Editing Morphine (section)

===Biosynthesis in the opium poppy===
[[File:Morphine biosynthesis.png|class=skin-invert-image|thumb|center|750px|Morphine biosynthesis in the opium poppy]]
Biosynthesis of morphine in the [[Papaver somniferum|opium poppy]] begins with two tyrosine derivatives, [[dopamine]] and [[4-hydroxyphenylacetaldehyde]]. Condensation of these precursors yields the primary intermediate [[higenamine]] (norcoclaurine).<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Onoyovwe A, Hagel JM, Chen X, Khan MF, Schriemer DC, Facchini PJ | title = Morphine biosynthesis in opium poppy involves two cell types: sieve elements and laticifers | journal = Plant Cell | volume = 25 | issue = 10 | pages = 4110–4122 | date = 2013 | pmid = 24104569 | pmc = 3877807 | doi = 10.1105/tpc.113.115113 | doi-access = free | bibcode = 2013PlanC..25.4110O }}</ref> Subsequent action of four enzymes yields the tetrahydroisoquinoline [[reticuline]], which is converted into [[salutaridine]], [[thebaine]], and [[oripavine]]. The enzymes involved in this process are the [[salutaridine synthase]], [[Salutaridine reductase (NADPH)|salutaridine:NADPH 7-oxidoreductase]] and the [[Codeinone reductase (NADPH)|codeinone reductase]].<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors = Novak B, Hudlicky T, Reed J, Mulzer J, Trauner D |title = Morphine Synthesis and Biosynthesis-An Update |journal = Current Organic Chemistry |date = March 2000 |volume = 4 |issue = 3 |pages = 343–362 |doi = 10.2174/1385272003376292 |url = http://brocku.ca/mathematics-science/departments-and-centres/chemistry/faculty/Hudlicky/CurrOrgChem-2000-4-343.pdf |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120619063224/http://brocku.ca/mathematics-science/departments-and-centres/chemistry/faculty/Hudlicky/CurrOrgChem-2000-4-343.pdf |archive-date = 19 June 2012 |citeseerx = 10.1.1.515.9096 }}</ref> Researchers are attempting to reproduce the biosynthetic pathway that produces morphine in [[genetically engineered]] [[yeast]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url = https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn27546-home-brew-heroin-soon-anyone-will-be-able-to-make-illegal-drugs/ |title = Home-brew heroin: soon anyone will be able to make illegal drugs |magazine = New Scientist | vauthors = Le Page M |date = 18 May 2015 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160413033207/https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn27546-home-brew-heroin-soon-anyone-will-be-able-to-make-illegal-drugs/ |archive-date = 13 April 2016 }}</ref> In June 2015 the ''S''-reticuline could be produced from sugar and ''R''-reticuline could be converted to morphine, but the intermediate reaction could not be performed.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.science.org/content/article/final-step-sugar-morphine-conversion-deciphered |title = Final step in sugar-to-morphine conversion deciphered |publisher = Science | vauthors = Service RF |date = 25 June 2015 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150821122148/http://news.sciencemag.org/biology/2015/06/final-step-sugar-morphine-conversion-deciphered |archive-date = 21 August 2015 }}</ref> In August 2015 the first complete synthesis of thebaine and hydrocodone in yeast was reported, but the process would need to be 100,000 times more productive to be suitable for commercial use.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Galanie S, Thodey K, Trenchard IJ, Filsinger Interrante M, Smolke CD | title = Complete biosynthesis of opioids in yeast | journal = Science | volume = 349 | issue = 6252 | pages = 1095–100 | date = September 2015 | pmid = 26272907 | pmc = 4924617 | doi = 10.1126/science.aac9373 | bibcode = 2015Sci...349.1095G }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title = Yeast-Based Opioid Production Completed |url = http://mobile.the-scientist.com/article/43739/yeast-based-opioid-production-completed |access-date = 15 August 2015 |date = 13 August 2015 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150907025856/http://mobile.the-scientist.com/article/43739/yeast-based-opioid-production-completed |archive-date = 7 September 2015 }}</ref>