Sesquiterpene Synthases

Sesquiterpene synthases are enzymes that catalyze the formation of sesquiterpenes—15-carbon volatile compounds found in cannabis and many plants. In cannabis, these synthases operate in specialized glandular trichomes and convert farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) into diverse sesquiterpene backbones, including those of β-caryophyllene, humulene, and α-bisabolol. Different sesquiterpene synthase genes produce distinct molecular scaffolds, and their expression levels directly influence the qualitative and quantitative sesquiterpene profiles observed in individual cultivars. Breeders and geneticists study sesquiterpene synthase diversity to understand chemotype variation and map the genetic basis of terpene expression across cannabis germplasm.

Sesquiterpene synthase gene polymorphisms and expression patterns are key targets in selective breeding programs aiming to stabilize or modify sesquiterpene-dominant chemotypes. Understanding sesquiterpene synthase function helps breeders predict and reproduce specific aromatic and volatile profiles across generations.