Elucidation of the plant progesterone biosynthetic pathway and its application in a yeast cell factory

isomerases (HSDs) MtHSD5 and MtHSD6. Unlike their animal counterparts, the plant-derived P450scc enzymes were found to be localized to the endoplasmic reticulum in yeast and plants, and using the plant-type cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) as electron transfer chain. The plant-derived HSDs are cytoplasmic in yeast and plants, whereas animal-derived HSDs localize to the endoplasmic reticulum. Based on this discovery, we engineered a yeast-based cell factory capable of synthesizing 1.06 g/L of progesterone from a simple carbon source. This discovery lays the groundwork for the sustainable synthesis of steroid hormone drugs through the use of plant-based systems or microbial host cells.