Cathenamine, a central intermediate in the cell free biosynthesis of ajmalicine and related indole alkaloids
Abstract
A compound, which accumulates when tryptamine (I) and secologanin (II) are incubated with an enzyme preparation from Catharanthus roseus cell suspension cultures, was identified as 20,21-didehydroajmalicine (cathenamine)(IVa), and was shown to be a central intermediate in the enzymatic production of ajmalicine (Va),19-epi-ajmalicine (Vb) and tetrahydroalstonine (Vc).