Abstract
IT seems well established that the first steps in the biosynthesis of proteins are the activation of amino-acids in the presence of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and the transfer of the activated amino-acids to a soluble fraction of ribonucleic acid (RNA)1. Such reactions are also involved in the biosynthesis of some peptides, for example, the condensation of glutamyl-cysteine with glycine to give glutathione2. Enzymes activating almost all the naturally occurring L-amino-acids have been isolated from animal, plant, and microbial sources. Only one enzyme active on a D-amino acid, D-alanine, has been demonstrated in cells of Lactobacillus arabinosus and other Lacto-bacillaceae3.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Lipmann, F., et al., J. Cell. Comp. Physiol., 54, Supp. 1, 75 (1959). Hoagland, M. B., Fourth Int. Congr. Biochem., Symp. 8, 199 (1960). Novelli, G. D., Ann. Rev. Microbiol., 14, 65 (1960).
Bates, H. M., and Lipmann, F., J. Biol. Chem., 235, PC 22 (1960).
Baddiley, J., and Nehaus, F. C., Biochem. J., 75, 579 (1960).
DeMoss, J. A., and Novelli, G. D., Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 22, 49 (1956).
Ito, E., and Strominger, J. L., J. Biol. Chem., 235, PC 5, PC 7 (1960).
Di Girolamo, M., Ciferri, O., and Bendicenti Di Girolamo, A. (unpublished results).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
CIFERRI, O., DI GIROLAMO, M. & BENDICENTI DI GIROLAMO, A. Activation of Amino-Acids in Micro-Organisms which produce Antibiotics. Nature 191, 411 (1961). https://doi.org/10.1038/191411a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/191411a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.