title: Steric course of the N-methylation in the biosynthesis of ergot alkaloids by Claviceps purpurea.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gröger
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gröger
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: D'Amico
authors.forename: M X
authors.initials: MX
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Floss
mesh_terms: D002967:Claviceps / Q000378:metabolism*; D004876:Ergot Alkaloids / Q000378:metabolism*; D008745:Methylation; D008968:Molecular Conformation
chemical_list: D004876:Ergot Alkaloids