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

Abstract

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.