Scientists Think They’ve Solved a Long-Standing Mystery Around Nicotine
Researchers discovered how tobacco plants produce nicotine by using a temporary glucose molecule to facilitate the chemical reaction.Summary
For decades, scientists were unable to determine the exact process tobacco plants use to synthesize nicotine, despite knowing the basic chemical components. A new study published in Nature Communications by researchers from the University of York and the University of Copenhagen reveals that the plant temporarily attaches a glucose molecule to one of nicotine's building blocks to enable the reaction. Because this sugar molecule is completely removed once the process is complete, it left no trace for previous researchers to find.
This discovery identifies the specific enzymes responsible for adding and removing the sugar. Beyond scientific curiosity, this finding has practical implications for biotechnology; since relatives of tobacco plants are used to produce vaccines and medicines, understanding this pathway could allow scientists to genetically disable nicotine production, reducing contamination and lowering purification costs.
(Source：VICE)
