2.1.1.158 metabolism methylation of xanthosine by 7-methylxanthosine synthase is the most plausible rate-limiting step of caffeine biosynthesis, the supply of non-methylated purine precursors or availability of S-adenosyl-L-methionine are not the principal controlling factors of caffeine biosynthesis 700656 2.1.1.158 metabolism the enzyme catalyzes the first step in caffeine biosynthesis, pathway overview 721124