羽扇豆生物碱合成的平衡之道

New knowledge of alkaloid biosynthesis in lupins could lead to targeted breeding for use in agricultural, chemical, and pharmaceutical settings . PLANT SCIENCE Shifting the equilibrium on lupin alkaloids A biosynthesis breakthrough promises applications in food and chemistry Zhouqian Jiang and Benjamin R. Lichman Plants produce myriad alkaloids primarily as protection against biotic stresses. Human interactions with these bioactive nitrogen-containing compounds are, however, a delicate equilibrium. Their desirable neuroactive or agrichemical properties are balanced against negative traits such as addiction and toxicity. The double-edged nature of alkaloids is at play in quinolizidine alkaloids, such as lupanine and sparteine, that accumulate in the seeds of lupins (Lupinus spp.). …