Biosynthesis of an Anti-Addiction Agent from the Iboga Plant

J Am Chem Soc. 2019 Aug 21;141(33):12979-12983. doi: 10.1021/jacs.9b05999. Epub 2019 Aug 6.

Abstract

(-)-Ibogaine and (-)-voacangine are plant derived psychoactives that show promise as treatments for opioid addiction. However, these compounds are produced by hard to source plants, making these chemicals difficult for broad-scale use. Here we report the complete biosynthesis of (-)-voacangine, and de-esterified voacangine, which is converted to (-)-ibogaine by heating, enabling biocatalytic production of these compounds. Notably, (-)-ibogaine and (-)-voacangine are of the opposite enantiomeric configuration compared to the other major alkaloids found in this natural product class. Therefore, this discovery provides insight into enantioselective enzymatic formal Diels-Alder reactions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biosynthetic Pathways
  • Humans
  • Ibogaine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Ibogaine / analysis
  • Ibogaine / metabolism*
  • Opioid-Related Disorders / drug therapy
  • Psychotropic Drugs / analysis
  • Psychotropic Drugs / metabolism*
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Tabernaemontana / chemistry
  • Tabernaemontana / enzymology
  • Tabernaemontana / metabolism*

Substances

  • Psychotropic Drugs
  • Ibogaine
  • voacangine