MOLECULAR CLONING AND EXPRESSION OF O-METHYLTRANSFERASES FROM OPIUM POPPY

Characterization of three O-methyltransferases involved in noscapine biosynthesis in opium poppy.

Noscapine is a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid produced in opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) and other members of the Papaveraceae. It has been used as a cough suppressant and more recently was shown to possess anticancer activity. However, the biosynthesis of noscapine in opium poppy has not been established. A proposed pathway leading from (S)-reticuline to noscapine includes (S)-scoulerine, (S)-c...

Molecular Characterization of Opium Poppy (Papaver somniferum) Germplasm

Problem statement: The medicinal value of opium poppy (2n = 22, Papaver somniferum L.) is due to presence of more than two dozen alkaloids. The genetic origin and diversity of cultivars used in the breeding collection is not fully known. To evaluate the genetic diversity of the 24 germplasm currently cultivated in the state to provide genetic information about heterogeneity, using RAPD and ISSR...

Molecular Genetic Analysis of an O-Methyltransferase of the Opium Poppy Papaver somniferum

Isoquinoline alkaloids are a large class of compounds derived from the amino acid L-tyrosine containing many physiologically active members. Among the isoquinoline alkaloids, morphine is one of the pharmaceutically important members that is still derived from the plant that produces it, the opium poppy Papaver somniferum. P. somniferum produces over 80 alkaloids derived from L-tyrosine. We have...

AFLP Analysis of Opium Poppy

There are several different DNA analysis procedures that have been used to identify and characterize plant Amplified restriction fragment length polymorphic (AFLP) DNA cultivars to determine genetic diversity. Each procedure analysis was performed on leaf samples of 40 accessions of opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) and two other control genera (Pahas it own requirements, sensitivity, and rel...

History of the Opium Habit, and Opium-Poppy Culture