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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences
Evolutionary Convergence Of The Caffeine Biosynthetic Pathway In Chocolate Followed Duplication Of A Constrained Ancestral Enzyme, Andrew J. O'Donnell
Evolutionary Convergence Of The Caffeine Biosynthetic Pathway In Chocolate Followed Duplication Of A Constrained Ancestral Enzyme, Andrew J. O'Donnell
Masters Theses
Caffeine biosynthesis is widely distributed in flowering plants and requires three consecutive methylation steps of xanthine alkaloids. Genes that have previously been reported to participate in the multi-step pathway in Coffea sp. (coffee) and Camellia sinensis (tea) encode members of the SABATH family of methyltransferases. Two genes highly expressed in fruits of Theobroma cacao (cacao) are orthologous to the caffeine genes in tea and appear to have diversified following gene duplication. Biochemical characterization of the enzymes (XMTs) encoded by these genes strongly suggest an unprecedented major pathway to theobromine, a precursor to caffeine. These findings imply that caffeine biosynthesis evolved …
The Effects Of Adderall On Maternal And Fetal Health, Alyson Brady
The Effects Of Adderall On Maternal And Fetal Health, Alyson Brady
Honors Theses
Information available for woman prescribed Adderall to treat ADHD and the effects that it may have on her fetus is limited. However, Adderall and methamphetamine have similar pharmacological and addictive qualities. This paper is concerned with whether there is an adequate approach to treatment that balances the needs of the mother and the fetus. With Adderall use becoming more prevalent, it is essential that society is aware of the physiology and pharmacology of this drug, as well as, the need for more research on this subject to be produced.