Synthesis of histidine in E. coli. I. Biochemical mutant studies

Abstract

1. 1. The normal pathway for the synthesis of l-histidine in E. coli involves l-histidinol and its α-keto analog, imidazoleacetol. 2. 2. E. coli is capable of converting l-imidazolelactic acid and imidazolepyruvic acid to l-histidine. There is however no evidence that these compounds are normally produced by this organism. 3. 3. In the biosynthesis of histidine in E. coli, the five-carbon chain of the histidine molecule appears to be established prior to the formation of the imidazole ring.