Conditions for the formation of cyclic compounds between pyridoxal phosphate and 5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-hydroxytryptophan.

5-Hydroxytryptamine (5HT) and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5HTP) form cyclic compounds (probably of the tetrahydro-beta-carboline type) with pyridoxal phosphate (PLP). In the first step of reaction a Schiff's base is formed; during incubation it is transformed into a cyclic compound with a maximum absorption spectrum at 330 nm. The degree of cyclization depends on pH and substrate concentrations.