A Morphine-Producing Fungus? Meet Pithoascus kurdistanensis
- Marc Violo
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
In a discovery that blurs the line between plant and fungal metabolism, researchers from the University of Kurdistan and Université Laval have described a new fungal species, Pithoascus kurdistanensis, that naturally produces morphine, codeine, and papaverine. Isolated from poppies (Papaver spp.) in Iran’s Kurdistan Province, this endophytic fungus mimics the biosynthetic profile of its host in a striking example of cross-kingdom biochemical convergence.
Alkaloids like morphine and codeine—potent analgesics—are traditionally sourced from poppies. These plant-based compounds are difficult and expensive to synthesise commercially due to their complex structures. The ability of a fungus to produce these same molecules opens the door to potentially more sustainable, scalable production through fermentation rather than agriculture.
Discovery and Identification
The researchers screened endophytic fungi from four native Papaver species, selecting six strains with distinct morphology for chemical analysis. One isolate—BR6, later deposited as IRAN 4653C—stood out for producing 23.06 mg/g morphine and 2.03 mg/g codeine when grown in liquid culture. Its identity was confirmed through phylogenetic analyses of three genetic loci, placing it as a distinct member of the genus Pithoascus.
The new species, named Pithoascus kurdistanensis, is morphologically characterised by distinctive ascomata and the formation of conidial chains—a feature not previously reported in most other Pithoascus species.
Fungal Metabolites Mirror Plant Chemistry
The fungal extract was analysed by GC–MS and revealed not only morphine and codeine but also papaverine—an alkaloid used in treating spasms and circulatory disorders. In total, 30 volatile compounds were identified, many of which have known pharmacological activities (e.g., antibacterial, anticancer, antioxidant). The chemical profile of P. kurdistanensis shows remarkable overlap with its host Papaver bracteatum, suggesting a deeper metabolic mimicry or possible gene exchange over evolutionary time.
Implications for Drug Production
This study is the first to report a fungus capable of producing morphinan alkaloids. The implications are significant: fungi grow faster than plants, can be genetically engineered more readily, and simplify the extraction process for secondary metabolites. The discovery positions P. kurdistanensis as a potential microbial chassis for morphine biosynthesis, with applications ranging from pharmaceutical production to synthetic biology.
It also supports the idea that microbial endophytes associated with medicinal plants are an underexplored source of valuable compounds. Past examples include Taxomyces andreanae (which produces taxol) and endophytes that generate ginkgolide and camptothecin.
What’s Next?
Further work is needed to characterise the full biosynthetic pathway in P. kurdistanensis, sequence its genome, and assess scalability. Researchers also suggest examining the extent of gene transfer between plant hosts and fungal endophytes, a phenomenon increasingly suspected in these relationships.
As the demand for natural painkillers continues and climate volatility threatens crop yields, the ability to produce opiates via microbial fermentation could shift the landscape of alkaloid production. Pithoascus kurdistanensis might just be the microbe to do it.
References
Mohammadi et al., 2024. Scientific Reports. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-71344-z
Stierle et al., 1993. Science. doi:10.1126/science.260.5105.214
Puri et al., 2005. Journal of Natural Products. doi:10.1021/np050239c