Conversion of phenylalanine to tyrosine by microorganisms

Abstract

Fourteen microorganisms of different genera were examined for their ability to convert L-phenylalanine directly to tyrosine. Comparison of the specific activities of phenylalanine, tyrosine, aspartic acid, and glutamic acid isolated after hydrolysis of cells grown in the presence of L-phenylalanine-U-14C indicated that p-hydroxylation of phenylalanine had occurred in all seven species of microfungi tested, and in the marine bacterium, Pseudomonas atlantica. In two basidiomycetes, two yeasts, an actinomycete, and a bacillus, there was no preferential incorporation of radioactivity into tyrosine.