Title
A functionally conserved STORR gene fusion in Papaver species that diverged 16.8 million years ago
Author
Theresa Catania, Yi Li, Thilo Winzer, David Harvey, Fergus Meade, Anna Caridi, Andrew Leech, Tony R. Larson, Zemin Ning, Jiyang Chang, Yves Van de Peer & Ian A. Graham
Year
2022
Journal
Nature Communications
Abstract
The STORR gene fusion event is considered essential for the evolution of the promorphinan/morphinan subclass of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) in opium poppy as the resulting bi-modular protein performs the isomerization of (S)- to (R)-reticuline essential for their biosynthesis. Here, we show that of the 12 Papaver species analysed those containing the STORR gene fusion also contain promorphinans/morphinans with one important exception. P. californicum encodes a functionally conserved STORR but does not produce promorphinans/morphinans. We also show that the gene fusion event occurred only once, between 16.8-24.1 million years ago before the separation of P. californicum from other Clade 2 Papaver species. The most abundant BIA in P. californicum is (R)-glaucine, a member of the aporphine subclass of BIAs, raising the possibility that STORR, once evolved, contributes to the biosynthesis of more than just the promorphinan/morphinan subclass of BIAs in the Papaveraceae.
Full Article
Instrument
J-1500, V-560
Keywords
STORR, gene, BIAs,