Enzymatic formation of psychotomimetic metabolites from normally occurring compounds

Science. 1961 Aug 4;134(3475):343. doi: 10.1126/science.134.3475.343.

Abstract

An enzyme has been found that N-methylates serotonin and tryptamine to psychotomimetic metabolites, bufotenine and N,N-dimethyltryptamine. This enzyme is highly localized in the rabbit lung and also N-methylates phenylethylamine derivatives such as tyramine, phenylethylamine , mescaline, and dopamine.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dopamine*
  • Hallucinogens / metabolism*
  • Indoles / metabolism*
  • N,N-Dimethyltryptamine*
  • Rabbits
  • Serotonin / metabolism*
  • Tryptamines*

Substances

  • Hallucinogens
  • Indoles
  • Tryptamines
  • Serotonin
  • tryptamine
  • Dopamine
  • N,N-Dimethyltryptamine