Silencing nature's narcotics: metabolic engineering of the opium poppy.
The opium poppy, Papaver somniferum L., and its narcotic and analgesic alkaloids, have an ancient history of use (and abuse) by humankind. A recent article by Allen and co-workers describes the metabolic engineering of morphine biosynthesis to block morphine formation and accumulate a potentially valuable pathway intermediate, (S)-reticuline. This work highlights the potential for modifying the production of pharmaceuticals in plants, but also raises questions about the complex regulation of biosynthetic pathways.
Plant Biotechnology Institute, National Research Council of Canada, 110 Gymnasium Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0W9, Canada. jon.page@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Jonathan E
JE
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D000470:Alkaloids / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D044182:Benzylisoquinolines / Q000378:metabolism; D005818:Genetic Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D009020:Morphine / Q000378:metabolism*; D009892:Opium / Q000737:chemistry; D010207:Papaver / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified
D000470:Alkaloids; D044182:Benzylisoquinolines; D009020:Morphine; D009892:Opium; C003298:reticuline