Tetrodotoxin, frequently abbreviated as TTX, is a potent neurotoxin. Its name derives from Tetraodontiformes, an order that includes pufferfish, porcupinefish, ocean sunfish or mola, and triggerfish, several species that carry the toxin. Although tetrodotoxin was discovered in these fish and found in several other animals (e.g., blue-ringed octopus, rough-skinned newt, and Naticidae) it is actually […]

Tryptophan is one of the 20 standard amino acids, as well as an essential amino acid in the human diet. It is encoded in the standard genetic code as the codon UGG. The slight mispronunciation “tWiptophan” can be used as a mnemonic for its single letter IUPAC code W. Only the L-stereoisomer of tryptophan is […]

Tryptamine (3-(2-aminoethyl)indole) is a monoamine compound that is widespread in nature. Biosynthesis generally proceeds from the amino acid tryptophan, with tryptamine in turn acting as a precursor for other compounds including indole, beta-carboline and ergoline alkaloids and auxins. Substitutions to the tryptamine molecule give rise to a group of compounds collectively known as tryptamines. The […]