Q15 - Reversible Enzymes Shape the Cinchona Alkaloid Pathway
The UK has undertaken to cure 1 billion cases of neglected tropical diseases, and develop new treatments, from 2017-2022. Quinine-like drugs are useful treatments for several diseases, but their synthesis by Cinchona trees requires many steps. Enzymes I and II were seen to catalyse a range of substrates into a range of stereoisomers, reversibly.
Using the information and data, determine which of the statements are true or which are false.
A. Overexpressing enzyme I may increase quinine synthesis.
B. Modifying enzyme II may change the ratio of quinine:quinidine in plants.
C. Nitrogen uptake in the roots may increase if enzyme II is overexpressed.
D. Trees containing the largest amount of quinine, also contain the largest amount of quinidinone.
Question reproduced from IBO 2017, Theoretical Exam A, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 - attributed to the International Biology Olympiad. Open the full exam PDF · Official answer key & worked solutions