UNUSUAL METHYL TRANSFER IN THE BIOSYNTHESIS OF APORPHINE AND PROTOBERBERINE ALKALOIDS

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0031-9422(93)85226-H

(S)-Reticuline was triply-labelled with 13C and administrered to cell cultures of Peumus boldus and Berberis stolonifera, which are sources of aporphines and protoberberines, respectively.During incorporation of the labelled precursor into alkaloids of both groups, unexpected transmethylations of the methyl groups were observed by 13C NMR spectroscopy which seem to proceed via demethylation, flux of 13C through the C-1 pool, and remethylation. Key Word Index: Peumus boldus; Berberis stolonifera; Berberidaceae; cell suspension cultures; 13C NMR; reticuline; aporphines; protoberberines; alkaloids; biosynthesis