2-Methyl-L-tryptophan is a substrate of tryptophanase

Tryptophanase was generally considered to be inactive towards tryptophan derivatives substituted at 2-position of the indole ring. We have shown that cells containing tryptophanase catalyze the formation of 2-methyl-L-tryptophan from 2-methylindole and L-serine, and from 2-methylindole, pyruvate and ammonium ion. The kinetics of pyruvate formation from 2-methyl-L-tryptophan and its alpha-deuterated analogue catalyzed by homogeneous tryptophanase were examined. The primary deuterium isotope effect (kH/kD = 4.0) as well as the absorption spectrum of tryptophanase complex with 2-methyl-L-tryptophan indicate that the rate of enzymatic reaction of 2-methyl-L-tryptophan is in a considerable degree determined by the stage of removal of alpha-proton.