The enzyme from the plant Papaver somniferum (opium poppy) methylates (S)- and (R)-reticuline with equal efficiency and is involved in the biosynthesis of tetrahydrobenzylisoquinoline alkaloids.
Ounaroon A, Decker G, Schmidt J, Lottspeich F, Kutchan TM
Title
(R,S)-Reticuline 7-O-methyltransferase and (R,S)-norcoclaurine 6-O-methyltransferase of Papaver somniferum - cDNA cloning and characterization of methyl transfer enzymes of alkaloid biosynthesis in opium poppy.