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In Vitro Synthesis of Ureidohomoserine by an Enzyme from Jack Bean (Canavalia ensiformis) Leaves

¹ Department of Biology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12181

An enzyme was extensively purified from jack bean leaves (Canavalia ensiformis L.) which produced o-ureidohomoserine from L-canaline and carbamyl phosphate. The most highly purified preparations catalyzed both this reaction and citrulline synthesis from ornithine and carbamyl phosphate, and the ratio of the two activities remained nearly constant during purification. When hydrated jack bean seeds were the enzyme source, ornithine carbamyltransferase (EC 2.1.3.3) activity was high but synthesis of ureidohomoserine was barely detectable. Both ornithine carbamyltransferase and the ureidohomoserine synthesizing enzyme had similar Km values for carbamyl phosphate. The purification data suggest that one enzyme may catalyze both reactions in jack bean leaves.