[Molecular mechanism of artemisinin biosynthesis and regulation in Artemisia annua].

Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is the best available treatment, particularly for Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Artemisinin, whose main source is Artemisia annua, has large demand and shortsupply every year.Artemisininis synthesized,stored, and secreted by the glandular secretory trichomes of A. annua(AaGSTs).In general, the population and morphology of AaGSTs are often positively correlated with artemisinin content.This review article introduces the molecular mechanism of biosynthesis and regulation of artemisininin A. annua. Furthermore, this article will refresh the classification of trichomes in A. annua and provide anoverview of the recent achievements regarding AaGSTs and artemisinin.These will shed light on exploring the method for increasing plant-derived artemisinin.