β-Cyanoalanine Formation by Chromobacterium violaceum

Abstract

Nonproliferating cells of Chromobacterium violaceum incubated with glycine, methionine, and succinate as substrates accumulated β-cyanoalanine in the culture fluid. Tracer experiments showed that carbons-2, -3, and -4 of β-cyanoalanine are derived from the 2-carbon of glycine. When methionine-methyl- 14 C, succinate- 1,4 - 14 C, or succinate- 2,3 - 14 C was used as substrate, β-cyanoalanine did not become labeled. If K 14 CN and serine were used as substrates, the cyano group of β-cyanoalanine was labeled. Radioactive β-cyanoalanine, labeled in the 3-carbon, was formed when glycine and H 14 CHO were used as substrates. 14 C-formic acid did not replace formaldehyde. Asparagine also accumulated in the incubated mixture and was found to be labeled in the amide carbon. Incubation of cells with β-cyanoalanine- 4 - 14 C produced labeled aspartic acid in cell hydrolysates.