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Science 22 November 1974:
Vol. 186. no. 4165, pp. 741 - 743
DOI: 10.1126/science.186.4165.741
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Articles

5-Methyltetrahydrofolic Acid as a Mediator in the Formation of Pyridoindoles

Lewis R. Mandel 1, Avery Rosegay 1, Robert W. Walker 1, W. J. A. VandenHeuvel 1, and Joshua Rokach 2

1 Merck Sharp & Dohme Research Laboratories, Rahway, New Jersey 07065
2 Merck Frosst Laboratories, Kirkland, Quebec, Canada

Enzymes from chick and rat tissues catalyze the reaction of N-methyl tryptamine with 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid to form 2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-2-methyl-1H-pyrido[3,4b] indole. N,N-Dimethyltryptamine was not formed. With tryptamine as substrate the product is 2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[3,4b] indole and not N-methyltryptamine. These pyridoindoles were not formed when S-adenosylmethionine was cosubstrare.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Platelet Methylene Reductase Activity in Schizophrenia.
P. A. Berger, G. R. Elliott, E. Erdelyi, S. J. Watson, R. J. Wyatt, and J. D. Barchas (1977)
Arch Gen Psychiatry 34, 808-809
   Abstract »    PDF »
Tryptoline formation by a preparation from brain with 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid and tryptamine.
R. Wyatt, E Erdelyi, DoAmaral JR, G. Elliott, J Renson, and J. Barchas (1975)
Science 187, 853-855
   Abstract »    PDF »


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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)