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de Campos EG, de Almeida OGG, De Martinis ECP. The role of microorganisms in the biotransformation of psychoactive substances and its forensic relevance: a critical interdisciplinary review. Forensic Sci Res 2023; 8:173-184. [PMID: 38221972 PMCID: PMC10785599 DOI: 10.1093/fsr/owad025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Microorganisms are widespread on the planet being able to adapt, persist, and grow in diverse environments, either rich in nutrient sources or under harsh conditions. The comprehension of the interaction between microorganisms and drugs is relevant for forensic toxicology and forensic chemistry, elucidating potential pathways of microbial metabolism and their implications. Considering the described scenario, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive and critical review of the state of the art of interactions amongst microorganisms and common drugs of abuse. Additionally, other drugs of forensic interest are briefly discussed. This paper outlines the importance of this area of investigation, covering the intersections between forensic microbiology, forensic chemistry, and forensic toxicology applied to drugs of abuse, and it also highlights research potentialities. Key points Microorganisms are widespread on the planet and grow in a myriad of environments.Microorganisms can often be found in matrices of forensic interest.Drugs can be metabolized or produced (e.g. ethanol) by microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo G de Campos
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, USA
| | - Otávio G G de Almeida
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Elaine C P De Martinis
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
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Zhan SH, French L. Sequence similarity searches for morphine biosynthesis enzymes in bacteria yield putative targets for understanding associations between infection and opiate administration. J Med Microbiol 2019; 68:952-956. [PMID: 31107204 PMCID: PMC7423160 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Exploiting the immunosuppressive, analgesic and highly addictive properties of morphine could increase the success of a bacterial pathogen. Therefore, we performed sequence similarity searches for two morphine biosynthesis demethylases in bacteria. For thebaine 6-O-demethylase and codeine O-demethylase, we found strong alignments to three (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii) of the six ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, K. pneumoniae, A. baumannii, P. aeruginosa and Enterobacter species) that are commonly associated with drug resistance and nosocomial infections. Expression of the aligned sequence found in P. aeruginosa (NP_252880.1/PA4191) is upregulated in isolates obtained from cystic fibrosis patients. Our findings provide putative mechanistic targets for understanding the role of morphine in pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shing Hei Zhan
- 1 Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Leon French
- 4 Division of Brain and Therapeutics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,5 Institute for Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,2 Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.,3 Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Mardal M, Bischoff M, Ibáñez M, Ruffing U, Hernández F, Meyer MR. Microbial biotransformation of five pyrrolidinophenone-type psychoactive substances in wastewater and a wastewater isolatedPseudomonas putidastrain. Drug Test Anal 2017; 9:1522-1536. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Revised: 01/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marie Mardal
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Toxicology, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology; Saarland University; Homburg Germany
| | - Markus Bischoff
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene; Saarland University; Homburg (Saar) Germany
| | - María Ibáñez
- Research Institute for Pesticides and Water; University Jaume I; Castellón Spain
| | - Ulla Ruffing
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene; Saarland University; Homburg (Saar) Germany
| | - Félix Hernández
- Research Institute for Pesticides and Water; University Jaume I; Castellón Spain
| | - Markus R. Meyer
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Toxicology, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology; Saarland University; Homburg Germany
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Ataee N, Fooladi J, Namaei MH, Rezadoost H, Mirzajani F. Biocatalysts screening of Papaver bracteatum flora for thebaine transformation to codeine and morphine. BIOCATALYSIS AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcab.2016.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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5
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Kok GB, Scammells PJ. Improved synthesis of 14-hydroxy opioid pharmaceuticals and intermediates. RSC Adv 2012. [DOI: 10.1039/c2ra21693k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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Rathbone DA, Lister DL, Bruce NC. Biotransformation of alkaloids. THE ALKALOIDS. CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY 2003; 58:1-82. [PMID: 12534248 DOI: 10.1016/s0099-9598(02)58002-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Biotransformations of alkaloids over the last decade have continued to encompass a wide variety of substrates and enzymes. The elucidation of novel alkaloid biosynthetic and catabolic pathways will continue to furnish new biocatalysts for the synthetic organic chemist. Furthermore, an improved understanding of the genetic and biochemical basis of metabolic pathways will also permit the engineering of pathways in plants and other heterologous hosts for the production of therapeutically important alkaloids. The combination of increasing commercial interest and advances in molecular biology will facilitate the availability of robust biocatalysts which are a prerequsite to achieve economically feasible processes for the production of alkaloid-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah A Rathbone
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QT, United Kingdom
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Kelly SS, Glynn PM, Madden SJ, Grayson DH. Impurities in a morphine sulfate drug product identified as 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furfural, 10-hydroxymorphine and 10-oxomorphine. J Pharm Sci 2003; 92:485-93. [PMID: 12587110 DOI: 10.1002/jps.10330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Stability testing of morphine sulfate formulated with nonpareil sugar seeds (consisting of sucrose and starch) and fumaric acid revealed the formation of the three impurities 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furfural, 10-hydroxymorphine and 10-oxomorphine. 5-(Hydroxymethyl)-2-furfural was isolated via semipreparative HPLC utilizing volatile mobile phase constituents and was identified by analysis of its HRMS and NMR spectra. 10-Hydroxymorphine and 10-oxomorphine were obtained via semipreparative HPLC and subsequent removal of ion-pair reagents using an anion exchange resin, or by solid phase extraction, and identified by spectroscopic analysis followed by comparison with authentic materials. 5-(Hydroxymethyl)-2-furfural is a degradation product of hexose sugars, and its formation in the presence of morphine sulfate formulated with fumaric acid suggests that caution should be exercised when including nonpareil seeds in formulations that contain acidic drug salts and/or acid excipients. The preliminary results of tests on the interaction of acidic salts of some other drugs with nonpareil seeds are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seán S Kelly
- Analytical Chemistry, Drug Delivery, Elan Corporation, Monksland, Athlone, County Westmeath, Ireland.
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Rathbone DA, Lister DL, Bruce NC. Biotransformation of alkaloids. THE ALKALOIDS. CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY 2002; 57:1-74. [PMID: 11705120 DOI: 10.1016/s0099-9598(01)57002-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Biotransformations of alkaloids over the last decade have continued to encompass a wide variety of substrates and enzymes. The elucidation of novel alkaloid biosynthetic and catabolic pathways will continue to furnish new biocatalysts for the synthetic organic chemist. Furthermore, an improved understanding of the genetic and biochemical basis of metabolic pathways will also permit the engineering of pathways in plants and other heterologous hosts for the production of therapeutically important alkaloids. The combination of increasing commercial interest and advances in molecular biology will facilitate the availability of robust biocatalysts which are a prerequsite to achieve economically feasible processes for the production of alkaloid-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Rathbone
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QT, United Kingdom
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Boonstra B, Rathbone DA, Bruce NC. Engineering novel biocatalytic routes for production of semisynthetic opiate drugs. BIOMOLECULAR ENGINEERING 2001; 18:41-7. [PMID: 11535415 DOI: 10.1016/s1389-0344(01)00084-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The morphine alkaloids and their semisynthetic derivatives provide a diverse range of important pharmaceutical drugs. Current production of semisynthetic opiate drugs is by chemical means from naturally occurring morphine, codeine and thebaine. Although various microbial transformations of morphine alkaloids have been identified since the 1960s, more recently there has been considerable effort devoted to engineering biocatalytic routes for producing these important compounds. Such biocatalytic routes are attractive, as they would provide an alternative to the chemical production processes which suffer from limited supply of precursors, often low yields and toxic wastes. The biotransformation of morphine and codeine to the potent analgesic hydromorphone and the mild analgesic/antitussive hydrocodone, respectively, by recombinant Escherichia coli has been demonstrated and the problems encountered when engineering such a system will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Boonstra
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, CB2 1QT, Cambridge, UK
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Stabler PJ, Holt PJ, Bruce NC. Transformation of 2,2'-bimorphine to the novel compounds 10-alpha-S-monohydroxy-2,2'-bimorphine and 10,10'-alpha,alpha'-S,S'-dihydroxy-2,2'-bimorphine by Cylindrocarpon didymum. Appl Environ Microbiol 2001; 67:3716-9. [PMID: 11472953 PMCID: PMC93077 DOI: 10.1128/aem.67.8.3716-3719.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2001] [Accepted: 05/17/2001] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Whole-cell suspensions of Cylindrocarpon didymum were observed to transform 2,2'-bimorphine to the compounds 10-alpha-S-monohydroxy-2,2'-bimorphine and 10,10'-alpha,alpha'-S,S'-dihydroxy-2,2'-bimorphine. Mass spectrometry and (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy confirmed the identities of these new morphine alkaloids.
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Affiliation(s)
- P J Stabler
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QT, United Kingdom
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Lister DL, Kanungo G, Rathbone DA, Bruce NC. Transformations of codeine to important semisynthetic opiate derivatives by Pseudomonas putida m10. FEMS Microbiol Lett 1999; 181:137-44. [PMID: 10564799 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1999.tb08836.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
A biotransformation mixture which contained codeine and washed cells of Pseudomonas putida M10 gave rise to a number of transformation products that are of clinical importance which included hydrocodone, dihydrocodeine and 14beta-hydroxycodeine. Incubations with the same organism and codeinone gave rise to 14beta-hydroxycodeinone and 14beta-hydroxycodeine. Cell-free extracts and membrane fractions of P. putida M10 were shown to catalyse the 14beta-hydroxylation of codeinone. In addition, the potent analgesic oxycodone was shown to be produced from 14beta-hydroxycodeinone.
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Affiliation(s)
- D L Lister
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, UK
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Hailes AM, French CE, Rathbone DA, Bruce NC. Engineering pathways in Escherichia coli for the synthesis of morphine alkaloid analgesics and antitussives. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1996; 799:391-6. [PMID: 8958101 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1996.tb33230.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A M Hailes
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
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