Anaerobic metabolism in the N-limited green alga Selenastrum minutum. 3. Alanine is the product of anaerobic ammonium assimilation

Journal Article · Fri Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1991 · Plant Physiology; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.95.2.655· OSTI ID:6099880

Vanlerberghe, G C; Turpin, D H ^[1]; Joy, K W ^[2]

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1. Queen's Univ., Kingston, Ontario (Canada)
2. Carleton Univ., Ottawa, Ontario (Canada)

The authors have determined the flow of {sup 15}N into free amino acids of the N-limited green alga Selenastrum minutum (Naeg.) Collins after addition of {sup 15}NH{sub 4}{sup +} to aerobic or anaerobic cells. Under aerobic conditions, only a small proportion of the N assimilated was retained in the free amino acid pool. However, under anaerobic conditions almost all assimilated NH{sub 4}{sup +} accumulates in alanine. This is a unique feature of anaerobic NH{sub 4}{sup +} assimilation. The pathway of carbon flow to alanine results in the production of ATP and reductant which matches exactly the requirements of NH{sub 4}{sup +} assimilation. Alanine synthesis is therefore an excellent strategy to maintain energy and redox balance during anaerobic NH{sub 4}{sup +} assimilation.

• OSTI ID: 6099880
• Journal Information: Plant Physiology; (United States), Vol. 95:2; ISSN 0032-0889
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ALGAE
METABOLISM
AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS
ANAEROBIC CONDITIONS
ANOXIA
ATP
NITROGEN 15
TRACER TECHNIQUES
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
NITROGEN ISOTOPES
NUCLEI
NUCLEOTIDES
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
STABLE ISOTOPES
550501* - Metabolism- Tracer Techniques