Clavicipitic acid is an ergoline-related compound found in ergot; it is a tricyclic indole alkaloid, but is in fact an amino acid that can be described as a specific structural analogue of lysergamide (ergine).
Clavicipitic acid, a metabolite of Claviceps, is a mixture of isomers formed from tryptophan and mevalonic acid, but does not subsequently convert into the tetracyclic elymoclavine. Its formation represents a deviation in the biosynthesis of ergoline-based compounds following the first stage specific to this pathway, namely the isoprenylation of tryptophan.
References