Biosynthesis of the neurotoxin β- N-oxalyl-α,β-diaminopropionic acid in callus tissue of Lathyrus sativus

Abstract

The biosynthesis of the neurotoxic amino acid β- N-oxalyl- l-α,β-diaminopropionic acid (ODAP) can be induced in the callus tissues of Lathyrus sativus by supplying β-(isoxazolin-5-on-2-yl)-alanine (BIA) in the liquid medium. When [ 14C]BIA is supplemented with free α,β diaminopropionic acid (DAPRO) the incorporation of [ 14C] into ODAP shows a concentration dependent inhibition. The incorporation is stimulated when [ 14C]BIA is supplemented with oxalate. This confirms the previous finding that BIA is the precursor for ODAP and indicates that DAPRO may indeed be the short-lived intermediate in this pathway.