Biosynthesis of Kratom Opioids

Abstract

Mitragyna speciosa (kratom) derived monoterpenoid indole alkaloids (MIAs) such as mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are a new class of opioids with a corynanthe MIA pharmacophore that is responsible for their significantly reduced side effects and superior safety profiles. While botanical kratom has been historically used for stimulation and pain management in Southeast Asia, the biosynthesis of kratom MIAs is not known. In this study, we identified and characterized 9 reductases bearing various degrees of demethyldihydrocoryanthine/demethylcorynantheidine synthase activity and a new SABATH type methyltransferase that catalyzes highly unusual non-aromatic enol methylation from kratom and several other species, which are required in kratom opioids biosynthesis. With unnatural substrate 4-hydroxytryptamine, we further showed the biosynthesis of mitragynine and its epimer speciogynine using these characterized enzymes. The promiscuity of kratom opioid biosynthetic enzymes suggests that derivatives and analogs of kratom opioids may be manufactured in heterologous systems with appropriate enzymes and substrates.