Osmoprotectant α-alanine betaine synthesis in the Plumbaginaceae: S-adenosyl-L-methionine dependent N-methylation of α-alanine to its betaine is via N-methyl and N,N-diemethyl α-alanines. - Rathinasabapathi,B..; Sigua,C..; Ho,J..; Gage,D..A.. (Physiologia Plantarum, 2000)