Steric course of the N-methylation in the biosynthesis of ergot alkaloids by Claviceps purpurea.
Using the chiral methyl group methodology, the methylation step in the biosynthesis of ergot alkaloids catalyzed by the enzyme AdoMet:dimethylallyltryptophan N-methyltransferase was found to proceed with net inversion of methyl group configuration. The enzyme thus conforms to the majority of methyltransferases studied which mediate a direct SN2 transfer of the methyl group from AdoMet to the acceptor nucleophile in a ternary enzyme substrate complex.
Gröger
D
D
Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
Gröger
L
L
D'Amico
D
D
He
M X
MX
Floss
H G
HG
D002967:Claviceps / Q000378:metabolism*; D004876:Ergot Alkaloids / Q000378:metabolism*; D008745:Methylation; D008968:Molecular Conformation
D004876:Ergot Alkaloids