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Tryptophan Metabolism in Ochromonas malhamensis
Author(s) -
MURDIA URMILA S.,
TAMHANE D. V.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
the journal of protozoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.067
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1550-7408
pISSN - 0022-3921
DOI - 10.1111/j.1550-7408.1974.tb03707.x
Subject(s) - tryptophan , tyrosine , phenylalanine , biochemistry , metabolism , enzyme , biosynthesis , chemistry , in vitro , biology , amino acid
SYNOPSIS Tryptophan enhanced the growth of Ochromonas malhamensis at concentrations up to 0.4 mg/ml; higher concentrations inhibited, the growth inhibition being reversible by tyrosine and adenine. The presence of a tryptophan synthetase system in vitro was demonstrated. Tyrosine and phenylalanine stimulated the activity of this enzyme. The uptake of exogenous tryptophan was accompanied by an increase in the free tryptophan pool which in turn suppressed the tryptophan synthetase system, thus pointing to a controlled mechanism. Incorporation of tryptophan in the growth medium enhanced the biosynthesis of folate‐active compounds. An elucidation of the mode of action of tryptophan is attempted on the basis of known metabolic pathways.