Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Biosynthesis of γ-Guanidinobutyric Acid from γ-Aminobutyric Acid and Arginine

Abstract

THE recent discovery by Irreverre et al.1,2 of γ-guanidinobutyric acid in mammalian brain and other tissues stimulated research on its biosynthesis and physiological role. Thoai et al.3 have shown that in many invertebrates γ-guanidinobutyric acid is synthesized by the oxidation of arginine through the action of L-amino-acid oxidase. The present communication shows that in mammals it is synthesized by a transamidination reaction4 involving γ-aminobutyric acid and an amidine donor such as arginine.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Irreverre, F., Evans, R. L., and Hayden, A. R., 131st Amer. Chem. Soc. Meeting, Miami, Florida (April 1957).

  2. Irreverre, F., Evans, R. L., Hayden, A. R., and Silber, R., Nature, 180, 704 (1957).

    Article  ADS  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Thoai, N. V., Roche, J., and Robin, Y., Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 11, 403 (1953).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Borsook, H., and Dubnoff, J. W., J. Biol. Chem., 138, 389 (1941).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Ratner, S., and Rochovansky, O., Arch. Biochem. and Biophys., 63, 277 (1956).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Van Pilsum, J. F., Martin, R. P., Kito, E., and Hess, J., J. Biol. Chem., 222, 225 (1956).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Walker, J. B., J. Biol. Chem., 224, 57 (1957).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Walker, J. B., Fed. Proc., 15, 378 (1956).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Ratner, S., and Rochovansky, O., Arch. Biochem. and Biophys., 63, 296 (1956).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Bazemore, A., Elliott, K. A. C., and Florey, E., Nature, 178, 1052 (1956).

    Article  ADS  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

PISANO, J., MITOMA, C. & UDENFRIEND, S. Biosynthesis of γ-Guanidinobutyric Acid from γ-Aminobutyric Acid and Arginine. Nature 180, 1125–1126 (1957). https://doi.org/10.1038/1801125a0

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/1801125a0

This article is cited by

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.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing