BIOSYNTHESIS OF THE NEUROTOXIN BETA-N-OXALYL-ALPHA,BETA-DIAMINOPROPIONIC ACID IN CALLUS-TISSUE OF LATHYRUS-SATIVUS

The biosynthesis of the neurotoxic amino acid beta-N-oxalyl-L-alpha,beta-diaminopropionic acid (ODAP) can be induced in the callus tissues of Lathyrus sativus by supplying beta-(isoxazolin-5-on-2-yl)-alanine (BIA) in the liquid medium. When [C-14]BIA is supplemented with free alpha,beta-diaminopropionic acid (DAPRO) the incorporation of [C-14] into ODAP shows a concentration dependent inhibition. The incorporation is stimulated when [C-14]BIA is supplemented with oxalate. This confirms the previous finding that BIA is the precursor for ODAP and indicates that DAPRO may indeed be the short-lived intermediate in this pathway.