Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

A Possible Common Biogenetic Origin of the Nicotine, Tropane and Hygrine Bases

Nature volume 172, pages 74–75 (1953)Cite this article

Abstract

THE isolation of both hyoscine and nicotine from a genotype of Duboisia myoporoides1 suggests the possibility of a close biosynthetic relation between these bases, and is consequently of interest in connexion with the classical schemes of alkaloid biogenesis2. However, a synthesis of nicotine or a related compound under so-called physiological conditions has not yet been effected, and it seems desirable to consider a possible alternative mechanism.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Loftus Hills, K., Bottomley, W., and Mortimer, P. I., [Nature, 171, 435 (1953)].

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  2. Robinson, R., J. Chem. Soc., 111, 876 (1917). Hughes, G. K., and Ritchie, E., Rev. Pure App. Chem., 2, 125 (1952).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Dawson, R. F., “Adv. in Enzymology”, 8, 203 (1948).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Ann. Reports Chem. Soc., 48, 281 (1951).

  5. Späth, E., and Kesztler, F., Ber., 70 B, 704 (1937).

    Google Scholar 

  6. Hicks, C. S., and Sinclair, D. A., Aust. J. Exp. Biol. Med. Sci., 25, 191 (1947).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Späth, E., Hicks, C. S., and Zajic, E., Ber., 68 B, 1388 (1935).

    Google Scholar 

  8. Bottomley, W., and White, D. E., Aust. J. Sci. Res., A, 4, 107 (1951).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  9. Work on this theory is reviewed by James, W. O., in Manske, R. H. F., and Holmes, H. L., “The Alkaloids”, 1, 60 (Academic Press, Inc., New York, 1950).

  10. Busbey, R. L., and McIndoo, N. E., U.S. Dept. Agric., Bur. Entom. Plant Quarantine, E.384 (1936).

  11. Henry, T. A., “The Plant Alkaloids” (J. and A. Churchill, Ltd., London, 4th edit., 1949).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Plant Industry, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Canberra, A.C.T.

    P. I. MORTIMER

Authors
  1. P. I. MORTIMER
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

MORTIMER, P. A Possible Common Biogenetic Origin of the Nicotine, Tropane and Hygrine Bases. Nature 172, 74–75 (1953). https://doi.org/10.1038/172074b0

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/172074b0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Advanced search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing