This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via CrossRef Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Vanlerberghe, G. C. Articles by Turpin, D. H. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Vanlerberghe, G. C. Articles by Turpin, D. H. Agricola Articles by Vanlerberghe, G. C. Articles by Turpin, D. H.

Metabolism and Enzymology

Anaerobic Metabolism in the N-Limited Green Alga Selenastrum minutum¹

III. Alanine Is the Product of Anaerobic Ammonium Assimilation

Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada, Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6, Canada

We have determined the flow of ¹⁵N into free amino acids of the N-limited green alga Selenastrum minutum (Naeg.) Collins after addition of ¹⁵NH₄⁺ to aerobic or anaerobic cells. Under aerobic conditions, only a small proportion of the N assimilated was retained in the free amino acid pool. However, under anaerobic conditions almost all assimilated NH₄⁺ accumulates in alanine. This is a unique feature of anaerobic NH₄⁺ assimilation. The pathway of carbon flow to alanine results in the production of ATP and reductant which matches exactly the requirements of NH₄⁺ assimilation. Alanine synthesis is therefore an excellent strategy to maintain energy and redox balance during anaerobic NH₄⁺ assimilation.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. M. Limami, G. Glevarec, C. Ricoult, J.-B. Cliquet, and E. Planchet Concerted modulation of alanine and glutamate metabolism in young Medicago truncatula seedlings under hypoxic stress J. Exp. Bot., June 1, 2008; 59(9): 2325 - 2335. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Persson, P. Gardestrom, and T. Nasholm Uptake, metabolism and distribution of organic and inorganic nitrogen sources by Pinus sylvestris J. Exp. Bot., August 1, 2006; 57(11): 2651 - 2659. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Gout, A.-M. Boisson, S. Aubert, R. Douce, and R. Bligny Origin of the Cytoplasmic pH Changes during Anaerobic Stress in Higher Plant Cells. Carbon-13 and Phosphorous-31 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Studies Plant Physiology, February 1, 2001; 125(2): 912 - 925. [Abstract] [Full Text]