Reaction: S-adenosyl-L-methionine + cephaeline = S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine + emetine
Other name(s): IpeOMT1; CiOMT1
Systematic name: S-adenosyl-L-methionine:cephaeline 6'-O-methyltransferase
Comments: The enzyme IpeOMT1, isolated from the roots of the tropical plant Carapichea ipecacuanha, catalyses the final step in the bionsynthesis of the alkaloid emetine. A second enzyme isolated from the same plant, CiOMT1, also catalyses this activity, but catalyses the activity of EC 2.1.1.395, 7'-O-demethylcephaeline methyltransferase, with a much higher activity.
Links to other databases: BRENDA, EXPASY, KEGG, MetaCyc, CAS registry number:
References:
1. Nomura, T. and Kutchan, T.M. Three new O-methyltransferases are sufficient for all O-methylation reactions of ipecac alkaloid biosynthesis in root culture of Psychotria ipecacuanha. J. Biol. Chem. 285 (2010) 7722-7738. [PMID: 20061395]
2. Cheong, B.E., Takemura, T., Yoshimatsu, K. and Sato, F. Molecular cloning of an O-methyltransferase from adventitious roots of Carapichea ipecacuanha. Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem. 75 (2011) 107-113. [PMID: 21228475]