In Bolivia, scientists develop transgenic tomatoes that produce a drug for Parkinson's

Published 2020년 12월 23일

Tridge summary

Scientists at the John Innes Center have created a tomato variety that produces the drug L-DOPA for Parkinson's disease. This could provide a new, more affordable source of the drug, particularly in countries where access to pharmaceutical drugs is limited. The tomatoes were modified to produce L-DOPA, a drug usually made from tyrosine, an amino acid found in many foods. The modified tomatoes have similar L-DOPA levels to other plants that produce the drug, but without the drawbacks. The team is now planning to create a production reserve to extract and purify L-DOPA from the tomatoes.

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Original content

Scientists at the John Innes Center (UK) have developed a tomato enriched with the drug L-DOPA for Parkinson's disease, a breakthrough that could become a new and affordable source of an important global drug. This tomato was obtained by introducing a gene responsible for the synthesis of L-DOPA in beets, where it acts in the production of betalain pigments. ohn Innes Center / December 9, 2020.- The development of the genetically modified (GM) tomato has implications for developing countries where access to pharmaceutical drugs is restricted. This novel use of tomato plants as a natural source of levodopa (L-DOPA) also offers benefits for people who suffer adverse effects, including nausea and behavioral complications, from chemically synthesized L-DOPA. Tomato was chosen as a widely cultivated crop that can be used to increase production and potentially offer a standardized and controlled natural source of L-DOPA. The team led by the John Innes Center modified the tomato fruit by ...

Source: Notiboliviarural