PRODUCTS OF ARGININE CATABOLISM IN GROWING CELLS OF SUGARCANE

On incubating sugarcane cells of variety H 50-7209 in a synthetic liquid medium in the presence of 14C-arginine, a substantial proportion of the label was found in N-carbamylputrescine, while a much smaller proportion appeared in guanidine. Large amounts of 14C-arginine were found in the ethanol-soluble fraction of the cells, and labelled arginine, proline and glutamic acid were incorporated in the proteins. The N-carbamylputrescine which began to accumulate within 10 min after the addition of 14C-arginine to the cell cultures was not excreted, nor did it appear to be further metabolized by these cells. Evidence was found that N-carbamylputrescine is formed more readily from citrulline than from arginine in sugarcane cells. © 1970.