Nicotine biosynthesis is completed by cryptic activating glucosylation
Researchers have successfully completed the biosynthesis pathway of nicotine, a significant alkaloid produced by tobacco plants. This study reveals a four-enzyme biocatalytic cascade that synthesizes (S)-nicotine from nicotinic acid and N-methylpyrrolinium. The findings provide new gene targets for controlling alkaloid production and open up enzymatic routes to other pyridine alkaloids.
- ▪Nicotine is produced by tobacco as a defense mechanism and is known for its addictive properties.
- ▪The study demonstrates the in vitro reconstruction of a biocatalytic cascade that forms (S)-nicotine.
- ▪High-resolution X-ray structures of key enzymes involved in the biosynthesis were presented.
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Download PDF Article Open access Published: 18 May 2026 Nicotine biosynthesis is completed by cryptic activating glucosylation Benjamin T. W. Schwabe ORCID: orcid.org/0009-0009-4850-98381,2, Isabelle M. Angstman3, Katharina Vollheyde ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-9592-44703, Zoe Ingold ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-1456-50801,2, Jiacheng Li2, Ksenia S. Stankevich ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-6701-75822,4, Christopher D. Spicer ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-8787-578X2,4, Martin A. Fascione ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-0066-44192,4, Gideon Grogan ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-1383-70562, Fernando Geu-Flores ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-5735-98103 & …Benjamin R.
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