pGBKNS1 and prey vector pGADCPSF, were co-transformed into yeast AH109. The eight individual yeast colonies were picked and subjected to verification by PCR/gel electrophoresis. The inhibition of the NS1-CPSF30 interaction was allowed the identification of selective inhibitors. The four of more than thirty identified Chinese medicines, including 'Shuanghuanglian oral liquid', showed the strong inhibition of the NS1-CPSF30 interaction.

Elucidating the structure of two cyclotides of Viola tianshanica maxim by MALDI TOF/TOF MS analysis / 药学学报

The cyclotides are a family of cyclic "mini" proteins that occur in Violaceae, Rubiaceae and Cucurbitaceae plant families and contain a head-to-tail cyclic backbone and a cystine knot arranged by three disulfide bonds. To study the natural cyclotides of V tianshanica, dried herb was extracted with 50% ethanol, and the concentrated aqueous extract was subjected to a solvent-solvent partitioning between water and hexane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol, separately. The n-butanol extract containing cyclotides was subjected to column chromatography over Sephadex LH-20, eluted with 30% methanol. The subfractions were directly reduced by DTT and analyzed by reverse-phase HPLC. The peaks with different retention times were shown on the profile of RP-HPLC and collected. The cyclotides were speculated based on masses range from 3 000 to 3 500 Da. The purified cyclotides were reduced with DTT, alkylated with iodoacetamide, and then were cleaved with endoproteinase Glu-C, endoproteinase Lys-C and Trypsin, separately. The digested peptides were purified on RP-HPLC and analyzed on MALDI TOF/TOF analyzer. A new cyclotide, cycloviolacin T1 and a reported cyclotide varv E were systemically determined using MALDI TOF/TOF system. So the method for the isolation and characterization of cyclotides was quickly built up in succession.

Production of amorpha-4,11-diene in engineered yeasts / 药学学报

Plasmid-carrying Saccharomyces cerevisia (W303-1B[pYeDP60/G/ADS]) and genome-transformed S. cerevisia (W303-1B[rDNA:ADS]), both harboring amorpha-4,11-diene synthase (ADS) gene were constructed to investigate the production of amorpha-4,11-diene. The recombinant plasmid pYeDP60/G/ADS that harbors the ADS gene was transformed into S. cerevisiae W303-1B, resulting in the engineered yeast W303-1B[pYeDP60/G/ADS], which contains multi-copies of the plasmid. The ADS gene expression cassette was obtained by PCR amplification of the pYeDP60/G/ADS template, and then introduced into S. cerevisiae W303-1B to obtain the engineered yeast W303-1B[rDNA:ADS], in which the ADS gene was integrated into the rDNA locus of the yeast genome through the homologous recombination. GC-MS analysis confirmed that both of the engineered yeasts could produce amorpha-4,11-diene. Moreover, the amorpha-4,11-diene yield of W303-1B[pYeDP60/G/ADS] was higher than that of W303-1B[rDNA:ADS]. Southern blot analysis showed that there is only one copy of ADS gene in the genome of W303-1B[rDNA:ADS]. It implied that the amorpha-4,11-diene yield can be improved by increasing the ADS gene copies.

Recent advances in the study of amorpha-4,11-diene synthase and its metabolic engineering / 药学学报

Amorpha-4,11-diene synthase (ADS) can convert farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) to amorpha-4, 11-diene, a precursor of artemisinin. ADS plays an important role in the biosynthesis of artemisinin. This review summarizes the molecular biology and metabolic engineering study of ADS in recent years. The genomic DNA and its cDNA sequences of amorpha-4, 11-diene synthase were cloned from Artemisia annua L. The cDNA encoding amorpha-4, 11-diene synthase contains a 1 641 bp open reading frame coding for 546 amino acids. ADS shows a broad pH optimum and an absolute requirement for divalent metal ions as cofactors. The specificity of ADS to the substrates and products is not high and the formation of amorpha-4, 11-diene by ADS from FPP is achieved by an initial 1, 6-closure with subsequent 1, 10-closure. The ADS cDNA cloned from Artemisia annua L, or totally synthesized by PCR, was introduced into different hosts including E. coli, S. cerevisiae, Nicotiana tabacum L. Arabidopsis thaliana and A. nidulans resulting in varied engineering microorganisms and cells producing amorpha-4, 11-diene. The way to improve the production of amorpha-4, 11-diene was investigated by two strategies such as improving the supply of substrate and directing FPP flux to amorpha-4, 11-diene production from competing pathways.