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Biosynthesis of Morphinan Alkaloids

  • Conference paper
The Chemistry and Biology of Isoquinoline Alkaloids

Part of the book series: Proceedings in Life Sciences ((LIFE SCIENCES))

Abstract

By the turn of the century a large number of alkaloids had been isolated, and investigators began to turn their attention to the ways by which these natural products were constructed in the living plant. Many interesting ideas were proposed during the next decades. After World War II suitable radioisotopes became available for labelling and tracer studies, and the liquid scintillation counter was developed for accurate measurement of carbon-14 and tritium activities. Thus, by the late 1950’s the time was ripe for experimental work to test the validity of the various hypotheses that had been presented. A burst of research activity focusing on the morphinan alkaloids emerged from several laboratories, and within less than a decade the major steps in the biosynthesis of morphine had been elucidated.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, California, 94143, USA

    E. Brochmann-Hanssen

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  1. E. Brochmann-Hanssen
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacognosy, The School of Pharmacy, Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AX, London, UK

    J. David Phillipson  & Margaret F. Roberts  & 

  2. Pharmazeutische Biologie, Universität München, Karlstraße 29, 8000, München 2, Germany

    M. H. Zenk

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© 1985 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Brochmann-Hanssen, E. (1985). Biosynthesis of Morphinan Alkaloids. In: Phillipson, J.D., Roberts, M.F., Zenk, M.H. (eds) The Chemistry and Biology of Isoquinoline Alkaloids. Proceedings in Life Sciences. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-70128-3_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-70128-3_15

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-70130-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-70128-3

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