The invention relates to a non-natural
cannabinoid synthase comprising at least one
amino acid variation as compared to a
wild type cannabinoid synthase Δ9-
tetrahydrocannabinolic acid synthase (THCAS), comprising three alpha helices (αA, αB and αC) where a
disulfide bond is not formed between
alpha helix αA and
alpha helix αC, wherein the non-natural
cannabinoid synthase catalyzes the
oxidative cyclization of cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) into a cannabinoid. The invention further relates to a non-natural Δ9-
tetrahydrocannabinolic acid synthase (THCAS), a non-natural
cannabidiolic acid synthase (CBDAS), and a non-natural cannabichromenic acid synthase (CBCAS) comprising at least one
amino acid variation as compared to a
wild type THCAS, CBDAS, or CBCAS, respectively, comprising three alpha helices (αA, αB and αC) and wherein a
disulfide bond is not formed between
alpha helix αA and alpha
helix αC. The invention also relates to a
nucleic acid, expression construct, and engineered
cell for making the non-natural THCAS, CBDAS, and / or CBCAS. Also provided are compositions comprising the non-natural THCAS, CBDAS, and / or CBCAS; isolated non-natural THCAS, CBDAS, and / or CBCAS enzymes; methods of making the isolated enzymes;
cell extracts comprising cannabinoids; and methods of making cannabinoids.