Cbda Synthase Gene

CBDA synthase is the enzyme responsible for converting geranylpyrophosphate (GPP) and olivetolic acid into cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) in cannabis plants. This gene encodes a critical step in the cannabinoid biosynthetic pathway, determining whether a plant preferentially produces CBDA or THCA. Expression levels of this gene vary significantly across cultivars, with some lineages showing high CBDA synthase activity and others showing minimal expression. The presence and activity of this enzyme is fundamental to breeding chemotypes classified as high-CBD or balanced-ratio strains.

Breeders select for CBDA synthase gene expression when developing CBD-dominant cultivars and chemotype-specific crosses. Molecular marker testing for this gene activity helps predict offspring cannabinoid ratios before flowering, streamlining breeding programs focused on specific cannabinoid profiles.