Inhibition of catechol O-methyltransferase and transfer RNA methyltransferases by coralyne, nitidine, and related compounds.

Inhibitory activity against both catechol O-methyltransferase and transfer RNA methyltransferases was observed among the antileukemic alkaloids coralyne, nitidine, and related synthetic alkoxy analogs. Inhibition of both classes of enzymes seems to have a similar profile. The role of water solubility of these compounds with regard to their enzyme inhibitory activity was noted.