O-methyltransferases of tetrahydrobenzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis in papaver somniferum

摘要

The present invention relates to methyl transfer enzymes involved in alkaloid biosynthesis in opium poppy. More particularly, the invention relates to proteins having (R,S)-reticuline 7-O-methyltransferase activity, to proteins having (R,S)-norcoclaurine 6-O-methyltransferase activity and to derivatives and analogues of these proteins. The invention also relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding the proteins, and their derivatives and analogues, and to their use in the production of methylated catechols and tetrahydrobenzylisoquinolines.