Studies on amino acid metabolism in Lathyrus sativus Biosynthesis of homoserine and O-oxalylhomoserine

Abstract

Examination of free amino acid pool in Lathyrus sativus showed a rapid increase of homoserine and O-oxalylhomoserine during germination. Isotopic experiments indicated that aspartic acid was an effective precursor of homoserine in Lathyrus sativus and suggested oxalic acid to be incorporated into O-oxalylhomiaserine as an intact moiety. Similar trends of amino acid metabolism of Lathyrus sativus and of Pisum sativum have been discussed.