G1 phase, and inhibits DNA synthesis,
which prevents the formation of the replication fork by
altering deoxyribonucleotide metabolism .
This amino acid may act as tyrosine analogue, which incorporates
biologically vital proteins and in turn causes hair loss
. The ingestion of Leucaena results in alopecia,
growth retardation, cataracts and infertility in animals.
Mimosine can be converted into DHP [3-hydroxy-4(1H)-pyridone],
which has less toxicity, by the HCl hydrolysis process
(Tawata, 1990) or ruminants consuming Leucaena degrade
mimosine to DHP by specific ruminal microorganisms.