Showing papers on "Phenylalanine published in 1981"

Amino acid degradation by anaerobic bacteria

Abstract: PERSPECTIVES AND SUMMARY 23 AMINO ACID UTILIZATION BY VARIOUS CLOSTRIDIA 25 DEGRADATION OF SPECIFIC AMINO ACIDS 26 Valine, Leucine, Isoleucine, and Threonine 26 Proline 27 Glycine 28 Ornithine 29 Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, and Tryptophan 31 Glutamate 34 Lysine 37 Aspartate 38

Production of l-Phenylalanine from trans-Cinnamic Acid with Rhodotorula glutinis Containing l-Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase Activity

Abstract: An enzymatic method using l-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.3.1.5) for the rapid conversion of trans-cinnamic acid to l-phenylalanine has been investigated. With Rhodotorula glutinis, enzyme activity as high as 0.3 U/ml of culture broth was obtained. The enzyme activity was kept stable for a relatively long time during cultivation by the addition of l-isoleucine. Optimization of the parameters of the conversion reaction resulted in accumulation of 18 mg of l-phenylalanine per ml of reaction mixture. The conversion yield from trans-cinnamic acid was about 70%. The method may provide a rapid and practical way to produce l-phenylalanine useful as an essential amino acid.

Polymers containing enzymatically degradable bonds, 1. Chymotrypsin catalyzed hydrolysis of p‐nitroanilides of phenylalanine and tyrosine attached to side‐chains of copolymers of N‐(2‐hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide

Abstract: A series of copolymers of N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide were prepared, which contained side chains of the general formula -Gly-X-Y-NAp, where Gly ¨ glycine; X ¨ glycine, alanine, β-alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine; Y ¨ phenylalanine or tyrosine; NAp ¨ p-nitroanilide, the latter modelling biologically active compounds. The rates of chymotrypsin-catalyzed hydrolysis of p-nitroanilide groups at pH = 8,0 and 25°C were determined over a range of substrate concentrations to derive values for kcat and KM. The results allowed us to determine the influence of the structure of side chains on the rate of cleavage of Y-NAp. The increase in the susceptibility to chymotrypsin attack with an increasing spacing of the Y-NAp residue from the backbone of the polymer chains is demonstrated by comparing the kinetic data of copolymers containing -Gly-Gly-Phe-Phe-NAp, -Gly-Gly-Phe-NAp and -Gly-Phe-NAp side chains. Results obtained with α-chymotrypsin were compared with the cleavage of the above polymer substrates with chymotrypsin covalently bound to a copolymer of N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide.

Prolyl-tRNA-based rates of protein and collagen synthesis in human lung fibroblasts.

Abstract: Knowledge of the dynamics of collagen turnover requires information regarding rates of synthesis of this group of connective-tissue proteins. The relationship of various amino acid pools to the tRNA precursor pool used for protein synthesis is known to vary between different cell types and tissues, even for essential amino acids. We studied extracellular, intracellular and tRNA-proline pools in cultured human lung IMR-90 fibroblasts to determine the relationship between them as candidate proline precursor pools for total protein and collagen synthesis. Time-course experiments showed that the three proline pools attained distinctly different steady-state specific radioactivities (extracellular greater than intracellular greater than tRNA) at the extracellular proline concentration of 0.2 mM. The kinetics of radioisotope incorporation into cell protein and collagenase-digestible protein indicated that the intracellular free proline pool could not be used reliably as a precursor for calculating synthetic rates. However, tRNA-proline behaved isotopically as if it were the precursor and provided synthesis rates 2-3-fold higher than those calculated by using either free proline pool. The incorporation of labelled lysine and leucine was constant over a wide range of extracellular proline concentrations. Fractional rates of protein synthesis based on tRNA-amino acid were the same with [3H]phenylalanine as with [3H]proline. The specific radioactivity of cell-associated hydroxyproline reached a steady-state value 8-10h after radioisotope administration which matched the mean tRNA-proline specific radioactivity, suggesting that tRNA-proline is not isotopically compartmentalized. A model of cellular proline-pool relationship is presented and discussed.

Amino Acid Synthesis in Photosynthesizing Spinach Cells: EFFECTS OF AMMONIA ON POOL SIZES AND RATES OF LABELING FROM 14CO2

Abstract: Isolated cells from leaves of Spinacia oleracea have been maintained in a state capable of high rates of photosynthetic CO(2) fixation for more than 60 hours. The incorporation of (14)CO(2) under saturating CO(2) conditions into carbohydrates, carboxylic acids, and amino acids, and the effect of ammonia on this incorporation have been studied. Total incorporation, specific radioactivity, and pool size have been determined as a function of time for most of the protein amino acids and for gamma-aminobutyric acid. The measurements of specific radio-activities and of the approaches to (14)C "saturation" of some amino acids indicate the presence and relative sizes of metabolically active and passive pools of these amino acids.Added ammonia decreased carbon fixation into carbohydrates and increased fixation into carboxylic acids and amino acids. Different amino acids were, however, affected in different and highly specific ways. Ammonia caused large stimulatory effects in incorporation of (14)C into glutamine (a factor of 21), aspartate, asparagine, valine, alanine, arginine, and histidine. No effect or slight decreases were seen in glycine, serine, phenylalanine, and tyrosine labeling. In the case of glutamate, (14)C labeling decreased, but specific radioactivity increased. The production of labeled gamma-aminobutyric acid was virtually stopped by ammonia.The results indicate that added ammonia stimulates the reactions mediated by pyruvate kinase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, as seen with other plant systems. The data on the effects of added ammonia on total labeling, pool sizes, and specific radioactivities of several amino acids provides a number of indications about the intracellular sites of principal synthesis from carbon skeletons of these amino acids and the selective nature of effects of increased intracellular ammonia concentration on such synthesis.

Augmented utilization of branched-chain amino acids by skeletal muscle in decompensated liver cirrhosis in special relation to ammonia detoxication

Abstract: Femoral arterio-venous (A-V) differences of blood free amino acids and plasma ammonia (NH3) were simultaneously determined after an overnight fast in 16 patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis in the absence and presence of encephalopathy, as compared with those in 8 control subjects. In spite of increased releases of phenylalanine (Phe) and tyrosine (Tyr) from the peripheral tissue, releases of isoleucine (Ile) and leucine (Leu) as well as alanine (Ala) were found to be significantly reduced in decompensated liver cirrhosis, particularly in the presence of hepatic encephalopathy. Furthermore, NH3 was found to be significantly taken up by the skeletal muscle of these patients, and a positive correlation was observed between arterial NH3 level and the A-V differences of Leu, of Ile and of Ala. These findings strongly suggest that net degradation (or utilization) of branched-chain amino acids (in particular, Leu and Ile) is enhanced in the muscle for detoxication of ammonia (i.e., glutamine synthesis) by supplying the carbon skeleton and energy in cirrhosis of the liver.

A comparison of the effects of intravenous infusion of individual branched-chain amino acids on blood amino acid levels in man

Abstract: 1. Intravenous infusions of L-valine (600 mumol/min), L-isoleucine (150 mumol/min), L-leucine (300 mumol/min) and a mixture of the three branched-chain amino acids (70% L-leucine, 20% L-valine, 10% L-isoleucine; 270 mumol/min) were given to four groups of healthy volunteer subjects. Whole-blood concentrations of amino acids and glucose and serum insulin were measured before and during the infusions. 2. Valine and isoleucine infusions resulted in twelve- and six-fold increases in the respective amino acid. During valine infusion, tyrosine was the only amino acid for which a decrease in concentration was seen (25%, P less than 0.05). With isoleucine administration, no significant changes were found. In contrast, leucine infusion (during which the leucine concentration rose about sixfold) was accompanied by significant decreases in tyrosine (35%), phenylalanine (35%), methionine (50%), valine (40%) and isoleucine (55%). The arterial glucose concentration fell slightly (5%) and the insulin concentration increased 20% during leucine infusion. 3. Infusion of the mixture of the three branched-chain amino acids resulted in marked decreases in tyrosine (50%), phenylalanine (50%) and methionine (35%). The decreased amino acid levels remained low for 2 h after the end of the infusion. 4. The present findings demonstrate that intravenous infusion of leucine (not infusion of valine or isoleucine) results in marked reductions in the concentrations of the aromatic amino acids and methionine. Infusion of a mixture of the three branched-chain amino acids gives results similar to those obtained with leucine infusion alone. Thus a mixed branched-chain amino acid solution with leucine as its main constituent seems to be the best alternative in the treatment of patients with hepatic cirrhosis and encephalopathy.

Serotonin and dopamine synthesis in phenylketonuria.

Abstract: Two regulation systems of the serotonin and dopamine biosynthesis in patients with classical and atypical PKU were investigated. In classical PKU, the serotonin and dopamine biosynthesis is inhibited by high L-phenylalanine in blood and tissues. The dopamine formation in vivo was inhibited by phenylalanine blood concentrations higher than 25 mg/dl: the serotonin formation was inhibited even at a phenylalanine blood concentration of only 8 mg/dl.

On the mechanism of action of phenylalanine hydroxylase.

Abstract: The oxidation of 6-methyltetrahydropterin and tetrahydrobiopterin coupled to the formation of tyrosine by phenylalanine hydroxylase generates a precursor species to the quinonoid product that is tentatively identified as a 4a-hydroxy adduct based on its spectral similarity to the 4a-hydroxy-6-methyl-5-deazatetrahydropterin. The rate of appearance of this intermediate and that of tyrosine are equal and hydroxylase catalyzed in accord with the completion of the hydroxylation event. This observation, which confirms and extends an earlier one by Kaufman [Kaufman, S. (1975) in Chemistry and Biology of Pteridines (Pfleiderer, W., Ed.) p 291, Walter de Gruyter, Berlin], serves to link the reaction courses followed by pterin and pyrimidine cofactor analogues and supports the hypothesis that the 4a position is a site of O2 attachment. Thus, as expected, no prereduction of the enzyme was observed in anaerobic experiments utilizing stoichiometric amounts of enzyme and tetrahydropterin in the presence or absence of 1 mM phenylalanine. Activation of the hydroxylase by 1 mM lysolecithin leads to oxidation of the tetrahydropterin in the absence of phenylalanine. A ring-opened pyrimidine analogue of the tetrahydropterin, 2,5-diamino-4-[(meso-1-methyl-2-aminopropyl)amino]-6-hydroxypyrimidine, was studied to examine the possibility of tetrahydropterin ring opening in the enzymatic reaction prior to 4a-hydroxy adduct formation. However, no hydroxylase-catalyzed ring closure was observed.

Influence of exercise on free amino acid concentrations in rat tissues

Abstract: Levels of free amino acids in muscle, liver, and plasma were measured in rats that had either swum (1 or 2 h) or run (until exhausted). Exercise lowered alanine levels in all three tissues except for liver of exhausted rats. Exercise decreased the plasma levels of the acidic amino acids and their amides. Glutamate and glutamine levels were depressed in muscle, and the glutamine level was lowered in liver by exercise. Aspartate concentration was lowered by exercise in liver but elevated in muscle. The branched-chain amino acids were generally elevated by exercise as were tyrosine, phenylalanine, methionine, and lysine. Plasma 3-methylhistidine concentration was also elevated by an exercise bout. The changes observed in the amino acid contents of muscle, liver, and plasma are consistent with the increase in protein degradation during exercise that we previously reported. The lowered levels of some amino acids (e.g., alanine, glutamine, glutamate) seem to suggest that amino acid catabolism and/or gluconeogenesis is increased by exercise.

Induction of L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase during utilization of phenylalanine as a carbon or nitrogen source in Rhodotorula glutinis.

Abstract: Rhodotorula glutinis is a convenient source of L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, an enzyme that is useful as a biochemical reagent in the assay of L-phenylalanine. There have been previous descriptions of induced lyase production in complex medium where induction occurs late in exponential growth, suggesting a role in secondary metabolism such as is the case in higher plants. A higher specific activity of L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (sixfold higher than a complex medium) can be obtained during midexponential growth in a defined medium containing L-phenylalanine as the sole source of carbon. L-Phenylalanine will also induce lyase synthesis during exponential growth in minimal in which L-phenylalanine is the sole source of nitrogen. The appearance of lyase in complex medium supplemented with L-phenylalanine is probably triggered fortuitously by exhaustion late in growth of a prime source of nitrogen. In this study, R. glutinis appeared to express a single lyase enzyme, regardless of whether induction was nitrogen signaled or carbon signaled. Thin-layer chromatographic analysis of ether extracts prepared from cultures induced with doubly labeled (U-14C; ring-4-3H) L-phenylalanine provided evidence of a catabolic sequence containing cinnamic acid, benzoic acid, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid as degradative intermediates. 3,4-Dihydroxybenzoic acid was not identified as a catabolic intermediate.

Comparative studies of glutamine transaminases from rat tissues

Abstract: 1. 1. There are at least three separate forms of glutamine transaminase in rat tissues: (a) The soluble L-form, whose major substrates include glutamine, methionine, α-keto-γ-methiolbutyrate, α-ketoglutaramate, β-mercaptopyruvate and glyoxylate. (b) The soluble K-form, whose major substrates include glutamine, phenylalanine, methionine and the corresponding α-keto acids. (c) The mitochondrial K-form which differs from the soluble K-form with respect to certain physical properties. 2. 2. Convinient specific assay procedures that distinguish between the L- and K-forms of the enzyme have been devised. Thus, the substrate pair L-albizziin and glyoxylate is virtually specific for the L-form, whereas l -phenylalanine and α-keto-γ-methiolbutyrate may be used for the selective determination of glutamine transaminase K. 3. 3. Recently, a number of transaminase activities has been described which have now been shown to be identical to glutamine transaminase K by application of specific assay methods and other procedures. 4. 4. This report provides a summary of the catalytic and physical properties of the glutamine transaminases and their distribution in rat brain, liver, and kidney. 5. 5. Although the glutamine transaminases interact with a number of amino acids and their α-keto analogs, the major physiological function of the enzymes appears to be associated with utilization of glutamine and the amination of α-keto acids. 6. 6. These enzymes therefore appear to play a role in the homoestatic metabolic mechanism for the preservation of amino acid balance in which glutamine, a dietary non-essential amino acid, functions to maintain the tissue levels of amino acids and to prevent loss of essential amino acid carbon chains.

Effects of Light and of Fusarium solani on Synthesis and Activity of Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase in Peas.

Abstract: Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase was purified from peas, and a specific antiserum against the enzyme was produced in rabbits. The antiserum was used to study the first 8 hours of the phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity response in two different organs of the pea from different developmental stages and in response to two different stimuli. Etiolated seedlings were pulse-labeled with l-[35S]methionine after either no light exposure or after specific periods of irradiation with blue light. Immature pods were pulse labeled with mixed l-[3H]amino acids after specific time periods following inoculation of the pod endocarp surfaces with macroconidia of Fusarium solani. Immunoprecipitates isolated from extracts of each group were analyzed with sodium dodecyl sulfate disc gel electrophoresis and were found to contain a radioactive protein with an electrophoretic mobility identical to that of the phenylalanine ammonia-lyase subunit (Mr 81,000). The radioactivity contained in the subunit band was interpreted as being due to de novo synthesis of the enzyme. The net rate of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase labeling, found to be initially low in both tissue types, rose dramatically, peaking at approximately a six- to ten-fold greater level at 4 hours after the beginning of the stimulus. Thereafter, the rate of labeling declined slowly. Inoculation with F. solani f. sp. pisi, a true pathogen of peas, caused a fifty per cent greater rate of peak labeling than did inoculation with a nonpathogen, F. solani f. sp. phaseoli. The time profile of the changing rate of labeling correlates with the changing activity level of the enzyme which peaks at 12 hours after the onset of the stimulus. The data presented favor a model which explains the changing activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase as being due to a changing rate of synthesis or degradation (or both) of the enzyme rather than due to the activation of a preformed zymogen.

The rate of amino acid nitrogen and total nitrogen accumulation in the fetal lamb.

Abstract: Total body water and nitrogen concentrations were determined for whole body homogenates of 18 fetal lambs. Nitrogen concentration averaged 10.5 ± 0.1 mg nitrogen/100 mg dry tissue. Amino acid represented approximately 82% of the total nitrogen and 55% of the total carbon content of the fetus. The carbon/nitrogen ratio attributable to amino acids decreased from 3.42 at 66 days to 3.06 at term. Total amino acid concentrations in the whole body homogenates were also determined for 20 amino acids. Cystine and hydroxy-proline concentrations increased significantly (correl. coeff. = 0.78) and markedly with gestation. The branch chain amino acids, leucine, isoleucine, and valine, along with phenylalanine, showed a significant decline in concentration (correl. coeff. ≧ −0.79). From these rates of amino acid and nitrogen accretion the adequacy of the exogenous supply of amino acids and nitrogen to the fetus via the umbilical uptake can be assessed. Calculations of the excess supply of amino acids to the fe...

Use of aromatic amino acids as monitors of protein turnover.

Abstract: Phenylalanine and tyrosine were metabolized by the perfused rat heart via a mitochondrial aminotransferase. When L-[alanyl-2,3-3H]phenylalanine and L-[alanyl-2,3-3H]tyrosine were used, release of 3H2O was progressive over 2 h of perfusion. Metabolism of L-[U-14C]phenylalanine to 14CO2 or production of 3H2O from L-[ring-2,6-3H]phenylalanine or L-[ring-2,6-3H]tyrosine was not detected. Although 3H2O production from L-[alanyl-2,3-3H]phenylalanine was rapid, net production of phenylpyruvate or other metabolites of phenylalanine was negligible. As a result, use of aromatic amino acids as monitors of protein turnover in heart muscle was validated. Production of 3H2O from L-[alanyl-2,3-3H]phenylalanine was catalyzed by a mitochondrial enzyme, which is thought to be aspartate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.1). The rate of 3H2O production by both intact and detergent-treated mitochondria exceeded that of phenylpyruvate by a factor of 10 and occurred in the absence of alpha-ketoglutarate. These data provide an explanation for the production of 3H2O from L-[alanyl-2,3-3H]phenylalanine by perfused rat heart without the concomitant production of [3H]phenylpyruvate.

Essential amino acids of the prawn.

Abstract: The essential amino acids of the prawn Penaeus japonicus were investigated by a radio-isotopic method using [3H] acetate, the incorporation of radioactivity into the constituent amino acids of protein fraction was examined by column chromatography on Amberlite IR-120, followed by the radioactivity measurement. Radioactivity was unambiguously incorporated inot aspartic acid, serine, glutamic acid, praline, glycine, alanine, and cysteic acid. These amino acids were suspected to be unnecessary for the prawn. On the other hand, little or no radioactivity was incorporated into valine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, pheylalanine, lysine, histidine, arginine, ghreonine, and tryptophan. We inferred that these 10 amino acids are not synthesized de novo and are probably essential for the growth of the prawn. Tyrosine was thought to be formed from the ingested phenylalanine.

Plasma and erythrocyte concentrations of free amino acids in adult humans administered abuse doses of aspartame.

Abstract: Plasma and erythrocyte concentrations of amino acids were measured in 18 fasting adult subjects (9 male, 9 female) administered abuse doses of aspartame (100, 150, and 200 mg/kg body weight) dissolved in 500 ml orange juice. Six subjects were studied at each dose. Plasma aspartate concentrations increased significantly (p less than or equal to 0.05) over baseline values after ingestion of each dose. However, the increase was small in each case, and maximal levels observed were below those noted postprandially in formula-fed infants. No significant changes (p greater than 0.05) were noted in erythrocyte glutamate, or erythrocyte aspartate concentrations after any dose. Plasma phenylalanine concentrations increased significantly over fasting concentrations (p less than 0.01) from 15 min to 6 h after each dose, and the increase was proportional to dose. Mean (+/- SD) peak plasma phenylalanine concentrations were 20.3 +/- 2.03, 35.1 +/- 11.3, and 48.7 +/- 15.5 mumol/dl, respectively, after aspartame doses of 100, 150, and 200 mg/kg. Erythrocyte phenylalanine concentrations showed similar changes. Although these phenylalanine concentrations are considerably above the normal postprandial range (12 +/- 3 mumol/dl), they are below values associated with toxic findings. These data indicate little risk to normal subjects from excessive aspartate or phenylalanine levels after ingestion of single abuse loads of aspartame.

The effect of proteinases on phenylalanine ammonia-lyase from the yeast Rhodotorula glutinis

Abstract: Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.3.1.5) of the yeast Rhodotorula glutinis was rapidly inactivated by duodenal juice. It was susceptible to chymotrypsin and subtilisin and to a lesser extent trypsin. Initial proteolysis of the enzyme by chymotrypsin and trypsin resulted in cleavage of the monomeric subunit (75 000 Mr) into a large (65 000 Mr) and a small (10 000 Mr) peptide. The small peptide was rapidly degraded. The 65 000-Mr fragment was resistant to prolonged incubation with chymotrypsin, but was degraded by trypsin under the same conditions. Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase was cleaved into several polypeptides by subtilisin, the 65 000-Mr peptide being totally absent. The N-terminal region of the enzyme was contained in the 65 000-Mr fragment, as was the dehydroalanine moiety, the prosthetic group. Active-site-binding ligands protect the enzyme from inactivation by the three proteinases, and peptide-bond cleavage by trypsin and chymotrypsin. Several chemical modifications were performed on phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. Some decreased its antigenicity, and ethyl acetimidate decreased the rate of degradation of the 65 000-Mr peptide by trypsin. The modification did not protect the enzyme from proteolytic inactivation of the enzymic activity. These observations are discussed in terms of the structure of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and site of action of the proteinases.

Influence of branched-chain amino acid infusion on arterial concentrations and brain exchange of amino acids in patients with hepatic cirrhosis

Abstract: Summary. 1 The influence of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) infusion on arterial concentrations and brain exchange of amino acids was studied in seven patients with hepatic cirrhosis and in six healthy control subjects. Arterial levels and arterial-jugular venous (A-JV) concentration differences for amino acids, glucose, ketone bodies and lactate were measured in the basal state and during a constant rate, 150 min intravenous infusion of a BCAA solution (250 fmiol/min, 70% L-leucine, 20% L-valine and 10% L-isoleucine). 2 In the basal state the arterial whole blood concentrations of tyrosine, phenylalanine and methionine were 40–130 % higher in the cirrhotic patients compared to the controls, while the levels of the BCAA were 20–35 % lower. The patients' concentration of aspartic acid was 70% below the corresponding control value. 3 During BCAA infusion the arterial leucine concentration rose 4–5 fold while valine increased 60–95% and isoleucine rose 45–50%. The arterial levels of several amino acids decreased progressively in a similar manner in patients and controls. At the end of the 150 min infusion period methionine had decreased 35% (P<001), tyrosine 25% (P<0–001) and phenylalanine 35% (P<0–001) in the patient group. 4 Positive A-JV differences in amino acid concentration–indicating net brain uptake–were seen for leucine, isoleucine, valine, serine, tyrosine and lysine in both groups in the basal state. The patients had a greater A-JV difference than the controls for tyrosine (P<0–05) while the uptake of the other amino acids, including the BCAA, was similar in the two groups. The fractional uptake of leucine and valine was significantly increased in the patients. 5 During BCAA infusion the A-JV difference for leucine increased 2–3 fold in both patients and controls and the net uptake to the brain of tyrosine and phenylalanine was abolished in the patient group. 6 It is concluded that (a) patients with hepatic cirrhosis show a decreased whole blood concentration of aspartate indicating a reduced intracellular concentration of this amino acid, (b) brain uptake of tyrosine and fractional uptake of leucine and valine is augmented in patients with hepatic cirrhosis, demonstrating abnormal brain amino acid uptake in this disorder, and (c) BCAA infusion effectively lowers the arterial concentrations for tyrosine, phenylalanine and methionine in cirrhotic patients as well as in healthy controls and blocks the abnormal brain uptake of tyrosine. These findings provide a biochemical background to the suggested beneficial effect of BCAA infusion in patients with hepatic cirrhosis and portal systemic encephalopathy.

Nutrient compositions and method of administering the same

Abstract: Method for administering dipeptides and tripeptides to mammals for dietary purposes, orally, intragastrointestinally and intravenously. The tripeptides and dipeptides, contain glycine as the amino acid residue which provides the N-terminal amino acid grouping. Other amino acid residues contained in the tripeptide or dipeptide can include leucine, isoleucine, valine, threonine, methionine, phenylalanine, lysine, tryptophan, alanine, arginine, histidine, alanine, proline and glutamic acid.

Phenylalanine metabolism in isolated rat liver cells. Effects of glucagon and diabetes.

Abstract: 1. Methods are described for monitoring the metabolic flux through phenylalanine hydroxylase, the tyrosine catabolic pathway and phenylalanine: pyruvate transaminase in isolated liver cell incubations. 2. The relationship between hydroxylase flux and phenylalanine concentration is sigmoidal. 3. Glucagon increases hydroxylase activity at low, near-physiological, substrate concentrations only. The hormone does not affect the rate of formation of phenylpyruvate. 4. Experimental diabetes (for 10 days) increases phenylalanine catabolism, and this is further increased by glucagon. 5. These results are discussed in the light of the known mechanisms for control of phenylalanine hydroxylase activity in vitro.

Determination of Phenylalanine, Tryptophan and Tyrosine in a Mixture of Amino Acids by Second Derivative Spectrophotometry

Abstract: The second derivative spectra of N-acetyl ethyl esters of tryptophan, tyrosine and phenylalanine were measured with various values of derivative wavelength difference, Δλ, at pH 7 and 13. The second derivative spectra of tryptophan at pH 7 and 13 were very similar at and Δλ, as were those of phenylalanine. However, the derivative spectrum of tyrosine at pH 13 was quite different from that at pH 7 ; at pH 7 there were two peaks and troughs between 270 and 300nm, whereas at pH 13, these spectral bands were not present but there were broad positive and negative spectral bands, due to acid dissociation of the phenolic-OH group. A method for the quantitative determination of these amino acids was developed on the basis of the spectral properties of the three aromatic amino acids. This method should be suitable for determining the amounts of these three aromatic amino acid residues in proteins.