It is an intermediate in the methylthioadenosine (MTA) cycle, also known as the methionine salvage pathway that is universal to aerobic life.

The sulfonium group in SAM can cleave in three ways, one involves loss of CH2CH2CH(NH3+)CO2−, generating the title compound.

In 1912, an adenine nucleoside was isolated by Hunter et al. from yeast that were grown without phosphorus or sulfur.

[8] Later studies by Folley et al (1942) refuted Nakahara's claims and demonstrated that L2 is not necessary for lactation and thus L2 is not considered a vitamin today.

[9] Hecht found in 1937 that the body temperature of rabbits, cats and guinea pigs were lowered by 1 to 2 degrees after he gave them adenylthiomethylpentose at a dose of 0.2 g/kg.