Unlocking the biosynthesis of psychedelic-inspired indolethylamines.
Trends in biochemical sciences March 1, 2024 Abhishek K. Sen, J. Andrew Jones 2 citations
A newly discovered enzyme, RmNMT, from the cane toad Rhinella marina efficiently produces N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) derivatives. These compounds were tested as potential next-generation treatments for mental health disorders, leveraging their activity as psychedelic indolethylamines that bind serotonin receptors. The enzyme's high activity and promiscuity enable the creation of diverse tryptamine variants for therapeutic development.