The formation of 3α‐ and 3β‐acetoxytropanes byDatura stramonium transformed root cultures involves two acetyl‐CoA‐dependent acyltransferases

Abstract

Tropine (tropan‐3α‐ol) is an intermediate in the formation of hyoscyamine. An acyltransferase activity that can acetylate tropine using acetyl‐coenzyme A as cosubstrate has been found in transformed root cultures ofDatura stramonium. A further acyltransferase activity that acetylates pseudotropine (tropan‐3β‐ol) with acetyl‐coenzyme A is also present. These two activities can be partially resolved by anion‐exchange chromatography, some fractions containing only the pseudotropine‐utilizing activity. The basic properties of these two enzymes are reported and their roles in forming the observed alkaloid spectrum ofD. stramonium roots discussed.