2-Amino-4-carboxypyrimidine in seeds of Lathyrus tingitanus

Abstract

2-Amino-4-carboxypyrimidine, earlier identified as a substrate of the enzyme lathyrine synthase, and precursor of the pyrimidine moiety of the non-protein amino acid lathyrine, has been shown to be present in seeds of Lathyrus tingitanus. This pyrimidine, the natural occurrence of which has not previously been demonstrated, was obtained by sequential chromatography and electrophoresis, and identified by co-chromatography and co-electrophoresis with an authentic sample. Identification was confirmed by UV-absorption spectrophotometry and FAB-mass spectrometry. Demonstration of the presence of 2-amino-4-carboxypyrimidine in seeds of L. tingitanus consolidates previous studies elucidating the pathway of lathyrine biosynthesis.