L-Mimosine is a rare plant non-protein amino acid, chemically similar to tyrosine. It is a toxic amino acid, arresting the development of cells at the G1 phase. The synthesis of the amino acid hypusine by deoxyhypusyl hydroxylase is blocked by L-Mimosine; hypusine is necessary for the function of eIF-5A (eukaryotic initiation factor 5A), and inhibition of its synthesis leads to suspension of the cell cycle. L-Mimosine is an inhibitor of DBH, eIF5A and Tyrosinase.
