Identification of the Biochemical Lesion in a Pantothenate-requiring Auxotroph of Datura innoxia P. Mill

Abstract

Summary A cell line of Datura innoxia P. Mill, which has an obligate requirement for pantothenate in order to grow, was characterized biochemically. Growth analyses of the auxotroph suggested that it was nutritionally deficient because of an inability to convert the compound 2-oxo iso valerate into ketopantoate, the first step in the pathway of pantothenate biosynthesis. Ketopantoate, unavailable commercially, was synthesized and purified to a high degree, and shown to support normal growth of the auxotrophic cells and their protoplasts.