Opiate Painkillers: Poppy Gene May Help Scientists Produce Opiate-Based Drugs

Researchers at the University of New York discovered a gene in poppy species that could help them soon grow opiate-based drugs in a lab. The gene, called STORR, is believed to have evolved when encoding oxidase and reductase enzymes merged millions of years ago and leading to morphine production.

All opiate painkillers are derived from the opioid analgesic alkaloids that are produced by opium poppy plants (Palaver somniferous). It was through their work that researchers identified one of the key genes responsible for the synthesis of the morphinan class of alkaloids.

"Opium poppy is one of the most important medicinal plants. The formation of the fusion protein was probably a key evolutionary event in its ability to synthesis pharmaceutically important morphinan alkaloids," said lead study author Thilo Winzer, in a news release.

Researchers believe that the STORR gene's discovery will help them better understand how to engineer morphine in a lab. For instance, some of the poppy plants are unable to produce morphine or codeine, yet instead have acquired the compound (S)-reticuline. Due do these mutations found in the STORR gene, "roadblocks" may disrupt the pathway to the drug's production. However, scientists noted that the non-mutated wild type gene can come over this roadblock by expressing it in yeast cells.

"Plants produce an amazing array of natural chemicals. Discovery of this STORR gene fusion provides us with new insight into how poppy plants have evolved to produce the most effective painkillers known to man," concluded Professor Ian Graham, who led the research in the Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, based in the Department of Biology at the University of York.

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the journal Science.

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