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Enzymatic Formation of Psychotomimetic Metabolites from Normally Occurring Compounds

Julius Axelrod

Science August 4, 1961 DOI: 10.1126/science.134.3475.343 via OpenAlex

Summary

AI-generated from the abstract

An enzyme that N-methylates serotonin and tryptamine into the psychotomimetic compounds bufotenine and N,N-dimethyltryptamine has been identified. This enzyme is highly concentrated in rabbit lung and also acts on phenylethylamine derivatives including tyramine, phenylethylamine, mescaline, and dopamine.

Study at a glance

Characteristics Experimental study Peer reviewed
Population Rabbit lung
Topics Mescaline Psilocybin Serotonin
Keywords Psychotomimetic Tryptamine Phenethylamine Tyramine
Citations 183
Key finding An enzyme localized in rabbit lung N-methylates serotonin and tryptamine to produce psychotomimetic metabolites and also acts on several phenylethylamine derivatives.

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.

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