 |
|
TriptolinesFormation From Tryptamines and 5-MTHF by Human Platelets
Jack D. Barchas, MD;
Glen R. Elliott;
Jefferson DoAmaral, PhD;
Elizabeth Erdelyi;
Sue O'Connor;
Martha Bowden;
H. Keith H. Brodie, MD;
Philip A. Berger, MD;
Jean Renson, MD, PhD;
Richard J. Wyatt, MD
Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1974;31(6):862-867.
Abstract
The result of the enzymatic reaction between indoleamines and a donor of one-carbon units, 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolic acid (5-MTHF), has been thought to be an N- or O-methylation of the indoleamine. We find that an enzymatic preparation from human platelets uses 5MTHF as a cofactor to convert tryptamine and two tryptamine derivatives to tryptolines (tetrahydro-β-carbolines), a class of tricyclic compounds. These products were identified by thin-layer chromatography, cocrystallization, and gas liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Formation of these compounds in mammalian tissues has not previously been described, to our knowledge. Platelet activity in healthy volunteers showed large individual variations; values for women were higher than those for men. These findings suggest the need for further examination of the pharmacological and psychological effects of tryptolines.
Author Affiliations
From the Laboratory of Behavioral Neurochemistry, Department of Psychiatry, Stanford Medical School, Calif.
Footnotes
Accepted for publication Oct 15, 1974.
Reprint requests to the Laboratory of Behavioral Neurochemistry, Department of Psychiatry, Stanford Medical School, Stanford, CA 94305 (Dr. Barchas).
 CiteULike  Connotea  Del.icio.us  Digg  Reddit  Technorati  Twitter
What's this?
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
Platelet Methylene Reductase Activity in Schizophrenia
Berger et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 1977;34:808-809.
ABSTRACT
Tryptoline formation by a preparation from brain with 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid and tryptamine
Wyatt et al.
Science 1975;187:853-855.
ABSTRACT
|
