Further studies on cell‐free biosynthesis of ergotamine in Claviceps purpurea

Many natural and semisynthetic ergolines possess pharmacological activity. The "classical" peptide-type ergot alkaloids (ergopeptines) are composed of lysergic acid and a proline-containing complex tripeptide moiety. A characteristic structural element is the cyclol part which results from the reaction of a alpha -hydroxy amino acid adjacent to lysergic acid with the carboxyl group of the C-terminal proline. A plausible hypothesis on the biosynthetic origin of ergopeptines was put forward and developed. Apparently a multienzyme complex is involved in peptide alkaloid formation. To test this assumption the development of a cell-free system would be worthwhile. In this note the authors describe some properties of the ergotamine synthesizing enzyme complex.